Thursday, April 30, 2009
Free Saturday Swim Lessons at Reiche Pool
The West End Neighborhood Association is continuing to raise
money for students to attend Saturday swimming lessons at Reiche
Pool for free.
Children who receive Free or Reduced Lunch at school, and live in
the West End, are eligible to take lessons.
The next session starts Saturday, May 2nd and runs to Saturday,
June 13th
Parents should fill out the Portland Recreation Youth Aquatic
Program Registration Form for the each child signing up for
swimming lessons.
Turn in the form to Amy Klodzinski at Learning Works by the end
of the day before May 1st. Go to the pool at the time you are
scheduled to start your lesson. If you have any questions, call or email
Amy Klodzinski 775-0105 x 164 or aklodzinski@learningworks.me
Portland to Swear-in New Police Chief
James Craig to officially join Portland Police Department May 1st
On Friday, May 1st, Captain James Craig of Los Angeles will be
officially sworn-in as the eighteenth Chief of Police for the City of
Portland. Craig was unanimously confirmed by the Portland City
Council on March 2nd following City Manager Joe Gray's selection as
the finalist for the position. Craig will oversee a Police Department
comprised of 160 sworn and 53 civilian staff.
Craig, a twenty-eight year veteran of the Los Angeles Police
Department, left his position of the Area Commanding Officer of the
West Los Angeles Area for the top police post in Portland. While in
Los Angeles, Craig held the rank of Police Captain III and served as
Area CO for the Southwest Area of the city for nearly four years,
during which he was responsible for policing a diverse community of
approximately 190,000 residents, and exercised command over 390
sworn and civilian personnel. Craig's community policing approach
contributed to a four-year trend in crime reduction for the area.
In Los Angeles, Craig provided oversight for a year-long joint
LAPD/FBI operation targeting a local gang in Baldwin Village, and
served as incident commander managing significant events such as the
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, the BET Awards, the Emmys
and major University of South California Sporting events.
Friday, May 1, 2009, 9:00 AM State of Maine Room, City Hall
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Oil and Grease Plug City Sewers, Costing
Thousands
City asks residents to make sure they dispose of these
materials properly
The City of Portland and Portland Water District are asking residents
to dispose of cooking oil and grease properly and not pour it down the
drain. Every year, the city and Portland Water District spend $50,000
in an effort to remove oil and grease plugging sewer lines and
wastewater pumping stations.
More than fifteen tons of grease are removed from the India Street,
Franklin Street Arterial and Northeast Pump Stations annually. The
problem has become so extensive that routine maintenance in many
areas throughout the city is required to keep the sewers clear to avoid
backups.
To dispose of oil or grease correctly, the material should be poured
into a sealed container and placed in a Portland blue trash bag for
collection. Restaurants should have a properly-installed and maintained
grease trap to ensure that the waste does not end up in the city's sewer
system, compounding the existing problem. Residents should know
that properly disposed trash is used to generate electricity through the
burning of biomass at EcoMaine.
The city's sewer system reacts much the same way as the human
body when oil and grease are put into the system-the piping and
pumping systems can become impaired to the point of failure.
Improper disposal of oil and grease is a citywide problem that can be
quickly rectified if residents take the appropriate steps to ensure that it
does not end up in the sewer system.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Police Chief Depicts Shooting as a
“Tragedy”
Meeting Held with Sudanese Community Leaders
At an April 27th news conference, Portland’s Interim Police Chief
Joseph K. Loughlin called the April 25th shooting of David Okot by
police “a tragedy for the deceased and his family, and for the officers
involved and their families.”
Portland police officers shot and killed Okot, a 26-year-old Sudanese
man who resided in Portland, while responding to the area of 11
Weymouth Street in the Parkside neighborhood at about 7:35 PM.
Officers were investigating a call to 911 that reported a suspicious man
who appeared intoxicated and who had a handgun in the waistband of
his pants. He was reportedly showing the gun to a passerby.
When officers arrived they found a group of several men in front of
11 Weymouth Street. Police say Okot fled onto the porch of the
apartment building where a second man was standing. Officers were
on the sidewalk and pointing their firearms at the suspect, who
reached into his waistband and brandished a handgun. Portland police
officers Benjamin Roper and Joshua Wiseman both fired at Okot,
killing him. Neither officer was injured.
Loughlin stated “Officers were forced to take action and engage this
individual.” He also said that one of the officers believed he was fired
on. That may be determined after the investigation is concluded. The
continuing investigation into the shooting will be “complex,” with the
Attorney General’s office and the Police Department’s Internal Affairs
Unit involved. The in-car police video will be looked at, since there are
portions of the scene captured on tape.
Both officers were placed on administrative leave until the
investigation is completed. They received debriefings, and the
Department has a peer-support network available to them.
Okot was described as an individual with “an extensive arrest
record.” Loughlin said that Okot had “over 8 convictions, over 50
documented police contacts, and multiple arrests.”
Loughlin thanked witnesses in the neighborhood, and said that the
police department is “working with the Sudanese community to keep
lines of communication open.” There has already been one meeting
held, and there will be a large meeting between the two groups upon
the return of one of the Sudanese leaders who had been out of town.
-Marge Niblock
Greens to Celebrate 25th Anniversary
The Maine Green Independent Party, which in January, celebrated its
25th Anniversary as the oldest State Green Party in the US, will honor
the milestone with a 25th Anniversary Dinner the night before the 2009
MGIP Convention, May 2-3, in Augusta.
The event will be hosted by former gubernatorial candidate and radio
personality, Pat LaMarche. Speakers will include MGIP Gubernatorial
candidate Lynne Williams, Portland City Councilor Dave Marshall,
Darfur activist Babiker Mohammed, and Green Party founding member
John Rensenbrink.
The 25th Anniversary Dinner will be held May 2nd and Maine Green
Independent Party Convention May 3rd. Both events will be held at the
Senator Hotel in Augusta.
Anyone interested in attending should contact: Jacqui Deveneau,
jacquio50@yahoo.com or 207-934-1911.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Armed Man Shot to Death by Police
On Saturday, April 25th, at 7:35 P.M., Portland police officers shot
and killed a man while responding to the area of 11 Weymouth Street.
Officers were investigating a call to 911 that reported a suspicious man
who appeared intoxicated and who had a handgun in the waistband of
his pants. He was reportedly showing the gun to a passerby.
When officers arrived, they found a group of several men in front of
11 Weymouth Street. One of the men matched the suspect's clothing
description. Police say the man fled onto the porch of the apartment
building, where a second man was standing. Officers were on the
sidewalk and pointing their firearms at the suspect, who reached into
his waistband and brandished a handgun, according to a statement
issued by Portland's Acting Chief of Police Joseph Loughlin. Portland
police officers Benjamin Roper and Joshua Wiseman both fired at the
man, killing him. Neither officer was injured.
A third man had fled inside the apartment building and a search was
conducted for him. He has not yet been identified. The other man
standing on the porch at the time of the shooting was not injured. He
has been interviewed by detectives.
Evidence being evaluated consists of a handgun recovered at the scene
and video from the officer’s police cruiser.
The deceased person has been tentatively identified as a 26-year-old
Sudanese man who resides in Portland. His name will be released
following an autopsy that will provide a positive identification.
Officer Wiseman has served the department for two-and-a-half years,
and Officer Roper is an eight year veteran. Both are graduates of the
Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Portland Police Department policy
requires both officers be placed on administrative leave pending an
investigation.
The incident is being investigated by the Maine Attorney General's
Office and the Portland Police Internal Affairs Unit.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Lie Detector Tests Help Free Couple
Two people who were charged with kidnapping, aggravated criminal
trespass, assault, criminal threatening, terrorizing, and obstructing
report of crime/injury, have been freed from jail after taking-and
passing-a lie detector test.
Belinda Libby 41, and Peter Sullivan, 45, were arrested on December
6, 2008, after the man they had been staying with complained to
police, and gave an account that would support those charges, giving
police probable cause to make an arrest.
Libby and Sullivan were held at the Cumberland County Jail since then,
having been unable to come up with enough cash to make bail. Libby’s
bail had been set at $2,000 and Sullivan’s was $7,500.
Even though polygraph examinations are not admissible in court, the
fact that the defendants passed the tests would make a conviction
unlikely, based on the evidence in the case. Police say the case is still
open, and they will investigate any new evidence.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, April 23, 2003
Portland Darfur Activist 'Peaceworker of
the Year'
El- Fadel Arbab, a Portland resident and activist working to end the
genocide in Darfur, will receive the Peace Action Maine's Peaceworker
of the Year award on Saturday April 25th. The award will be given at
Peace Action Maine's Annual Peace Supper held at the Guild Hall, 307
Congress St, beginning at 5PM.
El Fadel Arbab is a member of the Fur Cultural Revival, a Maine-based
organization whose mission is to broaden the public's awareness of the
Darfur genocide, seek assistance for Darfuris in the US and preserve
the Fur tribal culture. He is a speaker and educator and has been
traveling throughout the Northeast sharing his experiences as a
survivor, and speaking at churches, synagogues high schools, colleges
and community centers. Recently, El Fadel, along with other Fur
members, has taken part in lobbying, advocacy and rallies in
Washington DC.
At the age of 12, El Fadel’s village in Darfur was attacked by both the
Sudanese military and the Janjaweed militia, injuring him and separating
him from his family. Over the next 15 years, El Fadel struggled to
reunite with his family, and has tirelessly worked to educate others and
take action to end the genocide in Darfur.
Police Arrest Steak Salesman With Stolen
Check
At about 2 PM on April 14th, police received a call regarding a
suspicious male going door-to-door selling steaks out of a truck. They
apprehended Nicholas Currier, 21, who was known to police, who
were also aware that he was out on bail at the time.
When Currier was searched, a blank check not belonging to him was
found. The person whose name was printed on the check was
contacted by police, and said he did not know Mr. Currier, but that a
theft had recently occurred where checks had been taken.
Currier was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and
violation of bail conditions.
-Marge Niblock
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Congress Street Traffic Bottleneck to Last
All Summer
Traffic on Congress Street from Preble Street to Elm Street will be
reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the summer due to
remodeling work currently underway at the main branch of the
Portland Public Library. The left turn lanes for Elm Street and Federal
Street have also been eliminated to allow for pedestrian traffic, and to
allow space for the contractor to complete the work. City officials say
that commuters may want to seek alternate routes while this work is
underway to avoid traffic and delays.
Man Arrested in GPS Thefts
Mel Fournier was charged on April 17th with two counts of burglary
to a motor vehicle that occurred in Portland in March. One global
positioning system was stolen from a vehicle in Mercy Hospital’s
parking lot on the Fore River Parkway, and the other from a lot on
Outer Congress Street.
The vehicles had been forcibly entered and the GPS’s taken, after
which they were pawned at local pawn shops. One GPS has been
recovered and returned to the owner.
Fournier was arrested in Windham on a warrant that had been issued
in Portland. Police have not divulged the reason for requesting the
warrant.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
18 Candidates Kick Off Charter
Commission Race
Eighteen of the nineteen candidates for the commission that will study
and make changes to the document that is the foundation of Portland’s
City government met for a forum on April 20th.
The Charter Commission Candidate Forum was sponsored by the
League of Young Voters and held at the Community Television studio
on Congress Street.
Among the issues discussed by the candidates were:
-the change to a system that would feature an elected mayor.
-changing the number of City Council voting districts, or increasing
the number of City Council seats that would represent individual
districts and decrease the number of at-large representatives.
-changing the way the School Committee budget is handled.
-giving city residents who are not citizens the right to vote in municipal
elections.
-the election or appointment of School Committee members.
-Clean Elections funding for municipal races.
The current City Charter has been Portland’s operational guide since
1923. A charter commission reviewed the charter from 1984 to 1986,
but their recommendations were rejected by Portland voters.
The election for the Charter Commission will be held on June 9th, and
its recommendations will be voted on in November 2010. The
Commission will consist of twelve members, three of whom have
already been appointed by the Portland City Council. Members elected
to the remaining nine seats will represent the five council districts, with
four electees being at-large representatives.
Three former mayors are running for the board, as well as the
daughter of another former mayor. Only former mayor Ed Suslovic,
who was on vacation, missed the opening forum.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Arrest Delays Pregnancy Test
Police were summoned to the Hannaford supermarket at 295 Forest
Avenue on April 11th a little after 10 PM for a shoplifter in custody.
Hannaford employees told police they had been watching the store
surveillance equipment and saw Darius Pelletier, 30, of Portland,
remove a pregnancy test kit from a shelf and conceal it in his jacket
pocket.
Pelletier proceeded to check out and pay for other items contained in
his basket, and was detained in the parking lot after he exited the store.
Police answering the call discovered that Pelletier was out on bail and
also had outstanding warrants against him for forgery, probation
violation, and unlawful possession of schedule drugs.
Since he had three previous theft convictions, the charge stemming
from this arrest was elevated to a felony theft. The stolen item was a
First Response pregnancy test kit, valued at $16.49.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Historic Local Political Race Being Studied
A Massachusetts author is doing research about a particular episode in
contemporary Portland politics – the election of Green Independent
John Eder in 2002.
Jonathan Martin is a sociology professor from Framingham State
College who is doing research on progressive third party campaigns in
New England, specifically on what makes them more - or less -
successful.
Martin is also researching the 2006 race for the Maine House of
Representatives between Green Independent Ben Meiklejohn and
Democrat Anne Rand. Rand won that race, but gave up the seat last
year to run, unsuccessfully, for the Democratic nomination for
Portland’s state senate seat. State Senator Justin Alfond won that race.
Eder won the historic 2002 election for State Representative
representing the West End against Democrat David Garrity, becoming
the highest-ranking Green Independent elected official in the country.
He won re-election in 2004 against then-Representative Ed Suslovic.
Eder’s and Suslovic’s districts had been combined in a controversial
2003 state re-districting. Eder was defeated for re-election in 2006 by
current Representative Jon Hinck. Eder was recently elected to the
Cumberland County Charter Commission
Professor Martin has interviewed a number of local political figures
and journalists familiar with the two races about which he is writing.
He is hoping that his research may lead to a book about the topic at
some time in the future.
Summer Youth Bus Pass Now Available
Bus passes are now available that would allow students under 18 to
ride METRO and South Portland City buses all summer for $20. Bus
service is available in Portland, Westbrook, South Portland and
Falmouth. Bike racks and wheel chair lifts are available on all buses.
Pass holders can ride the METRO Bus anywhere the bus goes,
anytime from June – August.
Passes are available where most bus tickets are sold:
- METRO Downtown Transportation Center (PULSE) on Elm Street
- Participating Hannaford’s and Shaw’s Supermarket locations on bus
routes
(Please note: Youth Passes are not available at Hannaford's on Forest
Avenue)
- Casco Bay Ferry Terminal
- Portland and South Portland City Hall
- METRO office, 114 Valley Street
Friday, April 17, 2009
Burglar with Sword Claims Self-defense
On April 7th, at 11:20 PM, a witness saw a man entering a building
owned by Maine College of Art 619 Congress Street through a
window, and police were called.
When police arrived, they saw Derek Fula, 25, of Portland,inside the
building and took him into custody. After he was secured, they
discovered a two-foot-long samurai sword in the front of his pants.
Fula told police the sword was "for self-defense."
He was arrested and charged with commercial burglary and carrying a
concealed weapon.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, April 16, 2009
WENA to Begin Food Program
The West End Neighborhood Association has found a home for the
WENA chapter of SERVE New England, the discount food distribution
program, which will be held at Harbor Terrace at 284 Danforth Street.
The neighborhood group will do a dress rehearsal of ordering and
delivering the food packages in May. Once they have the logistics
down, they will begin to advertise for more participants, and be up and
running on the SERVE monthly schedule.
WENA will send out more info before the next WENA meeting, and
anyone interested in the program can take a look at the SERVE New
England web site at http://www.servenewengland.org/ .
WENA is still looking for people to help with the actual food
distribution. This would be one Saturday per month at Harbor Terrace
and would be early on Saturday mornings, between 5:30-9. Here are
the dates: May 30,June 27, July 25, Aug 22,Sept 26,Oct 24 ,Nov 21,
Dec19. Anyone interested in helping out, please respond with your
name and phone # to Rosanne Graef, President, West End
Neighborhood Association at wendneighborhood@yahoo.com
Portland's GLBT Website Launches New
Directory Service
Currently in its sixth year online, www.GayPortlandMaine.com has
launched its new GLBT Concierge Pages designed to help visitors and
residents discover “Gay Friendly” businesses in the greater Portland
area.
GayPortlandMaine.com offers listings including comprehensive
Area Attractions, GLBT Resources and Events, Upcoming Arts and
Entertainment Events, and breaking news of interest to the GLBT
community, their friends and allies.
Billed as “The one stop destination for the best in gay friendly
shopping, accommodations, dining, services and more,” the new
Concierge Pages currently feature Directories for Nightlife and
Restaurants, Accommodations, Services, Local Shopping, and
Health/Fitness/Beauty. (A Real Estate directory is in the works.)
For additional information on GayPortlandMaine.com’s Concierge
Pages call 207-409-0911 or email concierge@gayportlandmaine.com.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Police to Keep Watch on Marginal Way
Student Housing
MARGE NIBLOCK
The Portland Police Department reacted with shock to the receipt of a
letter sent by an attorney for the student housing complex at 132
Marginal Way, requesting that the Portland Police Department no
longer conduct walk-throughs of the buildings on Marginal Way.
Danielle P. West-Chuhta, Associate Corporation Counsel for the City
of Portland, promptly replied, stating ". . . we are unable to comply
with your request. As we have discussed, the Department routinely
conducts walk-throughs of various buildings throughout the City. This
is an important part of its job, and it will not discontinue this practice
for your client’s building."
On January 10th, four people were arrested at the complex and
charged with violations pertaining to underage drinking. Police had
done a routine walk-through and found a large gathering, in excess of
12 people, with alcohol being consumed. There was only one person in
the group who was 21; all of the others were under the legal age
permitted for drinking.
The following evening, two of those who had been arrested were
rearrested and charged with violation of conditional release, when
alcohol was once again found. Police had done a bail check on the
apartment, and one of the conditions under which bail was given was
that there could be no use or possession of alcoholic beverages.
Lieutenant Michael Sauschuck, head of Evening Directed Patrol for the
Portland Police Department, says "The Police Department is there on a
regular basis. We are being proactive in dealing with this location."
Sauschuck says the main focus of the police will be underage drinking
and public order.
Bayside Village Studio Apartments is a privately-owned business
providing living quarters to students above the age of 18. Five or six
area schools provide the tenants for the complex, which opened at the
end of the summer in 2008.
When the apartment building first opened, there were calls about loud
music and loud parties, causing police to respond to 40 calls in one
month at the site. There have been four different managers since the
buildings were occupied.
Tara Bryant is now the manager, starting January 5th of this year. She
has the "hot seat" in what was fast becoming a "hot spot" under the
City’s ordinance designating such an area as a Disorderly House, based
on police calls for service. On October 30, 2008, the City had
identified the location as such.
After several meetings held with management staff of the complex and
the Portland Police Department to discuss the high calls for service
generated from the site, the situation showed vast improvement.
Changes were made regarding increased surveillance camera coverage,
and having the front door locked at all times. In February, only two
calls for service were logged by police, and March saw another two
calls - one for a loud party and the other for an intoxicated person.
Bryant says "I love the job." She feels a kinship with people in the age
group who live in the apartments.
"Many people are shy with this age group, who are transitioning into
adulthood," but Bryant says she understands the dynamics involved in
this process. "There are growing pains because it’s the first time for
these people being adults."
Bryant brings ten years of real estate experience and property
management to her job. Having a teenage daughter also puts her in
touch with the thinking of the age group living at Bayside.
Two full-time security officers assigned to the apartment units are on
duty all night, and someone is at the desk also. Eight or nine people
have been evicted. There is a warning system in place whereby three
violation letters give cause for eviction.
Bryant and Portland police were upbeat about the improvements seen
so far, and they announced their intention to work together to keep
things moving smoothly. The goodwill generated by the reduction in
calls to police - and improvements made - were diminished by the
attitude expressed by counsel for Marginal Way in his letter to the
police department. It remains to be seen whether the low numbers of
calls will become the norm, but police will continue to visit the
property, checking on any violations that may occur there.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Western Prom Group Opposes Waynflete
Expansion
Members of the Western Prom Neighborhood Association expressed
strong opposition to future growth possibilities for the Waynflete
School in the West End which were the topic of discussion at a forum
hosted by West End City Councilor David Marshall at Williston West
Church, on April 13th.
WPNA spokesperson Anne Pringle said that the group was opposed to
the school’s potential purchase of additional structures in the
neighborhood and conversion of them to institutional use. She said
that the school’s enrollment has almost doubled in the last twenty-five
years to its current 550 students, causing increased traffic in the area.
She also said that the school’s expansion proposals were inconsistent
with the City’s comprehensive plan, which is designed to protect
neighborhood stability.
WPNA President Peter Murray was one of the strongest critics of the
school’s proposals, saying that the school has taken the vitality out of
the neighborhood, and he expressed “grim determination” to keep the
school from expanding further.
Other issues raised by residents of the area included parking, loss of
tax revenue from buildings purchased by the school, safety in the area
after school hours, and a lack of trust by the school’s neighbors.
But the 111-year-old institution also had its share of supporters who
cited the school’s reputation as an outstanding educational institution,
calling it “a boon to the community” and “a wonderful school.”
About 60 people attended the forum, with about one-third of them
speaking out during the public comment section of the meeting. Many
of them concluded that there was a need for dialogue and compromise
between the school and the neighborhood.
Waynflete head Mark Segar said that any expansion will be undertaken
to enhance the school’s educational programs. He called Waynflete’s
proposals an “envisioning exercise” and not “a property acquisition
plan.” He said that the school wanted to remain a day school, and not
become a boarding school.
Waynflete School hosted two Neighborhood Forums last year - in
April and in September. At the first forum, two primary concerns
were expressed by West End residents; one relating to transportation
and parking, and the second relating to the long-term direction that
future physical growth at Waynflete might take.
Marshall said that City staff would compile information collected at the
forum to create a summary that could be used to bring the parties
together and find a middle ground.
LETTER
Library Head Responds to Delogu's
Charges
To the Editor:
Orlando Delogu’s article in the April 3-15 West End News contained
comments and accusations about Portland Public Library that require a
response.
Mr. Delogu stated: the "library has reneged on a promise to reexamine
its fundraising efforts, its costs, its capacity to maintain a six-branch
system"
The Library agreed last year to continue its on-going process in the
form of gathering additional feedback from neighborhoods that would
inform planning and preparation of this year’s budget. We did that
through a series of 6 meetings in the fall (part of the over 30 we have
had in the last three years) and a survey that received close to 600
replies. The observations from the meetings were presented to the
public for feedback and then reported to the Council. The material was
also posted on our website for the last 6 months. Those observations
informed our budget submission this year and called for us to maintain
our current schedule at six locations.
I am not sure what "reexamine its fund raising efforts" means, but yes,
we’d like to raise even more than we have. In the past three years, we
have contributed close to $1,500,000 toward library operations for
collections, services and programs. The Friends of Portland Public
Library has also been established this year and we are looking at more
refined web-based fundraising strategies.
The preparation of a budget does exactly what Mr. Delogu itemizes
above regarding the "capacity to maintain a salls for that system
architecture to continue, so I think it is self-evident that we understand
the needed "capacity" to maintain six locations. Since part of the
feedback from the neighborhoods was to maintain that system, we
prepared a budget expressing that fact even though we understand it is
a very, very difficult time.
Mr. Delogu’s final comment ("not a penny more than it was given last
year – some would argue the case is strong for giving them less.") is a
curious one that hints at a justification to reduce the Library budget. I
am not sure who "some" are and what the basis is for cutting a service
that was at record levels at the conclusion of FY 08 and is widely
acknowledged to be in heavy demand at this moment. Mr. Delogu is
implying that the budget document is not the plan that "… fully meets
their funding needs." Actually Mr. Delogu is correct in that the budget
does not fully meet our funding needs: we’d like to be open more at
each location, we’d like to recover the deep cuts at our main location
of last year (10% staff/18% hours open) and we’d like to buy more
books, but the times have been respected in our budget submission.
We agree - and have acknowledged in our public comments - that the
times are incredibly difficult and, in fact, we completely understand the
City Manager’s flat funding recommendation. We know the stress
well, as for the past year we have been living with reduction in staff
and loss of hours at our busiest location. Our job is to explain to
citizens what various recommendations mean in terms of day to day
library service. If the Council, after assessing the situation, provides no
increase to last year’s funding, we respect that and will utilize the
funds we do receive in an effective and respectful manner.
Lack of funds to support services we can all understand. But
comments, shown to be clearly at odds with the record of Library
activity, and that suggest that a punitive action concerning the Library
budget is needed, are unjustified and arguably, mean-spirited.
Sincerely,
Steve Podgajny
Executive Director
Portland Public Library
Monday, April 13, 2009
Alfond Takes Part in First Floor Debate
On Wednesday, April 8th, Portland's new State Senator Justin Alfond
had his first Senate floor debate - about a bill that made headlines in
early January.
LD 245, "An Act to Calculate the School Year by Number of Hours,"
would have allowed each superintendent and school board to create a
school calendar based on 900 hours instead of 175 school days.
Proponents gave examples, such as a school being able to add an extra
1 hour and 15 minutes, Mondays through Thursdays, and not have
school on Fridays.
However, Alfond argued that flexible school calendars are used
sparingly across the country, and there is little evidence of any
educational advantage to having longer school days. When he rose on
the floor, he spoke on behalf of an amendment which would grant the
Commissioner of Education the authority to give schools the ability to
make up for lost days by adding daily hours to their calendar instead of
adhering to the currently required 175 school days. Alfond says that
his approach fixes the existing problem, while leaving the greater
debate over flexible school schedules to the Education Committee in
future.
A majority of Senators voted with Alfond on the amendment.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Republicans to Host Portland "Tea Party"
Several groups of Republican activists plan to hold a "tea party" on
April 15th to protest national and state policies being implemented in
response to the current economic recession.
The Republican Project, Maine Taxpayers United and the Cumberland
County Republican Committee will hold the Tax Day Tea Party in
Portland on April 15th on the Maine State Pier at 5:30 PM.
Speakers will include Representative Rich Cebra, former Congressional
candidate Dean Scontras, and radio host Ray Richardson from WLOB
FM 95.5
Portland Kicks-off Composting Program
in Time for Spring Gardening
Public Services asks residents to consider composting to save
money and help the environment
The City of Portland Public Services Department has kicked-off its
second annual composting promotion by offering compost bins and
kitchen waste pails at discounted prices for purchase. Last year more
than 500 compost bins were sold through the program. In line with
Portland's sustainability goals, the city endorses compost as an
environmentally responsible alternative to fertilizing lawns and gardens
and an efficient way to reduce waste management costs for the city.
Twenty-five percent of the average household's waste consists of yard
trimmings and kitchen scraps, which can easily be composted. Home
composting combined with recycling and yard waste programs can
reduce household waste by up to eighty percent.
The 2009 home compost bin and how-to guide are available at a
reduced cost of $40.00 (original price $100). The bin has a 10 year
warranty, made of 100% recycled plastic and is large enough for a
family of five. Kitchen Waste Pails, for kitchen food scraps, are
available for $8.00 each and the wingdigger compost turner can be
purchased for a discounted price of $17.00. For the first time, people
can also purchase a 55 gallon capacity Rain Barrel for $55.00 (visit
online for more information http://publicworks.portlandmaine.
gov/rainbarrel.pdf). Orders will be taken in person or via mail at the
Department of Public Services, 55 Portland Street, Portland ME 04101
until May 1, 2009. Order forms are available online at http:
//publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/compostform.pdf. Payment in the
form of check or money order should be made payable to MRRA
(Maine Resource Recovery Association) and must be made when
placing your order. All orders will be available for pick-up June 6,
2009 at 2386 Congress Street from 7:00 AM -3:00 PM.
Last year, the Riverside Recycling Center received 5000 tons of yard
waste and brush from Portland residents, costing the City more than
$260,000 to manage. Composting yard waste and non-meat food
scraps at home instead of disposing of them reduces waste
management costs and provides homeowners with a valuable soil
amendment. Sustainable lawn care practices such as yardscaping
(which includes reduced mowing and aerating along with the use of
compost) help the environment by growing lawns that are less
dependent on chemicals, fertilizers and watering.
In addition to composting organics, residents are encouraged to "mow
high," generating shorter grass clippings that compost better. It is
estimated that the average American spends forty hours a year mowing
their lawn, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and causing
air pollution. In fact, a lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as an
automobile driving 350 miles.
In 2004, 3 million pounds of yard care pesticides were purchased in
Maine, more than three times the amount purchased ten years ago. The
use of pesticides and fertilizers pose a health risk to Portland's water
ways. Excess nitrogen, a component of most fertilizers, can cause
nuisance algae growth in Casco Bay.
Contact the Department of Public Services at 874-8801 for more
information about the composting program. For more information
about yardscaping, visit the Cumberland County Soil and Water
Conservation District online http://www.cumberlandswcd.org/ .
Friday, April 10, 2009
City Council Passes Green Building
Resolution
The Portland City Council on April 6th unanimously approved a green
building resolution, requiring all municipally-owned new construction
and major renovations building projects to be built to LEED Silver
standard with additional energy credits to meet the energy and carbon
reduction goals of the Architecture 2030 Challenge.
The ordinance requires all municipally-owned or occupied new
construction and renovation projects over 5,000 square feet with a
total construction cost of more than $250,000, and all new city-funded
private construction and renovation projects over 10,000 square feet
with a total construction cost of $250,000, be certified to the U.S.
Green Building Council's LEED Silver Standard and achieve the
minimum LEED Optimize Energy Performance points necessary to
meet the targets of the Architecture 2030 Challenge.
Since signing its Climate Action Plan in 2008, Portland has taken a
number of steps to meet its climate change goals. The plan states that
59% of the greenhouse gases emitted by city operations are from
buildings, with another 25% emitted from water and sewer
operations. Beyond cost and environmental benefits, green buildings
are healthier for people, use water more efficiently, aid storm-water
management and are built with materials that promote savings,
efficiencies and sustainability.
The U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization based in
Washington, D.C., developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. It is a
voluntary, nationally recognized, and third-party verified green building
standard. LEED can be applied to all types of buildings, public and
private, and has four progressive levels of certification: Certified,
Silver, Gold and Platinum.
LEED-certified commercial and institutional buildings use an average
of 32% less electricity, 26% less natural gas and 36% less total energy
than standard buildings. They also use 40% less water and
construction that results in 70% less solid waste, further reducing
emissions over traditional construction and operation. Research
shows that there is no significant difference in average cost for green
buildings as compared to non-green buildings. Upfront cost increases
for green buildings range from 0 to 4% and lower the expected lifetime
operating costs by 20%.
Man Arrested for Warped Sense of Humor
On March 30th, at 9:58 AM, three police officers and five fire trucks
responded to a fire alarm set off at the Trelawney Building at 657
Congress Street. No fire was found, and police say that Ronnie R.
Icke, 43, of Portland, had pulled the alarm as a joke. He was
intoxicated at the time and found it humorous, according to police.
Icke was arrested and charged with false public alarm or report.
This is not the first time Icke’s sense of humor has been at odds with
the law. Last year, he was arrested after stealing a red clown nose and
rainbow socks, which were found in his possession after the
performer at Longfellow Square who suffered the loss gave a
description of the culprit to police.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, APRIL 9, 2009
Band Members Hit the Street to Recover
Stolen Guitars
Members of the local band Hoboe used the Internet and their Old Port
street connections to recover two bass guitars that had been stolen
from one of the band member’s cars on March 21st.
Band members Ben Meiklejohn and Bob Bergeron - the owner of the
guitars-spread the word of the thefts on Facebook and other sites, and
papered the Old Port area with flyers on the day after the theft.
Meiklejohn says he was contacted by someone who said they were
approached about buying what turned out to be the stolen instruments.
He says that arrangements were made to have the guitars-which he
valued at about $2500-returned.
Meiklejohn credited the local music community with coming together
to help recover the instruments. He said quick action made the
instruments too hot to sell anywhere in Maine or the surrounding states.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Jail Workers Unhappy with Contract,
Union
Cumberland County Administrators Call Labor Contract A
Fair Deal, But Jail Workers Remain Disgruntled
On March 23rd, the Cumberland County Commissioners signed the
2008 contract with the county jail workers, who were represented by
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Union. Jail workers are happy it’s over, but are not happy with the
contract. County administrators feel the outcome was fair.
After nearly two years of protesting, working without the protection of
a contract, and sacrificing pay increases, county jail worker will finally
receive a retroactive cost of living pay raise of 3%. Local union
president at the Cumberland County Jail, Will Russell, says that they
managed to get some good language into this contract, yet he is not
happy with the outcome. Apparently, his co-workers share his
displeasure, and union members intend to look for a new union to
represent them. They feel the AFSCME Union let them down.
The main point of contention, according to union jail workers, was
that the non-union county workers were given both a 3% merit raise
and a 3% cost of living raise – a 6% pay raise for 2008 - double what
the jail workers’ received.
Cumberland County Jail workers maintain that the money for the merit
increase came from county surplus healthcare funds, and union
president Russell says that the money should have been shared equally
with all county employees, or returned to the taxpayers.
In addressing the jail workers’complaint about the 3% non-union merit
increases for 2008, Cumberland County Manager Peter Crichton says
that these increases averaged between 2 and 2.5% and are not included
in the 2009 budget. Mr. Crichton says there was a healthcare savings
in the budgeting process, and along with the County Commissioners, it
was to decided to spend this surplus in certain ways.
Crichton sites that 65% of county budget increases since 2001 have
gone to support the jail. Between the years of 2001 – 2003, jail
workers were given 10% raises each year, due to problems with filling
employee vacancies. This, along with compensation increases in the
2008 contract, Crichton says, adds up to a union employee
compensation package which exceeds that of non- union employees.
Examples Mr. Crichton lists in the new union contract are step
increases, other compensation for longevity, incentives, and stipends
for education.
Union president Russell also raised concerns about a grievance process
underway involving the county’s billing of the state for hours during
which jail workers study - on unpaid time - to gain work- related
certifications. The finance office indicated that they had heard very
little about this grievance.
Contract negotiations for 2009 begin in April. Meanwhile, jail workers
are united in feeling mistreated by the County; County Manager
Crichton says that he’s proud and appreciative of the good work being
done at Cumberland County Jail.
Pamela Cragin
pjcragin@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Commissioner Talks County In D.C.
Cumberland County Commissioner Malory Shaughnessy attended the
National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington
D.C., March 7th – 11th. Shaughnessy was sent by the Maine
Counties Commissioners Association, which is funded by dues paid by
each county in Maine.
Shaughnessy returned from the conference energized by the Obama
administration officials' open reception of nationwide county issues.
The conference covered topics ranging from air and water quality to
what the recent broadband legislation means to county economic
development.
It is important to Shaughnessy to get the message out that with the
help of NACO, Maine counties were able to enact the 20% discount on
prescription drug program for residents of Cumberland County. The
discount also includes pet prescriptions. Check the Cumberlandcounty.
org website for more information about the prescription discount.
Pamela Cragin pjcragin@yahoo.com
Rash of Stolen Pocketbooks
Four women reported that their pocketbooks were stolen
from downtown bars during the weekend of April 4-5. Most of the
bags were left unattended for some period of time. No men reported
their bags stolen.
Police are advising not to leave pocketbooks unattended for any period
of time at local bars and restaurants.
Bags were taken from the following locations: Una, Foreplay, Pearl,
and Bubba's.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Ohno Café under New Ownership
Chris Beth, of Portland, has taken over ownership of the Ohno Café.
The Brackett Street restaurant has been open for nearly five years.
Beth, a former engineer with General Electric, began work under
former owner Chris Cook in August, and took over ownership of the
restaurant last month. Beth said he will make some small changes,
such as offering desserts baked on premises, and expanded wine and
beer selections.
The Ohno Café is located at 87 Brackett Street in the West End .
April 3, 2009
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR APRIL
STOOLS DAY
Volunteers are needed to take part in the 17th Annual April Stools Day
on Saturday.. This year’s event is being expanded to include several
locations other than the original Eastern Promenade in Portland. 8 am –
10 am. Rain or Shine
Locations include:
* Eastern Promenade-East End Beach
* Eastern Prom Trail
*MHNO-Portland
* West End – Portland
* Hinckley Park – So. Portland
Other areas may be cleaned up, depending on the number of
volunteers. Team Captains are needed for each location, in addition to
“scoopers”. Please help us spread the word and call or e-mail to sign
up today. Help keep our parks, neighborhoods and open spaces clean.
Contact kathy@fetchportland.com 773-5450 or
info@friendsofeasternpromenade.org 774-2822
Portland Chamber Backs State Tax
Reform Bill
Supporters say tax reform and relief package would lower
the Maine tax burden and cut income taxes by over 20
percent
A group of legislators, led by House Majority Leader John Piotti,
presented a tax reform and relief package to the Taxation Committee in
a public hearing on April 2nd that would reduce the overall tax burden
on Mainers and cut the income tax rate from 8.5 to 6.5 percent. The
Portland Chamber of Commerce was one of a number of business
leaders, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and citizens from
around the state testifying in favor of the bill before the committee.
The bill, LD 1088, An Act To Modernize the Tax Laws and Provide
over $75,000,000 to Residents of the State in Tax Relief, would lower
the state top income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 6.5 percent, create
credits to drop income taxes for most Mainers even further, and cut
taxes by $75 million, according to its sponsors. The bill will lower
income taxes by $160 million and pay for it by moderately expanding
the sales tax base to some discretionary and highly exportable items.
At the public hearing, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the
Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, AARP, the Maine Municipal
Association, and other organizations spoke in favor of the bill. Most
emphasized the reduction of the income tax as a major business
attraction and retention tool, and the fact that the bill will increase
economic activity in the state. A number of economists and business
groups also testified in favor of the bill.
“We believe absolutely that the tax code in this state will benefit from
this bill, and we think the economy will benefit,” said Chris Hall, Senior
VP for Governmental Relations of the Portland Chamber of
Commerce. “Our board wants these tax changes.”
The committee will hold work sessions on the bill to consider changes
and adjustments and make a recommendation to the full legislature in
the coming weeks.
April 2, 2009
County Wants to Replace Adult Diversion
Vehicles
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department has asked the
Cumberland County Commissioners for permission to replace two
vehicles that are used in the county’s community corrections program,
which allows prisoners to work on projects around the county while
serving their jail sentences.
The money for a single replacement vehicle would come from the
county’s adult diversion fund, which is designated specifically for
community corrections projects. There is currently $360 thousand in
that fund.
Captain Wayne Pike of the sheriff’s office described the current
vehicles as rusting out, with paint peeling from them, although the
vehicles have only about 50,000 miles on each of them. He said that
they look like they have 160,000 miles on them.
Both vehicles would be auctioned off, and the county could expect to
get between $1500 to $1800 for each of them, according to Captain
Pike. The two Crown Victoria models would be replaced by one
compact Ford, which would get much better gas mileage.
April 1,2009
Portland West Changing Name, Mission
Portland West, as of April 1st, 2009, will be named LearningWorks.
In a prepared statement, the agency said that it had "a new mission,
new vision, new values, reorganization and a new name." The change
in name and mission reflects the agency's response to the changing
landscape of needs and economic resources, according to the
announcement issued on March 31st. In addition to revamping
programs, the agency has also begun collaborating with other southern
Maine non-profits who share similar work.
The 42-year old non-profit service agency, which started out as a
neighborhood organizing group, provides learning opportunities in
Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low-income
families. They said that it became clear that a new name was needed,
a name that would describe what they do, their philosophy, and one
that would not limit people's geographic thinking of who they serve.
The agency also owns and operates a number of residential and
commercial properties around Portland.
Marshall to Host Waynflete Forum
Future growth possibilities for the Waynflete School in the West End
will be the topic of discussion at a forum hosted by West End City
Councilor David Marshall at Williston West Church, 32 Thomas Street,
at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 13th.
Waynflete School hosted two Neighborhood Forums last year - in
April and in September. At the first forum, two primary concerns
were expressed by West End residents; one relating to transportation
and parking, and the second relating to the long-term direction that
future physical growth at Waynflete might take.
At the September forum, Waynflete officials shared their
Transportation & Parking Management Plan. They are currently
working on its implementation.
MARCH, 2009 STORIES
Free Saturday Swim Lessons at Reiche Pool
The West End Neighborhood Association is continuing to raise
money for students to attend Saturday swimming lessons at Reiche
Pool for free.
Children who receive Free or Reduced Lunch at school, and live in
the West End, are eligible to take lessons.
The next session starts Saturday, May 2nd and runs to Saturday,
June 13th
Parents should fill out the Portland Recreation Youth Aquatic
Program Registration Form for the each child signing up for
swimming lessons.
Turn in the form to Amy Klodzinski at Learning Works by the end
of the day before May 1st. Go to the pool at the time you are
scheduled to start your lesson. If you have any questions, call or email
Amy Klodzinski 775-0105 x 164 or aklodzinski@learningworks.me
Portland to Swear-in New Police Chief
James Craig to officially join Portland Police Department May 1st
On Friday, May 1st, Captain James Craig of Los Angeles will be
officially sworn-in as the eighteenth Chief of Police for the City of
Portland. Craig was unanimously confirmed by the Portland City
Council on March 2nd following City Manager Joe Gray's selection as
the finalist for the position. Craig will oversee a Police Department
comprised of 160 sworn and 53 civilian staff.
Craig, a twenty-eight year veteran of the Los Angeles Police
Department, left his position of the Area Commanding Officer of the
West Los Angeles Area for the top police post in Portland. While in
Los Angeles, Craig held the rank of Police Captain III and served as
Area CO for the Southwest Area of the city for nearly four years,
during which he was responsible for policing a diverse community of
approximately 190,000 residents, and exercised command over 390
sworn and civilian personnel. Craig's community policing approach
contributed to a four-year trend in crime reduction for the area.
In Los Angeles, Craig provided oversight for a year-long joint
LAPD/FBI operation targeting a local gang in Baldwin Village, and
served as incident commander managing significant events such as the
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, the BET Awards, the Emmys
and major University of South California Sporting events.
Friday, May 1, 2009, 9:00 AM State of Maine Room, City Hall
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Oil and Grease Plug City Sewers, Costing
Thousands
City asks residents to make sure they dispose of these
materials properly
The City of Portland and Portland Water District are asking residents
to dispose of cooking oil and grease properly and not pour it down the
drain. Every year, the city and Portland Water District spend $50,000
in an effort to remove oil and grease plugging sewer lines and
wastewater pumping stations.
More than fifteen tons of grease are removed from the India Street,
Franklin Street Arterial and Northeast Pump Stations annually. The
problem has become so extensive that routine maintenance in many
areas throughout the city is required to keep the sewers clear to avoid
backups.
To dispose of oil or grease correctly, the material should be poured
into a sealed container and placed in a Portland blue trash bag for
collection. Restaurants should have a properly-installed and maintained
grease trap to ensure that the waste does not end up in the city's sewer
system, compounding the existing problem. Residents should know
that properly disposed trash is used to generate electricity through the
burning of biomass at EcoMaine.
The city's sewer system reacts much the same way as the human
body when oil and grease are put into the system-the piping and
pumping systems can become impaired to the point of failure.
Improper disposal of oil and grease is a citywide problem that can be
quickly rectified if residents take the appropriate steps to ensure that it
does not end up in the sewer system.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Police Chief Depicts Shooting as a
“Tragedy”
Meeting Held with Sudanese Community Leaders
At an April 27th news conference, Portland’s Interim Police Chief
Joseph K. Loughlin called the April 25th shooting of David Okot by
police “a tragedy for the deceased and his family, and for the officers
involved and their families.”
Portland police officers shot and killed Okot, a 26-year-old Sudanese
man who resided in Portland, while responding to the area of 11
Weymouth Street in the Parkside neighborhood at about 7:35 PM.
Officers were investigating a call to 911 that reported a suspicious man
who appeared intoxicated and who had a handgun in the waistband of
his pants. He was reportedly showing the gun to a passerby.
When officers arrived they found a group of several men in front of
11 Weymouth Street. Police say Okot fled onto the porch of the
apartment building where a second man was standing. Officers were
on the sidewalk and pointing their firearms at the suspect, who
reached into his waistband and brandished a handgun. Portland police
officers Benjamin Roper and Joshua Wiseman both fired at Okot,
killing him. Neither officer was injured.
Loughlin stated “Officers were forced to take action and engage this
individual.” He also said that one of the officers believed he was fired
on. That may be determined after the investigation is concluded. The
continuing investigation into the shooting will be “complex,” with the
Attorney General’s office and the Police Department’s Internal Affairs
Unit involved. The in-car police video will be looked at, since there are
portions of the scene captured on tape.
Both officers were placed on administrative leave until the
investigation is completed. They received debriefings, and the
Department has a peer-support network available to them.
Okot was described as an individual with “an extensive arrest
record.” Loughlin said that Okot had “over 8 convictions, over 50
documented police contacts, and multiple arrests.”
Loughlin thanked witnesses in the neighborhood, and said that the
police department is “working with the Sudanese community to keep
lines of communication open.” There has already been one meeting
held, and there will be a large meeting between the two groups upon
the return of one of the Sudanese leaders who had been out of town.
-Marge Niblock
Greens to Celebrate 25th Anniversary
The Maine Green Independent Party, which in January, celebrated its
25th Anniversary as the oldest State Green Party in the US, will honor
the milestone with a 25th Anniversary Dinner the night before the 2009
MGIP Convention, May 2-3, in Augusta.
The event will be hosted by former gubernatorial candidate and radio
personality, Pat LaMarche. Speakers will include MGIP Gubernatorial
candidate Lynne Williams, Portland City Councilor Dave Marshall,
Darfur activist Babiker Mohammed, and Green Party founding member
John Rensenbrink.
The 25th Anniversary Dinner will be held May 2nd and Maine Green
Independent Party Convention May 3rd. Both events will be held at the
Senator Hotel in Augusta.
Anyone interested in attending should contact: Jacqui Deveneau,
jacquio50@yahoo.com or 207-934-1911.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Armed Man Shot to Death by Police
On Saturday, April 25th, at 7:35 P.M., Portland police officers shot
and killed a man while responding to the area of 11 Weymouth Street.
Officers were investigating a call to 911 that reported a suspicious man
who appeared intoxicated and who had a handgun in the waistband of
his pants. He was reportedly showing the gun to a passerby.
When officers arrived, they found a group of several men in front of
11 Weymouth Street. One of the men matched the suspect's clothing
description. Police say the man fled onto the porch of the apartment
building, where a second man was standing. Officers were on the
sidewalk and pointing their firearms at the suspect, who reached into
his waistband and brandished a handgun, according to a statement
issued by Portland's Acting Chief of Police Joseph Loughlin. Portland
police officers Benjamin Roper and Joshua Wiseman both fired at the
man, killing him. Neither officer was injured.
A third man had fled inside the apartment building and a search was
conducted for him. He has not yet been identified. The other man
standing on the porch at the time of the shooting was not injured. He
has been interviewed by detectives.
Evidence being evaluated consists of a handgun recovered at the scene
and video from the officer’s police cruiser.
The deceased person has been tentatively identified as a 26-year-old
Sudanese man who resides in Portland. His name will be released
following an autopsy that will provide a positive identification.
Officer Wiseman has served the department for two-and-a-half years,
and Officer Roper is an eight year veteran. Both are graduates of the
Maine Criminal Justice Academy. Portland Police Department policy
requires both officers be placed on administrative leave pending an
investigation.
The incident is being investigated by the Maine Attorney General's
Office and the Portland Police Internal Affairs Unit.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Lie Detector Tests Help Free Couple
Two people who were charged with kidnapping, aggravated criminal
trespass, assault, criminal threatening, terrorizing, and obstructing
report of crime/injury, have been freed from jail after taking-and
passing-a lie detector test.
Belinda Libby 41, and Peter Sullivan, 45, were arrested on December
6, 2008, after the man they had been staying with complained to
police, and gave an account that would support those charges, giving
police probable cause to make an arrest.
Libby and Sullivan were held at the Cumberland County Jail since then,
having been unable to come up with enough cash to make bail. Libby’s
bail had been set at $2,000 and Sullivan’s was $7,500.
Even though polygraph examinations are not admissible in court, the
fact that the defendants passed the tests would make a conviction
unlikely, based on the evidence in the case. Police say the case is still
open, and they will investigate any new evidence.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, April 23, 2003
Portland Darfur Activist 'Peaceworker of
the Year'
El- Fadel Arbab, a Portland resident and activist working to end the
genocide in Darfur, will receive the Peace Action Maine's Peaceworker
of the Year award on Saturday April 25th. The award will be given at
Peace Action Maine's Annual Peace Supper held at the Guild Hall, 307
Congress St, beginning at 5PM.
El Fadel Arbab is a member of the Fur Cultural Revival, a Maine-based
organization whose mission is to broaden the public's awareness of the
Darfur genocide, seek assistance for Darfuris in the US and preserve
the Fur tribal culture. He is a speaker and educator and has been
traveling throughout the Northeast sharing his experiences as a
survivor, and speaking at churches, synagogues high schools, colleges
and community centers. Recently, El Fadel, along with other Fur
members, has taken part in lobbying, advocacy and rallies in
Washington DC.
At the age of 12, El Fadel’s village in Darfur was attacked by both the
Sudanese military and the Janjaweed militia, injuring him and separating
him from his family. Over the next 15 years, El Fadel struggled to
reunite with his family, and has tirelessly worked to educate others and
take action to end the genocide in Darfur.
Police Arrest Steak Salesman With Stolen
Check
At about 2 PM on April 14th, police received a call regarding a
suspicious male going door-to-door selling steaks out of a truck. They
apprehended Nicholas Currier, 21, who was known to police, who
were also aware that he was out on bail at the time.
When Currier was searched, a blank check not belonging to him was
found. The person whose name was printed on the check was
contacted by police, and said he did not know Mr. Currier, but that a
theft had recently occurred where checks had been taken.
Currier was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property and
violation of bail conditions.
-Marge Niblock
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Congress Street Traffic Bottleneck to Last
All Summer
Traffic on Congress Street from Preble Street to Elm Street will be
reduced to one lane in each direction throughout the summer due to
remodeling work currently underway at the main branch of the
Portland Public Library. The left turn lanes for Elm Street and Federal
Street have also been eliminated to allow for pedestrian traffic, and to
allow space for the contractor to complete the work. City officials say
that commuters may want to seek alternate routes while this work is
underway to avoid traffic and delays.
Man Arrested in GPS Thefts
Mel Fournier was charged on April 17th with two counts of burglary
to a motor vehicle that occurred in Portland in March. One global
positioning system was stolen from a vehicle in Mercy Hospital’s
parking lot on the Fore River Parkway, and the other from a lot on
Outer Congress Street.
The vehicles had been forcibly entered and the GPS’s taken, after
which they were pawned at local pawn shops. One GPS has been
recovered and returned to the owner.
Fournier was arrested in Windham on a warrant that had been issued
in Portland. Police have not divulged the reason for requesting the
warrant.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
18 Candidates Kick Off Charter
Commission Race
Eighteen of the nineteen candidates for the commission that will study
and make changes to the document that is the foundation of Portland’s
City government met for a forum on April 20th.
The Charter Commission Candidate Forum was sponsored by the
League of Young Voters and held at the Community Television studio
on Congress Street.
Among the issues discussed by the candidates were:
-the change to a system that would feature an elected mayor.
-changing the number of City Council voting districts, or increasing
the number of City Council seats that would represent individual
districts and decrease the number of at-large representatives.
-changing the way the School Committee budget is handled.
-giving city residents who are not citizens the right to vote in municipal
elections.
-the election or appointment of School Committee members.
-Clean Elections funding for municipal races.
The current City Charter has been Portland’s operational guide since
1923. A charter commission reviewed the charter from 1984 to 1986,
but their recommendations were rejected by Portland voters.
The election for the Charter Commission will be held on June 9th, and
its recommendations will be voted on in November 2010. The
Commission will consist of twelve members, three of whom have
already been appointed by the Portland City Council. Members elected
to the remaining nine seats will represent the five council districts, with
four electees being at-large representatives.
Three former mayors are running for the board, as well as the
daughter of another former mayor. Only former mayor Ed Suslovic,
who was on vacation, missed the opening forum.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Arrest Delays Pregnancy Test
Police were summoned to the Hannaford supermarket at 295 Forest
Avenue on April 11th a little after 10 PM for a shoplifter in custody.
Hannaford employees told police they had been watching the store
surveillance equipment and saw Darius Pelletier, 30, of Portland,
remove a pregnancy test kit from a shelf and conceal it in his jacket
pocket.
Pelletier proceeded to check out and pay for other items contained in
his basket, and was detained in the parking lot after he exited the store.
Police answering the call discovered that Pelletier was out on bail and
also had outstanding warrants against him for forgery, probation
violation, and unlawful possession of schedule drugs.
Since he had three previous theft convictions, the charge stemming
from this arrest was elevated to a felony theft. The stolen item was a
First Response pregnancy test kit, valued at $16.49.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Historic Local Political Race Being Studied
A Massachusetts author is doing research about a particular episode in
contemporary Portland politics – the election of Green Independent
John Eder in 2002.
Jonathan Martin is a sociology professor from Framingham State
College who is doing research on progressive third party campaigns in
New England, specifically on what makes them more - or less -
successful.
Martin is also researching the 2006 race for the Maine House of
Representatives between Green Independent Ben Meiklejohn and
Democrat Anne Rand. Rand won that race, but gave up the seat last
year to run, unsuccessfully, for the Democratic nomination for
Portland’s state senate seat. State Senator Justin Alfond won that race.
Eder won the historic 2002 election for State Representative
representing the West End against Democrat David Garrity, becoming
the highest-ranking Green Independent elected official in the country.
He won re-election in 2004 against then-Representative Ed Suslovic.
Eder’s and Suslovic’s districts had been combined in a controversial
2003 state re-districting. Eder was defeated for re-election in 2006 by
current Representative Jon Hinck. Eder was recently elected to the
Cumberland County Charter Commission
Professor Martin has interviewed a number of local political figures
and journalists familiar with the two races about which he is writing.
He is hoping that his research may lead to a book about the topic at
some time in the future.
Summer Youth Bus Pass Now Available
Bus passes are now available that would allow students under 18 to
ride METRO and South Portland City buses all summer for $20. Bus
service is available in Portland, Westbrook, South Portland and
Falmouth. Bike racks and wheel chair lifts are available on all buses.
Pass holders can ride the METRO Bus anywhere the bus goes,
anytime from June – August.
Passes are available where most bus tickets are sold:
- METRO Downtown Transportation Center (PULSE) on Elm Street
- Participating Hannaford’s and Shaw’s Supermarket locations on bus
routes
(Please note: Youth Passes are not available at Hannaford's on Forest
Avenue)
- Casco Bay Ferry Terminal
- Portland and South Portland City Hall
- METRO office, 114 Valley Street
Friday, April 17, 2009
Burglar with Sword Claims Self-defense
On April 7th, at 11:20 PM, a witness saw a man entering a building
owned by Maine College of Art 619 Congress Street through a
window, and police were called.
When police arrived, they saw Derek Fula, 25, of Portland,inside the
building and took him into custody. After he was secured, they
discovered a two-foot-long samurai sword in the front of his pants.
Fula told police the sword was "for self-defense."
He was arrested and charged with commercial burglary and carrying a
concealed weapon.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, April 16, 2009
WENA to Begin Food Program
The West End Neighborhood Association has found a home for the
WENA chapter of SERVE New England, the discount food distribution
program, which will be held at Harbor Terrace at 284 Danforth Street.
The neighborhood group will do a dress rehearsal of ordering and
delivering the food packages in May. Once they have the logistics
down, they will begin to advertise for more participants, and be up and
running on the SERVE monthly schedule.
WENA will send out more info before the next WENA meeting, and
anyone interested in the program can take a look at the SERVE New
England web site at http://www.servenewengland.org/ .
WENA is still looking for people to help with the actual food
distribution. This would be one Saturday per month at Harbor Terrace
and would be early on Saturday mornings, between 5:30-9. Here are
the dates: May 30,June 27, July 25, Aug 22,Sept 26,Oct 24 ,Nov 21,
Dec19. Anyone interested in helping out, please respond with your
name and phone # to Rosanne Graef, President, West End
Neighborhood Association at wendneighborhood@yahoo.com
Portland's GLBT Website Launches New
Directory Service
Currently in its sixth year online, www.GayPortlandMaine.com has
launched its new GLBT Concierge Pages designed to help visitors and
residents discover “Gay Friendly” businesses in the greater Portland
area.
GayPortlandMaine.com offers listings including comprehensive
Area Attractions, GLBT Resources and Events, Upcoming Arts and
Entertainment Events, and breaking news of interest to the GLBT
community, their friends and allies.
Billed as “The one stop destination for the best in gay friendly
shopping, accommodations, dining, services and more,” the new
Concierge Pages currently feature Directories for Nightlife and
Restaurants, Accommodations, Services, Local Shopping, and
Health/Fitness/Beauty. (A Real Estate directory is in the works.)
For additional information on GayPortlandMaine.com’s Concierge
Pages call 207-409-0911 or email concierge@gayportlandmaine.com.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Police to Keep Watch on Marginal Way
Student Housing
MARGE NIBLOCK
The Portland Police Department reacted with shock to the receipt of a
letter sent by an attorney for the student housing complex at 132
Marginal Way, requesting that the Portland Police Department no
longer conduct walk-throughs of the buildings on Marginal Way.
Danielle P. West-Chuhta, Associate Corporation Counsel for the City
of Portland, promptly replied, stating ". . . we are unable to comply
with your request. As we have discussed, the Department routinely
conducts walk-throughs of various buildings throughout the City. This
is an important part of its job, and it will not discontinue this practice
for your client’s building."
On January 10th, four people were arrested at the complex and
charged with violations pertaining to underage drinking. Police had
done a routine walk-through and found a large gathering, in excess of
12 people, with alcohol being consumed. There was only one person in
the group who was 21; all of the others were under the legal age
permitted for drinking.
The following evening, two of those who had been arrested were
rearrested and charged with violation of conditional release, when
alcohol was once again found. Police had done a bail check on the
apartment, and one of the conditions under which bail was given was
that there could be no use or possession of alcoholic beverages.
Lieutenant Michael Sauschuck, head of Evening Directed Patrol for the
Portland Police Department, says "The Police Department is there on a
regular basis. We are being proactive in dealing with this location."
Sauschuck says the main focus of the police will be underage drinking
and public order.
Bayside Village Studio Apartments is a privately-owned business
providing living quarters to students above the age of 18. Five or six
area schools provide the tenants for the complex, which opened at the
end of the summer in 2008.
When the apartment building first opened, there were calls about loud
music and loud parties, causing police to respond to 40 calls in one
month at the site. There have been four different managers since the
buildings were occupied.
Tara Bryant is now the manager, starting January 5th of this year. She
has the "hot seat" in what was fast becoming a "hot spot" under the
City’s ordinance designating such an area as a Disorderly House, based
on police calls for service. On October 30, 2008, the City had
identified the location as such.
After several meetings held with management staff of the complex and
the Portland Police Department to discuss the high calls for service
generated from the site, the situation showed vast improvement.
Changes were made regarding increased surveillance camera coverage,
and having the front door locked at all times. In February, only two
calls for service were logged by police, and March saw another two
calls - one for a loud party and the other for an intoxicated person.
Bryant says "I love the job." She feels a kinship with people in the age
group who live in the apartments.
"Many people are shy with this age group, who are transitioning into
adulthood," but Bryant says she understands the dynamics involved in
this process. "There are growing pains because it’s the first time for
these people being adults."
Bryant brings ten years of real estate experience and property
management to her job. Having a teenage daughter also puts her in
touch with the thinking of the age group living at Bayside.
Two full-time security officers assigned to the apartment units are on
duty all night, and someone is at the desk also. Eight or nine people
have been evicted. There is a warning system in place whereby three
violation letters give cause for eviction.
Bryant and Portland police were upbeat about the improvements seen
so far, and they announced their intention to work together to keep
things moving smoothly. The goodwill generated by the reduction in
calls to police - and improvements made - were diminished by the
attitude expressed by counsel for Marginal Way in his letter to the
police department. It remains to be seen whether the low numbers of
calls will become the norm, but police will continue to visit the
property, checking on any violations that may occur there.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Western Prom Group Opposes Waynflete
Expansion
Members of the Western Prom Neighborhood Association expressed
strong opposition to future growth possibilities for the Waynflete
School in the West End which were the topic of discussion at a forum
hosted by West End City Councilor David Marshall at Williston West
Church, on April 13th.
WPNA spokesperson Anne Pringle said that the group was opposed to
the school’s potential purchase of additional structures in the
neighborhood and conversion of them to institutional use. She said
that the school’s enrollment has almost doubled in the last twenty-five
years to its current 550 students, causing increased traffic in the area.
She also said that the school’s expansion proposals were inconsistent
with the City’s comprehensive plan, which is designed to protect
neighborhood stability.
WPNA President Peter Murray was one of the strongest critics of the
school’s proposals, saying that the school has taken the vitality out of
the neighborhood, and he expressed “grim determination” to keep the
school from expanding further.
Other issues raised by residents of the area included parking, loss of
tax revenue from buildings purchased by the school, safety in the area
after school hours, and a lack of trust by the school’s neighbors.
But the 111-year-old institution also had its share of supporters who
cited the school’s reputation as an outstanding educational institution,
calling it “a boon to the community” and “a wonderful school.”
About 60 people attended the forum, with about one-third of them
speaking out during the public comment section of the meeting. Many
of them concluded that there was a need for dialogue and compromise
between the school and the neighborhood.
Waynflete head Mark Segar said that any expansion will be undertaken
to enhance the school’s educational programs. He called Waynflete’s
proposals an “envisioning exercise” and not “a property acquisition
plan.” He said that the school wanted to remain a day school, and not
become a boarding school.
Waynflete School hosted two Neighborhood Forums last year - in
April and in September. At the first forum, two primary concerns
were expressed by West End residents; one relating to transportation
and parking, and the second relating to the long-term direction that
future physical growth at Waynflete might take.
Marshall said that City staff would compile information collected at the
forum to create a summary that could be used to bring the parties
together and find a middle ground.
LETTER
Library Head Responds to Delogu's
Charges
To the Editor:
Orlando Delogu’s article in the April 3-15 West End News contained
comments and accusations about Portland Public Library that require a
response.
Mr. Delogu stated: the "library has reneged on a promise to reexamine
its fundraising efforts, its costs, its capacity to maintain a six-branch
system"
The Library agreed last year to continue its on-going process in the
form of gathering additional feedback from neighborhoods that would
inform planning and preparation of this year’s budget. We did that
through a series of 6 meetings in the fall (part of the over 30 we have
had in the last three years) and a survey that received close to 600
replies. The observations from the meetings were presented to the
public for feedback and then reported to the Council. The material was
also posted on our website for the last 6 months. Those observations
informed our budget submission this year and called for us to maintain
our current schedule at six locations.
I am not sure what "reexamine its fund raising efforts" means, but yes,
we’d like to raise even more than we have. In the past three years, we
have contributed close to $1,500,000 toward library operations for
collections, services and programs. The Friends of Portland Public
Library has also been established this year and we are looking at more
refined web-based fundraising strategies.
The preparation of a budget does exactly what Mr. Delogu itemizes
above regarding the "capacity to maintain a salls for that system
architecture to continue, so I think it is self-evident that we understand
the needed "capacity" to maintain six locations. Since part of the
feedback from the neighborhoods was to maintain that system, we
prepared a budget expressing that fact even though we understand it is
a very, very difficult time.
Mr. Delogu’s final comment ("not a penny more than it was given last
year – some would argue the case is strong for giving them less.") is a
curious one that hints at a justification to reduce the Library budget. I
am not sure who "some" are and what the basis is for cutting a service
that was at record levels at the conclusion of FY 08 and is widely
acknowledged to be in heavy demand at this moment. Mr. Delogu is
implying that the budget document is not the plan that "… fully meets
their funding needs." Actually Mr. Delogu is correct in that the budget
does not fully meet our funding needs: we’d like to be open more at
each location, we’d like to recover the deep cuts at our main location
of last year (10% staff/18% hours open) and we’d like to buy more
books, but the times have been respected in our budget submission.
We agree - and have acknowledged in our public comments - that the
times are incredibly difficult and, in fact, we completely understand the
City Manager’s flat funding recommendation. We know the stress
well, as for the past year we have been living with reduction in staff
and loss of hours at our busiest location. Our job is to explain to
citizens what various recommendations mean in terms of day to day
library service. If the Council, after assessing the situation, provides no
increase to last year’s funding, we respect that and will utilize the
funds we do receive in an effective and respectful manner.
Lack of funds to support services we can all understand. But
comments, shown to be clearly at odds with the record of Library
activity, and that suggest that a punitive action concerning the Library
budget is needed, are unjustified and arguably, mean-spirited.
Sincerely,
Steve Podgajny
Executive Director
Portland Public Library
Monday, April 13, 2009
Alfond Takes Part in First Floor Debate
On Wednesday, April 8th, Portland's new State Senator Justin Alfond
had his first Senate floor debate - about a bill that made headlines in
early January.
LD 245, "An Act to Calculate the School Year by Number of Hours,"
would have allowed each superintendent and school board to create a
school calendar based on 900 hours instead of 175 school days.
Proponents gave examples, such as a school being able to add an extra
1 hour and 15 minutes, Mondays through Thursdays, and not have
school on Fridays.
However, Alfond argued that flexible school calendars are used
sparingly across the country, and there is little evidence of any
educational advantage to having longer school days. When he rose on
the floor, he spoke on behalf of an amendment which would grant the
Commissioner of Education the authority to give schools the ability to
make up for lost days by adding daily hours to their calendar instead of
adhering to the currently required 175 school days. Alfond says that
his approach fixes the existing problem, while leaving the greater
debate over flexible school schedules to the Education Committee in
future.
A majority of Senators voted with Alfond on the amendment.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Republicans to Host Portland "Tea Party"
Several groups of Republican activists plan to hold a "tea party" on
April 15th to protest national and state policies being implemented in
response to the current economic recession.
The Republican Project, Maine Taxpayers United and the Cumberland
County Republican Committee will hold the Tax Day Tea Party in
Portland on April 15th on the Maine State Pier at 5:30 PM.
Speakers will include Representative Rich Cebra, former Congressional
candidate Dean Scontras, and radio host Ray Richardson from WLOB
FM 95.5
Portland Kicks-off Composting Program
in Time for Spring Gardening
Public Services asks residents to consider composting to save
money and help the environment
The City of Portland Public Services Department has kicked-off its
second annual composting promotion by offering compost bins and
kitchen waste pails at discounted prices for purchase. Last year more
than 500 compost bins were sold through the program. In line with
Portland's sustainability goals, the city endorses compost as an
environmentally responsible alternative to fertilizing lawns and gardens
and an efficient way to reduce waste management costs for the city.
Twenty-five percent of the average household's waste consists of yard
trimmings and kitchen scraps, which can easily be composted. Home
composting combined with recycling and yard waste programs can
reduce household waste by up to eighty percent.
The 2009 home compost bin and how-to guide are available at a
reduced cost of $40.00 (original price $100). The bin has a 10 year
warranty, made of 100% recycled plastic and is large enough for a
family of five. Kitchen Waste Pails, for kitchen food scraps, are
available for $8.00 each and the wingdigger compost turner can be
purchased for a discounted price of $17.00. For the first time, people
can also purchase a 55 gallon capacity Rain Barrel for $55.00 (visit
online for more information http://publicworks.portlandmaine.
gov/rainbarrel.pdf). Orders will be taken in person or via mail at the
Department of Public Services, 55 Portland Street, Portland ME 04101
until May 1, 2009. Order forms are available online at http:
//publicworks.portlandmaine.gov/compostform.pdf. Payment in the
form of check or money order should be made payable to MRRA
(Maine Resource Recovery Association) and must be made when
placing your order. All orders will be available for pick-up June 6,
2009 at 2386 Congress Street from 7:00 AM -3:00 PM.
Last year, the Riverside Recycling Center received 5000 tons of yard
waste and brush from Portland residents, costing the City more than
$260,000 to manage. Composting yard waste and non-meat food
scraps at home instead of disposing of them reduces waste
management costs and provides homeowners with a valuable soil
amendment. Sustainable lawn care practices such as yardscaping
(which includes reduced mowing and aerating along with the use of
compost) help the environment by growing lawns that are less
dependent on chemicals, fertilizers and watering.
In addition to composting organics, residents are encouraged to "mow
high," generating shorter grass clippings that compost better. It is
estimated that the average American spends forty hours a year mowing
their lawn, releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and causing
air pollution. In fact, a lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as an
automobile driving 350 miles.
In 2004, 3 million pounds of yard care pesticides were purchased in
Maine, more than three times the amount purchased ten years ago. The
use of pesticides and fertilizers pose a health risk to Portland's water
ways. Excess nitrogen, a component of most fertilizers, can cause
nuisance algae growth in Casco Bay.
Contact the Department of Public Services at 874-8801 for more
information about the composting program. For more information
about yardscaping, visit the Cumberland County Soil and Water
Conservation District online http://www.cumberlandswcd.org/ .
Friday, April 10, 2009
City Council Passes Green Building
Resolution
The Portland City Council on April 6th unanimously approved a green
building resolution, requiring all municipally-owned new construction
and major renovations building projects to be built to LEED Silver
standard with additional energy credits to meet the energy and carbon
reduction goals of the Architecture 2030 Challenge.
The ordinance requires all municipally-owned or occupied new
construction and renovation projects over 5,000 square feet with a
total construction cost of more than $250,000, and all new city-funded
private construction and renovation projects over 10,000 square feet
with a total construction cost of $250,000, be certified to the U.S.
Green Building Council's LEED Silver Standard and achieve the
minimum LEED Optimize Energy Performance points necessary to
meet the targets of the Architecture 2030 Challenge.
Since signing its Climate Action Plan in 2008, Portland has taken a
number of steps to meet its climate change goals. The plan states that
59% of the greenhouse gases emitted by city operations are from
buildings, with another 25% emitted from water and sewer
operations. Beyond cost and environmental benefits, green buildings
are healthier for people, use water more efficiently, aid storm-water
management and are built with materials that promote savings,
efficiencies and sustainability.
The U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization based in
Washington, D.C., developed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. It is a
voluntary, nationally recognized, and third-party verified green building
standard. LEED can be applied to all types of buildings, public and
private, and has four progressive levels of certification: Certified,
Silver, Gold and Platinum.
LEED-certified commercial and institutional buildings use an average
of 32% less electricity, 26% less natural gas and 36% less total energy
than standard buildings. They also use 40% less water and
construction that results in 70% less solid waste, further reducing
emissions over traditional construction and operation. Research
shows that there is no significant difference in average cost for green
buildings as compared to non-green buildings. Upfront cost increases
for green buildings range from 0 to 4% and lower the expected lifetime
operating costs by 20%.
Man Arrested for Warped Sense of Humor
On March 30th, at 9:58 AM, three police officers and five fire trucks
responded to a fire alarm set off at the Trelawney Building at 657
Congress Street. No fire was found, and police say that Ronnie R.
Icke, 43, of Portland, had pulled the alarm as a joke. He was
intoxicated at the time and found it humorous, according to police.
Icke was arrested and charged with false public alarm or report.
This is not the first time Icke’s sense of humor has been at odds with
the law. Last year, he was arrested after stealing a red clown nose and
rainbow socks, which were found in his possession after the
performer at Longfellow Square who suffered the loss gave a
description of the culprit to police.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, APRIL 9, 2009
Band Members Hit the Street to Recover
Stolen Guitars
Members of the local band Hoboe used the Internet and their Old Port
street connections to recover two bass guitars that had been stolen
from one of the band member’s cars on March 21st.
Band members Ben Meiklejohn and Bob Bergeron - the owner of the
guitars-spread the word of the thefts on Facebook and other sites, and
papered the Old Port area with flyers on the day after the theft.
Meiklejohn says he was contacted by someone who said they were
approached about buying what turned out to be the stolen instruments.
He says that arrangements were made to have the guitars-which he
valued at about $2500-returned.
Meiklejohn credited the local music community with coming together
to help recover the instruments. He said quick action made the
instruments too hot to sell anywhere in Maine or the surrounding states.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Jail Workers Unhappy with Contract,
Union
Cumberland County Administrators Call Labor Contract A
Fair Deal, But Jail Workers Remain Disgruntled
On March 23rd, the Cumberland County Commissioners signed the
2008 contract with the county jail workers, who were represented by
the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Union. Jail workers are happy it’s over, but are not happy with the
contract. County administrators feel the outcome was fair.
After nearly two years of protesting, working without the protection of
a contract, and sacrificing pay increases, county jail worker will finally
receive a retroactive cost of living pay raise of 3%. Local union
president at the Cumberland County Jail, Will Russell, says that they
managed to get some good language into this contract, yet he is not
happy with the outcome. Apparently, his co-workers share his
displeasure, and union members intend to look for a new union to
represent them. They feel the AFSCME Union let them down.
The main point of contention, according to union jail workers, was
that the non-union county workers were given both a 3% merit raise
and a 3% cost of living raise – a 6% pay raise for 2008 - double what
the jail workers’ received.
Cumberland County Jail workers maintain that the money for the merit
increase came from county surplus healthcare funds, and union
president Russell says that the money should have been shared equally
with all county employees, or returned to the taxpayers.
In addressing the jail workers’complaint about the 3% non-union merit
increases for 2008, Cumberland County Manager Peter Crichton says
that these increases averaged between 2 and 2.5% and are not included
in the 2009 budget. Mr. Crichton says there was a healthcare savings
in the budgeting process, and along with the County Commissioners, it
was to decided to spend this surplus in certain ways.
Crichton sites that 65% of county budget increases since 2001 have
gone to support the jail. Between the years of 2001 – 2003, jail
workers were given 10% raises each year, due to problems with filling
employee vacancies. This, along with compensation increases in the
2008 contract, Crichton says, adds up to a union employee
compensation package which exceeds that of non- union employees.
Examples Mr. Crichton lists in the new union contract are step
increases, other compensation for longevity, incentives, and stipends
for education.
Union president Russell also raised concerns about a grievance process
underway involving the county’s billing of the state for hours during
which jail workers study - on unpaid time - to gain work- related
certifications. The finance office indicated that they had heard very
little about this grievance.
Contract negotiations for 2009 begin in April. Meanwhile, jail workers
are united in feeling mistreated by the County; County Manager
Crichton says that he’s proud and appreciative of the good work being
done at Cumberland County Jail.
Pamela Cragin
pjcragin@yahoo.com
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Commissioner Talks County In D.C.
Cumberland County Commissioner Malory Shaughnessy attended the
National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington
D.C., March 7th – 11th. Shaughnessy was sent by the Maine
Counties Commissioners Association, which is funded by dues paid by
each county in Maine.
Shaughnessy returned from the conference energized by the Obama
administration officials' open reception of nationwide county issues.
The conference covered topics ranging from air and water quality to
what the recent broadband legislation means to county economic
development.
It is important to Shaughnessy to get the message out that with the
help of NACO, Maine counties were able to enact the 20% discount on
prescription drug program for residents of Cumberland County. The
discount also includes pet prescriptions. Check the Cumberlandcounty.
org website for more information about the prescription discount.
Pamela Cragin pjcragin@yahoo.com
Rash of Stolen Pocketbooks
Four women reported that their pocketbooks were stolen
from downtown bars during the weekend of April 4-5. Most of the
bags were left unattended for some period of time. No men reported
their bags stolen.
Police are advising not to leave pocketbooks unattended for any period
of time at local bars and restaurants.
Bags were taken from the following locations: Una, Foreplay, Pearl,
and Bubba's.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Ohno Café under New Ownership
Chris Beth, of Portland, has taken over ownership of the Ohno Café.
The Brackett Street restaurant has been open for nearly five years.
Beth, a former engineer with General Electric, began work under
former owner Chris Cook in August, and took over ownership of the
restaurant last month. Beth said he will make some small changes,
such as offering desserts baked on premises, and expanded wine and
beer selections.
The Ohno Café is located at 87 Brackett Street in the West End .
April 3, 2009
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR APRIL
STOOLS DAY
Volunteers are needed to take part in the 17th Annual April Stools Day
on Saturday.. This year’s event is being expanded to include several
locations other than the original Eastern Promenade in Portland. 8 am –
10 am. Rain or Shine
Locations include:
* Eastern Promenade-East End Beach
* Eastern Prom Trail
*MHNO-Portland
* West End – Portland
* Hinckley Park – So. Portland
Other areas may be cleaned up, depending on the number of
volunteers. Team Captains are needed for each location, in addition to
“scoopers”. Please help us spread the word and call or e-mail to sign
up today. Help keep our parks, neighborhoods and open spaces clean.
Contact kathy@fetchportland.com 773-5450 or
info@friendsofeasternpromenade.org 774-2822
Portland Chamber Backs State Tax
Reform Bill
Supporters say tax reform and relief package would lower
the Maine tax burden and cut income taxes by over 20
percent
A group of legislators, led by House Majority Leader John Piotti,
presented a tax reform and relief package to the Taxation Committee in
a public hearing on April 2nd that would reduce the overall tax burden
on Mainers and cut the income tax rate from 8.5 to 6.5 percent. The
Portland Chamber of Commerce was one of a number of business
leaders, chambers of commerce, civic organizations and citizens from
around the state testifying in favor of the bill before the committee.
The bill, LD 1088, An Act To Modernize the Tax Laws and Provide
over $75,000,000 to Residents of the State in Tax Relief, would lower
the state top income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 6.5 percent, create
credits to drop income taxes for most Mainers even further, and cut
taxes by $75 million, according to its sponsors. The bill will lower
income taxes by $160 million and pay for it by moderately expanding
the sales tax base to some discretionary and highly exportable items.
At the public hearing, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the
Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, AARP, the Maine Municipal
Association, and other organizations spoke in favor of the bill. Most
emphasized the reduction of the income tax as a major business
attraction and retention tool, and the fact that the bill will increase
economic activity in the state. A number of economists and business
groups also testified in favor of the bill.
“We believe absolutely that the tax code in this state will benefit from
this bill, and we think the economy will benefit,” said Chris Hall, Senior
VP for Governmental Relations of the Portland Chamber of
Commerce. “Our board wants these tax changes.”
The committee will hold work sessions on the bill to consider changes
and adjustments and make a recommendation to the full legislature in
the coming weeks.
April 2, 2009
County Wants to Replace Adult Diversion
Vehicles
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department has asked the
Cumberland County Commissioners for permission to replace two
vehicles that are used in the county’s community corrections program,
which allows prisoners to work on projects around the county while
serving their jail sentences.
The money for a single replacement vehicle would come from the
county’s adult diversion fund, which is designated specifically for
community corrections projects. There is currently $360 thousand in
that fund.
Captain Wayne Pike of the sheriff’s office described the current
vehicles as rusting out, with paint peeling from them, although the
vehicles have only about 50,000 miles on each of them. He said that
they look like they have 160,000 miles on them.
Both vehicles would be auctioned off, and the county could expect to
get between $1500 to $1800 for each of them, according to Captain
Pike. The two Crown Victoria models would be replaced by one
compact Ford, which would get much better gas mileage.
April 1,2009
Portland West Changing Name, Mission
Portland West, as of April 1st, 2009, will be named LearningWorks.
In a prepared statement, the agency said that it had "a new mission,
new vision, new values, reorganization and a new name." The change
in name and mission reflects the agency's response to the changing
landscape of needs and economic resources, according to the
announcement issued on March 31st. In addition to revamping
programs, the agency has also begun collaborating with other southern
Maine non-profits who share similar work.
The 42-year old non-profit service agency, which started out as a
neighborhood organizing group, provides learning opportunities in
Maine for at-risk youth, the immigrant community, and low-income
families. They said that it became clear that a new name was needed,
a name that would describe what they do, their philosophy, and one
that would not limit people's geographic thinking of who they serve.
The agency also owns and operates a number of residential and
commercial properties around Portland.
Marshall to Host Waynflete Forum
Future growth possibilities for the Waynflete School in the West End
will be the topic of discussion at a forum hosted by West End City
Councilor David Marshall at Williston West Church, 32 Thomas Street,
at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 13th.
Waynflete School hosted two Neighborhood Forums last year - in
April and in September. At the first forum, two primary concerns
were expressed by West End residents; one relating to transportation
and parking, and the second relating to the long-term direction that
future physical growth at Waynflete might take.
At the September forum, Waynflete officials shared their
Transportation & Parking Management Plan. They are currently
working on its implementation.
MARCH, 2009 STORIES
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