Talk of the Towns 8/8/14

Host: Ron Beard, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne

Program Topic: Employee owned Cooperatives retain local businesses and jobs

Key Discussion Points:
Background on Cooperatives from Rob and Mark
Orient listeners to variety of cooperatives (producers, consumers, employee-ownership)
There are various forms of ownership for businesses… what is different about cooperative ownership and operation? Examples at different scales?
What are key advantages of cooperative ownership… for employee/owners, for the communities in which cooperatives live?
What are some of the challenges to setting up and operating cooperatives, including financing, decision-making?
There is a long history of cooperatives… why aren’t there more of them?
What is the role of the Cooperative Development Institute and your program (Business Ownership Solutions
Introduce the story of Island Employee Cooperative and the role of various partners
Background, status of and vision for Island Employee Cooperative — Alan
Background on the three individual businesses and the employees who came together to explore the ownership option(Burnt Cove Market, V&S Variety and Pharmacy and The Galley) and their place in the communities of Stonington and Deer Isle.
Trace the path from when workers heard the owners wanted to retire, to creating Maine’s largest worker owned cooperative… what were some of the excitements and challenges?
What is the status now, what sorts of decisions have owner/employees made about the day to day operation of the businesses? What changes have been made and what do you envision for the future?
Who are the various organizations that made it all work?
What have been some of the community response/reactions?
What have you learned about owning and operating your businesses?
Looking ahead
What are some factors that tend to make employee owned cooperatives work?
How can individuals and groups support the creation of cooperatives of all sorts?
Where can listeners learn more?
What are your hopes for cooperatives and local communities in Maine?

Guests:
Rob Brown, Director, Business Ownership Solutions, Cooperative Development Institute
Alan White, President Island Employee Cooperative, Deer Isle
Mark Sprackland, Executive Director, Independent Retailers Shared Services Cooperative by phone: 603 642 6911)
Jonah Fertig, one of the founders of Local Sprouts, employee cooperative Portland restaurant and entertainment space, by phone 967 4735

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

RadioActive 8/7/14

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Issue: Environmental and Social Justice

Program Topic: The Penobscot Nation’s Proposed Water Quality Standards Hearing and Interview with Chief Kirk Francis

Key Discussion Points:

a) We hear some of the testimony at the Penobscot Nation’s public hearing on it’s proposed Surface Water Quality Standards.The tribe wishes to strengthen current standards for the waters within Penobscot tribal territories, most specifically to address the health of fish consumed by tribal members. Following public input, the Penobscot Nation will present their standards to the US Environmental Protection Agency for approval, as allowed under the federal Clean Water Act for federally recognized tribes.
b) We also speak with Penobscot Chief Kirk Francis on the water quality standards and on the current legal challenges. (We continue our interview with Chief Francis in next week’s program on 8-14-14)
c) Earlier this month, Maine Attorney General Janet Mills and Maine Dept of Environmental Protection Commissioner, Patrica Aho, filed suit against the US EPA in attempts to establish jurisdiction. The Penobsacot Nation also currently has a case against the Maine Attorney General’s Office to likewise establish he definition of tribal waters and the tribe’s sovereign right to control water quality.

Guests:
A) Jean Lewey, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribal member
B) Reena Loure (sp?), Penobscot Tribal member
C) Reuben “Butch” Phillips, Penobscot Tribal member
D) James Sappier, former Chief of Penobscot Nation
E)Sherri Mitchell, Penobscot Tribal member
F) Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Nation

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

WERU Special: Mainers Speak Out – Palestine 8/7/14

Producers/Hosts: Carolyn Coe & Amy Browne

*Note- Due to a recording error, the introduction to this program was omitted, but the transcript of the intro follows:

Welcome to this WERU Special – Mainers speaking out about Israel and Palestine. It’s August 7th, 2014. I’m Amy Browne.

A group of Mainers visited Senator Collin’s office in Portland earlier this week, to – in their words “object to her support of Israel’s international war crimes against civilians, to the $3.1 billion annual military aid to Israel supplied by U.S. taxpayers, and to the senator representing AIPAC [ the American Israel Public Affairs Committee] rather than her Maine constituents.” WERU’s Carolyn Coe was there and recorded their comments, which we’re going to hear now, then we’ll be opening the phone lines at the half hour for your reaction and comments on the issue.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download