In addition to sponsoring last week's boat parade, lobstermen who belong to the North End co-op on Westport Island have sent out a mailing to residents in the area. Both efforts are aimed at convincing people the proposed coal gasification plant in Wiscasset should not be built.

The following is the text of the letter:

"Hello,

"I am your local lobsterman, the person hauling traps in front of your house everyday. I know my buoys and wakes can be irritating, and for that I apologize. But I have been part of Maine for many years and am part of the scenery you enjoy living here. The lobsters I catch are the best in the world, and I'm sure you enjoy them too.

"All this is about to change. Soon you could be looking at 400 to 500 foot barges go by your house a minimum of 14 times a week and at certain times of year up to 20 or 30. I will be gone, out of work and have no idea how I will support my family. You didn't buy your house to look at coal barges with 6,000 to 7,000 tons of coal a day and fuel barges and no one else will want to either. The wildlife and marine life could suffer irreversibly with toxins accidentally spilled or dumped into the river on purpose. Even if nothing goes wrong, there will be 22 lbs. of mercury a year into the air and then maybe into the water.

"If this makes you even half as mad as it does me, you need to get involved now. On Nov. 6, 2007, the town of Wiscasset will vote to change the height ordinance at Maine Yankee. Once this occurs, they cannot stop this even if they want to. Your future is being decided by one town that has been bribed with the promise of lower taxes.

"The entire Sheepscot River Valley, considered by many to be the most precious jewel in Maine, will be forever lost. Is this consistent with the sign in Kittery `Welcome to Maine the way life should be,' or does it sound like the refineries and heavy industry which turned places like Newark, New Jersey into places where you can't even breathe.

"If you don't get involved now and try to stop this, how can you look your grandchild in the eye and proudly say I had a hand in saving this beautiful place for you. If you live in Wiscasset we ask you to vote against changing the height ordinance, and if you don't ask anyone you know who does live in Wiscasset to vote against it.

"There is a petition against this plant; if you want to sign it send an email to info@backriveralliance.org or call 319-7608.

Thank you

Lobstermen of the

North End Co-Op