| The West End NEWSCC |
| Portland’s New Position: Neighborhood Prosecutor By Marge Niblock |
Bragdon to Run
for Mayor
East End taxi driver Charles Bragdon
is the first announced candidate for
the elected mayor position that was
approved by Portland voters on
November 2nd. Bragdon was a
candidate for an at-large seat on the
Portland City Council in the recent
election. Incumbent City Councilors
John Anton and Jill Duson retained
their seats in that race.
Bragdon has previously been a
candidate for the District 1 City
Council seat (Munjoy Hill, East End,
Bayside, Downtown). He was
defeated in that race by City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue. Bragdon
also lost a Green Independent Party
primary race to Anna Trevorrow last
spring for the Green Party
nomination to run for the District
120 seat in the Maine State
Legislature . Trevorrow was recently
defeated by the incumbent
Democrat, Representative Diane
Russell.
Bragdon is the owner of the A-Plus
Family Taxi in Portland. He is a
Portland native and lives in Munjoy
South with his wife and two
children. The mayoral election will be
held in November, 2011.
for Mayor
East End taxi driver Charles Bragdon
is the first announced candidate for
the elected mayor position that was
approved by Portland voters on
November 2nd. Bragdon was a
candidate for an at-large seat on the
Portland City Council in the recent
election. Incumbent City Councilors
John Anton and Jill Duson retained
their seats in that race.
Bragdon has previously been a
candidate for the District 1 City
Council seat (Munjoy Hill, East End,
Bayside, Downtown). He was
defeated in that race by City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue. Bragdon
also lost a Green Independent Party
primary race to Anna Trevorrow last
spring for the Green Party
nomination to run for the District
120 seat in the Maine State
Legislature . Trevorrow was recently
defeated by the incumbent
Democrat, Representative Diane
Russell.
Bragdon is the owner of the A-Plus
Family Taxi in Portland. He is a
Portland native and lives in Munjoy
South with his wife and two
children. The mayoral election will be
held in November, 2011.
Police Recover Stolen School
Computers; Discover Pot
Growing Operation
Portland Police detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on
Irving Street on Friday night, November 5th, and recovered 61 of the 78
computers that were reported stolen from the Ocean Avenue School on
November 4. There are 17 Apple IMAC and Apple Mac Book computers
still missing. Detectives also discovered a small marijuana grow in the
residence and recovered 12 marijuana plants. No arrests were made and
the case remains under investigation. The location is near the school.
The investigation has revealed that the computers were stolen from the
school over a period of several days. The 17 missing computers have
most likely been sold, say police, some of them even before they were
reported stolen. Police originally said that the 78 computers were stolen
from the Ocean Avenue School between the hours of midnight and 2AM
on November 4th. By prying open a window, thieves forced their way
into the school, which is still under construction, and scheduled to open
in January.
Contractors arriving to work at the site at at 150 Ocean Avenue
discovered the burglary. There were 33 Apple iMac computers and 45
Apple MacBook computers stolen. The machines were new and were
still in boxes. Police say their value is approximately $60,000.
After entry was gained to the building, an inside door was forced open,
and this was where the computers were stored. Smaller construction-
type tools were also stolen.
Police expect to make an arrest and are hopeful that they can recover the
remaining computers. Police are asking that anyone who has recently
purchased a new Apple IMAC or Apple MAC Book at a reduced price or
through a private seller to contact them. Anyone with information about
this case is asked to call Portland Police at 874-8533.
To provide information anonymously community members may contact
police by text, internet, or phone. To "Text a Tip", mobile phone users
should text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637
(CRIMES). Community members may also submit tips by going to the
Portland Police Department website: www.portland-police.com, and
clicking "Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.” Finally, community
members can leave anonymous phone tips on the Department’s Crime
Tip line: 874-8584.
-Marge Niblock
Computers; Discover Pot
Growing Operation
Portland Police detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on
Irving Street on Friday night, November 5th, and recovered 61 of the 78
computers that were reported stolen from the Ocean Avenue School on
November 4. There are 17 Apple IMAC and Apple Mac Book computers
still missing. Detectives also discovered a small marijuana grow in the
residence and recovered 12 marijuana plants. No arrests were made and
the case remains under investigation. The location is near the school.
The investigation has revealed that the computers were stolen from the
school over a period of several days. The 17 missing computers have
most likely been sold, say police, some of them even before they were
reported stolen. Police originally said that the 78 computers were stolen
from the Ocean Avenue School between the hours of midnight and 2AM
on November 4th. By prying open a window, thieves forced their way
into the school, which is still under construction, and scheduled to open
in January.
Contractors arriving to work at the site at at 150 Ocean Avenue
discovered the burglary. There were 33 Apple iMac computers and 45
Apple MacBook computers stolen. The machines were new and were
still in boxes. Police say their value is approximately $60,000.
After entry was gained to the building, an inside door was forced open,
and this was where the computers were stored. Smaller construction-
type tools were also stolen.
Police expect to make an arrest and are hopeful that they can recover the
remaining computers. Police are asking that anyone who has recently
purchased a new Apple IMAC or Apple MAC Book at a reduced price or
through a private seller to contact them. Anyone with information about
this case is asked to call Portland Police at 874-8533.
To provide information anonymously community members may contact
police by text, internet, or phone. To "Text a Tip", mobile phone users
should text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637
(CRIMES). Community members may also submit tips by going to the
Portland Police Department website: www.portland-police.com, and
clicking "Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.” Finally, community
members can leave anonymous phone tips on the Department’s Crime
Tip line: 874-8584.
-Marge Niblock
Greens to Push Runoff
Voting Statewide
The Maine Greens Independent Party plans to pursue the idea
and implementation of instant runoff voting for future elections
across the state. Party leaders and members plan to contact
members of the legislature as well as key political players who
have expressed an interest in the reform.
In the recent election, Portland, voters approved the work the of
the Portland Charter Commission that calls for the election of a
mayor using instant runoff voting, a method of voting that
allows voters to choose their preference of candidates by
number.
“This provides us the opportunity to use instant runoff voting
as a starting point for electoral reform in the city, and as a
model for the state,” said Anna Trevorrow, a Green Independent
candidate who finished second in her race for the state house in
District 120, against incumbent Diane Russell.
Eliot Cutler, the gubernatorial candidate who finished second in
the November 2nd election, was quoted on MPBN as saying that
he would like to pursue a method of electoral reform in Maine
that included a runoff.
The Maine Green Independent Party has always favored instant-
runoff voting as a more democratic way of voting, since it
eliminates the need for a second election between the candidates
who receive the top percentages of the vote, and allows voter to
rank their preference of candidates in order from one to the
amount of total candidates. It would also mean the winner
would have to get just over 50% of the vote to be declared the
winner.
The runoff could take place by the election workers, and require
no additional voting, no second election, according to Nate
Shea, media chair for the Maine Green Independent Party. “It
would also encourage greater civic participation and would
encourage candidates to soften their tone to attract a wide-range
of voters, not just their base,” said Shea.
Voting Statewide
The Maine Greens Independent Party plans to pursue the idea
and implementation of instant runoff voting for future elections
across the state. Party leaders and members plan to contact
members of the legislature as well as key political players who
have expressed an interest in the reform.
In the recent election, Portland, voters approved the work the of
the Portland Charter Commission that calls for the election of a
mayor using instant runoff voting, a method of voting that
allows voters to choose their preference of candidates by
number.
“This provides us the opportunity to use instant runoff voting
as a starting point for electoral reform in the city, and as a
model for the state,” said Anna Trevorrow, a Green Independent
candidate who finished second in her race for the state house in
District 120, against incumbent Diane Russell.
Eliot Cutler, the gubernatorial candidate who finished second in
the November 2nd election, was quoted on MPBN as saying that
he would like to pursue a method of electoral reform in Maine
that included a runoff.
The Maine Green Independent Party has always favored instant-
runoff voting as a more democratic way of voting, since it
eliminates the need for a second election between the candidates
who receive the top percentages of the vote, and allows voter to
rank their preference of candidates in order from one to the
amount of total candidates. It would also mean the winner
would have to get just over 50% of the vote to be declared the
winner.
The runoff could take place by the election workers, and require
no additional voting, no second election, according to Nate
Shea, media chair for the Maine Green Independent Party. “It
would also encourage greater civic participation and would
encourage candidates to soften their tone to attract a wide-range
of voters, not just their base,” said Shea.
LEEMAN TO
SERVE AS CITY'S
LAST NON-
ELECTED MAYOR
Longtime Portland City Councilor
Cheryl Leeman will serve the next year
as the last Portland mayor to be chosen
by her fellow councilors. Beginning
next year, the mayor will be elected by
voters.
Leeman has served on the Portland
City Council for 26 years, or nine
three-year terms. She has served as
mayor twice before, in 1988-89 and
2000-20001.
Leeman has the support of the four
Democrats on the officially
non-partisan council - Mayor
Mavodones, and Councilors Duson,
Waxman, and Coyne.
SERVE AS CITY'S
LAST NON-
ELECTED MAYOR
Longtime Portland City Councilor
Cheryl Leeman will serve the next year
as the last Portland mayor to be chosen
by her fellow councilors. Beginning
next year, the mayor will be elected by
voters.
Leeman has served on the Portland
City Council for 26 years, or nine
three-year terms. She has served as
mayor twice before, in 1988-89 and
2000-20001.
Leeman has the support of the four
Democrats on the officially
non-partisan council - Mayor
Mavodones, and Councilors Duson,
Waxman, and Coyne.
Pushy New
Yorker Shoves
His Way into a
Jail Cell
Portland police arrested a man
wearing a Yankees baseball cap
after he pushed a clerk at the Big
Apple at 2 Park Avenue on
November 1st at 10:00 PM. The
thirty-year-old New Yorker was
upset because he was carded
when trying to buy cigarettes.
The female clerk told the man to
leave the store and he refused,
pushed her out of the way, and
tried to get at the male clerk,
when a customer intervened.
When stopped nearby by police
for questioning, the man identified
himself as Christopher Watson
from New York. He claimed the
female clerk had pushed him, and
he told the officer he was going
to return and assault the clerk.
The Cumberland County Jail
employees couldn’t verify the
suspect’s name, but his
fingerprints identified him as
Jermaine Hill. Hill was charged
with assault, failure to give a
correct name, terrorizing, and
aggravated forgery, since he had
given a false name when he
signed the fingerprint card.
-Marge Niblock
Yorker Shoves
His Way into a
Jail Cell
Portland police arrested a man
wearing a Yankees baseball cap
after he pushed a clerk at the Big
Apple at 2 Park Avenue on
November 1st at 10:00 PM. The
thirty-year-old New Yorker was
upset because he was carded
when trying to buy cigarettes.
The female clerk told the man to
leave the store and he refused,
pushed her out of the way, and
tried to get at the male clerk,
when a customer intervened.
When stopped nearby by police
for questioning, the man identified
himself as Christopher Watson
from New York. He claimed the
female clerk had pushed him, and
he told the officer he was going
to return and assault the clerk.
The Cumberland County Jail
employees couldn’t verify the
suspect’s name, but his
fingerprints identified him as
Jermaine Hill. Hill was charged
with assault, failure to give a
correct name, terrorizing, and
aggravated forgery, since he had
given a false name when he
signed the fingerprint card.
-Marge Niblock
Man’s
Pants Stolen
in Robbery
Portland police reported that a
man’s pants were taken in a
strong-arm robbery at 6:30 PM on
November 18th. Along with the
pants, a cell phone and a wallet
were stolen.
Police say that two out-of-town
men, ages 23 and 24, went to visit
a friend at 255 Oxford Street, and
were jumped by two others when
they entered the building’s
hallway. One of the victims was
punched and threatened with a
knife.
A third suspect, a female, got the
keys to the vehicle of one of the
victims, and removed his
backpack, containing cash and a
laptop.
Police speculated that the victim's
wallet may have been attached to
his pants, and it may have been
easier for the robbers to take both
items, rather than to try to
separate them.
-Marge Niblock
Pants Stolen
in Robbery
Portland police reported that a
man’s pants were taken in a
strong-arm robbery at 6:30 PM on
November 18th. Along with the
pants, a cell phone and a wallet
were stolen.
Police say that two out-of-town
men, ages 23 and 24, went to visit
a friend at 255 Oxford Street, and
were jumped by two others when
they entered the building’s
hallway. One of the victims was
punched and threatened with a
knife.
A third suspect, a female, got the
keys to the vehicle of one of the
victims, and removed his
backpack, containing cash and a
laptop.
Police speculated that the victim's
wallet may have been attached to
his pants, and it may have been
easier for the robbers to take both
items, rather than to try to
separate them.
-Marge Niblock
"Don't Hate Us Because We're Beautiful!"
Volume 11, Number 12 Portland, Maine
Friday, January 27, 2012
Volume 11, Number 12 Portland, Maine
Friday, January 27, 2012
| THE 10th VOICE ORLANDO DELOGU |
Early Returns (1st Place Votes)
Bragdon, Charles E. 213 1.09%
Brennan, Michael F. 5,240 26.76%
Bryant, Peter G. 367 1.87%
Carmona, Ralph C. 317 1.62%
Dodge, Richard A. 670 3.42%
Duson, Jill C. 834 4.26%
Eder, John 271 1.38%
Haadoow, Hamza A. 185 0.94%
Lapchick, Jodie L. 127 0.65%
Marshall, David A. 1,516 7.74%
Mavodones, Jr, Nicholas M. 2,938 15.00%
Miller, Markos S. 718 3.67%
Rathband, Jed 1,394 7.12%
Strimling, Ethan King 4,390 22.42%
Vail, Christopher L. 403 2.06%
Bragdon, Charles E. 213 1.09%
Brennan, Michael F. 5,240 26.76%
Bryant, Peter G. 367 1.87%
Carmona, Ralph C. 317 1.62%
Dodge, Richard A. 670 3.42%
Duson, Jill C. 834 4.26%
Eder, John 271 1.38%
Haadoow, Hamza A. 185 0.94%
Lapchick, Jodie L. 127 0.65%
Marshall, David A. 1,516 7.74%
Mavodones, Jr, Nicholas M. 2,938 15.00%
Miller, Markos S. 718 3.67%
Rathband, Jed 1,394 7.12%
Strimling, Ethan King 4,390 22.42%
Vail, Christopher L. 403 2.06%
| Ad Rates & Schedule |
Hinck to Face Two More Challengers in Senate
Primary
West End State Representative Jon Hinck will face two more challengers in the June 12th Democratic primary
that will decide who will face Republican US Senator Olympia Snowe in November.
State Senator Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth and Portland builder Ben Pollard have announced their candidacies,
joining Hinck and former Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap of Old Town in the race.
Hinck has served three terms in the legislature from District 118, which covers most of the West End, as well as
parts of the Libbytown and Rosemont neighborhoods. He passed up a run for a fourth term to make the senate
bid.
Group Plans Protest at Guv's State Address
The local coalition Maine Can Do Better plans to hold a vigil to protest against Governor Paul LePage's
proposed cuts to the state's Health and Human Services budget, and to stand for a better way to balance the
budget.
The vigil is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 24, at 6:00 pm, in the area between the State House and the
Cross Office Building in Augusta, just an hour before the Governor's State of the State address.
"We will gather to remind those attending the State of the State Address that irresponsible budget cuts have real -
and terrible -- consequences and that all of Maine suffers when we turn our backs on the elderly, children, the
sick and the poor," said former Portland state representative Ben Dudley, spokesperson for the group.
Primary
West End State Representative Jon Hinck will face two more challengers in the June 12th Democratic primary
that will decide who will face Republican US Senator Olympia Snowe in November.
State Senator Cynthia Dill of Cape Elizabeth and Portland builder Ben Pollard have announced their candidacies,
joining Hinck and former Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap of Old Town in the race.
Hinck has served three terms in the legislature from District 118, which covers most of the West End, as well as
parts of the Libbytown and Rosemont neighborhoods. He passed up a run for a fourth term to make the senate
bid.
Group Plans Protest at Guv's State Address
The local coalition Maine Can Do Better plans to hold a vigil to protest against Governor Paul LePage's
proposed cuts to the state's Health and Human Services budget, and to stand for a better way to balance the
budget.
The vigil is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 24, at 6:00 pm, in the area between the State House and the
Cross Office Building in Augusta, just an hour before the Governor's State of the State address.
"We will gather to remind those attending the State of the State Address that irresponsible budget cuts have real -
and terrible -- consequences and that all of Maine suffers when we turn our backs on the elderly, children, the
sick and the poor," said former Portland state representative Ben Dudley, spokesperson for the group.
| Residential Snow Plowing Call Mark 207-632-0338 |
Armed Robber Hits Quality Shop
The Quality Shop, a convenience store on Stevens Avenue near Deering High School, became the latest target in a
string of armed robberies across the city in the past three weeks.
A gunman robbed the store at about 8PM this evening. It was the fifth armed robbery in the city since January
11th.
Police say the suspect was wearing a long, dark trench coat, dark hooded sweatshirt and a white scarf. He
ordered people in the store to get on the floor at gunpoint, then took cash from the register and fled.
The other robbery targets have been the Cumberland Farms store in the West End, which has been hit twice,
including a holdup last night. Two banks have also been robbed - the University Credit Union on Forest Avenue on
January 12th, and the TruChoice Credit Union on Park Avenue on January 19th. No one has been hurt in any of the
robberies.
Anyone with information about these robberies may call Portland police at 874-8533.
Victim Head-Butts Alleged Attacker
Portland police arrested Mohamud Abdullahi, 18, in connection with an attack on three restaurant workers - a
man and two women - as they walked to a car in the Old Port at about 10PM on January 24th. Police were able to
identify Abdulahi because the male victim had head-butted him, leaving him with a busted lip. Police say he was in a
car with several other young men.
Police are also investigating several other incidents which occurred in the same area at the same time, including an
assault on a 63-year-old man, and the vandalizing of several cars. Abdullahi was charged with two counts of assault
and criminal mischief.
Cumby's Robbed Again
The Cumberland Farms on Pine Street in the West End was held up for the second time this month on Wednesday
night, January 25th, at about 9:10 PM.
Police say an armed man escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police say the suspect was a white man
who was wearing a black ski mask and a dark jacket with a dark hood. Anyone with information about these
robberies may call Portland police at 874-8533.
The Quality Shop, a convenience store on Stevens Avenue near Deering High School, became the latest target in a
string of armed robberies across the city in the past three weeks.
A gunman robbed the store at about 8PM this evening. It was the fifth armed robbery in the city since January
11th.
Police say the suspect was wearing a long, dark trench coat, dark hooded sweatshirt and a white scarf. He
ordered people in the store to get on the floor at gunpoint, then took cash from the register and fled.
The other robbery targets have been the Cumberland Farms store in the West End, which has been hit twice,
including a holdup last night. Two banks have also been robbed - the University Credit Union on Forest Avenue on
January 12th, and the TruChoice Credit Union on Park Avenue on January 19th. No one has been hurt in any of the
robberies.
Anyone with information about these robberies may call Portland police at 874-8533.
Victim Head-Butts Alleged Attacker
Portland police arrested Mohamud Abdullahi, 18, in connection with an attack on three restaurant workers - a
man and two women - as they walked to a car in the Old Port at about 10PM on January 24th. Police were able to
identify Abdulahi because the male victim had head-butted him, leaving him with a busted lip. Police say he was in a
car with several other young men.
Police are also investigating several other incidents which occurred in the same area at the same time, including an
assault on a 63-year-old man, and the vandalizing of several cars. Abdullahi was charged with two counts of assault
and criminal mischief.
Cumby's Robbed Again
The Cumberland Farms on Pine Street in the West End was held up for the second time this month on Wednesday
night, January 25th, at about 9:10 PM.
Police say an armed man escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police say the suspect was a white man
who was wearing a black ski mask and a dark jacket with a dark hood. Anyone with information about these
robberies may call Portland police at 874-8533.