Friday, May 30, 2008
Man Arrested in Rock Assault
Portland police were called at 3:40 PM on May 16th
regarding four drunk males throwing rocks on the walking
path near the Eastern Promenade.
John R. Fonville, 36, of Portland was arrested for elevated
aggravated assault. He had been drinking with the victim,
who had been seriously injured with a rock. Fonville was
holding a bloody rock when arrested.
–Marge Niblock
Portland West: Not for Sale
West End social services agency Portland West is not
for sale, despite a prominent ‘For Sale By Owner’ sign
displayed in the window of its Brackett Street
headquarters.
According to Portland West Chief Operating Officer
Tom Pearson, the one-story brick building adjacent to the
agency’s main building, which houses the agency’s
computer lab, is owned by private investors and is for sale,
along with a garage located on the other side of Portland
West’s building.
Pearson said that Portland West has an unwritten agreement
with the owners, which allows them to use the space free
of charge, after they rehabilitated the empty space some
years ago. Pearson said that the agency is interested in
purchasing the property so that it could continue running its
computer lab there.
CAT Service to Start Today
The City of Portland will welcome The CAT this week as it
berths for the first time at the Ocean Gateway International
Marine Terminal.
The CAT, operated by Bay Ferries, is a high-speed
catamaran car ferry that provides passenger serve from
Portland and Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Last year, more than 56,400 passengers, a 20% increase,
boarded The CAT to travel between the two cities.
The CAT will leave Portland for Yarmouth three days a
week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 8:00 AM with the
addition of a Thursday departure during the months of July
and August.
Ferry service begins May 30th and ends October 14th.
Tickets for the five and a half hour sail can be purchased at
the Ocean Gateway Terminal.
Major Race Going Beneath the
Radar
What does a County Commissioner do and
does anybody care?
The local Democratic primary race for the District 1
seat on the Cumberland County Board of
Commissioners, a position whose holder makes major
decisions involving millions of taxpayer dollars, is
headed toward the June 10th elections with little
campaigning or public scrutiny, and almost no media
coverage.
Whoever wins the primary election will replace former
Portland Mayor Esther Clennott, who is not running for
re-election after 16 years on the board. There is no
opposition on the November ballot for the office, which
pays about $8500 a year plus some benefits.
One candidate, Portland resident Steve Hirshon, says
he contacted Portland’s League of Young Voters after
reading that they had made endorsements in every
local political race. But the League had somehow
forgotten about the race he was in. The race isn’t even
listed on the Cumberland County Democrats’ website
candidates’ page.
With the 2008 primary elections less than two weeks
away, Hirshon is the only candidate in the 4-person
race who has any discernable public presence. On his
campaign website www.hirshonforcommissioner.
info/home Hirshon attempts to clear up some basic
mysteries of the office, such as what exactly do County
Commissioners do?
According to the website, County Commissioners are
responsible for the oversight of county government and
its various departments. They include: The Registry of
Deeds, the Probate Court, The District Attorney's
Office, the Sheriff's Office and Jail.
In Cumberland County, the Commissioners oversee
the county's Community Development Block Grant
program, the soil and water conservation district and
oversee the operations of the Cumberland County
Civic Center.
Cumberland County Government has 13 departments
with over 400 full-time employees and an annual
budget of more than $35 million.
Hirshon’s reasons for running for office are also listed
on his site:
“County government offers opportunities to leverage
and strengthen the services of communities in Maine’s
most dynamic region. I am committed to finding
creative, cost effective solutions that benefit all
citizens.” Pretty bland polical talk, but more than
anyone else has yet offered.
Hirshon also offeers a brief video on the site. He says
he has about 250 campaign signs, but isn’t sure if he
wants put all of them out because he doesn’t want to
litter the landscape and contribute too much to the
political season ‘sign pollution’. (Hirshon has also
purchased advertising in this newspaper and on our
website thewestendnews.com).
Former Portland City Councilor James Cloutier is
registered with election officials to run in the race, but
has done no campaigning, erected no signs, and seems
to be relying on name recognition to garner votes.
Cloutier served for nine years on the Portland City
Council, including one year as Portland’s Mayor. He
was defeated in November, 2007 by current Councilor
John Anton.
Cloutier received the endorsement of the Portland
Press Herald, based on his experience on the City
Council. Before its endorsement, the local daily
newspaper produced no stories about the race or any of
the candidates.
Another candidate for the nomination is the current
County Treasurer, Diane Gurney, a few of whose
campaign signs have been spotted in the Cumberland,
Forside, and Yarmouth areas. The fourth candidate is
John Simpson.
-Ed King
Thursday, May 29, 2008
PETITION LAUNCHED TO KEEP
POLLING PLACES OPEN
A Portland group has formally launched a petition effort
to let the voters weigh in on the issue of closing polling
places. The group opposes a budget cut that will result in
closing 10 of the 16 polling places for the November
presidential election.
The proposed City plan for November would allow only
one polling place per City district, except District One
where there would be a second polling place on Peaks
Island. Currently most city districts have two or three
polling places. Great Diamond Island and Cliff Island
would each lose their polling place.
The group questions whether all the extra travel time,
expense, lost work time, and inconvenience for thousands
of voters and potential loss of voter turnout is worth the
$15,000 savings to the City budget.
The group signed papers and formally submitted the
petition to the City Clerk’s office on May 27th. The Clerk
will have seven days to get the petition back to the group
to begin collecting signatures. The group will then have
60 days to collect 1,500 signatures of registered Portland
voters. The City Council can then adopt the proposed
ordinance as worded, or put it out to a vote by referendum.
The proposal calls for maintaining the same number of
polling places per City district as Portland has currently
for all major elections. There is a provision for
consolidating polling places for special elections when the
turnout is expected to be unusually low. Attorney David
Lourie, former attorney for the City of Portland, drafted
the petition.
Tourist’s Assault Results in Brain Injury
A serious Old Port assault led to emergency surgery for a
man who had left the Casablanca cruise ship minutes
before being attacked.
The victim was attacked Sunday, May 25th at 10:25 PM
in the parking lot between the Dry Dock and the former
Boone’s Restaurant on Commercial Street.
Police received multiple calls reporting the incident, which
involved between four and seven people. The man was
taken to Maine Medical Center with a serious head injury.
He was listed as being in stable condition.
Police say they have several leads and the investigation
into the matter is continuing. –Marge Niblock
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Strimling, LCV Reach Agreement
Over Misleading Campaign
Material
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and the
Strimling for Congress campaign have reached agreement
on the use of the intellectual property of League of
Conservation Voters for the remainder of the 2008
campaigns.
The Maine League of Conservation Voters and the
Washington-based League of Conservation Voters had
reprimanded First District Democratic Congressional
candidate Ethan King Strimling for misleading voters into
thinking that either of the groups had endorsed his
congressional candidacy. The Maine organization does not
endorse candidates in federal elections, and the national
group has endorsed candidate Chellie Pingree.
Strimling's campaign had been distributing literature
from his 2006 campaign, which uses a quote from
MLCV's endorsement of him in 2006, when he was
running for the Maine State Senate. Attorney Andrew
Cadot of the MLCV said the action was “an intentional
effort to mislead the voters into thinking he has been
endorsed by the Maine League of Conservation Voters in
this race.”
According to WGME News 13, the League's top lawyer
sent a letter on May 23rd to Strimling and his campaign
claiming that he was using the material in a manner
“intended to mislead, confuse and perpetrate a public
fraud…” and that “the actions being taken by your
campaign are illegal.”
WGME said that the League demanded that the Strimling
campaign “cease and desist” immediately and called for a
public apology.
The agreement reached between the two parties on May
27th includes the following:
1.) Strimling for Congress will not provide to the public
the 2006 Strimling for State Senate brochure.
2.) While neither the Maine League of Conservation
Voters (MLCV) nor the national League of Conservation
Voters have endorsed Ethan Strimling in this contest for
US Congress, MLCV did endorse him during the 2006
State Senate race.
3.) The Strimling for Congress campaign regrets any use,
however unintentional, of League of Conservation Voters
intellectual property. Specifically, the League of
Conservation Voters did not endorse Senator Strimling in
this 2008 race. LCV understands that the Strimling for
Congress campaign and Strimling for Maine Senate
campaign inadvertently and unintentionally erroneously
indicated that LCV endorsed Ethan Strimling in his 2006
state senate race.
4) Both the Strimling for Congress campaign and LCV
consider the matter closed.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Meiklejohn to Run Write-in Campaign
Former School Committee member and two-time
candidate for State Representative has declared his
candidacy today for the Green Independent Party's
nomination for State Representative in House District 120,
encompassing Munjoy Hill and the Old Port. Meiklejohn
will challenge candidate Sandy Amborn, whose name will
appear on the ballot in the June 10th primary.
According to state law, Meiklejohn will have to receive a
minimum of 50 votes in order to win the nomination,
twice the number of votes as the 25 signatures required to
get on the ballot.
Write-in campaigns are no stranger to Meiklejohn, who
ran twice as a write-in candidate for School Committee
(in 1998 and 2000) before finally winning in 2001, and
who also ran as a write-in for the Green Independent
Party's 2002 nomination for State Senate, receiving 40
votes.
Regardless of the outcome, Meiklejohn says he will
support the party's nominee for the general election.
Cops Pick Up Two Suspects Enroute
to Burglary Call
Officers responding to a burglary in progress at 10 PM on
May 19th were heading to the Cumberland Avenue location
when Todd Mosier, 30, of Westbrook, who was in a car in
front of one of the police cars, suddenly took off, then
jumped out of his car - mistakenly thinking the cops were in
pursuit of him - and ran.
Police chased him as he broke into an apartment and then
climbed onto a roof, where he was caught.
Mosier was arrested and charged with criminal mischief,
aggravated criminal trespass, and probation violation.
Police also came across Scott York, 30, of Portland, in the
same area, and requested his identification. When they ran
a check on him, they discovered that he had outstanding
warrants against him for manslaughter, aggravated assault,
reckless conduct, and operating after suspension. He was
arrested at the same time. -Marge Niblock
Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008
Parade Will Begin at 10:30
Portland's annual Memorial Day Parade will kick off at
10:30 AM in Longfellow Square and proceed east on
Congress Street to Monument Square, where it will
conclude with political speeches and a memorial service.
Brennan-Strimling Continue
Battle Over Housing
First District Congressional candidates Michael Brennan
and Ethan King Strimling continued their campaign-long
battle over the issue of affordable housing, at a candidate
forum on May 23rd sponsored by Portland’s NAACP.
The latest confrontation was sparked when Strimling, who is
Executive Director of Portland West, claimed that he was
the only candidate who had developed affordable housing.
Brennan immediately responded that he had raised over $1
million for affordable housing in his work with the
Cumberland County Affordable Housing Venture and the
Portland Housing Authority and that he had built more
affordable housing than anyone on the panel.
Brennan then criticized Strimling’s support for legislation
that would divert funding from the Housing Opportunities
for Maine (HOME) Fund in order to finance a tax break
for developers who do historic preservation development.
Strimling responded by saying that Brennan was “stuck in
old thinking” and that “the only issue is how to develop
more housing.”
The debate was sparked in response to questions from three
homeless women attending the forum.
Coalition Forms to Fight
State Beverage Tax
Several small business
owners from around the
state have filed an
application with the
Secretary of State to
initiate a referendum to
repeal the new taxes on
flavored water, juices, teas,
sports drinks, colas and
diet colas, beer, wine and
health insurance claims
enacted by the Maine
Legislature. The measure
was passed in the final
hours of the recently
concluded legislative
session.
In order to get the measure
on the ballot this
November, supporters of
the people’s veto will have
until July 17th (90 days
after adjournment of the
legislative session) to
submit the 55,087 valid
signatures, which
represents 10% of the
votes cast for Governor in
the last elections.
The campaign will have
petition collectors at the
polls on June 10th,
Primary Election Day, in
addition to those who have
been collecting signatures
in downtown Portland
recently..
The new taxes, which are
intended to support the
Dirigo Health program,
include an additional $4
tax on a gallon of syrup
used to make soda, and a
42-cent per gallon tax on
bottled soft drinks. The tax
on beer increases from 25
cents to 54 cents per gallon and from 30 cents to 65
cents per gallon on wine. In addition, a 1.8% tax is imposed
on all health insurance claims filed by Mainers.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Regional Forensics Lab
Planning Underway
Several surrounding communities will sign an inter-local
agreement on Wednesday, May 28th for the establishment of
a regional forensics crime lab, which will be located at the
Portland Police Headquarters at 109 Middle Street.
After the official signing “the plan can move forward to get
the construction ball rolling,” according to Chief Tim
Burton. He’s hoping work will start late this summer or
early fall. Areas of the first and second floors of the
building will be remodeled to accommodate the lab.
Burton says: “Right now, it’s a makeshift facility at the
Police Department that is not up to contemporary
standards.” He says that the other communities involved
have the same problem. The Portland City Council will
have to okay funding for the facility, which will come from
the City’s Capital Improvement Program. All the
communities will share the cost on a per capita basis.
In addition to Portland, those involved in the forensics lab
project are: South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Westbrook,
Falmouth, Cumberland County, Windham, Yarmouth, and
Scarborough.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Strimling Reprimanded for Distributing
Misleading Campaign Material
The Maine League of Conservation Voters, and the
Washington-based League of Conservation Voters, have
reprimanded First District Democratic Congressional
candidate Ethan King Strimling for misleading voters into
thinking that either of the groups had endorsed his
congressional candidacy.
The Maine organization does not endorse candidates in
federal elections, and the national group has endorsed
candidate Chellie Pingree.
Strimling's campaign has been distributing literature
from his 2006 campaign, which uses a quote from
MLCV's endorsement of him in 2006 when he was
running for the Maine State Senate. Attorney Andrew
Cadot of the MLCV says the action was “an intentional
effort to mislead the voters into thinking he has been
endorsed by the Maine League of Conservation Voters
(“MLCV”) in this race.”
According to WGME News 13, the League's top lawyer
sent a letter on May 23rd to Strimling and his campaign
claiming that he is using the material in a manner
"intended to mislead, confuse and perpetrate a public
fraud..." and that "the actions being taken by your
campaign are illegal."
WGME said that the League is demanding that the
Strimling campaign "cease and desist" immediately and
is calling for a public apology.
Fire Hydrants Cannot Be Painted
The Portland Fire Department says that painting fire
hydrants is forbidden without permission from the Portland
Water District. A growing number of fire hydrants in the
city have been discovered to have been painted without
authorization,
The color coding for fire hydrants is specifically designed to
aid the fire department in responding to an emergency. The
fire department depends upon the information conveyed to
them through the color-coding system.
The main barrel of the hydrant is painted a shade of yellow
unique to Portland Water District hydrants. This easily-
identifiable color informs the fire department that the
hydrant is connected to the Portland Water District system
and thus guarantees that there will be an excellent water
supply to fight a fire.
The bonnet, the top of the hydrant which includes the nut
that is used to turn the hydrant on and off, is painted with a
special reflective paint that enables a fire crew to spot the
hydrant quickly at night.
Finally, the rim at the bottom of the bonnet is painted with
a color-coding system regulated by the National Fire
Protection Association to inform the fire department of the
water flow specific to that hydrant. This national standard
provides critical information immediately to the fire
department as they fight a fire. A red rim indicates 500
gallons per minute, orange 500-1000, green 1000-1500 and
blue indicates 1500 gpm or greater.
The Portland Water District is in the middle of a three-year
contract to repaint its fire hydrants. The fire hydrants in
Portland are expected to be repainted by the water district
next year.
An example of a fire hydrant repainted without
authorization (silver and purple) can be located on
Woodford Street near the intersection with Highland Street.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Basement Garden Gets Man Arrested
Liam M. Cohen, 26, of Portland was arrested on May
13th and charged with unlawful trafficking in drugs, after
a large amount of marijuana and a number of marijuana
plants were found in his house.
According to police, Cohen had called his landlord to
complain about mold in the house, which he was renting on
Ray Street. The landlord showed up at the property with a
roofing contractor to find the cause of the mold problem.
When they went down to the basement, they found 123
marijuana plants being cultivated with grow lights.
Police were contacted and Cohen was arrested. Two- and-a-
quarter pounds of processed marijuana were also found in
the dwelling. Police confiscated Cohen’s indoor grow as
evidence.
School Bond Referendum
Set for June 10th
A referendum on funding for a new Portland elementary
school will be held on June 10th. State funding would
cover nearly all of the construction costs - the first time in
30 years that state money has built a Portland school. In
order to secure that money, city voters must approve
issuing bonds for the project.
The Ocean Avenue school would be built on the site of the
former Baxter Elementary School. The Portland School
Committee and Portland City Council approved plans for
the school earlier this year. State funding would
reimburse all of the city’s costs except for $60,000 to
install air-conditioning in functional life skills classrooms.
The new school would house up to 450 students and
feature a LEED-certified, energy efficient design that
saves money on heating and other utility costs.
For more information about the Ocean Avenue school
project, please visit the Portland Public Schools Web site:
www.portlandschools.org.
Absentee ballot applications for the June 10th referendum
are now available from the City clerk’s office or at http:
//www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/absentee.pdf. All 16 city
polling places will be open on June 10th from 7 a.m. to 8
p.m.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
EqualityMaine and Christian Civic
League to Face Off at Polls
EqualityMaine plans to "build a presence at hundreds of
polling places" during the June 10th primary in an effort
to prevent supporters of the Maine Christian Civic League
- social conservatives, evangelicals, and traditional
marriage supporters - from signing the ‘YES for Marriage
and Equality’ referendum petitions for “An Act to
Protect Marriage and Promote Equality.”
EqualityMaine's Executive Director Betsy Smith has
outlined a plan that asks volunteers to “stand with the
people that the [Christian Civic] League recruits to collect
signatures for the petition."
Nearly 100 people have signed up to volunteer with
EqualityMaine, and the group is calling for 300 volunteers
at polling places across the state.
“I think it is disgusting that so-called 'gay' groups plan on
harassing dear Christian grandmothers on Primary
Election Day," said Christian Civic League of Maine
Executive Director Michael Heath."They need to call off
this totalitarian campaign of intimidation and apologize,"
said Heath. "Yesterday wouldn't be soon enough."
The Maine Secretary of State approved, and the Christian
Civic League of Maine accepted on May 12th, the final
text and title of a citizen-initiative petition that would strip
the state of its laws prohibiting anti-gay discrimination
and also ban gay marriage, civil unions, gay adoption and
funding for civil rights teams (the Maine version of a gay-
straight alliance) in public schools.
If the League can collect 55,000 signatures by January,
the question will be added to the November 2009 general
election ballot.
EqualityMaine has also encouraged members to write
letters to the editor criticizing the measure. Dozens of such
letters have appeared in the state’s major daily papers, all
of which have written editorials against the initiative.
Both Governor John Baldacci and Attorney General
Steven Rowe have expressed reservations about the League’
s referendum. Baldacci’s office has said that governor
would “work diligently” for the effort’s defeat.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
WENA Action Saves Library (For Now)
The Reiche library will stay open after
District 2 Councilor Dave Marshall
asked the Portland City Council on May
19th to restore $30,000 from the City’s
contingency fund, allowing the library to
remain open for at least one more year.
The West End Neighborhood
Association organized opposition to the
proposed closing of the local branch
library when it became public in early
May.
Library Director Stephen Podgajny and
the library trustees have promised
extensive long-range planning, with
public input, during the coming year.
West End residents who contacted City
Councilors to ask for their support were pleased
that the vote was 8 - 1 in favor of Marshall's resolution.
Jill Duson was the lone councilor to vote against the
measure, saying that she couldn't support last-minute
changes to the budget because the finance committee had
worked hard to balance competing community interests.
The West End Neighborhood Association will keep residents
posted on PPL's long-range planning process, which will
eventually determine the fate of Reiche and other branch
libraries. WENA urged residents to stay close to the process
by joining the newly-formed Friends of Reiche. They can be
reached at wendneighborhood@yahoo.com
Calling All LEGO-lovers!
Youth from all over the Greater Portland area will
participate in a YOUth Can Build-a-thon using LEGO®
and DUPLO® materials, at the Maine Mall in South
Portland on May 24th, 31st, June 1st.
The project is designed to educate youth on the substandard
housing issues in the world, as well as demonstrate youth
involvement in the mission of Habitat for Humanity.
Throughout the spring, classes and youth groups have taken
educational workshops. At the “blitz-building” event in
Center Court of the Mall, kids will spend the afternoon
building a “life-size” house out of DUPLO® blocks.
To learn more about the project, become involved, or make
a donation, please contact Kate Callahan at
youth@habitatme.org or by phone at (207) 772-2151.
Public Members Sought for School Facilities Task Force
The Portland School Committee has
created a School Facilities Task Force
to review facility needs within the
district. The task force, consisting of
School Committee members, school and
city staff and members of the public, is
scheduled to present its findings to the
full School Committee by December 3,
2008.
Anyone interested in serving on the
School Facilities Task Force should
contact School Committee member
Jaimey Caron, the task force chair, at
caronj@portlandschools.org. The
deadline for applying is noon on
Wednesday, May 28th.
The School Committee members of the
task force will discuss the composition
of the full task force on May 28th,
immediately following the School
Committee workshop that begins at 7 p.
m. in Room 250 at PATHS. The
proposed membership of the task force
will be presented to the School
Committee for first reading at its June 4
business meeting. It is expected that the
School Committee will take a final vote
on task force appointments at its June
25th business meeting.
The task force will begin meeting in
June and will likely meet twice a month
until its work is complete.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Demolition of Jetport
Parking Garage Begins
The demolition of the Portland Jetport's parking garage,
which will allow for construction of a new garage, has
begun. The new parking garage will increase overall
parking capacity at the Jetport by twenty percent. Sections
of the new garage are expected to open in December of
this year.
During the demolition and construction phase, passengers
are reminded to get a ride to the jetport from family and
friends, or to take public transport. The Jetport has
embarked on an advertising campaign featuring well-
know Maine comedian Bob Marley, encouraging people to
get rides to the jetport and to arrive ninety minutes before
departure time.
A remote discount parking lot will be in operation
throughout the construction phase, but there will not be as
much parking as is needed, according to jetport officials.
They also suggests that before people travel, they visit
PortlandJetport.org for links to all the transit alternatives,
from taxis to airport shuttles to the Portland METRO bus.
The latest news about the new remote discount parking lot
can also be found on the website.
Monday, May 19, 2008
League Endorses Pingree, Alfond,
Russell
Portland’s League of Young Voters has published its 2008
Primary Election Voter Guide, endorsing candidates in
primary elections for the first time.
Locally, the League endorsed Chellie Pingree for the 1st
District Congressional seat, Justin Alfond in the Portland
State Senate race, and Diane Russell in the East End
legislative race. All are candidates in Democratic
primaries.
In order to receive an endorsement, candidates and issues
must win a simple majority using an Instant Runoff
Voting ballot. The League’s Elections Committee then
spends up to 8 hours a week researching and interviewing
candidates. League members who have racked up 8 hours
of volunteer time are allowed to vote.
Buy Local to Give Indie Biz Awards
An award ceremony to honor the
finalists and award recipients in the
Portland Buy Local campaign’s first
Indie Biz Awards will take place this
Thursday, May 22 from 6:30 to 10 at the
SPACE Gallery on Congress Street.
More than 100 locally-owned and independent
businesses were nominated for awards.
The event will include live music, a silent auction, and
food and drink from local businesses. The Indie Biz
Awards are a fundraiser for the Portland Buy Local
Campaign.
Local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and
individuals are all encouraged to join the Buy Local
campaign during their current membership drive.
Businesses that join or renew by May 22nd will get a
free listing for the business or nonprofit in the group’s
first printed directory, which will be published in July.
Local Republicans Form Candidates’
Caucus
The Portland Republican City
Committee has formed the Portland
Conservative Candidates’ Caucus. The
PCCC consists of the Republican
candidates for the state legislative
districts that represent the City of
Portland.
The local candidates are: Senate
District 8 (Portland) - Erik Lusk; House
District 118 (West End) - Will Colston;
House District 119(Parkside/Bayside) -
Ryan Hendrickson; House District 120
(Munjoy Hill) - Peter Doyle.
The PCCC meets at regular intervals to
discuss issues of concern and to take
positions on those issues that are
indicative of the way that Republicans
would represent Portland if elected.
Former PRCC Chairman Halsey Frank
is not a candidate or a voting member
but is acting as chair for the Caucus.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Portland Landlord Agrees to Stop
Automatic Early Termination Fees
Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe
announced on May 16th that Port
Property Management, which
manages over 700 residential
apartments in Portland and South
Portland, has agreed to a court-
ordered Consent Decree which bars
it from automatically charging an
Early Termination Fee whenever a
tenant has to leave the apartment
before the lease has expired.
Port Property Management has typically charged tenants
who leave early a fee of more than $600, even if it
immediately re-rents the apartment. Automatic Early
Termination Fees can be illegal if the landlord
immediately finds a new tenant. Pursuant to this Consent
Decree, Port Property Management was ordered to cease
automatic termination fees and to refund money to
tenants who were improperly charged an Early
Termination Fee between January 1, 2005 and December
31, 2007. Port Property Management must also pay a civil
penalty of $10,000.
Maine Landlord/Tenant Law requires landlords to
mitigate their loss when a tenant has to break the lease.
Port Property Management did not admit to any
wrongdoing in the case.
The Attorney General has already contacted many tenants
eligible for the return of their Early Termination Fees.
The Consumer Protection Division will purchase
advertisements which will list the names of tenants it has
been unable to contact. The names of the tenants not yet
contacted can also be found on the Attorney General’s
website.
The persons listed below may be eligible for
reimbursement. If your name is listed below please contact
the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at: 1-
800-436-2131 or (207) 626-8849 or write them at: 6 State
House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 or consumer.
mediation@maine.gov.
Kathryn Arledge, Burhan Ayanle, Mikael Bang, Rebecca
Beam, Ashley Brown, Jona Cormier, Mary Crabtree,
Jennifer Currid, James Easter, Takeyuli Futatsumori,
Sara Gelston, Jason Hastings, Michael Hogan, Andre
Hughrs, Nicolas Hutchins, Nayneet Jain, Abigail
Johnson, Timothy Karu, Anna Lapina, Gabrielle Little,
Victoria Marsh, Katherine Matzell, Miranda Mayberry,
Milan McAlevery, Alan McLucas, Allegra Mira, David &
Andrea Murphy, Amy Ouellette, Lees Patriacca, Prem
Prabhakaran, Jeffrey Purser, Peter Rich, Jessica
Richardson, Anthony Roberts, Amber Rogals, Matthew
Rogers, Nathan Sawyer, Jonathan Schlesinger, Mary
Schools, Bethany Schultz, Chelsea Smith, Tommy
Somerville, Moira Steven, Robert Stewart, Tie Tan,
Wilbur Tietsort, Vijaya Vishwanatham
Saturday, May 17, 2008
PORTLAND TO CONSIDER CUTTING
POLLING LOCATIONS
At the May 19th Portland City Council
meeting, the Council will consider
proposal in the budget that calls for the
closing of 10 of the 16 polling locations
in Portland for the general election in
2008. The cuts would leave one polling
place per city district on the mainland,
and one on Peaks Island.
Portland's League of Young Voters says
poll closures would impact young voters more
than other age demographics. A 2003 study on Los
Angeles County poll consolidation has shown that
substitution of absentee voting for actual polling
locations is more suited to middle aged and older
voters, whereas young people are more inclined to not
vote at all if polling stations are not convenient.
POPEYE'S ICE HOUSE CLOSES
Popeye's Ice House, the local
tavern that has been at the corner
of York and Brackett Street in the
West End for 75 years, closed its
doors for perhaps the last time on
May 8th.
The owners of the Ice House have
been embroiled in a legal battle
with the City of Portland for years
over neighborhood complaints
about the bar. Despite its
successfully obtaining a state
liquor license, the Ice House had
to close because the City has
refused to issue a food license,
without which the establishment
cannot operate.
The owners of the tavern and
regular patrons have charged the
City officials have conducted a
vendetta against them because
they do not fit into the rapidly
gentrifying neighborhood.
Friday, May 16, 2008
WENA Pushing Reiche Proposal
The West End Neighborhood Association is asking
residents to send letters and call City Councilors in support
of Councilor David Marshall's proposal to keep the Reiche
Library open.
Marshall will recommend at next week's City Council
meeting that $30,000 be restored to the budget from the
contingency fund in order to keep Reiche branch library
open for another year.
To email all Councilors at once, click on the "Email City
Council" box at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/citycou.htm
Groups Pledge to Repeal Real ID
A coalition of groups including Peace Action Maine, We
The People, Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU),
NAACP, Maine Council of Churches, and the Roman
Catholic Diocese will hold a press conference on the steps
of the Federal Court Building in Portland today, Friday
May 16th at 11 AM, announcing their plans for a People's
Veto to Repeal Real ID.
The Maine State Legislature rejected Real ID in 2007,
receiving national attention for their opposition. However,
they recently passed LD 2309, requiring the Secretary of
State to enact regulations requiring driver's license
applicants to demonstrate a "legal presence" in order to
obtain a license, which was signed into law April 17, 2008.
Plans are underway to collect the 55,000 signatures on
petitions necessary to put the question on the November
2008 ballot. A repeal of Real ID has gained support across
party lines - groups opposing Real ID for reasons including
its violation of states rights unconstitutionality, and
prohibitive cost.
For more information, contact 207 772 0680 or visit www.
realrepeal.net
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Maine's Primary Election is Tuesday, June 10, and voters
wishing to cast their ballot early may go to their municipal
office and request an Absentee Ballot, which they can cast
right there at the office. Absentee ballots are accepted until 8:
00 p.m. on Election Day.
To vote in the Democratic Primary, voters must be
registered to vote and enrolled in the Democratic Party.
There is no cut-off date to register (even on Election Day)
by going in person to your town or city hall. If you are
currently not enrolled in any party, you may enroll at any
time, including Election Day, by completing and filing an
enrollment application with your municipal registrar.
To change enrollment from one party to another, you must
file an application by Friday, May 23, 2008 in order to vote
in the new party for the June 10th Primary.
For more information, go to: http://www.maine.gov/sos and
on the left-hand-side of the page, click "Elections and
Voting."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Governor Baldacci Celebrates Maine
Irish Heritage Center
Governor John E. Baldacci joined former Sen. George J.
Mitchell and other dignitaries and Irish men and women to
celebrate the raising of the bell at the Maine Irish Heritage
Center, formerly St. Dominic’s Church, on May 14th. The
bell fell from the tower about two years ago. Organizers see
the bell raising as the first step in the restoration and
renovation of the Maine Irish Heritage Center.
The former St. Dominic’s Church opened in 1892 and was a
landmark seen from the waterfront that served many
purposes, providing multiple services. In 1997, St. Dominic’
s was closed. In 2001 the Maine Irish Heritage Center was
created to preserve the building. In May of 2006, the 4,000
pound bell crashed down through the tower, causing the
building to close.
The celebration was the first chance for the public to see the
restoration work at the former church. On June 21, the
Center will host its first wedding in the restored structure
and will ring the bell again for the first time in over a
decade.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
School Budget Passes by 2 to 1 Margin
The first City of Portland School Budget to be put out to
the voters in a referendum passed on May 13th with nearly
two-thirds of the voters voting in favor of it.
Yes 2,311 65.28%
No 1,229 34.72%
Council Will Try to Save Reiche Library
By ED KING
West End City Councilor David Marshal will recommend at
the Council’s next meeting on May 19th that $30,000 be
restored to the City budget to keep the Reiche branch library
open for another year. The money would come from the
City’s contingency fund, so it would not increase the
budget.
At a City Council workshop on May 12th, Marshall and
Councilor John Anton called for the development of a long-
range plan by the library board before any branches were
closed. Marshall questioned the board’s statistics on how
many books were borrowed from each of the branch
libraries, and Anton raised questions about the board’s
membership, which is made up of about 50% Portland
residents, though the City provides more than 80% of its
funding.
Anton says that the Library needs to keep Reiche open for
the coming year because the Library Director and Trustees
need at least that amount of time to work with the public,
city staff and the School Department to develop a long-term
facilities plan, or what the Director calls a “sustainable
system architecture.”
Nearly 100 neighbors and supporters of the Reiche branch
library gathered on Brackett Street on May 7th to protest the
proposed closing of the facility.
The crowd, many carrying homemade signs, included
infants and senior citizens, as well as most of the West End’
s elected officials and community leaders.
Marshall, State Representative Jon Hinck and West End
Neighborhood Association President Leana Good-Simpson
urged the crowd to fight the decision by the library board,
pointing out that the Reiche branch is the only one in the
city that would be affected by recent budget cuts.
The library board was scheduled to meet again on May 14th
and representatives of the board were planning to attend the
West End Neighborhood Association meeting that night
Supporters of the Reiche branch began organizing an
opposition movement after learning that the branch would
close at the end of June as part of the City's widespread
budget cutbacks. The decision to close the local branch was
finalized by the City Council's budget committee on May
2nd, when Reiche staff was informed of the decision.
The Reiche School library would not be affected by the
decision. The Reiche library is the only branch library in the
city that would close.
The library board also recommended that the Main Branch
library be closed on Mondays. Schedules at the other
branch libraries would be unaffected.
Currently, the Burbank branch is open 40 hours per week
and Munjoy, Peaks, Reiche and Riverton are each open 20
hours.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
GREENS TO HOLD STATE
CONVENTION
The Maine Green Independent Party will hold its annual
State Convention on May 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
at the Log Cabin, 196 Main Street, in Yarmouth. Agenda
items include introductions of local candidates, presidential
candidate speakers, and Green of the Year and other
awards. Catering will be provided. A $20.00 / person
sliding scale registration fee applies.
The MGIP will send a delegation to the National Green
Party Convention in Chicago in July.
The Maine Green Independent Party is running a number of
candidates for the Maine state legislature, with three
candidates for State Senate (which has 35 seats) and ten
candidates for State House of Representatives (151 seats).
The Maine Green Independent Party is the largest Green
Party in the US in terms of percentage of the electorate,
with 3% of Maine voters registered Green.
Group to Raise Funds for Historic Artist’
s Headstone
Spirits Alive, a group dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Eastern Cemetery, is raising funds to have
a replica stone made for Charles Codman's grave. The
renowned early 19th century painter is buried in the
historic cemetery, but his gravesite has been vandalized
over the years and his stone is lying on the ground in
several pieces.
Codman was an itinerant artist who settled in Portland.
Initially he made a living in painting images on "functional"
objects such as fire buckets, militia standards, and fire
screens. Recognizing his talent, John Neal and others
encouraged Codman to begin
painting landscapes, as Portland's emerging art scene began
to develop.
His works now reside in the Smithsonian, Brooklyn (NY)
Museum of Art, the Portland Museum of Art and at Maine
Historical Society, among other places. In 2003 PMA
presented a show of his works including many that showed
the harbor and local landscapes of greater Portland.
Local historian William David Barry of Maine Historical
Society, has pointed out that Eastern Cemetery is home to
some of the oldest sculpture and art in Portland. With this
in mind, Spirits Alive is working to protect, promote and
restore the stones and the landscape of Eastern Cemetery.
With headstones dating from the early 1700's and stones
created by regarded regional carvers, the cemetery serves
as an important cultural and historic "outdoor museum." It
is ironic, then, that the headstone of one of the most revered
local artists is in terrible shape.
John Neal, Portland's 19th century Renaissance man,
predicted that Codman might finally get the recognition he
deserved after his death. He was right -- but restoring this
stone is an important part of honoring one of Maine's
premier artists.
The fundraiser for the Codman Headstone will be held at the
Maine Historical Society Gallery (489 Congress Street,
Portland) on May 22 from 4-6. Three Codman pieces will
be on display and at 5:30 historians William David Barry and
Earle Shettleworth will talk about Codman, the significance
of his work and his life here in Portland.
Tickets are available at the door or by calling 729-4817 or
by email: christina@spiritsalive.org. For information or to
make donations people can see the website at www.
spiritsalive.org
Public Schools Announces Graduation
Dates
The Portland Public Schools will hold the
following graduation ceremonies:
Portland Arts and Technology High
School (PATHS) - Friday, May 16, 8:30
a.m. (morning session) and 11:30 a.m.
(afternoon session) at the school,
located at 196 Allen Ave.
Portland High School - Wednesday, June
4, 10:30 a.m. at Merrill Auditorium.
Deering High School - Thursday, June 5,
10:30 a.m. at the Cumberland County
Civic Center.
Portland Adult Education - Thursday,
June 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Merrill
Auditorium.
Monday, May 12, 2008
School Committee Honors Local
Environmentalist
The Portland School Committee at its
May 7th meeting recognized Alfred
Padula of Portland for his contributions
to the Portland Public Schools as “an
environmentalist, a catalyst, a change
agent and an unsung hero.”
School Committee Chair John Coyne
read a proclamation citing Padula’s
financial contributions to several school
projects to encourage energy
conservation.
They include:
-$35,000 donated for the installation of
solar panels at the East End Community
School.
-$25,000 for energy upgrades at
Portland High School.
-$15,000 for the geodesic dome at
Lincoln Middle School.
-$20,000 for LEED certification of the
new Ocean Avenue Elementary School.
Padula has also worked with Lincoln students on
sustainability projects, and he has donated equipment
and books to the middle school.
Padula retired in 1999 as a Latin American studies
professor at the University of Southern Maine. Since
then, he has devoted much of his time, energy and
resources to encouraging energy conservation
Governor to Attend Bell Tower
Ceremony
The Maine Irish Heritage Center will
mark the restoration of the bell in the
tower of the former St. Dominic’s
Church on Gray Street o Wednesday,
May 14th, from 3:30 to 5 PM.
The event will feature a history of the Center by
former board member David Soule, remarks by
Governor John Baldacci, and a construction update by
board member Vinny O’Malley, as well as
refreshments and tours of the Center.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
BREAKING
Body Found in Payson Park
A woman walking a dog in Payson Park at about
7:50AM on Saturday morning found the dead body of a
man who appeared to be in his 50's.. A rifle was reportedly
found near the body. Further information will be reported
when it is available from the Portland Police Department
LOCAL MOMS RECLAIMING ORIG-
INAL PURPOSE OF MOTHER'S DAY
Maine Mothers Acting Up, a local
branch of Mothers Acting Up (MAU)
will sponsor a family event to celebrate
the original intent of Mother's Day as a
time for peaceful activism. 12:00pm to 2:
00pm at Deering Oaks Park.
Meet US First Congressional District
candidates, make and have photo taken
with One Sky (www.1sky.org) art project
to support government action to address
climate change, and observe the
worldwide Standing Women (www.
standing women.org) meditation.
Children's activities, information tables,
and free cake. FMI go to http:
//mainemau.blogspot.com, or www.
mothersactingup.org
Reclaiming Mother's Day events are
inspired by the life, words and actions of
Julia Ward Howe. In 1870, she wrote a
Mother's Day Proclamation and called
for a day when the world would honor
what mothers hold most dear: the lives
of all children.
Parking Meter Stolen, Retrieved
On April 25th, Portland police were
called regarding two males who were
breaking into a parking meter on Myrtle
Street and carrying it away. When officers arrived at
the scene, they discovered one of the double meters
near the entrance to the Merrill Auditorium was
missing.
Russell Ware and William Didonato, two 33-year-old
Portland men, were discovered strolling down Federal
Street at 1:30 AM, with the parking meter in their
possession.
They were arrested for theft, criminal mischief,
receiving stolen property, and possession of burglary
tools. –Marge Niblock
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Bayside Neighborhood to Partner with
Public Services for Spring Clean-Up
Neighborhood association participates in City's Adopt-A-
Block Program
The Bayside Neighborhood Association will partner with
Portland's Public Services Department today for its
annual Adopt-A-Block Spring Clean-up. The City will be
providing the materials for the clean up including trash
bags, gloves, rakes, and bark mulch as well as take away
any of the refuse collected. The Bayside Neighborhood
Association will supply the labor for the clean-up.
According to research conducted by Keep America
Beautiful, Inc., people litter because they feel no sense of
ownership for the property of land, believe someone else
will pick up after them, or see that litter has already
accumulated at the site.
For more information, contact Mike Murray at 756-8288
or msm@portlandmaine.gov.
Saturday, May 10 9:00 AM at the Corner of Oxford and
Chestnut Streets
Man Arrested for Knife Threat
Portland police arrested Matthew Kobell, 36, of Portland
after receiving a call at 9 PM on April 29th in reference to
a male threatening to stab another male outside 363
Cumberland Avenue, in Bayside.
The unidentified victim identified Kobell, who was known
to him, as the person making the threats.
Police located Kobell in that area and found a knife on
the ground near him. After police took Kobell into
protective custody, he began yelling and threatening the
victim. He was charged with disorderly conduct and
criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
Kobell also had outstanding warrants for theft, criminal
mischief, unlawful possession of dangerous drugs, and
operating after suspension. -Marge Niblock
Friday, May 9,2009
Portland West Seeks New Owners for
Child Care Center
The Portland West Board of Directors is
looking for another agency to take over the
operation of the Child Development Center, formerly the
West End Child Development Center.
Portland West took on the West End Child Development
Center operation in July 2004, when the longtime
childcare facility was struggling to stay open. After four
years, the attendance at the center has fallen below the
levels needed to make it financially viable. Originally, the
program was accepted with the idea of serving 18
children. Currently, the program only has 6 children.
Tom Pearson, Chief Operating Officer said that center
needs at least 15 full time kids enrolled in order to break
even. Enrollment has been running about half that and
they can’t sustain the loss of revenue.
If Portland West cannot find another agency to take over
the Child Development Center, they will try to find
childcare placements for children currently enrolled.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Reiche Supporters Protest Closing
Photo by Kirsten Cappy
Nearly 100 neighbors and supporters of the Reiche branch
library gathered on Brackett Street on May 7th to protest
the proposed closing of the facility by the board of the
public library.
The crowd, many carrying homemade signs, included
infants and senior citizens, as well as many of the West
End's elected officials and community leaders.
West End City Councilor David Marshall, State
Representative Jon Hinck and West End Neighborhood
Association President Leana Good-Simpson urged the
crowd to fight the decision by the library board, pointing
out that the Reiche branch is the only one in the city that
would be affected by recent budget cuts.
St. Lawrence Dismantling to Begin Next
Week
Due to structural deficiencies, the sanctuary will
be demolished with capital campaign for
reconstruction set for 2009.
Starting next week, the St. Lawrence sanctuary
will be dismantled as a part of a multi-year
rehabilitation project. The Parish Hall portion of
the arts center will remain open and continue its
programming during the dismantling and
reconstruction project. It is owned and operated by
the non-profit Friends of the St. Lawrence and
offers diverse programming of theater, dance, film
and art workshops.
The City of Portland's Historic Preservation
Committee granted approval for the demolition
project because of significant structural
deficiencies that pose an imminent safety hazard.
The city granted $100,000 in federal funds from
Community Development Block Grants to pay for
the demolition costs.
Built in 1897, the St. Lawrence, a Romanesque
Revival/Queen Anne style structure, is a
community icon on Munjoy Hill and was listed in
the National Register of Historic Places in 1979
and designated a Landmark by the City of Portland
in 1990.
The Friends of St. Lawrence have begun salvaging
a number of architectural features and materials,
including stained glass windows and stone that
may be used in its future reconstruction.
Committee to Consider Smoke-Free
Ordinances
The City's Health and Recreation Committee will hold a
public hearing today to discuss two proposed smoke-free
ordinances.
The first calls for turning into an ordinance the resolution
that all Portland playgrounds and athletic facilities must
be smoke-free.
The second proposal calls for making all restaurant/bar
outdoor eating areas smoke-free. Current state law
prohibits smoking indoors at restaurants and bars.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
OFFICER DIES IN
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
Tragic Loss for Portland PD
Sergeant Robert Johnsey
The mood was somber as Chief Tim
Burton and Westbrook Chief William
Baker conducted a joint press
conference at 11 AM at the Portland
Police Department to announce that
Sergeant Robert Johnsey, 37, a member
of the Portland Police Department since
August 1999, died Monday night at
Maine Medical Center, as the result of
an “accidental self-inflicted gunshot
wound” to the leg. The gun involved was
the officer’s Smith & Wesson
semiautomatic service weapon. Baker
called this type of event “the ultimate
tragedy.”
Burton said there is “extended trauma at
the Portland Police Department. We all
share a common bond and a common
goal. When struck by these tragedies, we
all feel it.” He praised Johnsey as being a
“kindhearted, solid family man who took his job seriously.
He was a good man.”
Johnsey received numerous commendations, recognition,
and letters of appreciation from the public during his
service in Portland. He was a Crisis Intervention Specialist
and a certified K-9 handler, named as supervisor of the K-
9 Unit in December 2007. He was assigned to the Evening
Directed Patrol Unit.
The officer’s wife, Carol, called 911, and officers from
Westbrook’s police department responded to the scene.
Chief Baker stated “The impact is significant for officers
in Westbrook.” Those officers “made a valiant effort” to
save Johnsey by applying a tourniquet.
Johnsey had two children, a daughter, Rachel, who is
twelve and a nine-year-old son. It was reported that after
learning of his dad’s death, his son Alexander Joseph,
said “I guess I’m the man of the house now.”
Funeral arrangements have yet to be determined.
-Marge Niblock
Chadwick Gets New Owner
Buddy Marcum, who owned a large 16-
room inn in the Lakes Region, recently
purchased The Chadwick B&B at 140
Chadwick Street.
Marcum says he is ready for a nice change of pace, with
only four rooms now, and is looking forward to getting
involved with the town, and getting to know his new
neighbors.
Learn more about the Chadwick at www.thechadwick.com
Local Republicans Form Candidates’
Caucus
The Portland Republican City
Committee has formed the Portland
Conservative Candidates’ Caucus. The
PCCC consists of the Republican candidates for the
state legislative districts that represent the City of Portland.
The local candidates are: Senate District 8 (Portland) -
Erik Lusk; House District 118 (West End) - Will Colston;
House District 119(Parkside/Bayside) - Ryan Hendrickson;
House District 120 (Munjoy Hill) - Peter Doyle.
The PCCC meets at regular intervals to discuss issues of
concern and to take positions on those issues that are
indicative of the way that Republicans would represent
Portland if elected.
Former PRCC Chairman Halsey Frank is not a candidate
or a voting member but is acting as chair for the Caucus.
In its initial statement, the group announced its support
for the Office of Program Evaluation and Government
Accountability, which was recently targeted for defunding,
and its opposition to the new 1.8% tax on paid health
insurance claims and a new tax on beer, wine and soft
drinks.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
WEST END RESIDENTS UNITE TO
SAVE LIBRARY RALLY TONIGHT AT
6 P.M.
Residents of Portland's Reiche School
neighborhood are
responding to news of a proposed library
closing with action. Library supporters
are gathering tonight in
protest of the plan.
"The library is at the heart of this great and proud
neighborhood," said Leana Good-Simpson, President of
the West End Neighborhood Association. "Portland as a
city would suffer if we sit by and watch as the library
closes."
The neighborhood association Saturday held a clean up of
the streets and parks within walking distance of the Reiche
School and branch library as the news of the library's fate
was passing person-to-person. No one who lives near the
library has yet been heard to support closure. Residents
say they have other ideas for how the city can address a
budget shortfall.
"By removing trash and beautifying our neighborhood,
we just demonstrated that volunteerism can save Portland
money," said John Navarra. "When it comes to closing a
great branch library, they say cutback - we say
fight back."
Opponents of the plan to close Reiche library will gather
at the library tonight at 6PM to express their opposition
and make plans to fight the proposal.
Councilor Questions Ice Cream Trucks
City Councilor Kevin Donoghue says that he heard last
spring, and is beginning to hear again from constituents
this spring, with concerns about whether ice cream
trucks add to or detract from the quality of life in
Portland.
“Are ice cream trucks sacred like fresh apple pie and high
school football, or are they unwelcome nuisances we
tolerate?” says the East End City Councilor in soliciting
public opinion on how - or indeed whether – the City
should confront the issue of ice cream trucks in Portland.
Saying that he doesn’t want to be a grinch, Donoghue
says he tends to think of ice cream trucks as mere zoning
violations - a business parcel rolling around a residential
zone. He says he has heard from constituents concerned
about neighborhood noise and childhood obesity.
Pringle Named Volunteer of the Year
West End resident and former Portland mayor Anne
Pringle was named Volunteer of the Year on April 28th at
ceremonies in Augusta. Pringle is currently active with the
Friends of Deering Oaks Park and has been part of
numerous civic efforts for many years.
Governor John E. Baldacci and the Maine Commission
for Community Service recognized the winners of the
2008 Governor’s Service Awards for their exceptional
contributions to Maine communities. 410 volunteers were
inducted to the Roll of Honor for their outstanding service
to the State. Inductees have collectively donated 405,100
hours of service.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Opposition Forming to Reiche Library
Closing
Supporters of the Reiche branch of the Portland Public
Library are organizing an opposition movement after
learning that the branch will close at the end of June as
part of the City's widespread budget cutbacks. Some
residents are expected to address the Portland City Council
at its meeting tonight.
The decision to close the local branch was made by the
Portland Library board and finalized by the City Council's
budget committee on May 2nd, when Reiche staff was
informed of the decision.
West End City Councilor David Marshall said he hopes to
find some other organization to supply the services that
will be lost with the closing of the library. The Reiche
School library will not be affected by the decision.
The Reiche library is the only branch library in the city
that will close, according to Marshall. It will also be
recommended that the Main library be closed on
Mondays. Schedules at the other branch libraries would be
unaffected.
Currently, the Burbank branch is open 40 hours per week
and Munjoy, Peaks, Reiche and Riverton are each open 20
hours. Critics say that one equitable solution would be to
evenly distribute any cuts in hours, or to apply a schedule
of 20 hours per week to all branch libraries.
.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
SUSPECT SHOT TO DEATH ON ST.
JOHN STREET
Officers escape serious injury after
being dragged 400 yards
Portland police shot and killed a suspect after a routine
traffic stop on St. John Street turned into a harrowing
adventure for two officers last night (Saturday, May 3rd.)
At 9:45 pm, Officers Nicholas Goodman and James
Davison conducted the traffic stop on a green Ford
Explorer on St. John Street north of Falmouth Street.
The officers determined the identity of the operator as
Albert Kittrell, 48, of Portland.
During the course of the traffic stop, Kittrell attempted to
drive away from the officers. Officers Goodman and
Davison made efforts to stop Kittrell and were caught by
the moving vehicle. The Explorer continued north on St.
John Street carrying the officers for about 400 yards.
During this time, several gunshots were fired. The vehicle
was brought to a stop prior to the intersection of
Dartmouth Street.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and
transported Kittrell to the Maine Medical Center. He was
pronounced dead at the hospital. Goodman and Davison
received treatment at the Maine Medical Center for minor
injuries and were released.
Kittrell, who was alone in the vehicle, had had his
operators license revoked as a habitual offender.
According to police records, Kittrell was arrested on April
26th at 7:20 PM for "operating after revoked for H.O.
(habitual offender) and illegal attachment of plates."
Investigators from the Maine Attorney General’s Office,
the State Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Portland
Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and
Internal Investigations Unit responded to the incident and
have commenced an investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the event.
Officers Goodman and Davison have been placed on
administrative leave pending review by the Office of the
Chief of Police.
PHS Students Win Business Competition
A team of students in Shelley Burek’s accounting class at
Portland High School won first place in the recent
Opportunity Analysis Competition sponsored by Students
in Free Enterprise at the University of Southern Maine.
The winning team - Esmirna Roman-Vasquez, Robert
Boulier and Jasmine Hernandez - received $1,000 and
trophies.
Burek’s students worked with USM students over eight
weeks to learn about business concepts. They wrote a
paper and made a PowerPoint presentation. A panel of
six business people judged the competition.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
REICHE LIBRARY TO CLOSE
The Reiche branch of the Portland library will close at the
end of June as part of the City's widespread budget
cutbacks. The decision to close the local branch was made
by the Portland Library board and finalized by the City
Council's budget committee on May 2nd, when Reiche
staff was informed of the decision.
West End City Councilor David Marshall said he hopes to
find some other organization to supply the services that
will be lost with the closing of the library. The Reiche
School library will not be affected by the decision.
The Reiche library is the only branch library in the city
that will close, according to Marshall.
New Mercy Hospital on Schedule
Mercy Hospital's Phase I, 151,000 square-foot hospital
building located on the Fore River remains on-time and
on-budget, according to the hospital's web site.
The new building is the first step in a multi-phase project
that will ultimately replace the current State Street
facility. . The first phase will be designed as a short-stay
inpatient and full-service outpatient surgical and
obstetrical facility. The hospital's emergency room will
remain in town. Anticipated occupancy for the new
facility is September of 2008, but several medical practises
have already moved onto the new campus.
Mercy Hospital was created by the Sisters of Mercy in
response to the influenza epidemic that devastated
Portland in 1918.
Friday, May 2, 2008
New Bishop to be Consecrated
The Rev. Canon Stephen Lane will be consecrated on
Saturday as the ninth Episcopal bishop of Maine, the
spiritual leader of Maine's 17,000 Episcopalians in 67
congregations.
Lane, 58, was elected on October 26th. He replaces
Maine's current bishop, the Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen,
who will retire in September.
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will
lead the service, which will be held at the Cathedral of St.
Luke on State Street.
BREAKING NEWS
Police ID Body Found in Harbor View
Park
Portland police have identified a body found in Harbor
View Park on May 1st as that of John Marshall, 44, of
Portland. Marshall was believed to be a homeless man.
Police were at the scene of the park on York Street in the
West End just before 7PM on Thursday evening, where a
passerby reportedly discovered the body along the pathway
from York Street to Commercial Street, next to the Casco
Bay Bridge. The area was cordoned off by yellow police
tape. Police officials removed two backpacks from a
shopping cart that was at the scene, and placed them in
the Crime Investigations Unit truck.
Police say there is no indication of foul play in connection
to the death, and an autopsy of the body is being
performed.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Shooting Incident Reported on Munjoy
Hill
Portland police are investigating the second shooting to
occur on Munjoy Hill in the last two weeks. The latest
incident occurred late Wednesday night outside an
apartment house at 87 Cumberland Avenue.
According to Portland police,someone fired shots a car
window, smashing the window, but not injuring anyone.
There have been no arrests.
On April 20th, Lashawn Covington of New York City, was
shot to death on Cumberland Avenue, just down the street
from the latest incident. A suspect in that case is in
custody.
Political Sign Season Begins
Political signs for local candidates in the 2008 primary
election season started to appear throughout the city on
April 30th.
Justin Alfond, one of three Democrats running for the
State Senate seat, was the first candidate to start erecting
signs - in the West End, Deering Oaks Park, and along
Brighton Avenue.
Congressional candidates Michael Brennan and Ethan
Strimling also had signs erected. The primary election will
be held on June 10th.
Man Arrested in Rock Assault
Portland police were called at 3:40 PM on May 16th
regarding four drunk males throwing rocks on the walking
path near the Eastern Promenade.
John R. Fonville, 36, of Portland was arrested for elevated
aggravated assault. He had been drinking with the victim,
who had been seriously injured with a rock. Fonville was
holding a bloody rock when arrested.
–Marge Niblock
Portland West: Not for Sale
West End social services agency Portland West is not
for sale, despite a prominent ‘For Sale By Owner’ sign
displayed in the window of its Brackett Street
headquarters.
According to Portland West Chief Operating Officer
Tom Pearson, the one-story brick building adjacent to the
agency’s main building, which houses the agency’s
computer lab, is owned by private investors and is for sale,
along with a garage located on the other side of Portland
West’s building.
Pearson said that Portland West has an unwritten agreement
with the owners, which allows them to use the space free
of charge, after they rehabilitated the empty space some
years ago. Pearson said that the agency is interested in
purchasing the property so that it could continue running its
computer lab there.
CAT Service to Start Today
The City of Portland will welcome The CAT this week as it
berths for the first time at the Ocean Gateway International
Marine Terminal.
The CAT, operated by Bay Ferries, is a high-speed
catamaran car ferry that provides passenger serve from
Portland and Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.
Last year, more than 56,400 passengers, a 20% increase,
boarded The CAT to travel between the two cities.
The CAT will leave Portland for Yarmouth three days a
week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at 8:00 AM with the
addition of a Thursday departure during the months of July
and August.
Ferry service begins May 30th and ends October 14th.
Tickets for the five and a half hour sail can be purchased at
the Ocean Gateway Terminal.
Major Race Going Beneath the
Radar
What does a County Commissioner do and
does anybody care?
The local Democratic primary race for the District 1
seat on the Cumberland County Board of
Commissioners, a position whose holder makes major
decisions involving millions of taxpayer dollars, is
headed toward the June 10th elections with little
campaigning or public scrutiny, and almost no media
coverage.
Whoever wins the primary election will replace former
Portland Mayor Esther Clennott, who is not running for
re-election after 16 years on the board. There is no
opposition on the November ballot for the office, which
pays about $8500 a year plus some benefits.
One candidate, Portland resident Steve Hirshon, says
he contacted Portland’s League of Young Voters after
reading that they had made endorsements in every
local political race. But the League had somehow
forgotten about the race he was in. The race isn’t even
listed on the Cumberland County Democrats’ website
candidates’ page.
With the 2008 primary elections less than two weeks
away, Hirshon is the only candidate in the 4-person
race who has any discernable public presence. On his
campaign website www.hirshonforcommissioner.
info/home Hirshon attempts to clear up some basic
mysteries of the office, such as what exactly do County
Commissioners do?
According to the website, County Commissioners are
responsible for the oversight of county government and
its various departments. They include: The Registry of
Deeds, the Probate Court, The District Attorney's
Office, the Sheriff's Office and Jail.
In Cumberland County, the Commissioners oversee
the county's Community Development Block Grant
program, the soil and water conservation district and
oversee the operations of the Cumberland County
Civic Center.
Cumberland County Government has 13 departments
with over 400 full-time employees and an annual
budget of more than $35 million.
Hirshon’s reasons for running for office are also listed
on his site:
“County government offers opportunities to leverage
and strengthen the services of communities in Maine’s
most dynamic region. I am committed to finding
creative, cost effective solutions that benefit all
citizens.” Pretty bland polical talk, but more than
anyone else has yet offered.
Hirshon also offeers a brief video on the site. He says
he has about 250 campaign signs, but isn’t sure if he
wants put all of them out because he doesn’t want to
litter the landscape and contribute too much to the
political season ‘sign pollution’. (Hirshon has also
purchased advertising in this newspaper and on our
website thewestendnews.com).
Former Portland City Councilor James Cloutier is
registered with election officials to run in the race, but
has done no campaigning, erected no signs, and seems
to be relying on name recognition to garner votes.
Cloutier served for nine years on the Portland City
Council, including one year as Portland’s Mayor. He
was defeated in November, 2007 by current Councilor
John Anton.
Cloutier received the endorsement of the Portland
Press Herald, based on his experience on the City
Council. Before its endorsement, the local daily
newspaper produced no stories about the race or any of
the candidates.
Another candidate for the nomination is the current
County Treasurer, Diane Gurney, a few of whose
campaign signs have been spotted in the Cumberland,
Forside, and Yarmouth areas. The fourth candidate is
John Simpson.
-Ed King
Thursday, May 29, 2008
PETITION LAUNCHED TO KEEP
POLLING PLACES OPEN
A Portland group has formally launched a petition effort
to let the voters weigh in on the issue of closing polling
places. The group opposes a budget cut that will result in
closing 10 of the 16 polling places for the November
presidential election.
The proposed City plan for November would allow only
one polling place per City district, except District One
where there would be a second polling place on Peaks
Island. Currently most city districts have two or three
polling places. Great Diamond Island and Cliff Island
would each lose their polling place.
The group questions whether all the extra travel time,
expense, lost work time, and inconvenience for thousands
of voters and potential loss of voter turnout is worth the
$15,000 savings to the City budget.
The group signed papers and formally submitted the
petition to the City Clerk’s office on May 27th. The Clerk
will have seven days to get the petition back to the group
to begin collecting signatures. The group will then have
60 days to collect 1,500 signatures of registered Portland
voters. The City Council can then adopt the proposed
ordinance as worded, or put it out to a vote by referendum.
The proposal calls for maintaining the same number of
polling places per City district as Portland has currently
for all major elections. There is a provision for
consolidating polling places for special elections when the
turnout is expected to be unusually low. Attorney David
Lourie, former attorney for the City of Portland, drafted
the petition.
Tourist’s Assault Results in Brain Injury
A serious Old Port assault led to emergency surgery for a
man who had left the Casablanca cruise ship minutes
before being attacked.
The victim was attacked Sunday, May 25th at 10:25 PM
in the parking lot between the Dry Dock and the former
Boone’s Restaurant on Commercial Street.
Police received multiple calls reporting the incident, which
involved between four and seven people. The man was
taken to Maine Medical Center with a serious head injury.
He was listed as being in stable condition.
Police say they have several leads and the investigation
into the matter is continuing. –Marge Niblock
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Strimling, LCV Reach Agreement
Over Misleading Campaign
Material
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and the
Strimling for Congress campaign have reached agreement
on the use of the intellectual property of League of
Conservation Voters for the remainder of the 2008
campaigns.
The Maine League of Conservation Voters and the
Washington-based League of Conservation Voters had
reprimanded First District Democratic Congressional
candidate Ethan King Strimling for misleading voters into
thinking that either of the groups had endorsed his
congressional candidacy. The Maine organization does not
endorse candidates in federal elections, and the national
group has endorsed candidate Chellie Pingree.
Strimling's campaign had been distributing literature
from his 2006 campaign, which uses a quote from
MLCV's endorsement of him in 2006, when he was
running for the Maine State Senate. Attorney Andrew
Cadot of the MLCV said the action was “an intentional
effort to mislead the voters into thinking he has been
endorsed by the Maine League of Conservation Voters in
this race.”
According to WGME News 13, the League's top lawyer
sent a letter on May 23rd to Strimling and his campaign
claiming that he was using the material in a manner
“intended to mislead, confuse and perpetrate a public
fraud…” and that “the actions being taken by your
campaign are illegal.”
WGME said that the League demanded that the Strimling
campaign “cease and desist” immediately and called for a
public apology.
The agreement reached between the two parties on May
27th includes the following:
1.) Strimling for Congress will not provide to the public
the 2006 Strimling for State Senate brochure.
2.) While neither the Maine League of Conservation
Voters (MLCV) nor the national League of Conservation
Voters have endorsed Ethan Strimling in this contest for
US Congress, MLCV did endorse him during the 2006
State Senate race.
3.) The Strimling for Congress campaign regrets any use,
however unintentional, of League of Conservation Voters
intellectual property. Specifically, the League of
Conservation Voters did not endorse Senator Strimling in
this 2008 race. LCV understands that the Strimling for
Congress campaign and Strimling for Maine Senate
campaign inadvertently and unintentionally erroneously
indicated that LCV endorsed Ethan Strimling in his 2006
state senate race.
4) Both the Strimling for Congress campaign and LCV
consider the matter closed.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Meiklejohn to Run Write-in Campaign
Former School Committee member and two-time
candidate for State Representative has declared his
candidacy today for the Green Independent Party's
nomination for State Representative in House District 120,
encompassing Munjoy Hill and the Old Port. Meiklejohn
will challenge candidate Sandy Amborn, whose name will
appear on the ballot in the June 10th primary.
According to state law, Meiklejohn will have to receive a
minimum of 50 votes in order to win the nomination,
twice the number of votes as the 25 signatures required to
get on the ballot.
Write-in campaigns are no stranger to Meiklejohn, who
ran twice as a write-in candidate for School Committee
(in 1998 and 2000) before finally winning in 2001, and
who also ran as a write-in for the Green Independent
Party's 2002 nomination for State Senate, receiving 40
votes.
Regardless of the outcome, Meiklejohn says he will
support the party's nominee for the general election.
Cops Pick Up Two Suspects Enroute
to Burglary Call
Officers responding to a burglary in progress at 10 PM on
May 19th were heading to the Cumberland Avenue location
when Todd Mosier, 30, of Westbrook, who was in a car in
front of one of the police cars, suddenly took off, then
jumped out of his car - mistakenly thinking the cops were in
pursuit of him - and ran.
Police chased him as he broke into an apartment and then
climbed onto a roof, where he was caught.
Mosier was arrested and charged with criminal mischief,
aggravated criminal trespass, and probation violation.
Police also came across Scott York, 30, of Portland, in the
same area, and requested his identification. When they ran
a check on him, they discovered that he had outstanding
warrants against him for manslaughter, aggravated assault,
reckless conduct, and operating after suspension. He was
arrested at the same time. -Marge Niblock
Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008
Parade Will Begin at 10:30
Portland's annual Memorial Day Parade will kick off at
10:30 AM in Longfellow Square and proceed east on
Congress Street to Monument Square, where it will
conclude with political speeches and a memorial service.
Brennan-Strimling Continue
Battle Over Housing
First District Congressional candidates Michael Brennan
and Ethan King Strimling continued their campaign-long
battle over the issue of affordable housing, at a candidate
forum on May 23rd sponsored by Portland’s NAACP.
The latest confrontation was sparked when Strimling, who is
Executive Director of Portland West, claimed that he was
the only candidate who had developed affordable housing.
Brennan immediately responded that he had raised over $1
million for affordable housing in his work with the
Cumberland County Affordable Housing Venture and the
Portland Housing Authority and that he had built more
affordable housing than anyone on the panel.
Brennan then criticized Strimling’s support for legislation
that would divert funding from the Housing Opportunities
for Maine (HOME) Fund in order to finance a tax break
for developers who do historic preservation development.
Strimling responded by saying that Brennan was “stuck in
old thinking” and that “the only issue is how to develop
more housing.”
The debate was sparked in response to questions from three
homeless women attending the forum.
Coalition Forms to Fight
State Beverage Tax
Several small business
owners from around the
state have filed an
application with the
Secretary of State to
initiate a referendum to
repeal the new taxes on
flavored water, juices, teas,
sports drinks, colas and
diet colas, beer, wine and
health insurance claims
enacted by the Maine
Legislature. The measure
was passed in the final
hours of the recently
concluded legislative
session.
In order to get the measure
on the ballot this
November, supporters of
the people’s veto will have
until July 17th (90 days
after adjournment of the
legislative session) to
submit the 55,087 valid
signatures, which
represents 10% of the
votes cast for Governor in
the last elections.
The campaign will have
petition collectors at the
polls on June 10th,
Primary Election Day, in
addition to those who have
been collecting signatures
in downtown Portland
recently..
The new taxes, which are
intended to support the
Dirigo Health program,
include an additional $4
tax on a gallon of syrup
used to make soda, and a
42-cent per gallon tax on
bottled soft drinks. The tax
on beer increases from 25
cents to 54 cents per gallon and from 30 cents to 65
cents per gallon on wine. In addition, a 1.8% tax is imposed
on all health insurance claims filed by Mainers.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Regional Forensics Lab
Planning Underway
Several surrounding communities will sign an inter-local
agreement on Wednesday, May 28th for the establishment of
a regional forensics crime lab, which will be located at the
Portland Police Headquarters at 109 Middle Street.
After the official signing “the plan can move forward to get
the construction ball rolling,” according to Chief Tim
Burton. He’s hoping work will start late this summer or
early fall. Areas of the first and second floors of the
building will be remodeled to accommodate the lab.
Burton says: “Right now, it’s a makeshift facility at the
Police Department that is not up to contemporary
standards.” He says that the other communities involved
have the same problem. The Portland City Council will
have to okay funding for the facility, which will come from
the City’s Capital Improvement Program. All the
communities will share the cost on a per capita basis.
In addition to Portland, those involved in the forensics lab
project are: South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Westbrook,
Falmouth, Cumberland County, Windham, Yarmouth, and
Scarborough.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Strimling Reprimanded for Distributing
Misleading Campaign Material
The Maine League of Conservation Voters, and the
Washington-based League of Conservation Voters, have
reprimanded First District Democratic Congressional
candidate Ethan King Strimling for misleading voters into
thinking that either of the groups had endorsed his
congressional candidacy.
The Maine organization does not endorse candidates in
federal elections, and the national group has endorsed
candidate Chellie Pingree.
Strimling's campaign has been distributing literature
from his 2006 campaign, which uses a quote from
MLCV's endorsement of him in 2006 when he was
running for the Maine State Senate. Attorney Andrew
Cadot of the MLCV says the action was “an intentional
effort to mislead the voters into thinking he has been
endorsed by the Maine League of Conservation Voters
(“MLCV”) in this race.”
According to WGME News 13, the League's top lawyer
sent a letter on May 23rd to Strimling and his campaign
claiming that he is using the material in a manner
"intended to mislead, confuse and perpetrate a public
fraud..." and that "the actions being taken by your
campaign are illegal."
WGME said that the League is demanding that the
Strimling campaign "cease and desist" immediately and
is calling for a public apology.
Fire Hydrants Cannot Be Painted
The Portland Fire Department says that painting fire
hydrants is forbidden without permission from the Portland
Water District. A growing number of fire hydrants in the
city have been discovered to have been painted without
authorization,
The color coding for fire hydrants is specifically designed to
aid the fire department in responding to an emergency. The
fire department depends upon the information conveyed to
them through the color-coding system.
The main barrel of the hydrant is painted a shade of yellow
unique to Portland Water District hydrants. This easily-
identifiable color informs the fire department that the
hydrant is connected to the Portland Water District system
and thus guarantees that there will be an excellent water
supply to fight a fire.
The bonnet, the top of the hydrant which includes the nut
that is used to turn the hydrant on and off, is painted with a
special reflective paint that enables a fire crew to spot the
hydrant quickly at night.
Finally, the rim at the bottom of the bonnet is painted with
a color-coding system regulated by the National Fire
Protection Association to inform the fire department of the
water flow specific to that hydrant. This national standard
provides critical information immediately to the fire
department as they fight a fire. A red rim indicates 500
gallons per minute, orange 500-1000, green 1000-1500 and
blue indicates 1500 gpm or greater.
The Portland Water District is in the middle of a three-year
contract to repaint its fire hydrants. The fire hydrants in
Portland are expected to be repainted by the water district
next year.
An example of a fire hydrant repainted without
authorization (silver and purple) can be located on
Woodford Street near the intersection with Highland Street.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Basement Garden Gets Man Arrested
Liam M. Cohen, 26, of Portland was arrested on May
13th and charged with unlawful trafficking in drugs, after
a large amount of marijuana and a number of marijuana
plants were found in his house.
According to police, Cohen had called his landlord to
complain about mold in the house, which he was renting on
Ray Street. The landlord showed up at the property with a
roofing contractor to find the cause of the mold problem.
When they went down to the basement, they found 123
marijuana plants being cultivated with grow lights.
Police were contacted and Cohen was arrested. Two- and-a-
quarter pounds of processed marijuana were also found in
the dwelling. Police confiscated Cohen’s indoor grow as
evidence.
School Bond Referendum
Set for June 10th
A referendum on funding for a new Portland elementary
school will be held on June 10th. State funding would
cover nearly all of the construction costs - the first time in
30 years that state money has built a Portland school. In
order to secure that money, city voters must approve
issuing bonds for the project.
The Ocean Avenue school would be built on the site of the
former Baxter Elementary School. The Portland School
Committee and Portland City Council approved plans for
the school earlier this year. State funding would
reimburse all of the city’s costs except for $60,000 to
install air-conditioning in functional life skills classrooms.
The new school would house up to 450 students and
feature a LEED-certified, energy efficient design that
saves money on heating and other utility costs.
For more information about the Ocean Avenue school
project, please visit the Portland Public Schools Web site:
www.portlandschools.org.
Absentee ballot applications for the June 10th referendum
are now available from the City clerk’s office or at http:
//www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/absentee.pdf. All 16 city
polling places will be open on June 10th from 7 a.m. to 8
p.m.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
EqualityMaine and Christian Civic
League to Face Off at Polls
EqualityMaine plans to "build a presence at hundreds of
polling places" during the June 10th primary in an effort
to prevent supporters of the Maine Christian Civic League
- social conservatives, evangelicals, and traditional
marriage supporters - from signing the ‘YES for Marriage
and Equality’ referendum petitions for “An Act to
Protect Marriage and Promote Equality.”
EqualityMaine's Executive Director Betsy Smith has
outlined a plan that asks volunteers to “stand with the
people that the [Christian Civic] League recruits to collect
signatures for the petition."
Nearly 100 people have signed up to volunteer with
EqualityMaine, and the group is calling for 300 volunteers
at polling places across the state.
“I think it is disgusting that so-called 'gay' groups plan on
harassing dear Christian grandmothers on Primary
Election Day," said Christian Civic League of Maine
Executive Director Michael Heath."They need to call off
this totalitarian campaign of intimidation and apologize,"
said Heath. "Yesterday wouldn't be soon enough."
The Maine Secretary of State approved, and the Christian
Civic League of Maine accepted on May 12th, the final
text and title of a citizen-initiative petition that would strip
the state of its laws prohibiting anti-gay discrimination
and also ban gay marriage, civil unions, gay adoption and
funding for civil rights teams (the Maine version of a gay-
straight alliance) in public schools.
If the League can collect 55,000 signatures by January,
the question will be added to the November 2009 general
election ballot.
EqualityMaine has also encouraged members to write
letters to the editor criticizing the measure. Dozens of such
letters have appeared in the state’s major daily papers, all
of which have written editorials against the initiative.
Both Governor John Baldacci and Attorney General
Steven Rowe have expressed reservations about the League’
s referendum. Baldacci’s office has said that governor
would “work diligently” for the effort’s defeat.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
WENA Action Saves Library (For Now)
The Reiche library will stay open after
District 2 Councilor Dave Marshall
asked the Portland City Council on May
19th to restore $30,000 from the City’s
contingency fund, allowing the library to
remain open for at least one more year.
The West End Neighborhood
Association organized opposition to the
proposed closing of the local branch
library when it became public in early
May.
Library Director Stephen Podgajny and
the library trustees have promised
extensive long-range planning, with
public input, during the coming year.
West End residents who contacted City
Councilors to ask for their support were pleased
that the vote was 8 - 1 in favor of Marshall's resolution.
Jill Duson was the lone councilor to vote against the
measure, saying that she couldn't support last-minute
changes to the budget because the finance committee had
worked hard to balance competing community interests.
The West End Neighborhood Association will keep residents
posted on PPL's long-range planning process, which will
eventually determine the fate of Reiche and other branch
libraries. WENA urged residents to stay close to the process
by joining the newly-formed Friends of Reiche. They can be
reached at wendneighborhood@yahoo.com
Calling All LEGO-lovers!
Youth from all over the Greater Portland area will
participate in a YOUth Can Build-a-thon using LEGO®
and DUPLO® materials, at the Maine Mall in South
Portland on May 24th, 31st, June 1st.
The project is designed to educate youth on the substandard
housing issues in the world, as well as demonstrate youth
involvement in the mission of Habitat for Humanity.
Throughout the spring, classes and youth groups have taken
educational workshops. At the “blitz-building” event in
Center Court of the Mall, kids will spend the afternoon
building a “life-size” house out of DUPLO® blocks.
To learn more about the project, become involved, or make
a donation, please contact Kate Callahan at
youth@habitatme.org or by phone at (207) 772-2151.
Public Members Sought for School Facilities Task Force
The Portland School Committee has
created a School Facilities Task Force
to review facility needs within the
district. The task force, consisting of
School Committee members, school and
city staff and members of the public, is
scheduled to present its findings to the
full School Committee by December 3,
2008.
Anyone interested in serving on the
School Facilities Task Force should
contact School Committee member
Jaimey Caron, the task force chair, at
caronj@portlandschools.org. The
deadline for applying is noon on
Wednesday, May 28th.
The School Committee members of the
task force will discuss the composition
of the full task force on May 28th,
immediately following the School
Committee workshop that begins at 7 p.
m. in Room 250 at PATHS. The
proposed membership of the task force
will be presented to the School
Committee for first reading at its June 4
business meeting. It is expected that the
School Committee will take a final vote
on task force appointments at its June
25th business meeting.
The task force will begin meeting in
June and will likely meet twice a month
until its work is complete.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Demolition of Jetport
Parking Garage Begins
The demolition of the Portland Jetport's parking garage,
which will allow for construction of a new garage, has
begun. The new parking garage will increase overall
parking capacity at the Jetport by twenty percent. Sections
of the new garage are expected to open in December of
this year.
During the demolition and construction phase, passengers
are reminded to get a ride to the jetport from family and
friends, or to take public transport. The Jetport has
embarked on an advertising campaign featuring well-
know Maine comedian Bob Marley, encouraging people to
get rides to the jetport and to arrive ninety minutes before
departure time.
A remote discount parking lot will be in operation
throughout the construction phase, but there will not be as
much parking as is needed, according to jetport officials.
They also suggests that before people travel, they visit
PortlandJetport.org for links to all the transit alternatives,
from taxis to airport shuttles to the Portland METRO bus.
The latest news about the new remote discount parking lot
can also be found on the website.
Monday, May 19, 2008
League Endorses Pingree, Alfond,
Russell
Portland’s League of Young Voters has published its 2008
Primary Election Voter Guide, endorsing candidates in
primary elections for the first time.
Locally, the League endorsed Chellie Pingree for the 1st
District Congressional seat, Justin Alfond in the Portland
State Senate race, and Diane Russell in the East End
legislative race. All are candidates in Democratic
primaries.
In order to receive an endorsement, candidates and issues
must win a simple majority using an Instant Runoff
Voting ballot. The League’s Elections Committee then
spends up to 8 hours a week researching and interviewing
candidates. League members who have racked up 8 hours
of volunteer time are allowed to vote.
Buy Local to Give Indie Biz Awards
An award ceremony to honor the
finalists and award recipients in the
Portland Buy Local campaign’s first
Indie Biz Awards will take place this
Thursday, May 22 from 6:30 to 10 at the
SPACE Gallery on Congress Street.
More than 100 locally-owned and independent
businesses were nominated for awards.
The event will include live music, a silent auction, and
food and drink from local businesses. The Indie Biz
Awards are a fundraiser for the Portland Buy Local
Campaign.
Local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and
individuals are all encouraged to join the Buy Local
campaign during their current membership drive.
Businesses that join or renew by May 22nd will get a
free listing for the business or nonprofit in the group’s
first printed directory, which will be published in July.
Local Republicans Form Candidates’
Caucus
The Portland Republican City
Committee has formed the Portland
Conservative Candidates’ Caucus. The
PCCC consists of the Republican
candidates for the state legislative
districts that represent the City of
Portland.
The local candidates are: Senate
District 8 (Portland) - Erik Lusk; House
District 118 (West End) - Will Colston;
House District 119(Parkside/Bayside) -
Ryan Hendrickson; House District 120
(Munjoy Hill) - Peter Doyle.
The PCCC meets at regular intervals to
discuss issues of concern and to take
positions on those issues that are
indicative of the way that Republicans
would represent Portland if elected.
Former PRCC Chairman Halsey Frank
is not a candidate or a voting member
but is acting as chair for the Caucus.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Portland Landlord Agrees to Stop
Automatic Early Termination Fees
Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe
announced on May 16th that Port
Property Management, which
manages over 700 residential
apartments in Portland and South
Portland, has agreed to a court-
ordered Consent Decree which bars
it from automatically charging an
Early Termination Fee whenever a
tenant has to leave the apartment
before the lease has expired.
Port Property Management has typically charged tenants
who leave early a fee of more than $600, even if it
immediately re-rents the apartment. Automatic Early
Termination Fees can be illegal if the landlord
immediately finds a new tenant. Pursuant to this Consent
Decree, Port Property Management was ordered to cease
automatic termination fees and to refund money to
tenants who were improperly charged an Early
Termination Fee between January 1, 2005 and December
31, 2007. Port Property Management must also pay a civil
penalty of $10,000.
Maine Landlord/Tenant Law requires landlords to
mitigate their loss when a tenant has to break the lease.
Port Property Management did not admit to any
wrongdoing in the case.
The Attorney General has already contacted many tenants
eligible for the return of their Early Termination Fees.
The Consumer Protection Division will purchase
advertisements which will list the names of tenants it has
been unable to contact. The names of the tenants not yet
contacted can also be found on the Attorney General’s
website.
The persons listed below may be eligible for
reimbursement. If your name is listed below please contact
the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at: 1-
800-436-2131 or (207) 626-8849 or write them at: 6 State
House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 or consumer.
mediation@maine.gov.
Kathryn Arledge, Burhan Ayanle, Mikael Bang, Rebecca
Beam, Ashley Brown, Jona Cormier, Mary Crabtree,
Jennifer Currid, James Easter, Takeyuli Futatsumori,
Sara Gelston, Jason Hastings, Michael Hogan, Andre
Hughrs, Nicolas Hutchins, Nayneet Jain, Abigail
Johnson, Timothy Karu, Anna Lapina, Gabrielle Little,
Victoria Marsh, Katherine Matzell, Miranda Mayberry,
Milan McAlevery, Alan McLucas, Allegra Mira, David &
Andrea Murphy, Amy Ouellette, Lees Patriacca, Prem
Prabhakaran, Jeffrey Purser, Peter Rich, Jessica
Richardson, Anthony Roberts, Amber Rogals, Matthew
Rogers, Nathan Sawyer, Jonathan Schlesinger, Mary
Schools, Bethany Schultz, Chelsea Smith, Tommy
Somerville, Moira Steven, Robert Stewart, Tie Tan,
Wilbur Tietsort, Vijaya Vishwanatham
Saturday, May 17, 2008
PORTLAND TO CONSIDER CUTTING
POLLING LOCATIONS
At the May 19th Portland City Council
meeting, the Council will consider
proposal in the budget that calls for the
closing of 10 of the 16 polling locations
in Portland for the general election in
2008. The cuts would leave one polling
place per city district on the mainland,
and one on Peaks Island.
Portland's League of Young Voters says
poll closures would impact young voters more
than other age demographics. A 2003 study on Los
Angeles County poll consolidation has shown that
substitution of absentee voting for actual polling
locations is more suited to middle aged and older
voters, whereas young people are more inclined to not
vote at all if polling stations are not convenient.
POPEYE'S ICE HOUSE CLOSES
Popeye's Ice House, the local
tavern that has been at the corner
of York and Brackett Street in the
West End for 75 years, closed its
doors for perhaps the last time on
May 8th.
The owners of the Ice House have
been embroiled in a legal battle
with the City of Portland for years
over neighborhood complaints
about the bar. Despite its
successfully obtaining a state
liquor license, the Ice House had
to close because the City has
refused to issue a food license,
without which the establishment
cannot operate.
The owners of the tavern and
regular patrons have charged the
City officials have conducted a
vendetta against them because
they do not fit into the rapidly
gentrifying neighborhood.
Friday, May 16, 2008
WENA Pushing Reiche Proposal
The West End Neighborhood Association is asking
residents to send letters and call City Councilors in support
of Councilor David Marshall's proposal to keep the Reiche
Library open.
Marshall will recommend at next week's City Council
meeting that $30,000 be restored to the budget from the
contingency fund in order to keep Reiche branch library
open for another year.
To email all Councilors at once, click on the "Email City
Council" box at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/citycou.htm
Groups Pledge to Repeal Real ID
A coalition of groups including Peace Action Maine, We
The People, Maine Civil Liberties Union (MCLU),
NAACP, Maine Council of Churches, and the Roman
Catholic Diocese will hold a press conference on the steps
of the Federal Court Building in Portland today, Friday
May 16th at 11 AM, announcing their plans for a People's
Veto to Repeal Real ID.
The Maine State Legislature rejected Real ID in 2007,
receiving national attention for their opposition. However,
they recently passed LD 2309, requiring the Secretary of
State to enact regulations requiring driver's license
applicants to demonstrate a "legal presence" in order to
obtain a license, which was signed into law April 17, 2008.
Plans are underway to collect the 55,000 signatures on
petitions necessary to put the question on the November
2008 ballot. A repeal of Real ID has gained support across
party lines - groups opposing Real ID for reasons including
its violation of states rights unconstitutionality, and
prohibitive cost.
For more information, contact 207 772 0680 or visit www.
realrepeal.net
EARLY VOTING INFORMATION
Maine's Primary Election is Tuesday, June 10, and voters
wishing to cast their ballot early may go to their municipal
office and request an Absentee Ballot, which they can cast
right there at the office. Absentee ballots are accepted until 8:
00 p.m. on Election Day.
To vote in the Democratic Primary, voters must be
registered to vote and enrolled in the Democratic Party.
There is no cut-off date to register (even on Election Day)
by going in person to your town or city hall. If you are
currently not enrolled in any party, you may enroll at any
time, including Election Day, by completing and filing an
enrollment application with your municipal registrar.
To change enrollment from one party to another, you must
file an application by Friday, May 23, 2008 in order to vote
in the new party for the June 10th Primary.
For more information, go to: http://www.maine.gov/sos and
on the left-hand-side of the page, click "Elections and
Voting."
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Governor Baldacci Celebrates Maine
Irish Heritage Center
Governor John E. Baldacci joined former Sen. George J.
Mitchell and other dignitaries and Irish men and women to
celebrate the raising of the bell at the Maine Irish Heritage
Center, formerly St. Dominic’s Church, on May 14th. The
bell fell from the tower about two years ago. Organizers see
the bell raising as the first step in the restoration and
renovation of the Maine Irish Heritage Center.
The former St. Dominic’s Church opened in 1892 and was a
landmark seen from the waterfront that served many
purposes, providing multiple services. In 1997, St. Dominic’
s was closed. In 2001 the Maine Irish Heritage Center was
created to preserve the building. In May of 2006, the 4,000
pound bell crashed down through the tower, causing the
building to close.
The celebration was the first chance for the public to see the
restoration work at the former church. On June 21, the
Center will host its first wedding in the restored structure
and will ring the bell again for the first time in over a
decade.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
School Budget Passes by 2 to 1 Margin
The first City of Portland School Budget to be put out to
the voters in a referendum passed on May 13th with nearly
two-thirds of the voters voting in favor of it.
Yes 2,311 65.28%
No 1,229 34.72%
Council Will Try to Save Reiche Library
By ED KING
West End City Councilor David Marshal will recommend at
the Council’s next meeting on May 19th that $30,000 be
restored to the City budget to keep the Reiche branch library
open for another year. The money would come from the
City’s contingency fund, so it would not increase the
budget.
At a City Council workshop on May 12th, Marshall and
Councilor John Anton called for the development of a long-
range plan by the library board before any branches were
closed. Marshall questioned the board’s statistics on how
many books were borrowed from each of the branch
libraries, and Anton raised questions about the board’s
membership, which is made up of about 50% Portland
residents, though the City provides more than 80% of its
funding.
Anton says that the Library needs to keep Reiche open for
the coming year because the Library Director and Trustees
need at least that amount of time to work with the public,
city staff and the School Department to develop a long-term
facilities plan, or what the Director calls a “sustainable
system architecture.”
Nearly 100 neighbors and supporters of the Reiche branch
library gathered on Brackett Street on May 7th to protest the
proposed closing of the facility.
The crowd, many carrying homemade signs, included
infants and senior citizens, as well as most of the West End’
s elected officials and community leaders.
Marshall, State Representative Jon Hinck and West End
Neighborhood Association President Leana Good-Simpson
urged the crowd to fight the decision by the library board,
pointing out that the Reiche branch is the only one in the
city that would be affected by recent budget cuts.
The library board was scheduled to meet again on May 14th
and representatives of the board were planning to attend the
West End Neighborhood Association meeting that night
Supporters of the Reiche branch began organizing an
opposition movement after learning that the branch would
close at the end of June as part of the City's widespread
budget cutbacks. The decision to close the local branch was
finalized by the City Council's budget committee on May
2nd, when Reiche staff was informed of the decision.
The Reiche School library would not be affected by the
decision. The Reiche library is the only branch library in the
city that would close.
The library board also recommended that the Main Branch
library be closed on Mondays. Schedules at the other
branch libraries would be unaffected.
Currently, the Burbank branch is open 40 hours per week
and Munjoy, Peaks, Reiche and Riverton are each open 20
hours.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
GREENS TO HOLD STATE
CONVENTION
The Maine Green Independent Party will hold its annual
State Convention on May 18th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
at the Log Cabin, 196 Main Street, in Yarmouth. Agenda
items include introductions of local candidates, presidential
candidate speakers, and Green of the Year and other
awards. Catering will be provided. A $20.00 / person
sliding scale registration fee applies.
The MGIP will send a delegation to the National Green
Party Convention in Chicago in July.
The Maine Green Independent Party is running a number of
candidates for the Maine state legislature, with three
candidates for State Senate (which has 35 seats) and ten
candidates for State House of Representatives (151 seats).
The Maine Green Independent Party is the largest Green
Party in the US in terms of percentage of the electorate,
with 3% of Maine voters registered Green.
Group to Raise Funds for Historic Artist’
s Headstone
Spirits Alive, a group dedicated to preserving and
promoting the Eastern Cemetery, is raising funds to have
a replica stone made for Charles Codman's grave. The
renowned early 19th century painter is buried in the
historic cemetery, but his gravesite has been vandalized
over the years and his stone is lying on the ground in
several pieces.
Codman was an itinerant artist who settled in Portland.
Initially he made a living in painting images on "functional"
objects such as fire buckets, militia standards, and fire
screens. Recognizing his talent, John Neal and others
encouraged Codman to begin
painting landscapes, as Portland's emerging art scene began
to develop.
His works now reside in the Smithsonian, Brooklyn (NY)
Museum of Art, the Portland Museum of Art and at Maine
Historical Society, among other places. In 2003 PMA
presented a show of his works including many that showed
the harbor and local landscapes of greater Portland.
Local historian William David Barry of Maine Historical
Society, has pointed out that Eastern Cemetery is home to
some of the oldest sculpture and art in Portland. With this
in mind, Spirits Alive is working to protect, promote and
restore the stones and the landscape of Eastern Cemetery.
With headstones dating from the early 1700's and stones
created by regarded regional carvers, the cemetery serves
as an important cultural and historic "outdoor museum." It
is ironic, then, that the headstone of one of the most revered
local artists is in terrible shape.
John Neal, Portland's 19th century Renaissance man,
predicted that Codman might finally get the recognition he
deserved after his death. He was right -- but restoring this
stone is an important part of honoring one of Maine's
premier artists.
The fundraiser for the Codman Headstone will be held at the
Maine Historical Society Gallery (489 Congress Street,
Portland) on May 22 from 4-6. Three Codman pieces will
be on display and at 5:30 historians William David Barry and
Earle Shettleworth will talk about Codman, the significance
of his work and his life here in Portland.
Tickets are available at the door or by calling 729-4817 or
by email: christina@spiritsalive.org. For information or to
make donations people can see the website at www.
spiritsalive.org
Public Schools Announces Graduation
Dates
The Portland Public Schools will hold the
following graduation ceremonies:
Portland Arts and Technology High
School (PATHS) - Friday, May 16, 8:30
a.m. (morning session) and 11:30 a.m.
(afternoon session) at the school,
located at 196 Allen Ave.
Portland High School - Wednesday, June
4, 10:30 a.m. at Merrill Auditorium.
Deering High School - Thursday, June 5,
10:30 a.m. at the Cumberland County
Civic Center.
Portland Adult Education - Thursday,
June 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Merrill
Auditorium.
Monday, May 12, 2008
School Committee Honors Local
Environmentalist
The Portland School Committee at its
May 7th meeting recognized Alfred
Padula of Portland for his contributions
to the Portland Public Schools as “an
environmentalist, a catalyst, a change
agent and an unsung hero.”
School Committee Chair John Coyne
read a proclamation citing Padula’s
financial contributions to several school
projects to encourage energy
conservation.
They include:
-$35,000 donated for the installation of
solar panels at the East End Community
School.
-$25,000 for energy upgrades at
Portland High School.
-$15,000 for the geodesic dome at
Lincoln Middle School.
-$20,000 for LEED certification of the
new Ocean Avenue Elementary School.
Padula has also worked with Lincoln students on
sustainability projects, and he has donated equipment
and books to the middle school.
Padula retired in 1999 as a Latin American studies
professor at the University of Southern Maine. Since
then, he has devoted much of his time, energy and
resources to encouraging energy conservation
Governor to Attend Bell Tower
Ceremony
The Maine Irish Heritage Center will
mark the restoration of the bell in the
tower of the former St. Dominic’s
Church on Gray Street o Wednesday,
May 14th, from 3:30 to 5 PM.
The event will feature a history of the Center by
former board member David Soule, remarks by
Governor John Baldacci, and a construction update by
board member Vinny O’Malley, as well as
refreshments and tours of the Center.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
BREAKING
Body Found in Payson Park
A woman walking a dog in Payson Park at about
7:50AM on Saturday morning found the dead body of a
man who appeared to be in his 50's.. A rifle was reportedly
found near the body. Further information will be reported
when it is available from the Portland Police Department
LOCAL MOMS RECLAIMING ORIG-
INAL PURPOSE OF MOTHER'S DAY
Maine Mothers Acting Up, a local
branch of Mothers Acting Up (MAU)
will sponsor a family event to celebrate
the original intent of Mother's Day as a
time for peaceful activism. 12:00pm to 2:
00pm at Deering Oaks Park.
Meet US First Congressional District
candidates, make and have photo taken
with One Sky (www.1sky.org) art project
to support government action to address
climate change, and observe the
worldwide Standing Women (www.
standing women.org) meditation.
Children's activities, information tables,
and free cake. FMI go to http:
//mainemau.blogspot.com, or www.
mothersactingup.org
Reclaiming Mother's Day events are
inspired by the life, words and actions of
Julia Ward Howe. In 1870, she wrote a
Mother's Day Proclamation and called
for a day when the world would honor
what mothers hold most dear: the lives
of all children.
Parking Meter Stolen, Retrieved
On April 25th, Portland police were
called regarding two males who were
breaking into a parking meter on Myrtle
Street and carrying it away. When officers arrived at
the scene, they discovered one of the double meters
near the entrance to the Merrill Auditorium was
missing.
Russell Ware and William Didonato, two 33-year-old
Portland men, were discovered strolling down Federal
Street at 1:30 AM, with the parking meter in their
possession.
They were arrested for theft, criminal mischief,
receiving stolen property, and possession of burglary
tools. –Marge Niblock
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Bayside Neighborhood to Partner with
Public Services for Spring Clean-Up
Neighborhood association participates in City's Adopt-A-
Block Program
The Bayside Neighborhood Association will partner with
Portland's Public Services Department today for its
annual Adopt-A-Block Spring Clean-up. The City will be
providing the materials for the clean up including trash
bags, gloves, rakes, and bark mulch as well as take away
any of the refuse collected. The Bayside Neighborhood
Association will supply the labor for the clean-up.
According to research conducted by Keep America
Beautiful, Inc., people litter because they feel no sense of
ownership for the property of land, believe someone else
will pick up after them, or see that litter has already
accumulated at the site.
For more information, contact Mike Murray at 756-8288
or msm@portlandmaine.gov.
Saturday, May 10 9:00 AM at the Corner of Oxford and
Chestnut Streets
Man Arrested for Knife Threat
Portland police arrested Matthew Kobell, 36, of Portland
after receiving a call at 9 PM on April 29th in reference to
a male threatening to stab another male outside 363
Cumberland Avenue, in Bayside.
The unidentified victim identified Kobell, who was known
to him, as the person making the threats.
Police located Kobell in that area and found a knife on
the ground near him. After police took Kobell into
protective custody, he began yelling and threatening the
victim. He was charged with disorderly conduct and
criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
Kobell also had outstanding warrants for theft, criminal
mischief, unlawful possession of dangerous drugs, and
operating after suspension. -Marge Niblock
Friday, May 9,2009
Portland West Seeks New Owners for
Child Care Center
The Portland West Board of Directors is
looking for another agency to take over the
operation of the Child Development Center, formerly the
West End Child Development Center.
Portland West took on the West End Child Development
Center operation in July 2004, when the longtime
childcare facility was struggling to stay open. After four
years, the attendance at the center has fallen below the
levels needed to make it financially viable. Originally, the
program was accepted with the idea of serving 18
children. Currently, the program only has 6 children.
Tom Pearson, Chief Operating Officer said that center
needs at least 15 full time kids enrolled in order to break
even. Enrollment has been running about half that and
they can’t sustain the loss of revenue.
If Portland West cannot find another agency to take over
the Child Development Center, they will try to find
childcare placements for children currently enrolled.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Reiche Supporters Protest Closing
Photo by Kirsten Cappy
Nearly 100 neighbors and supporters of the Reiche branch
library gathered on Brackett Street on May 7th to protest
the proposed closing of the facility by the board of the
public library.
The crowd, many carrying homemade signs, included
infants and senior citizens, as well as many of the West
End's elected officials and community leaders.
West End City Councilor David Marshall, State
Representative Jon Hinck and West End Neighborhood
Association President Leana Good-Simpson urged the
crowd to fight the decision by the library board, pointing
out that the Reiche branch is the only one in the city that
would be affected by recent budget cuts.
St. Lawrence Dismantling to Begin Next
Week
Due to structural deficiencies, the sanctuary will
be demolished with capital campaign for
reconstruction set for 2009.
Starting next week, the St. Lawrence sanctuary
will be dismantled as a part of a multi-year
rehabilitation project. The Parish Hall portion of
the arts center will remain open and continue its
programming during the dismantling and
reconstruction project. It is owned and operated by
the non-profit Friends of the St. Lawrence and
offers diverse programming of theater, dance, film
and art workshops.
The City of Portland's Historic Preservation
Committee granted approval for the demolition
project because of significant structural
deficiencies that pose an imminent safety hazard.
The city granted $100,000 in federal funds from
Community Development Block Grants to pay for
the demolition costs.
Built in 1897, the St. Lawrence, a Romanesque
Revival/Queen Anne style structure, is a
community icon on Munjoy Hill and was listed in
the National Register of Historic Places in 1979
and designated a Landmark by the City of Portland
in 1990.
The Friends of St. Lawrence have begun salvaging
a number of architectural features and materials,
including stained glass windows and stone that
may be used in its future reconstruction.
Committee to Consider Smoke-Free
Ordinances
The City's Health and Recreation Committee will hold a
public hearing today to discuss two proposed smoke-free
ordinances.
The first calls for turning into an ordinance the resolution
that all Portland playgrounds and athletic facilities must
be smoke-free.
The second proposal calls for making all restaurant/bar
outdoor eating areas smoke-free. Current state law
prohibits smoking indoors at restaurants and bars.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
OFFICER DIES IN
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
Tragic Loss for Portland PD
Sergeant Robert Johnsey
The mood was somber as Chief Tim
Burton and Westbrook Chief William
Baker conducted a joint press
conference at 11 AM at the Portland
Police Department to announce that
Sergeant Robert Johnsey, 37, a member
of the Portland Police Department since
August 1999, died Monday night at
Maine Medical Center, as the result of
an “accidental self-inflicted gunshot
wound” to the leg. The gun involved was
the officer’s Smith & Wesson
semiautomatic service weapon. Baker
called this type of event “the ultimate
tragedy.”
Burton said there is “extended trauma at
the Portland Police Department. We all
share a common bond and a common
goal. When struck by these tragedies, we
all feel it.” He praised Johnsey as being a
“kindhearted, solid family man who took his job seriously.
He was a good man.”
Johnsey received numerous commendations, recognition,
and letters of appreciation from the public during his
service in Portland. He was a Crisis Intervention Specialist
and a certified K-9 handler, named as supervisor of the K-
9 Unit in December 2007. He was assigned to the Evening
Directed Patrol Unit.
The officer’s wife, Carol, called 911, and officers from
Westbrook’s police department responded to the scene.
Chief Baker stated “The impact is significant for officers
in Westbrook.” Those officers “made a valiant effort” to
save Johnsey by applying a tourniquet.
Johnsey had two children, a daughter, Rachel, who is
twelve and a nine-year-old son. It was reported that after
learning of his dad’s death, his son Alexander Joseph,
said “I guess I’m the man of the house now.”
Funeral arrangements have yet to be determined.
-Marge Niblock
Chadwick Gets New Owner
Buddy Marcum, who owned a large 16-
room inn in the Lakes Region, recently
purchased The Chadwick B&B at 140
Chadwick Street.
Marcum says he is ready for a nice change of pace, with
only four rooms now, and is looking forward to getting
involved with the town, and getting to know his new
neighbors.
Learn more about the Chadwick at www.thechadwick.com
Local Republicans Form Candidates’
Caucus
The Portland Republican City
Committee has formed the Portland
Conservative Candidates’ Caucus. The
PCCC consists of the Republican candidates for the
state legislative districts that represent the City of Portland.
The local candidates are: Senate District 8 (Portland) -
Erik Lusk; House District 118 (West End) - Will Colston;
House District 119(Parkside/Bayside) - Ryan Hendrickson;
House District 120 (Munjoy Hill) - Peter Doyle.
The PCCC meets at regular intervals to discuss issues of
concern and to take positions on those issues that are
indicative of the way that Republicans would represent
Portland if elected.
Former PRCC Chairman Halsey Frank is not a candidate
or a voting member but is acting as chair for the Caucus.
In its initial statement, the group announced its support
for the Office of Program Evaluation and Government
Accountability, which was recently targeted for defunding,
and its opposition to the new 1.8% tax on paid health
insurance claims and a new tax on beer, wine and soft
drinks.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
WEST END RESIDENTS UNITE TO
SAVE LIBRARY RALLY TONIGHT AT
6 P.M.
Residents of Portland's Reiche School
neighborhood are
responding to news of a proposed library
closing with action. Library supporters
are gathering tonight in
protest of the plan.
"The library is at the heart of this great and proud
neighborhood," said Leana Good-Simpson, President of
the West End Neighborhood Association. "Portland as a
city would suffer if we sit by and watch as the library
closes."
The neighborhood association Saturday held a clean up of
the streets and parks within walking distance of the Reiche
School and branch library as the news of the library's fate
was passing person-to-person. No one who lives near the
library has yet been heard to support closure. Residents
say they have other ideas for how the city can address a
budget shortfall.
"By removing trash and beautifying our neighborhood,
we just demonstrated that volunteerism can save Portland
money," said John Navarra. "When it comes to closing a
great branch library, they say cutback - we say
fight back."
Opponents of the plan to close Reiche library will gather
at the library tonight at 6PM to express their opposition
and make plans to fight the proposal.
Councilor Questions Ice Cream Trucks
City Councilor Kevin Donoghue says that he heard last
spring, and is beginning to hear again from constituents
this spring, with concerns about whether ice cream
trucks add to or detract from the quality of life in
Portland.
“Are ice cream trucks sacred like fresh apple pie and high
school football, or are they unwelcome nuisances we
tolerate?” says the East End City Councilor in soliciting
public opinion on how - or indeed whether – the City
should confront the issue of ice cream trucks in Portland.
Saying that he doesn’t want to be a grinch, Donoghue
says he tends to think of ice cream trucks as mere zoning
violations - a business parcel rolling around a residential
zone. He says he has heard from constituents concerned
about neighborhood noise and childhood obesity.
Pringle Named Volunteer of the Year
West End resident and former Portland mayor Anne
Pringle was named Volunteer of the Year on April 28th at
ceremonies in Augusta. Pringle is currently active with the
Friends of Deering Oaks Park and has been part of
numerous civic efforts for many years.
Governor John E. Baldacci and the Maine Commission
for Community Service recognized the winners of the
2008 Governor’s Service Awards for their exceptional
contributions to Maine communities. 410 volunteers were
inducted to the Roll of Honor for their outstanding service
to the State. Inductees have collectively donated 405,100
hours of service.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Opposition Forming to Reiche Library
Closing
Supporters of the Reiche branch of the Portland Public
Library are organizing an opposition movement after
learning that the branch will close at the end of June as
part of the City's widespread budget cutbacks. Some
residents are expected to address the Portland City Council
at its meeting tonight.
The decision to close the local branch was made by the
Portland Library board and finalized by the City Council's
budget committee on May 2nd, when Reiche staff was
informed of the decision.
West End City Councilor David Marshall said he hopes to
find some other organization to supply the services that
will be lost with the closing of the library. The Reiche
School library will not be affected by the decision.
The Reiche library is the only branch library in the city
that will close, according to Marshall. It will also be
recommended that the Main library be closed on
Mondays. Schedules at the other branch libraries would be
unaffected.
Currently, the Burbank branch is open 40 hours per week
and Munjoy, Peaks, Reiche and Riverton are each open 20
hours. Critics say that one equitable solution would be to
evenly distribute any cuts in hours, or to apply a schedule
of 20 hours per week to all branch libraries.
.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
SUSPECT SHOT TO DEATH ON ST.
JOHN STREET
Officers escape serious injury after
being dragged 400 yards
Portland police shot and killed a suspect after a routine
traffic stop on St. John Street turned into a harrowing
adventure for two officers last night (Saturday, May 3rd.)
At 9:45 pm, Officers Nicholas Goodman and James
Davison conducted the traffic stop on a green Ford
Explorer on St. John Street north of Falmouth Street.
The officers determined the identity of the operator as
Albert Kittrell, 48, of Portland.
During the course of the traffic stop, Kittrell attempted to
drive away from the officers. Officers Goodman and
Davison made efforts to stop Kittrell and were caught by
the moving vehicle. The Explorer continued north on St.
John Street carrying the officers for about 400 yards.
During this time, several gunshots were fired. The vehicle
was brought to a stop prior to the intersection of
Dartmouth Street.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene and
transported Kittrell to the Maine Medical Center. He was
pronounced dead at the hospital. Goodman and Davison
received treatment at the Maine Medical Center for minor
injuries and were released.
Kittrell, who was alone in the vehicle, had had his
operators license revoked as a habitual offender.
According to police records, Kittrell was arrested on April
26th at 7:20 PM for "operating after revoked for H.O.
(habitual offender) and illegal attachment of plates."
Investigators from the Maine Attorney General’s Office,
the State Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Portland
Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division and
Internal Investigations Unit responded to the incident and
have commenced an investigation into the circumstances
surrounding the event.
Officers Goodman and Davison have been placed on
administrative leave pending review by the Office of the
Chief of Police.
PHS Students Win Business Competition
A team of students in Shelley Burek’s accounting class at
Portland High School won first place in the recent
Opportunity Analysis Competition sponsored by Students
in Free Enterprise at the University of Southern Maine.
The winning team - Esmirna Roman-Vasquez, Robert
Boulier and Jasmine Hernandez - received $1,000 and
trophies.
Burek’s students worked with USM students over eight
weeks to learn about business concepts. They wrote a
paper and made a PowerPoint presentation. A panel of
six business people judged the competition.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
REICHE LIBRARY TO CLOSE
The Reiche branch of the Portland library will close at the
end of June as part of the City's widespread budget
cutbacks. The decision to close the local branch was made
by the Portland Library board and finalized by the City
Council's budget committee on May 2nd, when Reiche
staff was informed of the decision.
West End City Councilor David Marshall said he hopes to
find some other organization to supply the services that
will be lost with the closing of the library. The Reiche
School library will not be affected by the decision.
The Reiche library is the only branch library in the city
that will close, according to Marshall.
New Mercy Hospital on Schedule
Mercy Hospital's Phase I, 151,000 square-foot hospital
building located on the Fore River remains on-time and
on-budget, according to the hospital's web site.
The new building is the first step in a multi-phase project
that will ultimately replace the current State Street
facility. . The first phase will be designed as a short-stay
inpatient and full-service outpatient surgical and
obstetrical facility. The hospital's emergency room will
remain in town. Anticipated occupancy for the new
facility is September of 2008, but several medical practises
have already moved onto the new campus.
Mercy Hospital was created by the Sisters of Mercy in
response to the influenza epidemic that devastated
Portland in 1918.
Friday, May 2, 2008
New Bishop to be Consecrated
The Rev. Canon Stephen Lane will be consecrated on
Saturday as the ninth Episcopal bishop of Maine, the
spiritual leader of Maine's 17,000 Episcopalians in 67
congregations.
Lane, 58, was elected on October 26th. He replaces
Maine's current bishop, the Rt. Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen,
who will retire in September.
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will
lead the service, which will be held at the Cathedral of St.
Luke on State Street.
BREAKING NEWS
Police ID Body Found in Harbor View
Park
Portland police have identified a body found in Harbor
View Park on May 1st as that of John Marshall, 44, of
Portland. Marshall was believed to be a homeless man.
Police were at the scene of the park on York Street in the
West End just before 7PM on Thursday evening, where a
passerby reportedly discovered the body along the pathway
from York Street to Commercial Street, next to the Casco
Bay Bridge. The area was cordoned off by yellow police
tape. Police officials removed two backpacks from a
shopping cart that was at the scene, and placed them in
the Crime Investigations Unit truck.
Police say there is no indication of foul play in connection
to the death, and an autopsy of the body is being
performed.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Shooting Incident Reported on Munjoy
Hill
Portland police are investigating the second shooting to
occur on Munjoy Hill in the last two weeks. The latest
incident occurred late Wednesday night outside an
apartment house at 87 Cumberland Avenue.
According to Portland police,someone fired shots a car
window, smashing the window, but not injuring anyone.
There have been no arrests.
On April 20th, Lashawn Covington of New York City, was
shot to death on Cumberland Avenue, just down the street
from the latest incident. A suspect in that case is in
custody.
Political Sign Season Begins
Political signs for local candidates in the 2008 primary
election season started to appear throughout the city on
April 30th.
Justin Alfond, one of three Democrats running for the
State Senate seat, was the first candidate to start erecting
signs - in the West End, Deering Oaks Park, and along
Brighton Avenue.
Congressional candidates Michael Brennan and Ethan
Strimling also had signs erected. The primary election will
be held on June 10th.
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