Food Sovereignty Ordinance advances in Rockland. Hear supporters speaking. AUDIO

Rockland's City Council gave initial approval Monday night, 1/9/17 to a draft food sovereignty ordinance.Supporters from around the region joined city residents.  Rockland would be first _city_ to adopt such an ordinance.(WRFR Interview of  Rockland FoodSov expert Jesse Watson. 23min 

Public comments on the proposed food sovereignty ordinance are followed by  the Rockland City Council discussing and voting 3-2 in favor of the proposed ordinance.

Judith Lawson

Intro by Mayor Will Clayton  46sec

Muriel Curtis, Rockland, 1min 38sec, 

Susie Shaw, Union, 2min 51sec

Ron Huber

Rockland state rep Pinny Beebe 

Spencer, 2min 14sec 

Steve Carroll,  Rockland 2min 11sec, 

Bonnie Preston, Blue Hill, 5min 48sec

Heather Bedford, Penobscot,   5min 34sec

Debby Atwell

Amanda Bennett, Rockland, 82sec

 Richard King, Liberty,  68 sec

Dave Webb,  2min 15sec

Ron Huber, FOPB, 3min 48sec

David Myslabodski

Mike Grondin, Rockland, 1min 34sec

Debby Atwell, Rockland, 5min 11sec

David Myslabodski, Rockland, 1min 38sec

Chris L , Old County Rd Rockland 

Judith Lawson, Rockland, 3min 15sec

Graham Jeffries, Rockland  4min

Rockland City Council next discusses then votes 3-2 in favor of the draft ordinance. 21 min 

After the vote , food sov advocate Jesse Watson praised the turnout, noting also that  it was a "surprise close vote" . He said that supporters differed from critics and holding that the ordinance do not frustrate the purpose of state or federal  regulations.

"For us supporters its not a question of exceeding authority." he said. "What is the purpose of these regs? The purpose is to provide a resilient food system that  makes safe,  nutritious and readily accessible food.  This ordinance does not frustrate the purpose of the combined department of food conservation and forestry." Watson told WRFR correspondent Ron Huber.