Monday, August 31, 2009
Local Affordable Housing Provider
Selling Two Properties
Portland West, which recently changed its name to
LearningWorks to reflect its new mission, has begun
marketing some of the buildings it owns in the West End
that are devoted to affordable housing.
Buildings at 21 May Street and 8 Cushman Street are for
sale. 8 Cushman Street is a 3-unit Victorian building built in
1875, on the market for $375,000. The 2-unit building at
21 May Street, also built about 1875, is selling for
$285,000.
In July, LearningWorks began to weatherize some of its
buildings, after receiving an $88,000 grant from Goodwill
Industries of Northern New England. LearningWorks hired
and trained 22 low-income, 18 to 24 year olds to perform
energy audits and weatherize as many as 25 units of
housing in York, Cumberland several other counties.
Portland West was founded in 1967 as a neighborhood
activist organization dedicated to protecting the West End
from gentrification. In 1981, they started providing
affordable housing, added community development
programs, and finally built in educational services. Their
affordable housing program owns and manages 56 units of
renovated housing units in twelve residential buildings in
Portland. Youth Building Alternatives students work on
maintenance, renovation and historic preservation of the
properties as part of their vocation curriculum.
Among their other holdings are the St. Dom’s Family
Housing on Gray Street, the Rosa True Apartments on
Park Street, Parkside Court at 14 Sherman Street, and 170-
172 Clark Street. Their buildings house over 200 low-
income people.
Bank Robbery in Bayside
On August 31st at 3:50 P.M., Gorham Savings Bank at 71
Marginal Way in Bayside was robbed. A lone male
threatened a teller, demanding cash. No weapon was seen
and no one was injured. The perpetrator fled on foot after
being given an undisclosed amount of money. He was last
seen running east, behind the former Wild Oats building on
Marginal Way.
The perpetrator is described as a black male, in his late
20s, 6’05” tall and weighing 260 pounds. He was wearing
a blue hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.
Surveillance photos are currently under review. Anyone
with information is asked to call the Portland Police
Department at 874-8596.
Council Candidate Has Cancer
Scare
Charles Bragdon, who is a candidate for the District 1 City
Council Seat (East End, Downtown, Bayside, the Islands)
says he has gotten the results of a CT scan showing that
he has a small pulmonary nodule, but it is not growing, so
it is not likely cancer. Bragdon says doctors still don't
know what it is, but say it is nothing to worry about at this
time.
Bragdon, a taxi driver, is running against incumbent
Councilor Kevin Donoghue.
Drug Robbery at Brighton Avenue
CVS
On Monday August 31st at 12:50 P.M. the CVS Pharmacy
at 1096 Brighton Avenue, in the Pine Tree Shopping
Center, was robbed. A man entered the store and gave a
pharmacy worker a threatening note demanding drugs. No
weapon was seen and no one was injured. The perpetrator
fled after being given an undisclosed amount of narcotics.
The suspect is described as a being white, between 18-20
years old, 5’04” tall, with dark hair and mustache, wearing
a dark green jacket, black t-shirt and baggy tan pants.
He was last seen on foot in the parking lot. A police canine
responded to the scene but was unsuccessful in locating
the man.
Store surveillance video is being reviewed. Anyone with
information is asked to call the Portland Police Department
at 874-8596
.
Cops Catch Auto Burglars in West
End
At around 8 PM on August 30th, police arrested Jessica
White, 25, and Donald Alward, 31, and charged them with
theft and burglary of motor vehicles after neighbors had
notified police regarding suspicious activity in the West
End.
Police say the pair were entering unlocked cars and taking
wallets, money, and laptops. One of the laptops recovered
was worth $3,000.
Detective Lieutenant Tony Ward said there were at least
five auto burglaries in the West End that evening, but
reports are still coming in, and the investigation is
continuing. Police have also recovered other articles that
might be stolen. Some of the streets involved were Carroll,
West, and Spruce Street.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, August 29, 2009
City Dems Look to Rebuild
Organization
The Portland Democratic City Committee will elect a new
Chair and a Treasurer in an election on Wednesday,
September 2nd at the Reiche School Community Room All
registered Democrats are invited to vote in election, which
will be held at 7PM..
Stephen Gordon will continue in his role as Vice Chair, and
Ian Farnsworth will continue as Secretary. Reb Brann will
be stepping down as Treasurer to run for the Chair position.
In the election held last fall, Timothy Rich was elected
Chair as Sadhbh "Sive" Neilan stepped down after several
years as Chair. Rich resigned as Chair in June because he
did not have the time to devote to the position.
Nineteen Democrats attended a meeting at the Riverton
School on August 12th. The group reviewed the PDCC
mission and by-laws, and began the process of rebuilding
the organization.
Former Chairs Dick Farnsworth and Steve Rowe each
advocated for the continuance of the Portland Dems, both
emphasizing the need to focus on relevant issues in order
to engage a larger membership. The group plans to host
occasional programs that address specific, relevant issues
that would appeal to the larger Portland Democrats
community and might boost membership. Contact
portlanddems@gmail.com for more information.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
West End School Candidate Lists
Budget, Reiche as Priorities
West End (District 2 )School Committee candidate Ed
Bryan says that his biggest priority for the school
committee will be proposing informed budgets and
operating within those budgets. He says he also wants to
build better communications between Reiche School,
Portland Recreation and the West End Neighborhood
Association to help facilitate partnerships between the City
and School Department.
Bryan is a West End resident and Reiche School activist,
currently on the board of the West End Neighborhood
Association and on the steering committee for the West
End Community Action Network (WECAN), the group
charged with implementing plans and CDBG funds to build
a safer and more interconnected West End neighborhood.
Bryan has been on the Reiche School PTO and Parent
Advisory Committee since 2004, working with the school’
s administrators to help secure funding for improvements
to Reiche School.
Bryan is the owner of a small business, Crystal Reporting
Solutions. Working from his office on Congress Street, he
consults with and writes budget, finance, and personnel
reports for municipalities and school districts across the
country.
A Portland resident since 1993, Bryan graduated from
Bowdoin College in 1987, worked at L.L. Bean for seven
years, Tyler Technologies for seven years and has been
running his own business since 2005. Married since 1995
to Suzanne, the current Reiche PTO co-chair, they have
two children at Reiche School and plan to send the first of
them to King Middle School next year. In his spare time he
coaches his son’s lacrosse, soccer and basketball teams,
sings with the Portland Community Chorus and swam his
first Peak’s to Portland race this past July.
Portland Police Have First
Commander
Portland Police Lieutenant Michael Sauschuck has been
promoted to the rank of Commander, which was created in
response to the police department's restructuring efforts,
replacing the vacant deputy chief position.
The commander will oversee uniformed operations, and is
part of the Chief's executive staff. Sauschuck was selected
based partly on his demonstrated commitment to
community policing, according to a statement by Chief
James Craig. Sauschuck was also responsible for
organizing a committee to propose the department’s new
scheduling changes, and also headed up the PPD poetry
project. Craig called Sauschuck the “most qualified” for the
new post.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
City Needs People to Hunt Down
Invasive Bugs
Tomorrow, the Maine Department of Agriculture, the
Maine Forest Service, and the City of Portland will conduct
a survey of trees at Deering Oaks Park and the surrounding
areas to see if there are any signs of Asian longhorned
beetles (ALB). ALB is an invasive insect that has caused
significant damage to trees in four states, three in the East
and one in the Midwest.
The Maine Department of Agriculture and the City of
Portland's Department of Public Services is assembling
teams of willing volunteers trained to look for signs of
infested trees. Leading these crews will be entomologist
and State Survey Coordinator, Karen Coluzzi and Portland
City Arborist, Jeff Tarling.
ALB could reach Maine in wooden packing materials
imported from overseas and firewood moved from infested
areas. Portland was chosen as a survey site because it has
an active seaport, industrial areas and is a major population
center in the state. Signs of ALB's presence are dime-sized
holes in the tree's bark. The adult beetles are particularly
active at this time of year and may be visible on the exterior
of the trees as well.
For more information about this project, visit www.
albmaine.org or contact Trish Altieri, Briggs Advertising at
207-443-2067.
Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:00 AM to Noon
Welcome Center
Deering Oaks Park, Portland
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Regional Forensic Crime Lab to
Open
The City of Portland's Police Department will host the
grand opening ceremony on August 26th of the
Metropolitan Regional Crime Laboratory. After two years
of planning and construction, the regional forensics
laboratory is the first completed project of the Metro
Regional Coalition, a coalition formed to pursue
collaborative opportunities for Greater Portland area
municipalities. The $1.5 million forensics laboratory was
paid for proportionately by eight communities and
Cumberland County, and is located at the Portland Police
Department headquarters at 109 Middle Street.
The regional crime laboratory has digital imaging and video
processing capabilities, as well as computer forensics
equipment that will help the police departments recover
evidence from computers and fight Internet crimes. The
participating police departments will also be able to utilize
national and tri-state fingerprinting databases and have
access to the latest technology for latent fingerprint
recovery, thereby alleviating the demand on the Maine State
Police Crime Laboratory. The new laboratory equipment
will improve the quality of evidence collected from a crime
and standardize the processing of evidence for the
participating communities.
City Manager Joe Gray and Police Chief James Craig will
be joined by representatives from Cape Elizabeth,
Cumberland County, Falmouth, Scarborough, South
Portland, Westbrook, Windham, and Yarmouth. The police
chiefs from the coalition will cut the ribbon officially
opening the forensics laboratory.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Zeli, Bryan to Face Off for West
End School Board Seat
Portland Green Independent Party activist Anthony Zeli has
joined the race for the District 2 West End seat on the
Portland School Committee. The office is currently held by
Robert O’Brien, who is not running for re-election. Zeli
joins Ed Bryan, who announced his candidacy several
weeks ago.
Zeli came to Maine after graduating from Marlboro College
in 2003. He works at WGME, Channel 13, as a Broadcast
Technician, and is currently involved in creating a
nonprofit organization to promote the film industry in
Maine.
Zeli highlighted some of the initial issues he wants to work
on and talk about in the campaign:
-Continuing to invest in Reiche as a community center.
- "Green" school facilities with more efficient heating and
insulation, heating water with solar power, using natural
gas, and upgrading windows and insulation with money
that is being provided by the state and Federal governments
for those purposes.
-Improving student retention rate by advertising schools
and working with the City to provide more housing
downtown.
- Reduce expenditures without cutting existing social
services.
-Supporting and expanding expeditionary learning programs.
Zeli lives on Congress Street with his partner, Charter
Commission member Anna Trevorrow. He ca be reached
at: zelidistrict2@gmail.com.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Slow Saturday Night in Longfellow
Square
Portland police pulled over a van on State Street near
Longfellow Square at about 7PM on August 22nd, after
receiving a report that a beer can had fallen out of the van,
indicating a possible drunk driver. After a thorough
search of the van, including the use of a police dog,
nothing was found. It was determined that the driver had
not been drinking, and he was allowed to go on his way.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Hearing to Focus on Buying
Computers for High School
Students
The Portland School Committee is considering using
federal and local funds totaling $1,249,213 to purchase
computers for all high school students. A public hearing
on the topic will take place at the August 26th School
Committee meeting in Room 250, Casco Bay High School,
196 Allen Ave.
The committee will vote on the proposal at its September
2nd meeting. A federal decision foreclosed the possibility
of using Title I stimulus money to buy computers for every
student in the city’s high schools. As a result, Portland
Superintendent James Morse is recommending a less costly
alternative.
Instead of purchasing Apple Macbooks for high school
students, the plan calls for the purchase of Dell Netbooks,
at roughly half the cost. While the Netbooks do not have
all of the features of the Apple laptops, they would allow
students to access the Internet, create media and work on
assignments. Students would be able to bring the
Netbooks home to do school work.
Morse said the district would pay for the computers
through a combination of federal stabilization and local
bond money. The $464,213 in local funds would come
from the city’s technology bond funds.
The plan calls for Portland ’s elementary schools to receive
used Apple computers now at the middle schools. That
would allow the school system to update 10-year-old
hardware in the elementary schools. Additional
information about the proposed purchase of high school
computers is available at www.portlandschools.org.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cops Chase Suspect from Forest
Ave. Fire Scene
On Thursday, August 20th at 11:15 P.M., Portland police
officers arrested 25-year-old Phillip Caron of Westbrook
on charges of arson, burglary, and probation violation.
Officers responded to a report that a suspicious man had
entered a building under construction at 745 Forest
Avenue. They found Caron inside the building and detained
him in the parking lot. While speaking with Caron, officers
discovered the rear of the building was on fire. Caron fled
when the fire was discovered, but was arrested after a
brief foot chase.
The building, a two-story wooden structure still under
construction, was totally destroyed in the fire. Several
neighboring buildings were damaged by heat from the fire.
Electrical service in the area was interrupted when power
lines were damaged.
Caron is on probation for prior arson convictions and is
being held at the Cumberland County Jail without bail. The
Maine State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting in the
investigation.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
MCLU/City Reach Interim
Agreement in Religious Dispute
The Maine Civil Liberties Union and the City of Portland
reached an interim agreement on August 17th in a religious
land-use dispute brought on behalf of a group of Afghani
Muslims. The agreement avoids the need for a Temporary
Restraining Order.
The group, which wishes to use a former television repair
shop on Washington Avenue to host prayer services,
religious study, and other observances of their faith, filed
suit in federal court last week against the City of Portland.
Lawyers for the City and the group, the Portland Masjid
and Islamic Center, agreed that prayer and religious use of
the property could proceed while the lawsuit is pending.
“With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaching,
this interim agreement provides a place for this small
community to gather and pray,” said MCLU Cooperating
Attorney David Lourie, who is himself a former
Corporation Counsel to the City of Portland.
The current dispute, like the one in 2008 involving Chabad
Rabbi Moshe Wilansky, provoked an outpouring of support
from local faith leaders for the protection of religion and
religious minorities.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Police Defuse Local Drug War
Pipe Bombs, Weapons and Drugs
Found in Major Police Action
A two-month investigation stemming from a West End
drive-by shooting in June has led local authorities to a local
stash of drugs, guns and bombs in what looks like a
budding war between competing drug dealers in the city.
After Natividad Pagan, 23, of Philadelphia, was shot in the
stomach near the intersection of Center and Pleasant
streets early on June 7th, information led police to believe
the victim was in Portland to sell narcotics, and this had
been a drug-related drive-by shooting. Police say some
dealers here didn’t take kindly to an outsider trying to cut
into their territory. Pagan had not been a cooperative
witness.
Subsequent investigation developed information about
cocaine distribution here, leading to the execution of three
search warrants during the early morning hours of August
17th, involving Portland police, the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency and the Southern Maine Violent
Crimes Task Force. Because firearms were thought to be
present, the Portland Police Special Reaction Team was
used to gain entry.
Two second-floor apartments in multiple-family dwellings
at 236 and 240 Park Avenue in the Parkside neighborhood
yielded more than 20 pipe bombs, weapons, and drugs.
Five of the bombs were detonated immediately in a safe
area near the Portland Expo, with the use of the bomb
squad’s robot. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms has taken custody of the rest of the pipe
bombs.
Arrested at 240 Park Avenue without incident were two
Portland men, 38-year-old William Hopkins and Michael
Pressey, 29.
William Holmes, 33, and Melissa Stairs, 29, both of
Portland, were taken into custody at 115 Sherwood Street,
also without incident.
All those arrested are connected to each other, according
to police, and all have been charged with aggravated
trafficking in cocaine. Additional charges may be added,
since the investigation is continuing. Bail was set at
$100,000 cash for each person.
Three handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and crack cocaine
valued at $2,000 were seized from the three addresses, one
of which was being used to sell drugs, according to police.
The discovery of the cache of pipe bombs was particularly
disturbing to police, and Portland Chief of Police Craig said
that he wants the public to be aware that police will be
aggressively investigating all crimes of violence, especially
those related to drug trafficking.
“We will use all the tools at our disposal . . . in our pursuit
of violent criminal offenders,” said Craig.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Police Chief Rides in Famous
LAPD Squad Car
Portland Police Chief (and former LAPD cop) James E.
Craig got behind the wheel of the police car from the old
TV show “Adam-12” on August 13th. Adam-12 aired
from 1968 to 1975, and followed the daily activities of a
pair of LAPD patrol officers.
The car is a 1972 Matador, manufactured by American
Motors. It was purchased in Clearwater, Florida - with
17,000 miles on it - by South Portlander Russ Thomas,
who owns many other collectible cars. It was driven to the
Portland Police Department’s garage so Chief Craig could
see it.
The car has been on display in the showroom at Pleasant
Hill Auto Sales in SoPo since July 1st. It is being made
available for local parades and police events.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Muggers Plot Latest Assault While
Police Meet with Neighbors
Another West End mugging and assault occurred on
August 12th, within hours of a meeting between police
and local residents to address a wave of criminal activity in
the area. It occurred half a block from Reiche Community
Center, where the meeting was held.
At about 8pm, on the corner of Spring Street and May
Street, a young woman was mugged by two men who
reportedly got out of a car driven by a third man on Spruce
Street, and followed the woman. When she would not give
up her purse, she was punched in the face by one of the
men who accosted her.
Several local residents ran to the street upon hearing the
woman’s cries for help. She yelled repeatedly, and one
May Street resident gave chase through the neighborhood
before the men disappeared between the buildings The men
had been chased away by another resident who had arrived
as the mugging was happening.
One neighbor also followed the suspects in his car, and
many 911 calls were placed during the chase. Several
police cruisers came quickly into the neighborhood, as well
as a policeman on a motorcycle. Many residents of May
and Spring Streets came out to offer help, including one
who brought an ice pack for the victim. The men were not
immediately apprehended.
Anger, Frustration Over
West End Crime Wave
About 30 West End residents met with neighborhood police
officers at the Reiche Community Center on August 12th
to express their anger and frustration over a continuing
series of criminal activity plaguing the area from
Longfellow Square to May and Danforth Street.
Among the problems cited by residents were muggings in
the area of Blackstone's on Pine Street and Joe's Smoke
Shop on Congress Street, groups of people drinking in the
overgrown lot behind the 7-Eleven store on Congress
Street, burglaries on Winter Street, unsupervised children
at several buildings on May Street causing safety problems,
and drug use and drug dealing at the Taylor Street park.
Police stressed the need for victims to report crimes to
make it possible for police to take any action at all.
Police said that the corridor from Longfellow Square up
Pine Street to Brackett Street to the Reiche School was
getting a lot of attention because of a recent string of
strongarm robberies in the area. West End City Councilor
David Marshall said that the City was getting no
cooperation from the owners of the 7-Eleven, and hinted at
possible legal action against them. Marshall also said that
the City would benefit greatly by coming federal funding
earmarked for hiring more police.
The West End Neighborhood Association is currently
organizing a Neighborhood Watch group, which will initiate
its activity in the 7-Eleven area - around Congress, Walker,
and Brackett Streets.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dude, Where's My Swingset?!
East End City Councilor Kevin Donoghue, a resident of
Beckett Street, says he was as surprised as anyone to find
on August 11th that the Department of Public Services had
removed the swingset from the well-used neighborhood
playground at the former Adams School. Apparently,
somewhere in mid-level bureaucracy, a decision was made
to relocate it to Stroudwater Village, according to
Donoghue.
That decision has since been reversed and the swingset will
be re-installed today. Donoghue said that O'Brion Street
resident Bob Summers called him me to tell him about the
inexplicable action, so that he could work immediately to
reverse it, which he did. He urged residents to contact him
directly when they observe situations like this.
Donoghue said that the area will remain a play space both
before and after the redevelopment of the property, final
decisions about which are not yet made. Working with
Avesta Housing, the owner of the property, Donoghue
promised that the neighborhood will be directly engaged in
improving - and not removing - the neighborhood asset.
Cops Jump into Old Port Slugfest
One Portland police officer was assaulted after police tried
to break up a fight in the Old Port on Saturday, August 8th.
Officers on foot beat noticed a large group in front of the
Oasis on Wharf Street at 1:08 AM. As they approached
they saw two men fighting in the middle of the crowd,
with staff from the Oasis trying to separate the two.
Police entered the circle, and tried to stop the fight. Officer
Gayle Petty attempted to separate Ermino Magno, 22, of
Portland, and Joseph Lanham, 23, of Casco, by taking hold
of Magno. Magno then spun and struck her in the face,
after which Petty grabbed his shirt and both of them went
to the ground.
A couple of people from the crowd tried to pull Petty off
Magno, but members of the Oasis staff were able to
separate the crowd from the officer. Magno was gotten
under control and was arrested for assault on a police
officer, refusal to submit to arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Other officers dealt with Joseph Lanham, the other
combatant, who swung at them but wasn’t able to hit
anyone. Lanham was arrested for refusal to submit to
arrest and disorderly conduct. Five police officers were
involved in the incident.
-Marge Niblock
Absentee Ballot Applications
Available
Registered Maine voters may now apply for an absentee
ballot for the November 3rd election. Absentee ballots will
be mailed to voters who have requested them by the end of
September. Registered voters can request an absentee
ballot by phone, fax, or in person at the City Clerk's
Office. The absentee ballot application will be available
online at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/absentee.pdf
later this month.
Voters requesting an absentee ballot in writing can
participate in a new pilot voting project approved by the
Maine Legislature this spring. The absentee ballot
application will offer voters the option to select Ongoing
Absentee Ballot Status, which means that the voter will
automatically receive absentee ballots for any election
through 2011 without needing to submit any additional
paperwork, unless the voter changes his/her address.
College students and residents serving in the military
interested in voting 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 brought
back with the parents after voting or returned by mail.
Members of the military serving overseas should make sure
to return their ballots with enough time to ensure that they
are received by the City Clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
To receive an absentee ballot, you must be a registered
voter. To register to vote in Portland, you must bring
identification and something that shows a current address
to the City Clerk's office. A driver's license or state
identification card with the current address meets both
criteria; otherwise, a checkbook, car registration, or
personal mail addressed to the applicant at the current
address will suffice. On Election Day, Portland residents
can register to vote at their polling place.
Polling places may have changed since voters last voted.
To check the location of your polling place, go to www.
portlandmaine.gov/voter/distlook.asp.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Activists Hold "Beach Parties" at
Maine's Senators' Offices
On the first day of the U.S. Senate's summer recess,
community leaders and activists from 1Sky, MoveOn.org
and Repower America hosted "beach parties" in front of
Senator Snowe's and Senator Collins' offices in downtown
Portland on August 10th to demand support for a
comprehensive clean energy jobs bill in the U.S. Senate.
The group met at Lobsterman Park in front of the
Nickelodeon Cinema, and proceeded to each Senator's
office in turn, carrying handmade signs promoting "green
energy".
A strong, comprehensive clean energy jobs bill would
create thousands of jobs in Maine and reduce home
heating costs, says state legislator Diane Russell, field
organizer for 1Sky in Maine, who organized the event.
The group told Senator Snowe and Senator Collins that a
comprehensive climate bill will maximize clean energy jobs,
as well as cutting global warming and air pollution, and
transition America away from the dirty coal and big oil
fuels of the past and toward the clean energy of the future.
After the House passed climate legislation in June, several
committees in the U.S. Senate have held hearings dedicated
to a clean energy jobs bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-NV) has set a deadline of September 28th for all
committees to set their final drafts of the bill. A final
version of the bill is then expected to be put together.
Monday, August 10, 2009
'Switch' Suspends Publication
'The Maine Switch', the bi-weekly features, events, and
listings periodical published by the Portland Press Herald,
has suspended publication.
Editor Karen Beaudoin said in the magazine's August 6th
issue that it was going "on hiatus" and would be re-
introduced at some future date, with some changes,
including possibly a new name. Beaudoin said that several
of Switch's writers will continue to work in other
departments of the Press Herald. Switch began publication
in March, 2007 as a weekly.
Farrell to Challenge Donoghue for
East End City Council Seat
Paul H. Farrell of Munjoy Hill will challenge District 1 City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue in his bid for reelection to the
Portland City Council, representing Munjoy Hill,
Downtown, Bayside, East Bayside, and the Casco Bay
islands. Donoghue was elected to the seat in 2006,
defeating incumbent Will Gorham. Gorham announced
recently that he would not run a campaign to regain the
seat. Donoghue has focused on transportation and housing
issues during his term on the Council.
Farrell is the third candidate in the race, joining Donoghue
and Munjoy Hill taxi driver Charles Bragdon.Farrell was an
unsuccessful candidate for an at-large seat on the Portland
Charter Commission.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Woman Assaulted in Road Rage
Incident
Portland police on July 29th arrested William Huntington,
41, of Portland and charged him with assault.
According to police, Huntington stopped quickly while
driving on Forest Avenue at 2:20 PM. The woman in the
car behind him blew her horn, causing Huntington to get
out of his car and approach the woman’s car on the driver’
s side, holding a piece of paper in his hand. The woman
told police she thought Huntington needed directions, and
she rolled down her window.
At that point, say police, Huntington began yelling and
grabbed at the woman’s neck. He then stepped back and
spit directly in her face.
According to the account of the officer who arrested him
for assault, Huntington said: “I’d do it again—and again!”
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, August 8, 2009
O'Brien Won't Seek Reelection to
West End School Board Seat
West End School Committee representative Robert O'Brien
has announced that he will not be seeking reelection to that
seat. O'Brien was elected to the seat in 2006, defeating
incumbent Stephen Spring.
O'Brien cited the School Committee's heavy schedule as
the determining factor in his decision, saying that it took
too much time away from his family. O'Brien is married
with a one-year-old daughter. He said that he would
consider serving on some subcommittees, if asked.
O'Brien is also the West End's representative on the City's
Charter Commission, a post he intends to retain.
Meanwhile, Ed Bryan, a Reiche School parent and activist,
and a board member of the West End Neighborhood
Association, has announced that he will be a candidate for
the vacated seat.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Remembrances to be Held of
Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings
Members of Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish will lead a
remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Sunday, Aug.
9, 2009, with a prayer after the 9:30 a.m. Mass and a
minute of silence.
On Sunday, August 9th,there will be a program of solemn
stories, poems and music in the spirit of World Peace, at
Portland’s Post Office Park between 11:45AM and 1:15
PM.
PAW Looking for West End Home
PAW (Promoting Animal Wellness) is hoping to open a
nonprofit business affiliated with pet care in the West End -
possibly a grooming parlor and pet supply store - that
would provide funds needed for veterinary care for the
pets of Portland’s low-income families, and which would
also create jobs for several local residents.
Hosted by the Brackett Street Veterinary Clinic, PAW has
been providing well animal care to low-income residents
referred by Catholic Charities, Youth Alternatives,
Ingraham, and the Preble Street Resource Center, since
2005. PAW’s goal is to expand its work by becoming an
independent nonprofit entity, housed in the West End.
PAW has begun a discussion with the owner of a property
at 189 Brackett Street, across the street from the clinic.
WENA Needs New Secretary,
Board Members
Neighborhood Watch Forming
The West End Neighborhood Association is looking for a
secretary to serve through to the end of 2009, after the
resignation of longtime WENA activist and former
president Leanna Goode-Simpson.
WENA is also looking for two Board members to serve
through to the end of 2009. WENA is also forming a
Neighborhood Watch. If you're interested in becoming
involved, e-mail wendneighborhood@yahoo.com or come
to the next meeting on August 12th at 6:30 at Reiche
Community Center.
New Lights at Reiche, Blood
Pressure Screening
WECAN Leave the Lights On, in collaboration with Mercy
Hospital, Community Counseling Center and Reiche School
is initiating several programs in the West End, including:
- installing lighting at the basketball court at Reiche
Community Center
- education about healthy snacks and exercise for kids at
WENA Monday Movie nights in August
- free blood pressure at the WENA meeting on August 12th
WECAN Leave the Lights On will be holding at least two
events each month in the fall, in the areas of Education for
Living, Safety and Neighborhood Watch, Health Screenings
and Emergency Preparedness
If you want to become involved in these or other activities
such as the Adopt-A-Block program or SERVE food
buying co-op, please come to the WENA general meeting,
second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at Reiche or e-
mail or call 879-6024 FMI.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
"We Will Find You; We Will Arrest
You," Police Chief Tells Thugs
Portland Chief of Police James E. Craig has issued a direct
warning to those he says are a small number of individuals
committing the bulk of crime in the city.
"Crime is predictable," said Craig. "Suspects are creatures
of habit. They don’t deviate. We will find you. We will
arrest you," he warned them.
Craig made his remarks at a news conference on August
4th, announcing adoption of the CompStat system by the
Portland Police Department, whereby police use
information gleaned from computer statistics to fight crime.
CompStat was started by Police Chief William Bratton in
Boston, and then fine-tuned in New York City. It deals
with identifying crime trends and clusters of types of
crimes. CompStat stands for computer statistics or
comparison statistics. Proactive tactical policing efforts are
focused on specific crime problems. CompStat typically
looks at real-time data.
The CompStat process enables police to identify problem
areas and problem people. Craig stated that this is an
opportunity for the media and the community to be
involved in crime fighting. Craig said a small number of
individuals are committing crime and are responsible for
most of it. Many of those are users of narcotics, he said,
so it’s important to know the locations of where drugs are
being sold.
At the August 4th press conference, Craig also announced
the formation of the Crime Alert flier program. He passed
out fliers that the department is distributing by placing them
on car windshields to deal with motor vehicle burglaries.
The fliers can also be translated to other crimes, making
people aware of trends that may be occurring in their
neighborhoods. Members of the Day Directed Patrol Unit
will get them out to the community.
One of the areas with a high incidence of auto burglaries is
Baxter Boulevard. People park their cars and then walk or
jog, many of them leaving those cars either unlocked or
with valuables inside that are in plain view. There have
been 355 incidents of car burglaries, down from the 388
recorded last year at this time.
Since the departure of PPD crime analyst Tracey Cornell a
few months ago, the crime analyst’s position has been
vacant. Many people have applied for the job and Craig
hopes to find someone with experience using CompStat.
-Marge Niblock
GREATER PORTLAND
LANDMARKS ACQUIRES
HISTORIC PROPERTY
Site will become the Center for Architecture and
Preservation
Greater Portland Landmarks, the historic preservation
organization that sprang from the destruction of Portland’s
Union Station more than four decades ago, announced on
August 4th that it has acquired the historic Safford House
at 93 High Street. The building will become Landmarks
new home and will be known as the Center for
Architecture and Preservation.
Mac Collins, an architect with WBRC Architects &
Engineers, and president of Landmarks’ board of directors,
said that Landmarks closed on the propertyon July 29th.
He said the purchase price was in excess of $1 million and
was made possible by the success of Landmarks’ first-
ever capital campaign, which is still underway.
Collins and Hilary Bassett, Landmarks’ executive director,
said that along with serving as a highly visible example of
the importance of historic preservation, the new center will:
- Dramatically expand classroom, exhibit, and seminar
space and learning opportunities for diverse audiences
including homeowners, building and restoration
professionals, and architects, students, community leaders,
real estate developers, and realtors.
- Increase access to the research and storage facilities of
Landmarks’ Frances W. Peabody Library, making the
library more user-friendly and accessible, and allowing
Landmarks to take advantage of 21st century technology to
conserve the library’s valuable collections.
- Give Landmarks greater visibility in the community so
that the organization can continue to grow its membership
and expand its audience, strengthening efforts to protect
local neighborhoods, preserve historic structures and
promote good design.
- Create an incubator environment for architectural
preservation and innovative, high quality design – a place
where the past and the future can come together and ideas
can flourish.
Built in 1858, on the corner of Spring and High Streets, the
Safford House is attributed to Charles A. Alexander, the
most prominent architect in Portland in the mid 1800s.
Located on a highly visible downtown intersection at the
corner of Spring and High Streets, it is across the street
from two of Portland’s most important historic
architectural gems, the McLellan House (1800) and Clapp
House (1832), both of which are owned by the Portland
Museum of Art.
The Safford House, an architecturally significant landmark
building, is the ideal future home for Greater Portland
Landmarks’ Center for Architecture and Preservation.
Alexander served as house architect for J.B. Brown, the
city’s leading entrepreneur, designing both his palatial villa,
Bramhall, that dominated the Western Promenade (1856)
and his large sugar factory (1855) at the foot of High
Street. Neither building survives today. Significant
surviving buildings designed by Alexander include the
Chestnut Street Church (1856) and the twin Spring Street
mansions at Danforth and Emery Streets (1855). The
Safford House is important as a well-preserved example of
Alexander’s work in Portland, much of which has been
destroyed.
The home of William Safford, a cooper turned merchant,
was one of the last high style houses built on High Street, a
fashionable residential street since 1800. It is a fine
example of Victorian architecture surrounded largely by
Federal style residences. Its location is also significant to
the early struggles of Portland’s historic preservation
movement: the neighboring Holiday Inn, a boxy 1970s
hotel, and the Spring Street arterial replaced an entire block
of historic buildings during the Urban Renewal era.
Through the efforts of Greater Portland Landmarks, the
arterial was stopped at the High Street/Spring Street
intersection.
Built of dark red closely-laid brick with decorative elements
of wood and dark brown sandstone known as brownstone,
the Safford House is a restrained example of the
Renaissance Revival or Italianate style popular in America
between 1850 and 1880. Its square body topped by a
rectangular cupola was known at the time as a cubical villa,
distinguished from the asymmetrical design of the towered
Victoria Mansion (Morse Libby House, 1858-60) located
nearby on Danforth Street. The beautiful, three story
curved bays on the front facade are the Safford House’s
most distinctive feature. Common in Boston, they were
rarely seen in Portland and are a surviving example of an
interesting regional variation on the Italianate style.
The interior preserves much of its original 1858 finish,
with some significant updating made around the turn of the
century. This integration of Colonial Revival improvements,
typical around 1900, with the fine original Italianate
features, adds interest and epitomizes two great
architectural eras in Portland
The Safford House is approximately 7,500 square feet on
three floors, with a dry usable basement. Initially, Greater
Portland Landmarks will occupy the first floor and will
lease the upper two floors, which allows space for future
growth and expansion. Bassett said that Landmarks will
move its office to the building in September following
some initial renovations.
Additional work to fully restore the building and upgrade
certain systems will take place over the next few years.
More information is available at www.portlandlandmarks.
com.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Police Begin Taser Training
The first Portland officers to be deployed with Tasers have
began their training, after a contentious few weeks prior to
the Public Safety Committee’s acceptance of Chief James
E. Craig’s proposal for a three-month trial period using the
weapons.
Those being equipped with the weapons will undergo eight
hours of training, including multiple deployments in the
pistol range on fixed targets. Other members of the
department, including evidence technicians, are receiving
familiarization training, with representatives of the Portland
Fire Department also participating. Officer William Stratis
taught one of these classes on July 30.
John H. “Jack” Cover would probably have been surprised
at the passion involved in allowing Taser use in Portland,
Maine. Cover, who died at 88 in February 2009, invented
the Taser at a period in America’s history plagued by
hijackings of airplanes, riots, and civil unrest during the
1960s. Its purpose was to provide a less-lethal weapon to
deal with such events.
Cover was a physicist and inventor who became NASA’s
chief scientist for the Apollo moon landing program. The
fictional hero of his childhood was Tom Swift, and the title
of the book Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle by Victor
Appleton became the acronym for his invention.
The first working models of the electronic-control device
were developed in 1970, with police use beginning in 1976.
The Los Angeles Police Department purchased 700 units in
1980, so Tasers were employed for the entire time Chief
Craig was a member of that force. It is a familiar tool to
him, one that he feels is important for his department to
utilize. Police personnel will not undergo voluntary
exposures because Chief Craig has stated “They are not
toys.”
The Taser X26 will be the model employed by Portland
police. It is bright yellow, and its visibility will easily
differentiate it from the standard firearm carried. Part of
the standard operating procedure includes a cross-draw or
weak-side carry. The Tasers will be kept on the opposite
side of where the gun is carried, to prevent pulling the
wrong weapon out.
The X26 cartridge contains a compressed nitrogen
propulsion system that deploys two small probes, which
look like metal barbs, each of which is capable of
penetrating one inch of clothing. The probes are attached
to the Taser by insulated wires and the electrical charge
emitted passes into the body in the area between the
probes. Probes will be removed by police, unless they’re in
an area presenting danger to the person; if there are
problems, trained medical personnel will intervene.
Photographs will be taken of the site of the probe, and at
first medical assistance will be used to apply alcohol and a
Band-Aid to the area of contact with the skin, but police
are expecting to perform this task eventually.
The optimum situation for using the Taser is 7 to 10 feet
away from the target, with a 12-inch spread for the two
fired probes, fired in 5-second bursts, but the weapon has
a maximum distance of 35 feet from which it may be fired.
Tasers are electronic control devices (ECDs) that “jam” the
nervous system by affecting its sensory and motor
functions causing uncontrollable contraction of muscle
tissue and debilitating the target due to the effect of the
neuromuscular incapacitation.
The weapon discharges 50,000 volts of electricity, but by
the time it reaches the person this has been reduced to
1,200 volts and .0021 amps. The amperage is less than that
in a small Christmas tree bulb. Most injuries to those who
have been tased result from falling, and not from effects of
the weapon itself.
The strict accountability of the device was stressed at the
training session. It has a camera with a microphone that
are activated upon usage, creating a video with sound to
record the event. Confetti-like tiny pieces of paper called
AFID tags, identifying a specific weapon, land on the
ground after the weapon is fired. From the location of
these, you are able to tell where the shot took place and
who was assigned to that particular Taser, since the serial
number of the fired cartridge is printed on the AFIDs.
There is also accountability regarding the cartridge
numbers and their assignment. The recorded firing data
will be stored with use-of-force reports.
A red light that is a laser sight facilitates aiming. Actual
videos of Taser usage by law enforcement officers from
many states were shown using the film captured when the
weapons were discharged. The importance of gaining
control of a suspect after five seconds was stressed by
Officer Stratis while instructing the class, since a person
might become combative once again after that short period
of time. This was evident in some of the videos.
Taser technology is still moving forward. At the end of
August, a new weapon will be available that is able to
shock three people before needing to be reloaded with a
new cartridge. The price also goes up with the increased
capability of the weapon, since it will cost $1,799. The
cost of the X26 is $1,200 because the video camera adds
$400 to the $800 price.
-Marge Niblock
Police to Meet With Residents
After Spike in Complaints
Portland police officials will meet with West End residents
at the West End Neighborhood Association meeting on
August 12th, after the West End Community Policing
coordinator reported a sharp rise in complaints about
policing problems in the West End.
Among the problems cited by Policing Coordinator Sarah
Colton were the recent spate of armed robberies in the
West End, possible drug dealing at local parks,
unsupervised minors on May Street and Taylor Street, and
renewed activity in the lot behind the 7-11 store on
Congress Street.
Members of the West End Neighborhood Association are
pressing City officials to move the West End Community
Policing Center from its current location at Harbor Terrace.
They would like to see it moved to the Reiche Community
Center, but Reiche School officials are hesitant to allow the
policing center at the same location as the school.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Gulf of Maine Neighbor Calls
Institute a 'Ripoff'
To the Editor:
Your piece on the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (WEN
July 24) leaves a lot to be desired, including having left out
most of the truth about this operation. Let me take a few
moments to set the record straight:
The Navy did not willingly "sell" this property to GMRI. In
fact, they did not want to leave this location at all. They
were forced to do so by Sens. Snowe, Collins, and Cong.
Allen. When they moved to Brunswick, they lost half of the
divers that were connected to their operation because they
did not want to have to travel to the new location for
practice. Local dive shop Aqua Diving also lost more than
$100,000 in business due to this move.
The price paid for the property was determined as a result
of one appraisal that was done by an appraiser hired by
GMRI, not the government. As a former appraiser, I can
tell you that this represented an extremely unusual method
for determining value. Normally, at least two appraisals
would be done, and if more than a certain amount of
difference existed between the two appraisals, a third
appraisal would be ordered.
Furthermore, all government regulations regarding the
disposition of federal property were circumvented by these
government officials on behalf of Don Perkins and his
group. These regulations require that surplus federal
properties be first offered to other federal agencies, state
agencies, and local agencies. None of this ever took place.
The loss of these divers was particularly devastating in
light of the fact that it took place so soon after 9/11, and
their services were and are very necessary in the event of a
major maritime emergency.
The Coast Guard also did not want to give up their
property, but were forced to do so by the *same three
federal officials. Mr. Perkins laughed some years back at a
Portland City Hall meeting when asked if the dock would
be rebuilt to Coast Guard standards, and then said "No". It
is simply a scam to obtain more valuable federal waterfront
property for free, and then have the public pay to renovate
it with a fake offer to continue to allow Coast Guard
vessels to berth there. The security zone required around
these Coast Guard vessels would eliminate any chance that
the GMRI people and their minions could also utilize it at
the same time, so the Coast Guard will obviously be the
loser, which has been the plan from the beginning. The
other part of the plan is to bring commercial fishing vessels
that do work for Mr. Perkins and berth them here, causing
their present landlords to lose them as tenants. In this
economy, and particularly in this marine economy, no
landlord can afford to lose even one tenant, let alone more
than one.
Mr. Perkins and his $300,000 annual salary,as well as the
tens of millions that he has managed to scam from the
taxpayers of Maine and the U.S. should be the subject of
an NBC "Fleecing of America" segment, if not a federal
investigation. Despite protests to the contrary by Mr.
Perkins, he did not invent marine research; in fact, much
of what goes on in that building is not marine research, but
a never ending campaign for more funding to finance his
high flying lifestyle. For a guy who was making $78,000
/year when he left his prior position with Idexx, his current
wage rate is none too shabby.
He now says that the aquarium, which was at the heart of
the foundation of the Gulf of Maine Aquarium group, has
now been put on the back burner. This is blatantly false; he
continues to lobby city officials to make the zoning change
that would be required to build such an aquarium, and
continues to fund raise with promises that it will be built. I
do not believe a single word uttered by Mr. Perkins; he
says what he thinks people want to hear, and says what
will keep money flowing into his organization. It is all about
the perpetuation of the fraud that is what I call the Gulf of
Maine Ripoff Institute.
Finally, let me give you a few final thoughts on Mr. Perkins
and how he sees the world. From my one lone office
window I have a perfect view of his operation; the lawns
are kept groomed like a fine Cape Elizabeth estate such as
where he grew up; the parking lots are immaculately
maintained even in the winter, with the snowflakes
seemingly being removed before they finish settling on the
asphalt. The windows are washed regularly throughout the
building.
A recent fundraising event had a large and several small
tents erected for it, and neatly attired servers as well
bringing around drinks and food. No expense was spared
for this event. One of the attendees was a Middle Eastern
gentleman in robes and headpiece. I suppose that I should
at least have some comfort that Mr. Perkins is not only
fleecing Americans, but dipping into foreign pockets as
well. Mr. Perkins also tried to have the owner of our
wharf, Hobson's Wharf, home to many marine businesses,
donate the property to the Aquarium. He also tried to have
CMP, which owns the property where Aqua-diving is
located, donate that property as well. When our landlord
declined, Mr. Perkins then claimed he wanted to rent space
here in the building. Mr. Perkins insisted on a complete
tour of the building, including spaces such as ours that
were already in long term leases. After the tour, Mr.
Perkins came back with a low ball offer to buy the
building, which our landlord declined.
At a Propeller Club meeting two years ago I was asked by
a former Editor at the PPH what went on in the GMRI
building. I told him that they have a printing press in there
where they print money. He was stunned. "That's exactly
what Alex Agnew from Ocean Navigator Magazine said,"
he replied. I told him that I knew Alex, but had not spoken
to him for some years, and that this was not a subject that
we had ever discussed. It was nice to know that at least
one other person has seen through the GMRI scam, and
seen it for what it is.
If District 8 State Senator Justin Alfond wants to spend
granddad's money on this fiasco, let him have at it. For the
first time in my memory I will be voting against the bond
issue this year. While I feel sorry that other important
projects may be delayed, I know in my heart that Mr.
Perkins and his campaign to fleece the public must be
stopped, and stopped now before he destroys what is left
of our working waterfront.
Respectfully,
Mark Usinger
President
A.L. Griffin Inc
Saturday, August 1, 2009
City Launches Breastfeeding
Awareness Campaign
On Monday, the City of Portland will launch a public
awareness campaign designed to encourage and promote
acceptance of breastfeeding in public. As a part of the
campaign, life-sized models of mothers breastfeeding
babies will be placed in a number of public spaces
throughout the city. From Monument Square to City Hall to
Post Office Park, the six models will be placed in highly
visible locations and information about the health benefits
of breastfeeding, as well as support systems available for
pregnant women and mothers considering breastfeeding,
will be available at select locations.
Information will also be shared with employers and
pregnant women in the workplace about An Act to
Facilitate Lactation at the Workplace for New Mothers,
which becomes law September 12th. The law states that
employers need to provide lactating mothers a private,
clean space to express breast milk. The law was designed
to remove barriers for mothers who wish to continue
breastfeeding after returning to work.
Breastfeeding is recognized as the standard for infant
feeding by all major health organizations including the US
Surgeon General. Breast milk provides the best nutritional
and immunological nurturance for normal growth and
development. Currently only 41.2% of babies in Maine are
breastfed for the first six months. A Healthy People 2010
goal is to achieve 50% for the state.
For more information, visit the city's website at www.
breastfeeding.portlandmaine.gov.
Local Synagogue Uncovers Stained
Glass Window
The Etz Chaim Synagogue at Congress and India Streets
recently had the bricks removed that covered up a stained
glass window at the front of the building. This is the first
time since 1973 that the window has been visible on the
outside. It was bricked up to protect it from local vandals.
Renovations are currently underway to restore the
synagogue, which was first consecrated in 1921.
-Harlan Baker
Local Affordable Housing Provider
Selling Two Properties
Portland West, which recently changed its name to
LearningWorks to reflect its new mission, has begun
marketing some of the buildings it owns in the West End
that are devoted to affordable housing.
Buildings at 21 May Street and 8 Cushman Street are for
sale. 8 Cushman Street is a 3-unit Victorian building built in
1875, on the market for $375,000. The 2-unit building at
21 May Street, also built about 1875, is selling for
$285,000.
In July, LearningWorks began to weatherize some of its
buildings, after receiving an $88,000 grant from Goodwill
Industries of Northern New England. LearningWorks hired
and trained 22 low-income, 18 to 24 year olds to perform
energy audits and weatherize as many as 25 units of
housing in York, Cumberland several other counties.
Portland West was founded in 1967 as a neighborhood
activist organization dedicated to protecting the West End
from gentrification. In 1981, they started providing
affordable housing, added community development
programs, and finally built in educational services. Their
affordable housing program owns and manages 56 units of
renovated housing units in twelve residential buildings in
Portland. Youth Building Alternatives students work on
maintenance, renovation and historic preservation of the
properties as part of their vocation curriculum.
Among their other holdings are the St. Dom’s Family
Housing on Gray Street, the Rosa True Apartments on
Park Street, Parkside Court at 14 Sherman Street, and 170-
172 Clark Street. Their buildings house over 200 low-
income people.
Bank Robbery in Bayside
On August 31st at 3:50 P.M., Gorham Savings Bank at 71
Marginal Way in Bayside was robbed. A lone male
threatened a teller, demanding cash. No weapon was seen
and no one was injured. The perpetrator fled on foot after
being given an undisclosed amount of money. He was last
seen running east, behind the former Wild Oats building on
Marginal Way.
The perpetrator is described as a black male, in his late
20s, 6’05” tall and weighing 260 pounds. He was wearing
a blue hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.
Surveillance photos are currently under review. Anyone
with information is asked to call the Portland Police
Department at 874-8596.
Council Candidate Has Cancer
Scare
Charles Bragdon, who is a candidate for the District 1 City
Council Seat (East End, Downtown, Bayside, the Islands)
says he has gotten the results of a CT scan showing that
he has a small pulmonary nodule, but it is not growing, so
it is not likely cancer. Bragdon says doctors still don't
know what it is, but say it is nothing to worry about at this
time.
Bragdon, a taxi driver, is running against incumbent
Councilor Kevin Donoghue.
Drug Robbery at Brighton Avenue
CVS
On Monday August 31st at 12:50 P.M. the CVS Pharmacy
at 1096 Brighton Avenue, in the Pine Tree Shopping
Center, was robbed. A man entered the store and gave a
pharmacy worker a threatening note demanding drugs. No
weapon was seen and no one was injured. The perpetrator
fled after being given an undisclosed amount of narcotics.
The suspect is described as a being white, between 18-20
years old, 5’04” tall, with dark hair and mustache, wearing
a dark green jacket, black t-shirt and baggy tan pants.
He was last seen on foot in the parking lot. A police canine
responded to the scene but was unsuccessful in locating
the man.
Store surveillance video is being reviewed. Anyone with
information is asked to call the Portland Police Department
at 874-8596
.
Cops Catch Auto Burglars in West
End
At around 8 PM on August 30th, police arrested Jessica
White, 25, and Donald Alward, 31, and charged them with
theft and burglary of motor vehicles after neighbors had
notified police regarding suspicious activity in the West
End.
Police say the pair were entering unlocked cars and taking
wallets, money, and laptops. One of the laptops recovered
was worth $3,000.
Detective Lieutenant Tony Ward said there were at least
five auto burglaries in the West End that evening, but
reports are still coming in, and the investigation is
continuing. Police have also recovered other articles that
might be stolen. Some of the streets involved were Carroll,
West, and Spruce Street.
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, August 29, 2009
City Dems Look to Rebuild
Organization
The Portland Democratic City Committee will elect a new
Chair and a Treasurer in an election on Wednesday,
September 2nd at the Reiche School Community Room All
registered Democrats are invited to vote in election, which
will be held at 7PM..
Stephen Gordon will continue in his role as Vice Chair, and
Ian Farnsworth will continue as Secretary. Reb Brann will
be stepping down as Treasurer to run for the Chair position.
In the election held last fall, Timothy Rich was elected
Chair as Sadhbh "Sive" Neilan stepped down after several
years as Chair. Rich resigned as Chair in June because he
did not have the time to devote to the position.
Nineteen Democrats attended a meeting at the Riverton
School on August 12th. The group reviewed the PDCC
mission and by-laws, and began the process of rebuilding
the organization.
Former Chairs Dick Farnsworth and Steve Rowe each
advocated for the continuance of the Portland Dems, both
emphasizing the need to focus on relevant issues in order
to engage a larger membership. The group plans to host
occasional programs that address specific, relevant issues
that would appeal to the larger Portland Democrats
community and might boost membership. Contact
portlanddems@gmail.com for more information.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
West End School Candidate Lists
Budget, Reiche as Priorities
West End (District 2 )School Committee candidate Ed
Bryan says that his biggest priority for the school
committee will be proposing informed budgets and
operating within those budgets. He says he also wants to
build better communications between Reiche School,
Portland Recreation and the West End Neighborhood
Association to help facilitate partnerships between the City
and School Department.
Bryan is a West End resident and Reiche School activist,
currently on the board of the West End Neighborhood
Association and on the steering committee for the West
End Community Action Network (WECAN), the group
charged with implementing plans and CDBG funds to build
a safer and more interconnected West End neighborhood.
Bryan has been on the Reiche School PTO and Parent
Advisory Committee since 2004, working with the school’
s administrators to help secure funding for improvements
to Reiche School.
Bryan is the owner of a small business, Crystal Reporting
Solutions. Working from his office on Congress Street, he
consults with and writes budget, finance, and personnel
reports for municipalities and school districts across the
country.
A Portland resident since 1993, Bryan graduated from
Bowdoin College in 1987, worked at L.L. Bean for seven
years, Tyler Technologies for seven years and has been
running his own business since 2005. Married since 1995
to Suzanne, the current Reiche PTO co-chair, they have
two children at Reiche School and plan to send the first of
them to King Middle School next year. In his spare time he
coaches his son’s lacrosse, soccer and basketball teams,
sings with the Portland Community Chorus and swam his
first Peak’s to Portland race this past July.
Portland Police Have First
Commander
Portland Police Lieutenant Michael Sauschuck has been
promoted to the rank of Commander, which was created in
response to the police department's restructuring efforts,
replacing the vacant deputy chief position.
The commander will oversee uniformed operations, and is
part of the Chief's executive staff. Sauschuck was selected
based partly on his demonstrated commitment to
community policing, according to a statement by Chief
James Craig. Sauschuck was also responsible for
organizing a committee to propose the department’s new
scheduling changes, and also headed up the PPD poetry
project. Craig called Sauschuck the “most qualified” for the
new post.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
City Needs People to Hunt Down
Invasive Bugs
Tomorrow, the Maine Department of Agriculture, the
Maine Forest Service, and the City of Portland will conduct
a survey of trees at Deering Oaks Park and the surrounding
areas to see if there are any signs of Asian longhorned
beetles (ALB). ALB is an invasive insect that has caused
significant damage to trees in four states, three in the East
and one in the Midwest.
The Maine Department of Agriculture and the City of
Portland's Department of Public Services is assembling
teams of willing volunteers trained to look for signs of
infested trees. Leading these crews will be entomologist
and State Survey Coordinator, Karen Coluzzi and Portland
City Arborist, Jeff Tarling.
ALB could reach Maine in wooden packing materials
imported from overseas and firewood moved from infested
areas. Portland was chosen as a survey site because it has
an active seaport, industrial areas and is a major population
center in the state. Signs of ALB's presence are dime-sized
holes in the tree's bark. The adult beetles are particularly
active at this time of year and may be visible on the exterior
of the trees as well.
For more information about this project, visit www.
albmaine.org or contact Trish Altieri, Briggs Advertising at
207-443-2067.
Thursday, August 27, 2009 9:00 AM to Noon
Welcome Center
Deering Oaks Park, Portland
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Regional Forensic Crime Lab to
Open
The City of Portland's Police Department will host the
grand opening ceremony on August 26th of the
Metropolitan Regional Crime Laboratory. After two years
of planning and construction, the regional forensics
laboratory is the first completed project of the Metro
Regional Coalition, a coalition formed to pursue
collaborative opportunities for Greater Portland area
municipalities. The $1.5 million forensics laboratory was
paid for proportionately by eight communities and
Cumberland County, and is located at the Portland Police
Department headquarters at 109 Middle Street.
The regional crime laboratory has digital imaging and video
processing capabilities, as well as computer forensics
equipment that will help the police departments recover
evidence from computers and fight Internet crimes. The
participating police departments will also be able to utilize
national and tri-state fingerprinting databases and have
access to the latest technology for latent fingerprint
recovery, thereby alleviating the demand on the Maine State
Police Crime Laboratory. The new laboratory equipment
will improve the quality of evidence collected from a crime
and standardize the processing of evidence for the
participating communities.
City Manager Joe Gray and Police Chief James Craig will
be joined by representatives from Cape Elizabeth,
Cumberland County, Falmouth, Scarborough, South
Portland, Westbrook, Windham, and Yarmouth. The police
chiefs from the coalition will cut the ribbon officially
opening the forensics laboratory.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Zeli, Bryan to Face Off for West
End School Board Seat
Portland Green Independent Party activist Anthony Zeli has
joined the race for the District 2 West End seat on the
Portland School Committee. The office is currently held by
Robert O’Brien, who is not running for re-election. Zeli
joins Ed Bryan, who announced his candidacy several
weeks ago.
Zeli came to Maine after graduating from Marlboro College
in 2003. He works at WGME, Channel 13, as a Broadcast
Technician, and is currently involved in creating a
nonprofit organization to promote the film industry in
Maine.
Zeli highlighted some of the initial issues he wants to work
on and talk about in the campaign:
-Continuing to invest in Reiche as a community center.
- "Green" school facilities with more efficient heating and
insulation, heating water with solar power, using natural
gas, and upgrading windows and insulation with money
that is being provided by the state and Federal governments
for those purposes.
-Improving student retention rate by advertising schools
and working with the City to provide more housing
downtown.
- Reduce expenditures without cutting existing social
services.
-Supporting and expanding expeditionary learning programs.
Zeli lives on Congress Street with his partner, Charter
Commission member Anna Trevorrow. He ca be reached
at: zelidistrict2@gmail.com.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Slow Saturday Night in Longfellow
Square
Portland police pulled over a van on State Street near
Longfellow Square at about 7PM on August 22nd, after
receiving a report that a beer can had fallen out of the van,
indicating a possible drunk driver. After a thorough
search of the van, including the use of a police dog,
nothing was found. It was determined that the driver had
not been drinking, and he was allowed to go on his way.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Hearing to Focus on Buying
Computers for High School
Students
The Portland School Committee is considering using
federal and local funds totaling $1,249,213 to purchase
computers for all high school students. A public hearing
on the topic will take place at the August 26th School
Committee meeting in Room 250, Casco Bay High School,
196 Allen Ave.
The committee will vote on the proposal at its September
2nd meeting. A federal decision foreclosed the possibility
of using Title I stimulus money to buy computers for every
student in the city’s high schools. As a result, Portland
Superintendent James Morse is recommending a less costly
alternative.
Instead of purchasing Apple Macbooks for high school
students, the plan calls for the purchase of Dell Netbooks,
at roughly half the cost. While the Netbooks do not have
all of the features of the Apple laptops, they would allow
students to access the Internet, create media and work on
assignments. Students would be able to bring the
Netbooks home to do school work.
Morse said the district would pay for the computers
through a combination of federal stabilization and local
bond money. The $464,213 in local funds would come
from the city’s technology bond funds.
The plan calls for Portland ’s elementary schools to receive
used Apple computers now at the middle schools. That
would allow the school system to update 10-year-old
hardware in the elementary schools. Additional
information about the proposed purchase of high school
computers is available at www.portlandschools.org.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cops Chase Suspect from Forest
Ave. Fire Scene
On Thursday, August 20th at 11:15 P.M., Portland police
officers arrested 25-year-old Phillip Caron of Westbrook
on charges of arson, burglary, and probation violation.
Officers responded to a report that a suspicious man had
entered a building under construction at 745 Forest
Avenue. They found Caron inside the building and detained
him in the parking lot. While speaking with Caron, officers
discovered the rear of the building was on fire. Caron fled
when the fire was discovered, but was arrested after a
brief foot chase.
The building, a two-story wooden structure still under
construction, was totally destroyed in the fire. Several
neighboring buildings were damaged by heat from the fire.
Electrical service in the area was interrupted when power
lines were damaged.
Caron is on probation for prior arson convictions and is
being held at the Cumberland County Jail without bail. The
Maine State Fire Marshall’s Office is assisting in the
investigation.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
MCLU/City Reach Interim
Agreement in Religious Dispute
The Maine Civil Liberties Union and the City of Portland
reached an interim agreement on August 17th in a religious
land-use dispute brought on behalf of a group of Afghani
Muslims. The agreement avoids the need for a Temporary
Restraining Order.
The group, which wishes to use a former television repair
shop on Washington Avenue to host prayer services,
religious study, and other observances of their faith, filed
suit in federal court last week against the City of Portland.
Lawyers for the City and the group, the Portland Masjid
and Islamic Center, agreed that prayer and religious use of
the property could proceed while the lawsuit is pending.
“With the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaching,
this interim agreement provides a place for this small
community to gather and pray,” said MCLU Cooperating
Attorney David Lourie, who is himself a former
Corporation Counsel to the City of Portland.
The current dispute, like the one in 2008 involving Chabad
Rabbi Moshe Wilansky, provoked an outpouring of support
from local faith leaders for the protection of religion and
religious minorities.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Police Defuse Local Drug War
Pipe Bombs, Weapons and Drugs
Found in Major Police Action
A two-month investigation stemming from a West End
drive-by shooting in June has led local authorities to a local
stash of drugs, guns and bombs in what looks like a
budding war between competing drug dealers in the city.
After Natividad Pagan, 23, of Philadelphia, was shot in the
stomach near the intersection of Center and Pleasant
streets early on June 7th, information led police to believe
the victim was in Portland to sell narcotics, and this had
been a drug-related drive-by shooting. Police say some
dealers here didn’t take kindly to an outsider trying to cut
into their territory. Pagan had not been a cooperative
witness.
Subsequent investigation developed information about
cocaine distribution here, leading to the execution of three
search warrants during the early morning hours of August
17th, involving Portland police, the Maine Drug
Enforcement Agency and the Southern Maine Violent
Crimes Task Force. Because firearms were thought to be
present, the Portland Police Special Reaction Team was
used to gain entry.
Two second-floor apartments in multiple-family dwellings
at 236 and 240 Park Avenue in the Parkside neighborhood
yielded more than 20 pipe bombs, weapons, and drugs.
Five of the bombs were detonated immediately in a safe
area near the Portland Expo, with the use of the bomb
squad’s robot. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms has taken custody of the rest of the pipe
bombs.
Arrested at 240 Park Avenue without incident were two
Portland men, 38-year-old William Hopkins and Michael
Pressey, 29.
William Holmes, 33, and Melissa Stairs, 29, both of
Portland, were taken into custody at 115 Sherwood Street,
also without incident.
All those arrested are connected to each other, according
to police, and all have been charged with aggravated
trafficking in cocaine. Additional charges may be added,
since the investigation is continuing. Bail was set at
$100,000 cash for each person.
Three handguns, a rifle, a shotgun, and crack cocaine
valued at $2,000 were seized from the three addresses, one
of which was being used to sell drugs, according to police.
The discovery of the cache of pipe bombs was particularly
disturbing to police, and Portland Chief of Police Craig said
that he wants the public to be aware that police will be
aggressively investigating all crimes of violence, especially
those related to drug trafficking.
“We will use all the tools at our disposal . . . in our pursuit
of violent criminal offenders,” said Craig.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Police Chief Rides in Famous
LAPD Squad Car
Portland Police Chief (and former LAPD cop) James E.
Craig got behind the wheel of the police car from the old
TV show “Adam-12” on August 13th. Adam-12 aired
from 1968 to 1975, and followed the daily activities of a
pair of LAPD patrol officers.
The car is a 1972 Matador, manufactured by American
Motors. It was purchased in Clearwater, Florida - with
17,000 miles on it - by South Portlander Russ Thomas,
who owns many other collectible cars. It was driven to the
Portland Police Department’s garage so Chief Craig could
see it.
The car has been on display in the showroom at Pleasant
Hill Auto Sales in SoPo since July 1st. It is being made
available for local parades and police events.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Muggers Plot Latest Assault While
Police Meet with Neighbors
Another West End mugging and assault occurred on
August 12th, within hours of a meeting between police
and local residents to address a wave of criminal activity in
the area. It occurred half a block from Reiche Community
Center, where the meeting was held.
At about 8pm, on the corner of Spring Street and May
Street, a young woman was mugged by two men who
reportedly got out of a car driven by a third man on Spruce
Street, and followed the woman. When she would not give
up her purse, she was punched in the face by one of the
men who accosted her.
Several local residents ran to the street upon hearing the
woman’s cries for help. She yelled repeatedly, and one
May Street resident gave chase through the neighborhood
before the men disappeared between the buildings The men
had been chased away by another resident who had arrived
as the mugging was happening.
One neighbor also followed the suspects in his car, and
many 911 calls were placed during the chase. Several
police cruisers came quickly into the neighborhood, as well
as a policeman on a motorcycle. Many residents of May
and Spring Streets came out to offer help, including one
who brought an ice pack for the victim. The men were not
immediately apprehended.
Anger, Frustration Over
West End Crime Wave
About 30 West End residents met with neighborhood police
officers at the Reiche Community Center on August 12th
to express their anger and frustration over a continuing
series of criminal activity plaguing the area from
Longfellow Square to May and Danforth Street.
Among the problems cited by residents were muggings in
the area of Blackstone's on Pine Street and Joe's Smoke
Shop on Congress Street, groups of people drinking in the
overgrown lot behind the 7-Eleven store on Congress
Street, burglaries on Winter Street, unsupervised children
at several buildings on May Street causing safety problems,
and drug use and drug dealing at the Taylor Street park.
Police stressed the need for victims to report crimes to
make it possible for police to take any action at all.
Police said that the corridor from Longfellow Square up
Pine Street to Brackett Street to the Reiche School was
getting a lot of attention because of a recent string of
strongarm robberies in the area. West End City Councilor
David Marshall said that the City was getting no
cooperation from the owners of the 7-Eleven, and hinted at
possible legal action against them. Marshall also said that
the City would benefit greatly by coming federal funding
earmarked for hiring more police.
The West End Neighborhood Association is currently
organizing a Neighborhood Watch group, which will initiate
its activity in the 7-Eleven area - around Congress, Walker,
and Brackett Streets.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dude, Where's My Swingset?!
East End City Councilor Kevin Donoghue, a resident of
Beckett Street, says he was as surprised as anyone to find
on August 11th that the Department of Public Services had
removed the swingset from the well-used neighborhood
playground at the former Adams School. Apparently,
somewhere in mid-level bureaucracy, a decision was made
to relocate it to Stroudwater Village, according to
Donoghue.
That decision has since been reversed and the swingset will
be re-installed today. Donoghue said that O'Brion Street
resident Bob Summers called him me to tell him about the
inexplicable action, so that he could work immediately to
reverse it, which he did. He urged residents to contact him
directly when they observe situations like this.
Donoghue said that the area will remain a play space both
before and after the redevelopment of the property, final
decisions about which are not yet made. Working with
Avesta Housing, the owner of the property, Donoghue
promised that the neighborhood will be directly engaged in
improving - and not removing - the neighborhood asset.
Cops Jump into Old Port Slugfest
One Portland police officer was assaulted after police tried
to break up a fight in the Old Port on Saturday, August 8th.
Officers on foot beat noticed a large group in front of the
Oasis on Wharf Street at 1:08 AM. As they approached
they saw two men fighting in the middle of the crowd,
with staff from the Oasis trying to separate the two.
Police entered the circle, and tried to stop the fight. Officer
Gayle Petty attempted to separate Ermino Magno, 22, of
Portland, and Joseph Lanham, 23, of Casco, by taking hold
of Magno. Magno then spun and struck her in the face,
after which Petty grabbed his shirt and both of them went
to the ground.
A couple of people from the crowd tried to pull Petty off
Magno, but members of the Oasis staff were able to
separate the crowd from the officer. Magno was gotten
under control and was arrested for assault on a police
officer, refusal to submit to arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Other officers dealt with Joseph Lanham, the other
combatant, who swung at them but wasn’t able to hit
anyone. Lanham was arrested for refusal to submit to
arrest and disorderly conduct. Five police officers were
involved in the incident.
-Marge Niblock
Absentee Ballot Applications
Available
Registered Maine voters may now apply for an absentee
ballot for the November 3rd election. Absentee ballots will
be mailed to voters who have requested them by the end of
September. Registered voters can request an absentee
ballot by phone, fax, or in person at the City Clerk's
Office. The absentee ballot application will be available
online at http://www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/absentee.pdf
later this month.
Voters requesting an absentee ballot in writing can
participate in a new pilot voting project approved by the
Maine Legislature this spring. The absentee ballot
application will offer voters the option to select Ongoing
Absentee Ballot Status, which means that the voter will
automatically receive absentee ballots for any election
through 2011 without needing to submit any additional
paperwork, unless the voter changes his/her address.
College students and residents serving in the military
interested in voting 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 brought
back with the parents after voting or returned by mail.
Members of the military serving overseas should make sure
to return their ballots with enough time to ensure that they
are received by the City Clerk by 8:00 PM on Election Day.
To receive an absentee ballot, you must be a registered
voter. To register to vote in Portland, you must bring
identification and something that shows a current address
to the City Clerk's office. A driver's license or state
identification card with the current address meets both
criteria; otherwise, a checkbook, car registration, or
personal mail addressed to the applicant at the current
address will suffice. On Election Day, Portland residents
can register to vote at their polling place.
Polling places may have changed since voters last voted.
To check the location of your polling place, go to www.
portlandmaine.gov/voter/distlook.asp.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Activists Hold "Beach Parties" at
Maine's Senators' Offices
On the first day of the U.S. Senate's summer recess,
community leaders and activists from 1Sky, MoveOn.org
and Repower America hosted "beach parties" in front of
Senator Snowe's and Senator Collins' offices in downtown
Portland on August 10th to demand support for a
comprehensive clean energy jobs bill in the U.S. Senate.
The group met at Lobsterman Park in front of the
Nickelodeon Cinema, and proceeded to each Senator's
office in turn, carrying handmade signs promoting "green
energy".
A strong, comprehensive clean energy jobs bill would
create thousands of jobs in Maine and reduce home
heating costs, says state legislator Diane Russell, field
organizer for 1Sky in Maine, who organized the event.
The group told Senator Snowe and Senator Collins that a
comprehensive climate bill will maximize clean energy jobs,
as well as cutting global warming and air pollution, and
transition America away from the dirty coal and big oil
fuels of the past and toward the clean energy of the future.
After the House passed climate legislation in June, several
committees in the U.S. Senate have held hearings dedicated
to a clean energy jobs bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-NV) has set a deadline of September 28th for all
committees to set their final drafts of the bill. A final
version of the bill is then expected to be put together.
Monday, August 10, 2009
'Switch' Suspends Publication
'The Maine Switch', the bi-weekly features, events, and
listings periodical published by the Portland Press Herald,
has suspended publication.
Editor Karen Beaudoin said in the magazine's August 6th
issue that it was going "on hiatus" and would be re-
introduced at some future date, with some changes,
including possibly a new name. Beaudoin said that several
of Switch's writers will continue to work in other
departments of the Press Herald. Switch began publication
in March, 2007 as a weekly.
Farrell to Challenge Donoghue for
East End City Council Seat
Paul H. Farrell of Munjoy Hill will challenge District 1 City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue in his bid for reelection to the
Portland City Council, representing Munjoy Hill,
Downtown, Bayside, East Bayside, and the Casco Bay
islands. Donoghue was elected to the seat in 2006,
defeating incumbent Will Gorham. Gorham announced
recently that he would not run a campaign to regain the
seat. Donoghue has focused on transportation and housing
issues during his term on the Council.
Farrell is the third candidate in the race, joining Donoghue
and Munjoy Hill taxi driver Charles Bragdon.Farrell was an
unsuccessful candidate for an at-large seat on the Portland
Charter Commission.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Woman Assaulted in Road Rage
Incident
Portland police on July 29th arrested William Huntington,
41, of Portland and charged him with assault.
According to police, Huntington stopped quickly while
driving on Forest Avenue at 2:20 PM. The woman in the
car behind him blew her horn, causing Huntington to get
out of his car and approach the woman’s car on the driver’
s side, holding a piece of paper in his hand. The woman
told police she thought Huntington needed directions, and
she rolled down her window.
At that point, say police, Huntington began yelling and
grabbed at the woman’s neck. He then stepped back and
spit directly in her face.
According to the account of the officer who arrested him
for assault, Huntington said: “I’d do it again—and again!”
-Marge Niblock
Saturday, August 8, 2009
O'Brien Won't Seek Reelection to
West End School Board Seat
West End School Committee representative Robert O'Brien
has announced that he will not be seeking reelection to that
seat. O'Brien was elected to the seat in 2006, defeating
incumbent Stephen Spring.
O'Brien cited the School Committee's heavy schedule as
the determining factor in his decision, saying that it took
too much time away from his family. O'Brien is married
with a one-year-old daughter. He said that he would
consider serving on some subcommittees, if asked.
O'Brien is also the West End's representative on the City's
Charter Commission, a post he intends to retain.
Meanwhile, Ed Bryan, a Reiche School parent and activist,
and a board member of the West End Neighborhood
Association, has announced that he will be a candidate for
the vacated seat.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Remembrances to be Held of
Hiroshima, Nagasaki Bombings
Members of Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish will lead a
remembrance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Sunday, Aug.
9, 2009, with a prayer after the 9:30 a.m. Mass and a
minute of silence.
On Sunday, August 9th,there will be a program of solemn
stories, poems and music in the spirit of World Peace, at
Portland’s Post Office Park between 11:45AM and 1:15
PM.
PAW Looking for West End Home
PAW (Promoting Animal Wellness) is hoping to open a
nonprofit business affiliated with pet care in the West End -
possibly a grooming parlor and pet supply store - that
would provide funds needed for veterinary care for the
pets of Portland’s low-income families, and which would
also create jobs for several local residents.
Hosted by the Brackett Street Veterinary Clinic, PAW has
been providing well animal care to low-income residents
referred by Catholic Charities, Youth Alternatives,
Ingraham, and the Preble Street Resource Center, since
2005. PAW’s goal is to expand its work by becoming an
independent nonprofit entity, housed in the West End.
PAW has begun a discussion with the owner of a property
at 189 Brackett Street, across the street from the clinic.
WENA Needs New Secretary,
Board Members
Neighborhood Watch Forming
The West End Neighborhood Association is looking for a
secretary to serve through to the end of 2009, after the
resignation of longtime WENA activist and former
president Leanna Goode-Simpson.
WENA is also looking for two Board members to serve
through to the end of 2009. WENA is also forming a
Neighborhood Watch. If you're interested in becoming
involved, e-mail wendneighborhood@yahoo.com or come
to the next meeting on August 12th at 6:30 at Reiche
Community Center.
New Lights at Reiche, Blood
Pressure Screening
WECAN Leave the Lights On, in collaboration with Mercy
Hospital, Community Counseling Center and Reiche School
is initiating several programs in the West End, including:
- installing lighting at the basketball court at Reiche
Community Center
- education about healthy snacks and exercise for kids at
WENA Monday Movie nights in August
- free blood pressure at the WENA meeting on August 12th
WECAN Leave the Lights On will be holding at least two
events each month in the fall, in the areas of Education for
Living, Safety and Neighborhood Watch, Health Screenings
and Emergency Preparedness
If you want to become involved in these or other activities
such as the Adopt-A-Block program or SERVE food
buying co-op, please come to the WENA general meeting,
second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 at Reiche or e-
mail or call 879-6024 FMI.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
"We Will Find You; We Will Arrest
You," Police Chief Tells Thugs
Portland Chief of Police James E. Craig has issued a direct
warning to those he says are a small number of individuals
committing the bulk of crime in the city.
"Crime is predictable," said Craig. "Suspects are creatures
of habit. They don’t deviate. We will find you. We will
arrest you," he warned them.
Craig made his remarks at a news conference on August
4th, announcing adoption of the CompStat system by the
Portland Police Department, whereby police use
information gleaned from computer statistics to fight crime.
CompStat was started by Police Chief William Bratton in
Boston, and then fine-tuned in New York City. It deals
with identifying crime trends and clusters of types of
crimes. CompStat stands for computer statistics or
comparison statistics. Proactive tactical policing efforts are
focused on specific crime problems. CompStat typically
looks at real-time data.
The CompStat process enables police to identify problem
areas and problem people. Craig stated that this is an
opportunity for the media and the community to be
involved in crime fighting. Craig said a small number of
individuals are committing crime and are responsible for
most of it. Many of those are users of narcotics, he said,
so it’s important to know the locations of where drugs are
being sold.
At the August 4th press conference, Craig also announced
the formation of the Crime Alert flier program. He passed
out fliers that the department is distributing by placing them
on car windshields to deal with motor vehicle burglaries.
The fliers can also be translated to other crimes, making
people aware of trends that may be occurring in their
neighborhoods. Members of the Day Directed Patrol Unit
will get them out to the community.
One of the areas with a high incidence of auto burglaries is
Baxter Boulevard. People park their cars and then walk or
jog, many of them leaving those cars either unlocked or
with valuables inside that are in plain view. There have
been 355 incidents of car burglaries, down from the 388
recorded last year at this time.
Since the departure of PPD crime analyst Tracey Cornell a
few months ago, the crime analyst’s position has been
vacant. Many people have applied for the job and Craig
hopes to find someone with experience using CompStat.
-Marge Niblock
GREATER PORTLAND
LANDMARKS ACQUIRES
HISTORIC PROPERTY
Site will become the Center for Architecture and
Preservation
Greater Portland Landmarks, the historic preservation
organization that sprang from the destruction of Portland’s
Union Station more than four decades ago, announced on
August 4th that it has acquired the historic Safford House
at 93 High Street. The building will become Landmarks
new home and will be known as the Center for
Architecture and Preservation.
Mac Collins, an architect with WBRC Architects &
Engineers, and president of Landmarks’ board of directors,
said that Landmarks closed on the propertyon July 29th.
He said the purchase price was in excess of $1 million and
was made possible by the success of Landmarks’ first-
ever capital campaign, which is still underway.
Collins and Hilary Bassett, Landmarks’ executive director,
said that along with serving as a highly visible example of
the importance of historic preservation, the new center will:
- Dramatically expand classroom, exhibit, and seminar
space and learning opportunities for diverse audiences
including homeowners, building and restoration
professionals, and architects, students, community leaders,
real estate developers, and realtors.
- Increase access to the research and storage facilities of
Landmarks’ Frances W. Peabody Library, making the
library more user-friendly and accessible, and allowing
Landmarks to take advantage of 21st century technology to
conserve the library’s valuable collections.
- Give Landmarks greater visibility in the community so
that the organization can continue to grow its membership
and expand its audience, strengthening efforts to protect
local neighborhoods, preserve historic structures and
promote good design.
- Create an incubator environment for architectural
preservation and innovative, high quality design – a place
where the past and the future can come together and ideas
can flourish.
Built in 1858, on the corner of Spring and High Streets, the
Safford House is attributed to Charles A. Alexander, the
most prominent architect in Portland in the mid 1800s.
Located on a highly visible downtown intersection at the
corner of Spring and High Streets, it is across the street
from two of Portland’s most important historic
architectural gems, the McLellan House (1800) and Clapp
House (1832), both of which are owned by the Portland
Museum of Art.
The Safford House, an architecturally significant landmark
building, is the ideal future home for Greater Portland
Landmarks’ Center for Architecture and Preservation.
Alexander served as house architect for J.B. Brown, the
city’s leading entrepreneur, designing both his palatial villa,
Bramhall, that dominated the Western Promenade (1856)
and his large sugar factory (1855) at the foot of High
Street. Neither building survives today. Significant
surviving buildings designed by Alexander include the
Chestnut Street Church (1856) and the twin Spring Street
mansions at Danforth and Emery Streets (1855). The
Safford House is important as a well-preserved example of
Alexander’s work in Portland, much of which has been
destroyed.
The home of William Safford, a cooper turned merchant,
was one of the last high style houses built on High Street, a
fashionable residential street since 1800. It is a fine
example of Victorian architecture surrounded largely by
Federal style residences. Its location is also significant to
the early struggles of Portland’s historic preservation
movement: the neighboring Holiday Inn, a boxy 1970s
hotel, and the Spring Street arterial replaced an entire block
of historic buildings during the Urban Renewal era.
Through the efforts of Greater Portland Landmarks, the
arterial was stopped at the High Street/Spring Street
intersection.
Built of dark red closely-laid brick with decorative elements
of wood and dark brown sandstone known as brownstone,
the Safford House is a restrained example of the
Renaissance Revival or Italianate style popular in America
between 1850 and 1880. Its square body topped by a
rectangular cupola was known at the time as a cubical villa,
distinguished from the asymmetrical design of the towered
Victoria Mansion (Morse Libby House, 1858-60) located
nearby on Danforth Street. The beautiful, three story
curved bays on the front facade are the Safford House’s
most distinctive feature. Common in Boston, they were
rarely seen in Portland and are a surviving example of an
interesting regional variation on the Italianate style.
The interior preserves much of its original 1858 finish,
with some significant updating made around the turn of the
century. This integration of Colonial Revival improvements,
typical around 1900, with the fine original Italianate
features, adds interest and epitomizes two great
architectural eras in Portland
The Safford House is approximately 7,500 square feet on
three floors, with a dry usable basement. Initially, Greater
Portland Landmarks will occupy the first floor and will
lease the upper two floors, which allows space for future
growth and expansion. Bassett said that Landmarks will
move its office to the building in September following
some initial renovations.
Additional work to fully restore the building and upgrade
certain systems will take place over the next few years.
More information is available at www.portlandlandmarks.
com.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Police Begin Taser Training
The first Portland officers to be deployed with Tasers have
began their training, after a contentious few weeks prior to
the Public Safety Committee’s acceptance of Chief James
E. Craig’s proposal for a three-month trial period using the
weapons.
Those being equipped with the weapons will undergo eight
hours of training, including multiple deployments in the
pistol range on fixed targets. Other members of the
department, including evidence technicians, are receiving
familiarization training, with representatives of the Portland
Fire Department also participating. Officer William Stratis
taught one of these classes on July 30.
John H. “Jack” Cover would probably have been surprised
at the passion involved in allowing Taser use in Portland,
Maine. Cover, who died at 88 in February 2009, invented
the Taser at a period in America’s history plagued by
hijackings of airplanes, riots, and civil unrest during the
1960s. Its purpose was to provide a less-lethal weapon to
deal with such events.
Cover was a physicist and inventor who became NASA’s
chief scientist for the Apollo moon landing program. The
fictional hero of his childhood was Tom Swift, and the title
of the book Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle by Victor
Appleton became the acronym for his invention.
The first working models of the electronic-control device
were developed in 1970, with police use beginning in 1976.
The Los Angeles Police Department purchased 700 units in
1980, so Tasers were employed for the entire time Chief
Craig was a member of that force. It is a familiar tool to
him, one that he feels is important for his department to
utilize. Police personnel will not undergo voluntary
exposures because Chief Craig has stated “They are not
toys.”
The Taser X26 will be the model employed by Portland
police. It is bright yellow, and its visibility will easily
differentiate it from the standard firearm carried. Part of
the standard operating procedure includes a cross-draw or
weak-side carry. The Tasers will be kept on the opposite
side of where the gun is carried, to prevent pulling the
wrong weapon out.
The X26 cartridge contains a compressed nitrogen
propulsion system that deploys two small probes, which
look like metal barbs, each of which is capable of
penetrating one inch of clothing. The probes are attached
to the Taser by insulated wires and the electrical charge
emitted passes into the body in the area between the
probes. Probes will be removed by police, unless they’re in
an area presenting danger to the person; if there are
problems, trained medical personnel will intervene.
Photographs will be taken of the site of the probe, and at
first medical assistance will be used to apply alcohol and a
Band-Aid to the area of contact with the skin, but police
are expecting to perform this task eventually.
The optimum situation for using the Taser is 7 to 10 feet
away from the target, with a 12-inch spread for the two
fired probes, fired in 5-second bursts, but the weapon has
a maximum distance of 35 feet from which it may be fired.
Tasers are electronic control devices (ECDs) that “jam” the
nervous system by affecting its sensory and motor
functions causing uncontrollable contraction of muscle
tissue and debilitating the target due to the effect of the
neuromuscular incapacitation.
The weapon discharges 50,000 volts of electricity, but by
the time it reaches the person this has been reduced to
1,200 volts and .0021 amps. The amperage is less than that
in a small Christmas tree bulb. Most injuries to those who
have been tased result from falling, and not from effects of
the weapon itself.
The strict accountability of the device was stressed at the
training session. It has a camera with a microphone that
are activated upon usage, creating a video with sound to
record the event. Confetti-like tiny pieces of paper called
AFID tags, identifying a specific weapon, land on the
ground after the weapon is fired. From the location of
these, you are able to tell where the shot took place and
who was assigned to that particular Taser, since the serial
number of the fired cartridge is printed on the AFIDs.
There is also accountability regarding the cartridge
numbers and their assignment. The recorded firing data
will be stored with use-of-force reports.
A red light that is a laser sight facilitates aiming. Actual
videos of Taser usage by law enforcement officers from
many states were shown using the film captured when the
weapons were discharged. The importance of gaining
control of a suspect after five seconds was stressed by
Officer Stratis while instructing the class, since a person
might become combative once again after that short period
of time. This was evident in some of the videos.
Taser technology is still moving forward. At the end of
August, a new weapon will be available that is able to
shock three people before needing to be reloaded with a
new cartridge. The price also goes up with the increased
capability of the weapon, since it will cost $1,799. The
cost of the X26 is $1,200 because the video camera adds
$400 to the $800 price.
-Marge Niblock
Police to Meet With Residents
After Spike in Complaints
Portland police officials will meet with West End residents
at the West End Neighborhood Association meeting on
August 12th, after the West End Community Policing
coordinator reported a sharp rise in complaints about
policing problems in the West End.
Among the problems cited by Policing Coordinator Sarah
Colton were the recent spate of armed robberies in the
West End, possible drug dealing at local parks,
unsupervised minors on May Street and Taylor Street, and
renewed activity in the lot behind the 7-11 store on
Congress Street.
Members of the West End Neighborhood Association are
pressing City officials to move the West End Community
Policing Center from its current location at Harbor Terrace.
They would like to see it moved to the Reiche Community
Center, but Reiche School officials are hesitant to allow the
policing center at the same location as the school.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Gulf of Maine Neighbor Calls
Institute a 'Ripoff'
To the Editor:
Your piece on the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (WEN
July 24) leaves a lot to be desired, including having left out
most of the truth about this operation. Let me take a few
moments to set the record straight:
The Navy did not willingly "sell" this property to GMRI. In
fact, they did not want to leave this location at all. They
were forced to do so by Sens. Snowe, Collins, and Cong.
Allen. When they moved to Brunswick, they lost half of the
divers that were connected to their operation because they
did not want to have to travel to the new location for
practice. Local dive shop Aqua Diving also lost more than
$100,000 in business due to this move.
The price paid for the property was determined as a result
of one appraisal that was done by an appraiser hired by
GMRI, not the government. As a former appraiser, I can
tell you that this represented an extremely unusual method
for determining value. Normally, at least two appraisals
would be done, and if more than a certain amount of
difference existed between the two appraisals, a third
appraisal would be ordered.
Furthermore, all government regulations regarding the
disposition of federal property were circumvented by these
government officials on behalf of Don Perkins and his
group. These regulations require that surplus federal
properties be first offered to other federal agencies, state
agencies, and local agencies. None of this ever took place.
The loss of these divers was particularly devastating in
light of the fact that it took place so soon after 9/11, and
their services were and are very necessary in the event of a
major maritime emergency.
The Coast Guard also did not want to give up their
property, but were forced to do so by the *same three
federal officials. Mr. Perkins laughed some years back at a
Portland City Hall meeting when asked if the dock would
be rebuilt to Coast Guard standards, and then said "No". It
is simply a scam to obtain more valuable federal waterfront
property for free, and then have the public pay to renovate
it with a fake offer to continue to allow Coast Guard
vessels to berth there. The security zone required around
these Coast Guard vessels would eliminate any chance that
the GMRI people and their minions could also utilize it at
the same time, so the Coast Guard will obviously be the
loser, which has been the plan from the beginning. The
other part of the plan is to bring commercial fishing vessels
that do work for Mr. Perkins and berth them here, causing
their present landlords to lose them as tenants. In this
economy, and particularly in this marine economy, no
landlord can afford to lose even one tenant, let alone more
than one.
Mr. Perkins and his $300,000 annual salary,as well as the
tens of millions that he has managed to scam from the
taxpayers of Maine and the U.S. should be the subject of
an NBC "Fleecing of America" segment, if not a federal
investigation. Despite protests to the contrary by Mr.
Perkins, he did not invent marine research; in fact, much
of what goes on in that building is not marine research, but
a never ending campaign for more funding to finance his
high flying lifestyle. For a guy who was making $78,000
/year when he left his prior position with Idexx, his current
wage rate is none too shabby.
He now says that the aquarium, which was at the heart of
the foundation of the Gulf of Maine Aquarium group, has
now been put on the back burner. This is blatantly false; he
continues to lobby city officials to make the zoning change
that would be required to build such an aquarium, and
continues to fund raise with promises that it will be built. I
do not believe a single word uttered by Mr. Perkins; he
says what he thinks people want to hear, and says what
will keep money flowing into his organization. It is all about
the perpetuation of the fraud that is what I call the Gulf of
Maine Ripoff Institute.
Finally, let me give you a few final thoughts on Mr. Perkins
and how he sees the world. From my one lone office
window I have a perfect view of his operation; the lawns
are kept groomed like a fine Cape Elizabeth estate such as
where he grew up; the parking lots are immaculately
maintained even in the winter, with the snowflakes
seemingly being removed before they finish settling on the
asphalt. The windows are washed regularly throughout the
building.
A recent fundraising event had a large and several small
tents erected for it, and neatly attired servers as well
bringing around drinks and food. No expense was spared
for this event. One of the attendees was a Middle Eastern
gentleman in robes and headpiece. I suppose that I should
at least have some comfort that Mr. Perkins is not only
fleecing Americans, but dipping into foreign pockets as
well. Mr. Perkins also tried to have the owner of our
wharf, Hobson's Wharf, home to many marine businesses,
donate the property to the Aquarium. He also tried to have
CMP, which owns the property where Aqua-diving is
located, donate that property as well. When our landlord
declined, Mr. Perkins then claimed he wanted to rent space
here in the building. Mr. Perkins insisted on a complete
tour of the building, including spaces such as ours that
were already in long term leases. After the tour, Mr.
Perkins came back with a low ball offer to buy the
building, which our landlord declined.
At a Propeller Club meeting two years ago I was asked by
a former Editor at the PPH what went on in the GMRI
building. I told him that they have a printing press in there
where they print money. He was stunned. "That's exactly
what Alex Agnew from Ocean Navigator Magazine said,"
he replied. I told him that I knew Alex, but had not spoken
to him for some years, and that this was not a subject that
we had ever discussed. It was nice to know that at least
one other person has seen through the GMRI scam, and
seen it for what it is.
If District 8 State Senator Justin Alfond wants to spend
granddad's money on this fiasco, let him have at it. For the
first time in my memory I will be voting against the bond
issue this year. While I feel sorry that other important
projects may be delayed, I know in my heart that Mr.
Perkins and his campaign to fleece the public must be
stopped, and stopped now before he destroys what is left
of our working waterfront.
Respectfully,
Mark Usinger
President
A.L. Griffin Inc
Saturday, August 1, 2009
City Launches Breastfeeding
Awareness Campaign
On Monday, the City of Portland will launch a public
awareness campaign designed to encourage and promote
acceptance of breastfeeding in public. As a part of the
campaign, life-sized models of mothers breastfeeding
babies will be placed in a number of public spaces
throughout the city. From Monument Square to City Hall to
Post Office Park, the six models will be placed in highly
visible locations and information about the health benefits
of breastfeeding, as well as support systems available for
pregnant women and mothers considering breastfeeding,
will be available at select locations.
Information will also be shared with employers and
pregnant women in the workplace about An Act to
Facilitate Lactation at the Workplace for New Mothers,
which becomes law September 12th. The law states that
employers need to provide lactating mothers a private,
clean space to express breast milk. The law was designed
to remove barriers for mothers who wish to continue
breastfeeding after returning to work.
Breastfeeding is recognized as the standard for infant
feeding by all major health organizations including the US
Surgeon General. Breast milk provides the best nutritional
and immunological nurturance for normal growth and
development. Currently only 41.2% of babies in Maine are
breastfed for the first six months. A Healthy People 2010
goal is to achieve 50% for the state.
For more information, visit the city's website at www.
breastfeeding.portlandmaine.gov.
Local Synagogue Uncovers Stained
Glass Window
The Etz Chaim Synagogue at Congress and India Streets
recently had the bricks removed that covered up a stained
glass window at the front of the building. This is the first
time since 1973 that the window has been visible on the
outside. It was bricked up to protect it from local vandals.
Renovations are currently underway to restore the
synagogue, which was first consecrated in 1921.
-Harlan Baker
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