Dear Editor, Nestlé subsidiary Poland Spring set its sights on the tiny town of Fryeburg, Maine nearly a decade ago, pushing to build a huge bottling plant and take long-term control over the town’s spring water. Nestlé has sued the small town multiple times, arguing that its right to grow market share is more important than the town’s right to self-determination.
Nestlé wants to lock up its control over Fryeburg’s water with a contract that — including extensions — lasts until 2057. This lifetime contract would be unprecedented in North America, and would be a major victory for water privatization companies. This is a story we can’t allow to be told.
Tell Nestlé and Poland Spring to stop bullying the people of Fryeburg.
Nestlé has tried every trick of the trade in fighting Fryeburg, relentlessly working to grind down and bankrupt opposition in the town with a wave of lawsuits. The corporation has found itself shut out of fifty-year contracts, so it is pushing a 25 year contract — with four five-year extensions — to test the limits of how long it can lock up water before people fight back.
Nestlé has also sunk deep into Maine politics, but local activists have been fighting back and are winning victories. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the deciding members of the Maine Public Utilities Commission — the body that would rule on Nestlé’s Fryeburg fight — had connections to the corporation, forcing the Commission to recuse itself from the case. This month, the entire membership of the Fryeburg Water District resigned under threat of recall. This relentless pressure is having an effect, and we need to keep it up.
If Nestlé sees that its bullying is hurting its global brand, the company will rethink its strategy of taking Fryeburg’s water. Nestlé is trying to retell the Story of water, saying it’s a good up for sale to the highest bidder. This way, Nestlé gets it for a steal, pumps aquifers dry, and then moves on to the next town. In places like Fryeburg, people are taking a stand and saying “Not here. Not anywhere.”Please join them today.
Tell Nestlé and Poland Spring to stop the attempt to lock up Fryeburg’s water until 2057.
Claiborne Deming
The Story of Stuff team
From Wendy Bales, Director FVRD Area C
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Protecting our Community Water Sources.
@ The Harrison Mills Hall, 1995 School Rd.
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014. Doors open 5:45 pm.
The movie: “Blue Gold” @ 6:15 pm. to7:45 pm, a short coffee + break
Forum Discussion 8 to 9 pm
Coffee & Tea will be available. (to save on dishes BYO cup)
For more information email Wendy: larkspurlandscapes@shaw.ca
Or Call: 604-302-8740 (cell) 604-820-1451 (home)
Free documentary & open community forum discussion. Will the new Water Act be enough to protect our local home waters? What can local communities do? What impact will Free Trade, industry and privatization deals have? Please come and be part of the discussion. Be part of communities working toward solutions.
As this is a work night for some and as well holiday time for others, if you can’t make all or part of the movie please watch it on line and come for the discussion.
“Blue Gold: World Water Wars”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1a3tjqQiBI : Full length movie
Can we afford to be complacent about protecting our community water sources? Some think that living in a rainforest gives us an endless supply of water.