Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Woman Accused of Weekend Armed Robbery
Portland police arrested Amanda Payne, 26, after clerk at a
Getty gas station at 460 Warren Avenue reported an armed
robbery on Saturday night, August 30th, a little before 8 PM.
The clerk said that a white female who claimed to have a gun
told him: “Give me the money in the cash register.” The clerk
complied with the demand and the woman fled with the
register’s contents.
During the course of their investigation police received
information leading them to Payne, who was charged with the
robbery. Marge Niblock
Friday, August 29, 2008
METRO Offers Half-Fare Student Rates
Students attending the Portland Public Schools may ride
METRO buses for 50 cents (half-fare) during the 2008-2009
school year with a student ID or METRO Student Fare Card.
The cards will be available through schools during the first two
weeks of classes.
For additional information, visit www.gpmetrobus.com or
call 774-0351.
METRO Ridership Up 18% During Free Fare
Fridays
METRO bus ridership in Portland increased by 18 percent
during the state-sponsored Free Fare Friday campaign in July,
according to the Governor’s office. In all, 159,000 people rode
public transit in the state on those three Fridays in July –
29,000 more riders than in 2007.
The GO MAINE database – the number of commuters who
are actively searching for or participating in carpools, vanpools
and other gas saving alternatives – topped 7,000 registrants in
late August, representing an 80 percent increase since the
beginning of the year.
The Free Fare Friday campaign that offered free bus rides on
the state’s largest bus services in Portland, Bangor, Biddeford-
Saco, Lewiston-Auburn, and South Portland, boosted ridership
by 22 percent in the state over three Fridays in July. A similar
campaign that ran over five weeks in November and December
2007, saw an increase of 20 percent.
For more information about commuter assistance, call 1-800-
280-RIDE or visit www.gomaine.org.
Thursday, August 28,2008
No Curbside Trash/Recycling on Labor Day
The Department of Public Services solid waste crews will not
collect trash or recycling on Labor Day, September 1st.
Residents who normally receive collection services on Monday
will have their trash and recycling collected this Saturday,
August 30th. All items should be out by 6:30 AM to ensure
collection. If residents have further questions about their
trash/recycling collection, they can contact the Recycling
Hotline at 756-8189.
The Riverside Recycling Facility will be closed on Labor Day
as well, and will resume normal business hours on Tuesday,
September 2nd, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Library Moves Children’s Books to Munjoy
Hill
Beginning Monday, August 25th, the Portland Public Library
location at East End School started hosting a large part of the
children’s collection from the Main Library, as well as the
Youth Services staff from the Main Library. The name for the
next two years will be the Portland Public Children's Library
on Munjoy Hill.
The library plans to continue offering a variety of story times
and programs to meet the developmental needs of children.
The current Youth Services Area will be closed. The library
will continue to offer browsing collections of Children’s and
Young Adult collections.
The Main Library at 5 Monument Square will undergo a major
renovation beginning in the near future. When renovations are
complete in 2010, Youth Services will return to Monument
Square (Main Library) to inhabit a new space, including the
new Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library and a new separate
Teen Center. When Youth Services returns to Monument
Square, the Library at East End will revert to its current
Branch profile.
To view current plans of the renovated Library, visit the
website:
http://www.portlandlibrary.
com/CapitalCampaign/Campaign_home.htm.
Coffee Pot Gets Man in Hot Water
On August 15th, at 2 PM, police received an “attempt to
locate” call in reference to a tan Ford Windstar that had been
involved in a theft from Marden’s in Lewiston.
Shortly afterward, police got a call from the Portland Marden’
s, stating that a person was trying to return a coffeepot
believed to have been stolen from their Lewiston store.
Portland police met with people from Marden’s loss
prevention unit, who had detained Robert Cole, 46. He had
been attempting to return the item with a female companion
who fled prior to the arrival of police.
Cole was placed under arrest and charged with receiving
stolen property. The Lewiston Police Department is looking for
the female and will follow up on this case.
-Marge Niblock
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Cumberland Farms Robbed; Suspect Caught
after Wild Chase
Portland police have arrested George Palmer, 41, in connection
with an early-morning robbery at the Cumberland Farms store
at 49 Pine Street in the West End.
Police say that at approximately 3:35 this morning, a lone male
entered the store and threatened the store clerk with a blunt
object and demanded money. The robbery resulted in a
struggle between the store clerk and suspect. The struggle
went from inside the business to outside. Once outside in the
parking lot, the suspect assaulted the clerk, and the clerk then
complied with his demands. The clerk returned to the store
and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of cash. The
suspect fled from Cumberland Farms in a vehicle.
The clerk provided responding officers with a description of
the suspect and of the vehicle in which he fled. A few minutes
later, officers observed the suspect vehicle on Forest Avenue.
Officers stopped the vehicle on Anderson Street in Bayside,
and discovered the stolen license plates on the vehicle. The
suspect vehicle initially stopped, but then fled from officers. It
ultimately crashed into two parked vehicles, and the suspect
fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers caught the
suspect. After arresting him, they discovered the vehicle had
been stolen from South Portland.
Mr. Palmer was brought to the Cumberland County Jail and is
still in custody at this time. He is charged with theft by
unauthorized taking, theft, assault, theft by receiving, OUI,
OAS and resisting arrest.
Deadline Near to Apply for City Boards
August 29th is the last day that Portland residents may apply
for consideration to be appointed to any of nearly thirty
positions on City boards and commissions - ranging from the
Police Review Subcommittee to the Down-town Portland
Corporation. A complete list of positions available is contained
in an ad in this week's newspaper. (and right over there - on
the right side of this page!)
Peabody House to Close
The Frannie Peabody Center is selling Peabody House and will
subsequently close the Peabody House Program,
Portland’s long-standing assisted living facility for people living
with HIV/AIDS. FPC will immediately begin working to
transition Peabody House’s five residents into other appropriate
services.
The Peabody House Program, originally for people in the late
stages of AIDS, has experienced a continuous decline in
occupancy rates correlating with advances in care for
HIV/AIDS and a subsequent increase in life expectancy. Since
January 2005, Peabody House has maintained full occupancy
only ten months.
The decrease in the need for assisted living and end-of-life care
comes alongside sharp increases in the need for independent
housing assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS. FPC will
begin to shift its focus toward independent housing services.
Nestlé Recalls Sandwiches Distributed Here
Nestlé Prepared Foods Company is recalling approximately
215,660 pounds of frozen stuffed pepperoni pizza sandwich
products that may contain foreign materials, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection
Service has announced.
The following products are subject to recall:
• 54-ounce, 12-pack cartons of “HOT POCKETS PEPPERONI
PIZZA” brand stuffed sandwiches. Printed on the side of each
carton is “8157544614D,” “EST 7721A,” and “BEST BEFORE
JAN2010.” Each carton bears the USDA mark of inspection.
The products were produced on June 5 and distributed to retail
establishments nationwide, including Portland, Maine.
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact
Nestlé Consumer Services Center at (800) 350-5016.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
City to Look at Federal Funding Priorities
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Priority
Task Force is holding two focus group discussions, on Social
Services and Community Outreach..
Meeting Time/Dates:
Wednesday, Sept. 3, 5:30-7:30pm
Monday, September 8, 5:30-7:30pm
Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall
20 Myrtle Street, behind City Hall. The public is invited to
participate in one or both of scheduled discussions.
Categories of discussion could include:
-Education & Employment Programs (job training, GED
education, early childhood education, child care, etc.);
-Health and Wellness Programs (health care, health prevention,
mental health services, substance abuse, etc);
-Meeting Basic Needs (housing, food, shelter, etc.); and
-Building Safe & Strong Communities (safety, neighborhood
services, etc.) among others topics.
The City of Portland receives approximately $2.1 million
annually of federal funding from the Department of Housing
and Urban Development in the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG). The City Council appointed the CDBG Priority
Task Force to review current priorities, research needs within
the community and recommend priorities to be used in the
allocation of resources for the CDBG Program.
Their job is to research possible emerging urban planning,
public improvement and social service needs. Analyze,
deliberate, debate, and finally make recommendations as to the
most pressing needs facing our City.
FMI: Amy Grommes Pulaski
Housing & Community Development Program Manager
389 Congress St. Room 312 Portland, ME 04101
207.874.8731 phone 207.874-8949 fax
Monday, August 25, 2008
Absentee Ballot Applications Available
Maine registered voters are now able to apply for an absentee
ballot for this November 4th election. Absentee ballots will be
mailed to voters who have requested them, beginning
September 20th. Registered voters can request an absentee
ballot by phone, fax, or in person at the City Clerk's Office.
The application is available online at http://www.portlandmaine.
gov/voter/absentee.pdf.
College students and residents serving in the military interested
in voting in this election should consider applying for an
absentee ballot before leaving the state. Parents visiting a
college student may request a ballot in writing and bring it to
their child at school. The ballot can be sent back with the
parents after voting or returned by mail. Members of the
military serving overseas should make sure to return their
ballots so that they are received by the City Clerk by 8:00 PM
of Election Day.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
New Sign for Deering Oaks Park to be
Unveiled
On Tuesday, August 26th, the City of Portland will unveil
a new welcome sign for Deering Oaks Park. The sign was
designed and constructed by two local businesses that
responded to the City's request for public-private
partnerships to help offset budget cuts.
McClain Marketing Group and Mr. Signs, Inc. expressed
the desire to donate a new sign for Deering Oaks Park in
April, and for the past few months have worked closely
with the City's Public Services Department to create a
new sign in keeping with the history and design of
Deering Oaks Park. The value of the sign is estimated at
$6,500.
Members of the community are encouraged to visit
Volunteer Portland, www.portlandmaine.gov/donations, a
web-based initiative designed to allow the people who live
and work in the City a chance to give back by
volunteering or donating their time, services or financial
resources. Specific information regarding service impacts
for the proposed budget and ways to donate is available.
The site's gift catalog includes more than fifty items
available for donation and a wide variety of volunteer
opportunities.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Group Wants Big Changes on Franklin
Arterial
On August 19th, the Portland City Council's
Transportation Committee gave the green light to the
Franklin Arterial Corridor Study, which will explore
alternatives to the current Franklin Arterial.
Co-chairs – State Representative Boyd Marley (who is
also State Transportation Committee Chair), and Munjoy
Hill activist Markos Miller - say that future changes will
improve safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians,
create economic development opportunities, provide
accessible open space, and enhance the gateway
experience of the important connection on the Portland
peninsula.
The study will build upon the findings of a community
workshop held by local neighborhood organizations in May
of 2007. In August of 2007, banners were posted in the
median of Franklin describing the deficiencies of the
current roadway as well as a new vision for Franklin
Street.
The Franklin Reclamation Authority Web site has
information about the workshop from last year, history of
Franklin, alternative visions of Franklin, and other
communities that have successfully redesigned arterial
roadways.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Bat-Wielding Robber Hits Local Motel
Portland police are looking for a man who robbed the La
Quinta Inn on Park Avenue in Libbytown, at about 1:30
AM on Thursday morning, August 21st.
Police say that the man, described as a white male with a
thin build, jumped over the counter and demanded
money. The suspect, who was armed with a baseball bat,
fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
At the time of the robbery, the suspect was wearing a knit
cap and sunglasses. Anyone with information is urged to
call Portland Police at 874-8596.
WAXMAN CRITICIZES MAINE STATE
PIER DEAL AND PROCESS
During the Portland City Council’s review of the proposed
term sheet for the Maine State Pier on August 18th,
Portland City Council candidate Dory Waxman spoke out
about her concerns with the deal and with the process
used to reach it.
Waxman called the deal “an objectively bad deal for the
citizens of Portland,” and said that she hoped the City
Council would rethink its decision. Waxman is running
against Mayor Ed Suslovic, who supports the pier
agreement, and West End activist Tina Smith, for an at-
large seat.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Two Arrested in Early Morning Assault
On August 8, at 3:15 AM, police were called to 127
Cumberland Avenue regarding a 27-year-old man who
had been assaulted.
The victim told police he had been outside when two men
drove by in what he described as a “white, police-type
car,” drove around the block a couple of times, and then
stopped.
One of the men had something in one of his hands when
they approached the victim, say police, and suddenly hit
him and then took off in the car.
Police put out an “attempt to locate” call and
subsequently found and stopped the vehicle. A witness to
the assault positively identified Joseph Carson, 19, of
Portland, and Kirkland Lamour, 21, of Auburn, as the
assailants.
The victim also identified the two, who matched the
description he had given to the police immediately after
the incident. He was treated for injuries at Maine Medical
Center, where he also received some stitches. It is
possible a brick was used in the attack.
Carson and Lamour were arrested and charged with
aggravated assault.
-Marge Niblock
Meals on Wheels Needs East End Volunteers
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is looking for
volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels in Portland’s East
End, including the Munjoy Hill neighborhoods and at
Franklin Towers. Mileage is reimbursed at 42 cents a mile.
Meals on Wheels volunteers can spend two hours - once a
month, once a week or once a day. Volunteers help
seniors stay in their homes when food shopping and
cooking become difficult, helping seniors avoid or at least
postpone leaving their home.
National research has shown that Meals on Wheels makes
a difference in the overall health and safety of frail
elders, leading to quicker recovery from surgery or
illness. There is no waiting list for Meals on Wheels in
Portland or throughout Cumberland and York counties.
Meals on Wheels is for people who are age 60 or older and
no longer able to cook a nutritious meal or easily go out
grocery shopping. Persons under age 60 on disability can
also apply for home delivered meals. Nearly 300 residents
of Portland received Meals on Wheels between July 1,
2007 and June 30, 2008.
To volunteer or apply for Meals on Wheels, call Fran
Martin at the Agency on Aging 1-800-400-6325.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
‘Take Back the Tap’ Will Challenge Bottled
Water Industry
West End City Councilor David Marshall will join Peace
Action Maine today to kick off a campaign to discourage
the use of bottled water. The launch of Take Back the Tap
will take place during the Portland farmers’ market in
Monument Square at 10 AM.
Organizers of the initiative say that it “exposes the
myths and dangers of the bottled water industry,
celebrates and protects Maine watersheds, and encourages
a reinvestment in public water systems as a national
priority.”
The group says that some local restaurants have joined
the campaign by pledging to take still bottled water off
their menus, and to serve local Portland tap water instead.
On Monday, August 18th, the Portland City Council
passed a resolution in favor of a dedicated federal funding
for tap water systems. Take Back the Tap encourages tap
water over the bottled brands as the best choice for public
health, the economy, the environment, and for
communities.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.
takebackthetap.org
Public Meetings to Discuss Design Needs for
New Skatepark
West End City Councilor Dave Marshall, Tom Noble from
Who Skates, the selected skatepark design company, and
members of the Portland Skatepark Committee will hold
a series of four public meetings for discussion of possible
skatepark designs. The meetings will discuss elements to
be included in the park, and design concepts for the city's
new skatepark.
The public is also invited to post comments or ideas for
the park's design at http://whoskates.com/news.php.
The first meeting will take place today, Wednesday,
August 20 at 5:30 PM at the East End School, 195 North
Street on Munjoy Hill.
Future meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, August 27
at 5:30 PM; Tuesday, September 2 at 5:30 PM;
Monday, September 8 at 5:30 PM
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
PPD Loses Second-in-Command
Bill Ridge Retires
The Portland Police Department will lose another of its
top commanders on August 29th, when Deputy Chief
William Ridge retires after 25 years of service. Police
Chief Tim Burton left the force in early August to take
the police chief job in Odessa, Texas. Ridge has served as
Deputy Chief of Investigations since his 1998
appointment by former Chief Michael Chitwood. He is
leaving to teach social studies at the middle-school level
in South Portland’s Holy Cross School.
Ridge is not a newcomer to the teaching profession,
having taught criminology for eight years at St. Joseph’s
College and two years at Southern Maine Community
College (SMCC).
He feels teaching is “important work,” and said “I’m very
excited and am looking forward to it. I’ve always enjoyed
the classroom.” He is certified to teach grades 7 through
12.
Ridge and his wife Martha, who works for Anthem Blue
Cross, will celebrate their twenty-fifth wedding
anniversary next May. The couple has two children: Their
daughter Laura just graduated from Stonehill College and
works in Boston, and their son Billy will be a junior at the
University of Maine’s Farmington campus, where he is
studying education.
-Marge Niblock
Monday, August 18, 2008
Police ID Bayside Homicide Victim
Portland police have identified the victim of a fatal
weekend attack as Frank Williams III, 37, of Portland.
On Saturday at about 1:40 am, officers responded to the
soccer field located at 112 Fox Street where witnesses
were reporting an assault in progress. The call to 911
described a crowd on the soccer field and a man being
beaten.
Upon arrival, officers located Williams on the sidewalk of
Fox Street. He had apparently climbed through a hole in
the chain link fence and collapsed. He was suffering from
at least one stab wound. MEDCU personnel responded and
transported him to Maine Medical Center. At the hospital,
Williams was pronounced dead. Williams has most
recently been a transient resident of Portland.
An autopsy was performed on Mr. Williams by the State
Medical Examiner’s Office and they are awaiting that
office’s conclusions about a cause of death.
Investigators assigned to the incident have begun
interviewing friends and acquaintances of Mr. Williams.
They are attempting to piece together the activities of Mr.
Williams during the last hours of his life.
Anyone with any information about Mr. Williams, his
whereabouts on Friday night, or this incident, is asked to
contact Detective Richard Vogel at 874-8592.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
"I know where you live!"
At about 7:40pm on Saturday evening, August 16th,
Parkside residents heard the now-familiar signal of one of
the Whistlers, and this time they responded in person.
Locals at the corner of State Street and Sherman Street
started verbally accosting the woman pictured above,
yelling that they didn't want any whores on the streets
here. A shouting match ensued, and the woman claimed
she was whistling to call someone. The male she
purported to be calling with her whistle appeared to be the
same Hispanic male that residents say was whistling
outside the Parkside Neighborhood Association meeting
this past Thursday.
Residents reported that the man began threatening the
neighborhood residents who had turned out of their
homes to lend support to the effort. Nearing the end of
the confrontation, neighbors said he yelled at the
gathered people a loaded threat: "I know where you live!
I KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE!!! Portland Police sent a car
to follow-up almost immediately.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Man Dies After East Bayside Assault
At approximately 1:47 AM this morning, the Portland
Police Department responded to Fox Street Soccer field
for an assault in progress. Upon officer arrival, the
discovered a 37-year-old male severely injured.
MEDCU transported the victim to the Maine Medical
Center, where he died from his injuries. The Portland
Police Department is investigating the death in
conjunction with the State’s Medical Examiner and the
Attorney General’s office.
The deceased is a 37 year-old male from Portland. The
name of the deceased is not being released pending
notification of next of kin.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is
requested to contact the Portland Police Department at
874-8596
Friday, August 15, 2008
Beer Truck Hits Building on Congress St.
A Budweiser beer delivery truck making a delivery to the
Rite Aid store in the 700 block of Congress Street
reportedly lost its brakes at about 11:30 AM this morning
and plowed into a brick building next to the store's
parking lot. Portland police and Maine state troopers are
on the scene. There are apparently no injuries.
Whistlers Strike Neighborhood Association
Meeting
The piercing notes of the Parkside whistlers made their
way just after 8:00pm into the Parkside Neighborhood
Association meeting held on August 14th. Residents were
packed into the Parkside Community Center discussing
the whistlers and other related problems in the
neighborhood.
One local resident observed that one of the whistlers this
time appeared to be a Hispanic male, who has been
identified by some residents as the same one who
accompanied the original whistler and her female
teammate a month ago.
One resident reported hearing the whistlers at 9:50pm, 11:
00pm, 11:15pm, and then into the morning at 1:20am, 1:
40am, and 2:00am. They were reported to be sticking
mostly to the Mellen Street end of Sherman and
especially Grant Street.
Energy Conservation Workshop to be Held
An Energy Conservation Workshop will be held at
Portland West on Thursday, August 21st. A panel of
guests, including an energy program manager from Maine
State Housing Authority, a program specialist from
Efficiency Maine, Portland Fire Chief Frederick J.
LaMontagne, Jr., and a representative from Irving Oil
will talk about a variety of resources and tips area
residents may be able to take advantage of to lower
heating costs.
Maine State Housing Authority will talk about a variety of
programs available to the public, including the Low
Income Heating Assistance Program, MaineHousing’s
Weatherization Program and Central Heating
Improvement Program, and MaineHousing’s Home
Energy Loan Program (HELP).
Efficiency Maine will talk about rebate programs like the
state’s solar thermal rebate program, solar electric
system rebates, and home auditing services that are
available.
Portland Fire Chief Frederick J. LaMontagne, Jr. will talk
about important safety tips to consider when heating your
home this winter.
Irving Oil will provide tips and ideas for homeowners to
make their existing heating systems more efficient.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
City Looking at Artists’ Rights
West End City Councilor David Marshall is looking into
how the City’s ordinance regarding street artists is being
enforced in the city, and exactly who the law applies to.
Marshall says that he has gotten complaints from dancers
and musicians, particularly in the Old Port area, about
being stopped from performing by Portland police.
The Portland City Council passed an ordinance in 2005
which gave artists the right to create, display, and sell
their work without having to obtain a license from the
City. The Maine Civil Liberties Union endorsed the
artists’ rights ordinance as a First Amendment free
speech issue.
A street artist is defined in the City ordinances as a
person who is engaged in the creation of a work of art or
who offers it for sale. There are some restrictions in
the ordinance on street artists. No street artist may
operate within any area designated by the City Council
for a sidewalk sale, street festival, or other special event,
without a street and sidewalk occupancy
The grounds of any public school are also off limits,
unless there is a school-authorized function.
Artists may not operate on any sidewalk or in any other
location so as to impede the free passage of vehicles or
pedestrians, obstruct the entrance to or exit from private
property, jeopardize the public safety, or otherwise
inconvenience the public. They also may not use public
benches, monuments or structures to display artwork.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
MHNO To Restructure Newspaper
The Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization has
established the Observer Restructuring Committee to
establish procedures for publishing its neighborhood
newspaper, The Munjoy Hill Observer. The committee will
be made up of five MHNO board members – Randee
Bucknell, Katie Brown, Frank Cady,, Joan Sheedy, and
MHNO President Will Gorham.
The committee was established during an executive
session of the MHNO board before its regular meeting on
August 11th. The committee’s meetings will be closed to
the public, but a public session of the committee will be
held at an undetermined future date, according to board
member David Cowie. The committee may invite “special
guests” with publishing expertise to their meetings to
provide them with guidance. Gorham said that the group
has not set a definite date for resuming publication of the
Observer.
Munjoy Hill activist and MHNO member Ed Democracy,
who attended the August 11th meeting, says that the
board exceeded its powers by restricting membership on
the committee.
According to the MHNO bylaws, members may “sit on
committees of the Organization” and “attend and
participate in any meeting of the board and of its
subcommittees and any other meeting which may be
authorized under these by-laws.” The bylaws also make
no allowances for executive sessions, although that is a
common element of many neighborhood association
bylaws.
Cowie, however, said that the by-law's wording of the
membership's right to participate in committee work is
not a guarantee that they will be selected to sit on a
committee of their choice, and that there are ample
membership involvement opportunities in the system that
the MHNO has established for the restructuring of the
newspaper.
Democracy and his wife, Heather Curtis, were two of the
most active contributors to the Observer before its
publication was suspended last month. Curtis was the
head of the Observer’s editorial board, but failed to gain
re-election to the MHNO board of directors at the annual
meeting in June.
Democracy has since begun publication of Neighbors
Network NEWS, a free, four-page monthly, which was
distributed throughout the city in early August.
Raising of MS Regatta Flag at Ocean
Terminal
City officials will raise the Maine Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society's Haborfest regatta flag in front
of the Portland Ocean Terminal on Thursday, August 14th
The flag-raising will officially kick off the 27th Annual
MS Harborfest weekend. The proceeds from the four-day
waterfront event go to the local MS chapter to help find a
cure for multiple sclerosis and to provide programs,
assistance, and support for the 3,000 Maine families
affected by the disease.
On Saturday, the Parade of Sail and Regatta will take
place in the Portland Harbor. The regatta draws more
than one hundred boats displaying their colors. The MS
Harborfest is the largest regatta in Maine and the largest
sailing event in the Northeast. A tugboat muster and
races in Casco Bay are scheduled for Sunday along with
the Shoreside Festival.
City Councilor Jim Cohen will be joined by
representatives from the Maine Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society for the flag raising ceremony.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Trevorrow Starts School Committee
Campaign
Anna Trevorrow, candidate for the At-Large School
Committee seat that is being vacated by Susan Hopkins,
held a campaign kick-off event on Saturday, August 9.
Over twenty supporters joined her, including long-time
activists, young organizers and political newcomers. The
event raised over $300.
Trevorrow works as a customer service representative at
Norway Savings Bank. She was raised in Monmouth,
Maine, and both of of her parents are teachers.
Trevorrow graduated from the University of Southern
Maine in 2007 with a BA in English.
Trevorrow is new to politics, but believes her background
in curriculum design and finance will uniquely situate her
to help the students of Portland. She supports a safe and
healthy learning environment, forward thinking
curriculum, and universal access to education. She
currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Maine
Green Independent Party, and is also a delegate to the
Green Party of the United States National Committee.
Trevorrow resides in the Arts District, with her partner of
seven years, Anthony Zeli.
For more information on Anna Trevorrow visit: www.
annatrevorrow08.blogspot.com
To contact Anna Trevorrow email: anna.
trevorrow08@gmail.com
‘I’ll Be Right With You Officer’
Courtney Cooney, 23, of Portland was arrested at 12:55
AM at the Stadium Bar at Congress and Brown Street,
after assaulting the doorman, according to police.
Police say that when the officer responding to the call
tried to take Cooney’s cell phone from her - after she
refused to comply with his order to stop making a call
while he was trying to arrest her - she scratched his
forearm.
She was charged with assault and refusing to submit to
arrest.
-Marge Niblock
Monday, August 11, 2008
Police Hold Roundup at State Street Burglary
On July 24th, at 7:45 PM, police were called to 289 State
Street in Parkside, for a possible burglary in progress.
When they arrived, they saw two males leaving the rear
of the building and ordered them to stop. The two men
were arrested after a brief foot pursuit. A third man
surrendered to police, and after a search inside the
building, two females and a fourth male were discovered.
They, too, were arrested for criminal trespass.
One man was charged with receiving stolen property,
unlawful possession of schedule W drugs, and carrying a
concealed weapon - a knife.
- Marge Niblock
Sunday, August 10, 2008
100 Rescued from Grounded Ferry
A Casco Bay Lines ferry ran aground Friday night,
August 8th, at about 10PM near Basket Island in Casco
Bay. Nearly 100 people, who were part of a wedding party
on the Bay Mist ferry, were temporarily stranded before
being put on lifeboats and put aboard another ferry.
There were no injuries reported in the incident, and no
damage to the boat, which was returned to the Portland
dock accompanied by tugboats at about 3:15 AM. The U.S.
Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
The Bay Mist is used as a party boat by Casco Bay Lines,
and can hold up to 275 passengers. The ferry company
provides year-round ferry service, carrying passengers,
vehicles and freight between Portland, and the islands of
Peaks, Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long,
Chebeague, and Cliff. They also offer scenic cruises,
summertime music cruises, and private charters.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
‘Undercover’ Cop Doesn’t Fool Real Ones
Portland police arrested Darren C. Cravero, 20, of
Portland, on July 29th and charged him with
impersonating a public servant, after he told police that
he was an undercover cop.
Police were called to 58 Fore Street at 11:04 PM,
regarding suspicious activity. They were told two or three
males in their early twenties with crewcuts were banging
on boats and trying to get through the fence in the area of
the Ocean Gateway pier.
A witness who had observed the activity spoke to one of
the men, who told her that he was an undercover Portland
police officer. She provided a description of the man to
the police and they found him in the area.
Cravero identified himself as an undercover officer to
uniformed police who answered the call and were not
familiar with him. He told them he was going with his
fellow undercover officers to investigate some bathroom
break-ins at the East End beach area. They arrested him
instead.
-Marge Niblock
Two Cruise Ships, 3200 Passengers Call to
Port this Weekend
Two cruise ships, the Grandeur of the Seas and Maasdam,
will call to port in Portland this weekend.. The Grandeur
of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International ship, arrives
carrying 1,950 passengers. This visit is the second of four
trips to Portland this season - the first was July 12th.
Having begun its nine day sail in Baltimore, Maryland,
the Grandeur of the Seas will leave Portland at the end of
the day for Bar Harbor. With a length of 916 feet and
weight of 73,817 tons, the boat’s cruising speed is 22
knots.
The Holland America Line’s Maasdam will call to port on
Sunday for a full day stop carrying 1,258 passengers.
Named for the Maas River in The Netherlands, the 720-
foot long ship will begin its seven day sail in Boston and,
following its stop in Portland, will continue north to St.
John. The Maasdam was dedicated in 1993 by actress June
Allyson and weighs 55,451 tons with a cruising speed of 22
knots.
The Grandeur of the Seas arrives August 9th at 8:00 AM
and departs at 7:00 PM. The Maasdam arrives August
10th at 8:00 AM and departs at 5:00 PM. Both ships will
berth at Portland Ocean Terminal on Commercial Street.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Olympia Agrees to Terms for State Pier
Project
$18 million to be invested in the rehabilitation of the
Maine State Pier
The City of Portland on August 8th released the terms
and timeline agreed to with the Olympia Companies for
the Maine State Pier Rehabilitation Project. The agreed-
upon term sheet lays out the parameters for the pier
rehabilitation and waterfront development and sets the
fall of 2010 for the beginning of the construction phase.
When approved by the City Council, this term sheet will
serve as the building block for the master development
agreement, the binding legal agreement between Portland
and the Olympia Companies.
In keeping with the original proposal made by the
Olympia Companies, the agreement includes an $18
million investment for rehabilitation of the Maine State
Pier, the construction of a waterfront office and retail
building, a waterfront park, the construction of a hotel on
the pier, additional building space designated for marine
related uses and accommodation for the tug boat fleet.
The agreement also guarantees payments to the City
through property taxes upon completion of construction of
the buildings of an estimated $1 million.
The term sheet provides significant financial protection to
the City, as all risks and costs of the development,
permitting and construction are the responsibility of the
developer. Portland is protected should the developer
incur debt for the project, including the pier
rehabilitation. In addition, the term sheet lays out certain
benchmarks that the Olympia Companies must meet
throughout the development process.
The negotiation team made the decision to recommend to
the City Council that the original proposal by the Olympia
Companies be honored and a separate track be
established for the construction of a megaberth.
The term sheet also includes a lease from the City to the
developer for seventy-five years. Having secured title
insurance for seventy-five years and a lease from the
state for thirty years with the option to renew, the
developer and City are confident that issues surrounding
the lease term have been resolved and financing can be
secured.
The Community Development Committee will meet to
discuss the agreed-upon term sheet next Monday, August
11th at 5:00 PM, and will meet later this month to discuss
potential plans for the construction of the megaberth. The
full City Council will then hold a public hearing on the
term sheet on August 18th. Both meetings are open to
the public.
Following approval of the term sheet, the negotiating
team will have up to ninety days to finalize a master
development agreement with the Olympia Companies.
The term sheet and exhibits are available online at www.
portlandmaine.gov.
Traffic Advisory for Morrill's Corner this
Weekend
Major rail crossing and street repair of sections of Allen
Avenue will take place this weekend beginning 12:01 AM
Saturday, August 9th and ending at 6:00 AM, Monday,
August 11th. Commuters should expect delays at Morrill's
Corner and may want to seek an alternate route.
Inbound traffic from Warren Avenue and Forest Avenue
will still have access to Morrill's Corner, however, access
to Allen Avenue from Washington Avenue will end at the
railway crossing. Commuters entering Morrill's Corner
from Allen Avenue will have to take the following detour:
Washington Avenue to Canco Road to Read Street to Bell
Street to Forest Avenue
The public will continue to have access to all businesses
and residences in the area; however, some multiple
driveways will be restricted for safety purposes. In
addition, on-street parking for Arbor Street and Bishop
Street will be prohibited while the traffic detours are in
effect.
In order to minimize the impact and inconvenience to
residents and commuters that travel through Morrill's
Corner, the repair work will be in full operation twenty-
four hours a day for both Saturday and Sunday. Noise
ordinances have been lifted to allow for the overnight
work, and it is likely that residents of the area will be
aware of the noise. Residents may want to close windows
that face the construction activity in order to minimize
the noise.
Additional information regarding this work and maps of
the traffic detours are available online at www.
portlandmaine.gov or you can contact Public Services
Customer Service line at 874-8493.
Modoc Indian Honored at Local Gravesite
Cheewa James, a Modoc historian, places prairie
grass at Frank Modoc's gravesite
City officials on August 7th met with Cheewa James, a
descendant of Frank Modoc, at his ancestor’s gravesite at
the Portland Friends Meetinghouse Cemetery on Forest
Avenue.
Frank Modoc, a Modoc Indian, fought in the 1873
California-Oregon Modoc War and at the end of the war,
along with 150 of his Modoc brethren, was sent as a
prisoner of war to Oklahoma Indian Territory.
Following the war, Frank Modoc (formerly Steamboat
Frank) became a Quaker and traveled to Vassalboro,
Maine to become a pastor. Unfortunately, he contracted
tuberculosis while at the seminary and became seriously
ill in Portland as he was traveling to reunite with his son,
Elwood. Frank died in the care of the Quaker Friends of
the Meetinghouse in Portland in 1886.
Cheewa James placed soil and prairie grass from Elwood's
grave in Oklahoma Modoc Cemetery on Frank Modoc's
grave, and will take soil and a pinecone from Frank's
grave to place on Elwood's grave in Oklahoma.
James, the author of Modoc: The Tribe That Wouldn't
Die, will meet with Governor Baldacci later in the week.
James is credited with writing the most comprehensive
book on the history of the Modoc from ancestral times to
the present.
Portland Mayor Ed Suslovic, Representative Herb Adams
and others greeted Cheewa James as they paid homage to
Frank Modoc and his life in Maine.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Hinck to Face Green Opponent in
West End Race
West End State Representative Jon Hinck will run to
retain his District 118 house seat against Green
Independent candidate Joshua Miller.
The local Republican Party was unable to recruit a
candidate to run for the seat after James Willard Colston
dropped out of the race in late July.
Hinck was elected to the West End seat in 2006, defeating
incumbent John Eder in a close race. Eder at the time was
the highest-ranking Green Independent Party elected
official in the country.
Citizens Wanted to Assist Police, Fire-
fighters, Hospitals
The Trauma Intervention Program of Portland, Maine
(TIP) is seeking citizen volunteers who will be trained to
help fellow citizens who are in distress as a result of
having been the victim of a crime or other traumatic
event. The training class begins on October 16th.
No prior experience is necessary to attend the training or
to become a volunteer. To register, call Community
Counseling Center at 207-874-1030 or 207-874-1043 (TTY)
or email ajenkins@commcc.org.
Volunteers are called to emergency scenes by police
officers, firefighters or hospital personnel to assist
citizens who may be despondent, victims of burglary and
robbery, family members of suicide or sudden death,
disoriented older persons or in other crisis situations.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Eight Arrested in Parkside Sting
Portland police officer Amie Lynn Rapa, working
undercover on July 30th, arrested eight men who were
charged with engaging a prostitute in the Parkside
neighborhood, where residents have voiced complaints to
police about prostitution The men’s ages ranged from 22
to 75, and all were from the Portland area.
Day Directed Patrol, under the command of Lieutenant
William Preis, conducted the sting operation in the
neighborhood. The arrests were made between the hours
of 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
“Business was brisk,” said Preis.
The issue will be a topic of discussion at the next Parkside
Neighborhood Association meeting on August 14th.
-Marge Niblock
State Senate Candidate Calls on
Legislature to Enter Emergency Session
“What is Governor Baldacci waiting for,
Christmas?” asks Linnell.
Captain Bill Linnell, a candidate for State Senate District
8, is calling for the Governor and the Legislature to go
into Emergency Session to deal with Maine’s heating oil
crisis before winter. Linnell has been running radio ads
calling for citizens to call the Governor’s office and
demand a special session of the Legislature to deal with
the crisis. Linnell drafted an action plan in July for the
Legislature to consider and adopt.
Former West End State Representative John Eder joined
Linnell in unveiling Linnell’s “Liberty Energy Plan” for
the State of Maine on August 4th
Inspired by the 30,000 South Portland shipyard workers
who built 236 Liberty Ships and 30 Ocean Ships in 41
months during World War II, Linnell’s plan aims to
insulate every single-family home in Maine in 85 days.
Linnell says that under his plan, the state could insulate
500,000 attics in 85 days, would employ five times as
many people as Bath Iron Works, cut oil bills in half, and
jump-start the economy.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Police Chief to Leave on August 16th
Deputy Chief Joseph Loughlin will serve as Interim
Police Chief until a replacement is found
The City of Portland announced on August 4th that Police
Chief Timothy Burton will be leaving his position on
August 16. Burton has accepted the position of Police
Chief for the City of Odessa, Texas and is planning to
start August 31, 2008. Burton began his service with the
city in 1982 as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks
to Deputy Chief of Bureau of Operations in 2002.
During his tenure with the Police Department, Burton
championed the efforts to develop and integrate
community policing throughout the city. As one of the
first commanders for community policing, he placed front
line officers into individual neighborhoods to develop
personal relationships with the residents and target
emerging public safety issues specific to their community.
As the Commander of the Special Reaction Team, Burton
developed team responses to high-risk situations such as
hostage taking that redefined conventional responses to
ensure the safety of the civilians and police involved.
Burton also spearheaded several regional projects,
including the consolidation of the city's E-911 and dispatch
services with South Portland, the establishment of a
Southern Maine Violent Crime Task Force, and most
recently, the creation of a regional forensics crime
laboratory which will be utilized by nine communities in
the area.
Burton is largely credited with bringing the Police
Department into the technological age. He brought
electronics and state of the art software into the day-to-
day operations of the department, which dramatically
enhanced operations. By adding cameras and networked
computers to police vehicles, the department was able to
respond rapidly to an incident with full and accurate
information. Portland is recognized as having one of the
most advanced computer networks in the Northeast, and
the agency's intranet is often used as a template for other
police departments.
Burton graduated from the University of Southern Maine
with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology, and earned a
Master of Science in business from Husson College.
Burton lives in Falmouth with his wife and three children.
Deputy Chief of Operations Loughlin will assume the role
of Interim Police Chief until a replacement is located.
Loughlin has been with the Portland Police Department
for 27 years. During his tenure with the police
department, he has served as Commander of the Special
Reaction Team, was the founder and counselor of the
Peer Support Team, and was Captain of the Patrol
Division. Loughlin also coauthored Finding Amy, a true
story of the homicide of Amy St. Laurent in Portland.
Details related to the search process for the new police
chief will be released August 15, 2008.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Parkside Gets 5AM Whistling Wakeup Call
Parkside residents were awakened at 5AM on Saturday
morning, August 2nd by the Parkside Whistler, who has
plagued the neighborhood for three week.
Residents first reported that an unidentified woman
roamed the area of State Street between Grant and
Sherman on the night of July 12th, keeping residents
awake with her whistling. And two nights later, the
woman was reportedly joined by another woman and
possibly others.
Residents of the Parkside neighborhood are considering
the reinstitution of the Parkside Crime Watch to deal
with what they say is an upsurge in prostitution and drug-
related activity in the neighborhood.
Police have been doubling up patrol in Parkside according
to Parkside Neighborhood Association President Diane
Edwards. Prostitution stings have been carried out and
drug-related evictions have occurred in two houses,
according to Edwards.
About 30 Parkside residents met with Parkside State
Representative Herb Adams, West End City Councilor
David Marshall, and police officials to discuss possible
solutions.
The issue will be a topic of discussion at the next Parkside
Neighborhood Association meeting on August 14th.
Man Hit by Jeep in Bayside
Portland police are looking for the driver of maroon jeep
with temporary Maine plates and possible front-end
damage that was involved in a hit-and-run accident on
Sunday morning, August 3rd.
The victim, 51-year-old Edward Storer, was struck around
8:47 AM at the intersection of Cumberland Avenue and
Preble Street. Storer was taken to the hospital with non-
life-threatening injuries.
Anyone who sees the vehicle is asked to call 911. Anyone
with information about the incident is asked to call 874-
8479 or 874-8532
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Council to Address Second-Hand Smoke
The Portland City Council, at its August 4th meeting, will
consider ordinances that would ban smoking from areas
within 20 feet of playgrounds, beaches, and athletic
facilities, and until 10PM in outdoor eating areas at local
restaurants.
A state law banning smoking on all school campuses goes
into effect in September.
City to Hold Public Hearing on Election
Changes
The City of Portland will hold a public hearing on August
18th regarding polling place changes in the city. The
hearing will be held at 7PM at the Council chambers in
City Hall.
The Portland City Council voted on July 21st to keep all
16 polling places in the city open, at least until after the
November 4th presidential election. Portland's City
Manager had proposed a reduction to six polling places as
a money-saving measure.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Joe Payne Gets ‘Outdoor Hero’ Award
On July 30th, the 2008 L.L.Bean Outdoor Hero Award
was presented to Casco Baykeeper Joe Payne,
spokesperson for the environmental group Friends of
Casco Bay. Payne was selected as one of six outdoor
enthusiasts around the nation “who by their words,
attitude, and actions have helped connect people to the
world around them…As the Casco Baykeeper, he has
worked effectively to restore the health of Casco Bay .”
This is the second year that the L.L.Bean Outdoor Hero
Awards have been given to “recognize staff or volunteers
who have made a significant contribution to creating,
maintaining, teaching about, or encouraging use of
recreational outdoor space.”
A check for $5,000 was presented to Executive Director
Cathy Ramsdell in Joe’s name to support the work of
Friends of Casco Bay. Afterwards, Joe Payne remarked
that he was uncharacteristically speechless, as he was not
even aware that he had been nominated for the award.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Time is Running Out for Economic Stimulus
Payments
Wesr End Representative Jon Hinck is reminding seniors
and veterans that they need to apply for the federal
economic stimulus payment, even if they did not earn
enough to be required to file taxes.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the AARP
recently informed Hinck and other elected officials that
as many as 31,000 Maine seniors and veterans have yet to
apply for the economic stimulus payments that they are
eligible to receive. Hinck said that almost 2,000 residents
of Portland may be among this number.
Many people do not normally have to file federal income
taxes because their income is especially low. However, in
order to receive an economic stimulus payment, this year
they need to file Form 1040A with the IRS. This includes
people who receive at least $3,000 in earnings and/or
benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs disability
or a Retired Railroad Worker’s pension. The economic
stimulus payment is a one-time payment of $300 for
individuals, $600 for married couples filing jointly and
more if children are in the home.
Taxpayers who already filed a 2007 tax return began
receiving their economic stimulus checks in the spring.
But those who had no tax liability and did not file a 2007
tax return will lose money due to them unless they file a
1040A form by Oct. 15, 2008. They must file a 1040A form
even if they do not owe any taxes, in order to get their
economic stimulus check. All together, more than $9
million in Maine could go unclaimed if people do not file
by October 15th.
Seniors and veterans can call the AARP toll free at 877-
353-3771, visit www.aarp.org/stimulushelp, or call the IRS
at 1-800-829-0582, extension 377.
To have a copy of the “Economic Stimulus Payment,
Guide for Benefit Recipients” e-mailed or mailed to you
by Rep. Hinck, please call him at 450-0003 or e-mail him
at RepJon.Hinck@legislature.maine.gov.
Are you parenting a struggling reader? I can help. Wendy Gaal, M.A., M.Ed. Reading Specialist Mass General Hospital-trained Orton-Gillingham tutor Experienced teaching reading to children with learning differences. Excellent references. 775-4329 East End wendy@gaal.com |
| Fix-It Man "Your Problem Solver" Repairs-Improvements- Maintenance 61 Sherman St. Portland www.fix-itman.com 771-0202 |
| “The Spin Stops Here!” COYNE’S LAUNDROMAT 88 DANFORTH STREET (AT HIGH & DANFORTH) OPEN 7DAYS 8AM to 8PM WASH & FOLD ‘Home of the 2 minute laundry- 1 minute dropoff- 1 minute pickup!’ 871-5744 |
| Find out more about these local businesses: Mitpheap Asian Market Asian American African Latin |
2008 SUMMER EVENTS Aug. 14-23 Portland Chamber Music Festival Aug. 15-16 St. Peter’s Street Festival (Federal Street) Aug. 16 Brunswick Outdoor Art Festival Aug. 23 Sidewalk Art Festival (Congress Street) Aug. 28-31 Thomas Point Beach Bluegrass Festival (Brunswick) Aug. 28-Sept. 1 Blue Hill Fair Sept. 19-21 Common Grounds Fair (Unity) Sept. 21-27 Cumberland Fair Sept. 28-Oct. 5 Fryeburg Fair |
A Traditional Neighborhood Pharmacy in the Old Port Easy Transfers From Other Pharmacies All refills and new prescriptions CALL OR EMAIL US! (207)-772-2164 • fax : (207)-774-1958 email: info@oldportrx. com • www.oldportrx.com | Mon-Fri 7:30am – 6:00pm Karen & Paul Chace, R.Phs, Owners ALL MAJOR INSURANCES ACCEPTED • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS 195 MIDDLE STREET, PORTLAND, ME 04101 between Tommy’s Park and Nickelodeon |
| First Friday Artwalk September 5, 5 to 8PM Ed King Cartoons in the City St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center, 76 Congress St. stlawrencearts.org 775-5568 CLICK HERE FOR IMAGES |
| EARN $$$ - SUPPORT MEDICAL MARIJUANA SIGNATURE COLLECTORS needed for medical marijuana ballot initiative. EARN $12-$30 PER HOUR (depending on your skill) collecting signatures from registered voters in Maine at concerts, parks, farmers markets, fairs, in front of post offices, etc. Please contact us at 333-6985 or email: info@ mainecommonsense.org |
| Brackett Street Veterinary Clinic Welcomes Dr. Sarah Tasse! Dr. Tasse will be offering acupuncture and herbal medicine as well as alternative therapy for cancer treatments. 192 Brackett Street, Portland, ME 04102 207-772-3385 www.portvet.net |
City of Portland Volunteer Opportunities Board and Commissions DEADLINE AUG. 29 Board of Appeals – 1 position Board of Assessment Review – 2 positions CDBG Allocation Committee – 7 positions Civil Service Commission – 2 positions Downtown Portland Corporation – 2 positions Fair Hearing Officer – 2 positions Friends of the Parks – 2 positions Harbor Commission – 1 position Landbank – 2 positions Police Citizen Review Subcommittee – 3 positions Portland Fish Exchange A – 2 positions Portland Fish Exchange B – 1 position Portland Fish Exchange C – 1 position Portland Housing Authority – 1 tenant position Additional information is available in the City Clerk’s office, on the City’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov or at 874-8677. Deadline for submission is August 29, 2008. Please send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o Linda C. Cohen, City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or lcc@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews. |