January, 2010
Work to Begin on Portland to
Brunswick Train Line
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced on January 27th that $35 million will be invested in Maine to
improve the rail line between Brunswick and Portland to allow an extension of rail service to the Midcoast.
“This is a significant economic boost to Maine,” Pingree said. “It will put over 200 people to work improving
the rail line and bring economic development to downtown train stations in communities like Freeport and
Brunswick.”
Work will begin immediately on the rail line and train service to Brunswick is expected to start by the end of
2012.
Pingree has been urging Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to fund the project. In a letter to LaHood last
year she wrote “the Portland North Project will have an immediate and significant economic impact throughout
the northeast region.”
“We’ve already seen how the Downeaster has created economic growth along the existing route,” Pingree said.
“Now it’s time to bring that to the Midcoast.”
“This was such a competitive process,” said Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of the Northern New England
Passenger Rail Authority. “There were many, many requests for these grants and it’s really an honor that the
Maine project was chosen.”
“If Maine had to borrow money to fund this project the interest costs alone would have been $18 million,”
Quinn said. “This announcement means Maine taxpayers are going to save millions of dollars.”
Pingree said the extension of the rail line is “a natural tourism generator. Freeport is the number one tourist
destination in the state.”
"This will fulfill the dream for an awful lot of Maine people to be able to get on the train in Midcoast Maine and
ride all the way to Boston,” said Wayne Davis, Chairman of Trainriders Northeast. “Nearly five million people go
from the Boston area to Freeport to go shopping. That’s a big market that the Downeaster can tap in to.”
Police Offer Women's Self Defense Course
The Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense Training class, beginning in February. R.
A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them. The course
is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy. This class is open
to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools
and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day.
The class is scheduled for February 2, 4, 9, and 11, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and February 13 from 8:00 AM
to noon. All classes must be attended to complete the course. The classes will be held at the Portland Police
Department, 109 Middle Street.
A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which
sponsors the R.A.D. trainings. Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class. To
sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D.,
e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.
February 2, 4, 9, 11, and 13 6:00 PM * 9:00 PM (2/13 class 8:00 AM * noon) Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street, Portland
Cabbie Punched in the Nose After Doing Good
Deed
At 6 AM on January 25th, a cab driver thought a woman was being assaulted by some males on State Street. He
pulled the cab over and Robin Ann Anderson, 25, jumped into the vehicle. She then allegedly punched the cabbie
in the nose and left.
The cabbie called police, who were able to apprehend Ms. Anderson nearby. When they ran a check on her, it
was discovered that she had four active warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and charged with assault, for
her attack of the cab driver.
-Marge Niblock
Woman Screams for Help, Then Disappears
A woman in Parkside reportedly awakened local residents with screams for help at about 12:30 AM on January
21st, then quickly disappeared into the night.
One resident says that she was awakened by someone screaming "Help! Call the police!" in the area of State
and Sherman Street. Several residents went out into the street and saw the woman, who, they discovered, was
accompanied by a man, as the two went up State Street, turned into Sherman Street, and disappeared. Police
responded immediately to urgent 911 calls, but were unable to find the couple.
Man Disses Potted Plant, Fights Cops
Portland police arrested a man in downtown Portland on January 20th on a number of charges after an incident
at a local shop.
At 5:30 PM, the owner of Compositions, at 13 Free Street questioned Richard Lugo, 25, as to why he’d just
thrown his backpack on a potted plant. The owner was allegedly threatened with assault.
Police were called and report that Lugo was uncooperative, and when officers went to place him under arrest,
he refused to submit and had to be wrestled to the ground.
He was charged with criminal threatening, refusing to submit to arrest, and violation of bail conditions.
-Marge Niblock
ALFOND TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
State Senator Justin Alfond has announced that he is seeking re-election for the Maine State Senate. Alfond
represents District 8 which includes Portland municipal Districts 1, 2 and 3, or the Portland peninsula, Peaks,
Cliff, and Great Diamond Islands and the area south of Forest Avenue.
During Alfond's first term, he introduced several bills that were passed into law, including bills dealing with
insurance, school issues, and campaign finance reporting.
Alfond also supported marriage equality, tax reform, energy independence and the green economy, and
transportation choice.
Alfond, 35, is a Mainer with roots in Dexter and Waterville. He founded the Maine chapter of The League of
Young Voters, and previously served as the Maine State Director. Senator Alfond is also a founding member of
Opportunity Maine and an active member of a number of civic, political and philanthropic organizations.
Alfond, his fiancée Rachael, and their puppy Tipitina are residents of Portland’s Munjoy Hill.
Police Chief Plans to Put Local Gangs Out of Business
Portland Police Chief James E. Craig wants to see a five percent reduction in crime for the coming year. This
was one of the points he stressed at his weekly Compstat meeting on January 13th. He was pleased by the ten
percent reduction in violent crime, and displeased by the thirteen percent increase in robbery.
He also wants to dismantle two gangs existing in Portland. He declined to give their names publicly because he
says they thrive on seeing their names in the paper, and he won’t give them that satisfaction. But he sent a
strong message their way, saying: "They should know in 2010 we’re going to dismantle them and put them out
of business."
The connection between violence and drugs was mentioned as a major cause of the bank robberies experienced
by the city during last summer and fall. The perpetrators of those crimes have been apprehended. The latest
double shooting incident that occurred on Rackleff Street at 1:30 AM on January 8th was also drug-related.
Since many robberies are committed to gain money for drugs, and some robberies last summer had guns
involved, Craig stated "We want to pay close attention to those that have guns—or simulate that they have a
weapon."
-Marge Niblock
Shoppers Support Homeless Women's Housing Project
Shop For A Cause Day in Downtown Portland raises over $4,500 for Preble Street's Florence House
Portland's Downtown District's Annual Shop For A Cause Day raised over $4,500 from downtown shops and
businesses in the Old Port and Arts District for Preble Street's Florence House.
Janis M. Beitzer, Executive Director of Portland's Downtown District presented a check to Preble Street's
Development Manager Melanie McKean and Christina Griffin, Women's Shelter and Florence House Supervisor,
on January 6th at their administrative offices.
Florence House is a comprehensive housing and resource center for homeless women in Portland, opening in
January by the Preble Street organization. Florence House will provide safe, supported permanent housing to
chronically homeless women in Portland.
Animal Rights Group to Protest at Macy's
Animal Rights Maine plans to hold a protest at the Macy’s in South Portland on Saturday January 23rd, unless
the store agrees to go fur-free. Macy’s is offering real fur items again this year, much of it produced in China
under harsh conditions, according to ARM.
ARM issued a letter to the corporate headquarters of Macy’s in Chicago, encouraging removal of fur items
from the fashion line-up. ARM sent a similar letter to the Macy’s in South Portland.
Fur Free Friday, an annual event that takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving, aims to educate people about
abuses suffered by fur-bearing animals. Organized originally in 1986 by grassroots activists to abolish the fur
trade, Fur Free Friday has grown to be one of the most widely attended annual demonstrations of the animal
rights movement. Through protests, education, and the promotion of cruelty-free fashion, Fur Free Friday gives
a voice to the millions of animals who suffer and die at the hands of fur industry each year, according to animal
rights activists.
Neighborhood Evacuated After Gas Leak
Due to this morning's ammonia gas leak at 165 Read Street, the Portland Fire Department asked that residents at
Read Street, Gleckler Street, Wellington Road, Carlyle Road, and Glengarden Street evacuate the area. METRO
buses were on site to provide immediate sheltering for those that need it. Firefighters with police officers went
door to door at the identified streets to discuss the situation with the residents and request that they evacuate as
a safety precaution until the ammonia leak is contained and the building properly ventilated.
School buses delivering students to these streets have been instructed to return the students to the school where
parents can pick them up.
Residents impacted by the evacuation are asked to tune into local media for updates on the situation.
Nationally recognized programming, which incorporates wind direction, wind speed and topography, was used
to determine what streets should be evacuated.
Hazardous material teams, firefighters and ammonia experts on are scene working to stop the leak of material
and ventilate the building. Maine DEP is aware of the situation and also on scene. The cause of the leak is under
investigation.
Ecomaine Seeks Nominees for Community Eco-
Excellence Awards
Ecomaine, a municipally-owned and operated recycling and waste disposal operation, is seeking nominees for its
eco-Excellence Awards. The awards are given annually in recognition of any “green” activity. Chair of the
ecomaine Board of Directors and Windham Town Manager Anthony Plante explained, “Each one of the 38
communities served by ecomaine can win an award – it’s a great opportunity to thank a person or group that
has made a difference in your town.”
The names of nominees must be received at ecomaine by Friday, February 5th along with a brief description of
the nominee’s “green” activities. Awards are open to individuals or groups who either live or work in any of the
38 communities contracted with ecomaine [listed below]. The brief entry forms and information about previous
winners can be found on-line at www.ecomaine.org (“News & Events”) or by phoning 207-773-1738.
The 2009 award recipient from Portland was Sarah Cushman for her leadership in Portland Green Streets, a
grassroots group that promotes environmental responsible commuting. She had been nominated by Portland
Solid Waste manager Troy Moon.
A special Honorable Mention award in 2009 was presented to Dr. Sandy Wachholz, associate professor of
criminology at the University of Southern Maine. She had been nominated by Michelle Clements of the Portland
Water District.
The judging of entries will be done by members of the ecomaine Recycling Committee. Troy Moon (Portland),
chair of the committee, and a member of the board of directors, said all the recipients and their nominators will
be invited to an awards luncheon given in their honor in Portland on Tuesday, March 16th. “At that time,” said
Moon, “we will present the individual community awards, announce the one Grand Award winner, and ask
recipients to share their experiences with each other. Then, we’ll offer tours of ecomaine’s facilities, including
Maine’s only single-sort recycling operation.”
Moon noted that past winners have been representative of a wide variety of activities and ages. Examples include
a high school ecology club that initiated a successful school-wide recycling program, a volunteer who organizes
and operates the local transfer station swap shop, a local newspaper columnist who has written articles about
recycling, a store employee who convinced the owners to recycle, and a lumber company with a strong
commitment to green operations. A complete listing of past award recipients and their activities is available at
www.ecomaine.org.
From among the municipal award recipients, one will be named the 2010 Grand Award Winner and receive a
special recognition award. The 2009 Grand Award winner was Broadturn Farm of Scarborough.
First-Grader Was Run Over by CMP Truck
The West End NEWS has just learned that on January 15th at about 5 PM, a Reiche School first-grader was
hospitalized after being struck by a CMP truck at Pine and Brackett streets. The truck was driven by Robert
Taylor.
The six-year-old girl who was involved in the accident lives on Winter Street. She and the woman
accompanying her were both in the crosswalk when they were hit by the truck, which was making a left turn
coming from Pine Street.
The woman received “moderate scrapes and bruises,” when she was knocked down by the truck, according to
police. The child was then run over by the truck; she suffered a broken pelvis and internal injuries.
METRO to Hold Public Meeting on Bus Fare Increases
The board that determines bus fares in the Greater Portland area has scheduled a public hearing regarding
proposed fare increases. The hearing will take place on February 11th @ 7pm at City Hall in the State of Maine
Room.The towns of Falmouth and Westbrook will hold similar hearings on February 9th and 10th. A majority of
the METRO board recommended increasing fares to:
$1.50 Single (from $1.25).
$14.00 Ten-Ride from (11.00)
$45.00 Monthly (from 37.50)
The board will be voting on February 24th on it's operating budget, which assumes no reductions in service, and
stable local assessments. The board just approved a new labor contract. District 1 City Councilor Kevin
Donoghue, who is president of the board, opposes the fare increases on the monthly passes.
FIRE DAMAGES BUILDING NEAR LONGFELLOW SQUARE
Portland firefighters were on the scene of a fire at 660 Congress Street, across the street from Joe's Smoke
Shop, at about 9:45 PM on Thursday night, January 14th. Congress Street was closed between Congress
Square and Longfellow Square. The fire was in the building recently purchased by Roxanne Quimby, which is
undergoing restoration for use as an arts center. Heavy damage was reported on the first floor of the building,
whose windows had recently been boarded up. The building was formerly the location of Zinnia's Antiques
.
Firefighters were breaking windows in the three-story apartment building to vent it. It is not known if there was
anyone in the building at the time of the fire, but squatters have been known to enter the vacant building in the
past.
City Councilor David Marshall, who lives about a block away, was on the scene and sending photos and
updates. PHOTOS
CITY RESCHEDULES WEST END ANNUAL MEETING
Notices arrived after events were already held
City officials have rescheduled the District 2 (West End, Parkside, St. John/Valley Street) annual City
neighborhood meeting that was poorly attended after residents didn't get notices of the meeting until it was
over. The meeting will be held on February 11th at the Parkside Neighborhood Center at 85 Grant Street in
Parkside.
The City annually holds meetings in each district with city councilors and staff to answer questions and discuss
issues. The District 2 meeting was held on November 5th at Reiche School and was attended by just 13 people.
State Representative Herb Adams said that a bulk mailing sent by the City to alert residents of the meeting did
not arrive in mailboxes until about a week after the event. Notices for the meeting held in District 1 (East End)
also arrived after the event was over.
Neighborhood Election Tonight
Slate of candidates named
The West End Neighborhood Association meeting and election of officers scheduled for Wednesday night,
December 9th was snowed out and has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 13th, 6:30 p.m., at
Reiche Community Center. The slate of candidates is as follows.
Executive Committee
President - Dennis "Chip" Martin
Vice President - Rosanne Graef
Secretary - Jenny Anastasoff
Treasurer - Jo Coyne
Board Members
Anicet Bakunda
Wendy Cherubini
Maureen Clancy
Jennifer DiFilipp
Deborah McCoy
Penny Stevens
Jannette Tacka
Rosanne Graef has served as President for the past year. Dennis Martin has headed up the group's nominating
committee, searching for a new president, vice-president, and treasurer.
Police Review Committee Annual Public Meeting Tonight
Portland's Police Citizen Review Subcommittee will hold its annual public meeting in Room 24 in the basement
of Portland City Hall on Wednesday, January 13th at 6PM.
The meeting is the public's opportunity to discuss the police citizen complaint process.
The Portland City Council established the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee in November, 2001. The PCRS
has six commissioners and one alternate. The PCRS reviews the process of police investigations of citizens’
complaints, solicit public input on the police citizen complaint process, report to the City Manager on the results
of their case review, and issue recommendations for improving the police investigation process, training and
public confidence in the citizen complaint process.
To qualify as a committee member, an applicant must be a resident of Portland and a person of good moral
character with good communication skills.
Anyone who is or has been a City employee or City Councilor, or if the applicant or any member of the
applicant’s immediate family is or has been a Portland police officer, arrested by a Portland police officer, filed a
complaint with the internal affairs unit alleging a civil rights violation or criminal offense, or brought suit against
the Portland police department, he or she is disqualified from becoming a committee member.
Vigil Held to Honor Missing Woman
A candlelight vigil in honor of Sarah Rogers and her family was held in Portland's Monument Square on Sunday
January 10th.
Rogers, 29, has been missing since leaving her home in Barrington , Vermont on December 13th, wearing only
shorts, a tank top and a light jacket. Her car was found abandoned on I-95 in Clinton, Maine, in a snowstorm.
The car door was left open with the keys in the ignition, and Rogers' purse was found nearby. Footprints were
found leading away from the car and into the southbound lane of the highway, where they stopped. Rogers
reportedly suffers from bi-polar disorder and may have been in a manic state when she left home.
Anyone who may have seen Rogers is asked to to call either the Maine State Police at 1-800-452-4464 or the
Barrington Police Department at 1-603-664-7679.
City Councilor Storms Out of Public Meeting
Portland City Councilor Daniel Skolnik stormed out of a City Council workshop in a rage on January 4th after
several fellow councilors questioned certain aspects of Skolnik's plan to make changes to the City's Civilian
Police Review Subcommittee. Skolnik had just completed a lenghthy presentation, including a slide show, about
his proposal to make changes to the review board, when an exchange between him and Councilor Jill Duson
became heated.
Skolnik's proposal called for better outreach by the committee and for fewer restrictions on who can serve on
the board. Skolnik himself served on the review committee before being elected to the City Council, but was
required to resign after filing a complaint against the department, which he later tried to withdraw. His
proposal would have allowed former city councilors to be considered for the board, which is currently not
permitted. Both of Portland's police unions opposed the new eligiblity standards.
Before leaving the Council chambers, Skolnik stopped at the podium normally used for public comment, to
engage in further debate with Duson. Mayor Nick Mavodones banged his gavel and scolded Skolnik for not
adhering to the decorum of the City's governing body. Skolnik left the chamber, which was nearly filled to
capacity with people preparing for the regular City Council meeting which followed the workshop.He returned
shortly to participate in that meeting, but packed up his briefcase and left the chamber about halway through the
meeting, after the Council voted 8-1 against his proposal.
City Looking at West End Parking Restrictions
The City's Department of Public Services is considering the imposition of two-hour, 9am to 5pm, parking
restrictions on Spruce Street and Clark Street, from Pine Street to Spring Street.
Residents of the area would be able to obtain a free residential parking sticker. This sticker, displayed on the
vehicle's rear windshield, would exempt the vehicle from the time limit restrictions.
The Department is seeking feedback on this change in on-street parking restrictions. Please respond to
Michelle Sweeney at 874-8682 (or MLS@portlandmaine.gov) by January 6, 2010. The data collected will be
presented to the Transportation Committee at their next meeting, scheduled for January 19th. Check http:
//www.portlandmaine.gov/transcomm.htm for up-to-date details on the meeting time.
Suspect Sought in Local Burglaries
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Albert Dadiego, 33, who is wanted in connection with several
burglaries in the last several months.
The crimes have occurred in Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough, and the three departments are working
together to locate Dadiego.
Doctors’ and dentists’ offices had been targeted. Warrants have been issued for his arrest; he is wanted on three
counts of burglary and three counts of theft.
Anyone having information is urged to contact Portland Police at 874-8575.
-Marge Niblock
Portland Woman Foils Carjacking in Ellsworth
A Portland woman prevented an escaped prisoner from hijacking a car in which she was a passenger on
December 30th in Ellsworth, Maine .The would-be carjacker had just escaped from a local courtroom
According to the Bangor Daily News, Hannah Leeman, 19, kicked and punched Thomas Sawyer, 42, of
Brooklin, until he fled the car. Leeman then called police who recaptured Sawyer soon afterward.
Leeman was not injured during the incident. Sawyer was returned to jail, and was found hanged in his cell on
January 1st, in what authorities are calling an apparent suicide.
CITY TO RESCHEDULE
ANNUAL MEETINGS
Notices arrived after events were already held
City officials say they will reschedule at least one annual City neighborhood meeting that was poorly attended -
perhaps because residents didn't get notices of the meeting until it was over. Mayor Nick Mavodones and West
End City Councilor David Marshall both confirmed that City staff was in the process of rescheduling the
meeting, but no definite date had been established.
Parkside's State Representative Herb Adams had sent a letter to Mayor Mavodones asking that the City hold a
second neighborhood meeting in District 2 after notice for the first meeting arrived in residents’ mailboxes after
the event had already been held.
The City annually holds meetings in each district with city councilors and staff to answer questions and discuss
issues. The District 2 meeting was held on November 5th at Reiche School and was attended by just 13 people.
Adams said that a bulk mailing sent by the City to alert residents of the meeting did not arrive in mailboxes until
about a week after the event. Notices for the meeting held in District 1 (East End) also arrived after the evnt was
over.
“Only 13 people showed up for the District 2 City meeting at Reiche School in the middle of the most densely
populated square mile of Maine . Something was obviously wrong,” said Adams . “For many of us, myself
included, the bulk mail meeting notice arrived one week too late.”
In his letter to the mayor, Adams proposed that a second meeting be held in January at the Parkside
Neighborhood Center.
Ten-Year Mystery Surrounds Local School’s Globetrotting
Friend
The mystery correspondent who sends postcards to Riverton Elementary School in Portland had one of his or
her busiest years ever in 2009, with trips to Hawaii, Florida, Ohio, New York, Texas, South Carolina,Maryland,
Washington state, Georgia and Maine. The school’s globetrotting friend began the year in Washington, D.C.
during thepresidential inauguration, and wrote most recently from New Orleans.
At each stop, the correspondent took time to send at least one postcard to Riverton in wobbly handwriting. The
cards begin “Hello Raccoons” or “Dear Raccoons,” referring to the school’s mascot. They are signed simply,
“Your friend.” Every one is addressed to 16 Forest Avenue (the correct address is 1600 Forest Avenue).
2010 will mark the 10th anniversary of the mystery correspondent writing to the school. Ginny Lofman,
Riverton’s lead secretary, tacks the cards on a bulletin board that fills the wall by her desk, and she places a
notice in the morning bulletin so that teachers can stop by for a look. She received 22 cards in 2008, and 24
this year. At the rate that the cards are coming in, she’ll run out of room on her bulletin board in 2011.
Harris Auction Raises $9,166
The first annual R. Steve Harris Memorial Charity Auction on December 6th raised $9,166 for the "Kids for
Christmas" holiday fund drive to provide toys, clothing and other gifts for eighteen local families and forty-eight
children. The proceeds of the auction also went toward local homeless shelters.
Auctioneer Lou McNally flew into town from Florida to take part in the event. Volunteers donated and filled
backpacks with hats, gloves, scarves, and other necessities. Local social workers provided personalized gift lists
to the charity's volunteer shoppers, who bought, sorted and wrapped all the packages.
Harris, who died last year, started Harris Charities twenty years ago with his wife Rosie. The couple ran Ruski's
in the West End for many years, and Rosie still own the Old Port pub that bears her name, where the auction is
held.
Work to Begin on Portland to
Brunswick Train Line
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced on January 27th that $35 million will be invested in Maine to
improve the rail line between Brunswick and Portland to allow an extension of rail service to the Midcoast.
“This is a significant economic boost to Maine,” Pingree said. “It will put over 200 people to work improving
the rail line and bring economic development to downtown train stations in communities like Freeport and
Brunswick.”
Work will begin immediately on the rail line and train service to Brunswick is expected to start by the end of
2012.
Pingree has been urging Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to fund the project. In a letter to LaHood last
year she wrote “the Portland North Project will have an immediate and significant economic impact throughout
the northeast region.”
“We’ve already seen how the Downeaster has created economic growth along the existing route,” Pingree said.
“Now it’s time to bring that to the Midcoast.”
“This was such a competitive process,” said Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of the Northern New England
Passenger Rail Authority. “There were many, many requests for these grants and it’s really an honor that the
Maine project was chosen.”
“If Maine had to borrow money to fund this project the interest costs alone would have been $18 million,”
Quinn said. “This announcement means Maine taxpayers are going to save millions of dollars.”
Pingree said the extension of the rail line is “a natural tourism generator. Freeport is the number one tourist
destination in the state.”
"This will fulfill the dream for an awful lot of Maine people to be able to get on the train in Midcoast Maine and
ride all the way to Boston,” said Wayne Davis, Chairman of Trainriders Northeast. “Nearly five million people go
from the Boston area to Freeport to go shopping. That’s a big market that the Downeaster can tap in to.”
Police Offer Women's Self Defense Course
The Portland Police Department will offer its Rape Aggression Defense Training class, beginning in February. R.
A.D. provides women with the tools they need to both avoid dangerous situations and escape them. The course
is specifically designed to help women survive situations in which their lives are in jeopardy. This class is open
to all women, ages 13 and older, in the Greater Portland area who would like to develop real life defensive tools
and tactics. The Basic Self-Defense Course consists of a series of four classes and one scenario day.
The class is scheduled for February 2, 4, 9, and 11, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and February 13 from 8:00 AM
to noon. All classes must be attended to complete the course. The classes will be held at the Portland Police
Department, 109 Middle Street.
A donation of $25.00 for the course is suggested. All donations support the Amy St. Laurent Fund, which
sponsors the R.A.D. trainings. Due to attendance issues, all donations must be paid prior to the first class. To
sign up for the class or receive more information about Portland R.A.D.,
e-mail ppdrad@portlandmaine.gov or call 874-8643.
February 2, 4, 9, 11, and 13 6:00 PM * 9:00 PM (2/13 class 8:00 AM * noon) Portland Police Department
109 Middle Street, Portland
Cabbie Punched in the Nose After Doing Good
Deed
At 6 AM on January 25th, a cab driver thought a woman was being assaulted by some males on State Street. He
pulled the cab over and Robin Ann Anderson, 25, jumped into the vehicle. She then allegedly punched the cabbie
in the nose and left.
The cabbie called police, who were able to apprehend Ms. Anderson nearby. When they ran a check on her, it
was discovered that she had four active warrants for her arrest. She was arrested and charged with assault, for
her attack of the cab driver.
-Marge Niblock
Woman Screams for Help, Then Disappears
A woman in Parkside reportedly awakened local residents with screams for help at about 12:30 AM on January
21st, then quickly disappeared into the night.
One resident says that she was awakened by someone screaming "Help! Call the police!" in the area of State
and Sherman Street. Several residents went out into the street and saw the woman, who, they discovered, was
accompanied by a man, as the two went up State Street, turned into Sherman Street, and disappeared. Police
responded immediately to urgent 911 calls, but were unable to find the couple.
Man Disses Potted Plant, Fights Cops
Portland police arrested a man in downtown Portland on January 20th on a number of charges after an incident
at a local shop.
At 5:30 PM, the owner of Compositions, at 13 Free Street questioned Richard Lugo, 25, as to why he’d just
thrown his backpack on a potted plant. The owner was allegedly threatened with assault.
Police were called and report that Lugo was uncooperative, and when officers went to place him under arrest,
he refused to submit and had to be wrestled to the ground.
He was charged with criminal threatening, refusing to submit to arrest, and violation of bail conditions.
-Marge Niblock
ALFOND TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION
State Senator Justin Alfond has announced that he is seeking re-election for the Maine State Senate. Alfond
represents District 8 which includes Portland municipal Districts 1, 2 and 3, or the Portland peninsula, Peaks,
Cliff, and Great Diamond Islands and the area south of Forest Avenue.
During Alfond's first term, he introduced several bills that were passed into law, including bills dealing with
insurance, school issues, and campaign finance reporting.
Alfond also supported marriage equality, tax reform, energy independence and the green economy, and
transportation choice.
Alfond, 35, is a Mainer with roots in Dexter and Waterville. He founded the Maine chapter of The League of
Young Voters, and previously served as the Maine State Director. Senator Alfond is also a founding member of
Opportunity Maine and an active member of a number of civic, political and philanthropic organizations.
Alfond, his fiancée Rachael, and their puppy Tipitina are residents of Portland’s Munjoy Hill.
Police Chief Plans to Put Local Gangs Out of Business
Portland Police Chief James E. Craig wants to see a five percent reduction in crime for the coming year. This
was one of the points he stressed at his weekly Compstat meeting on January 13th. He was pleased by the ten
percent reduction in violent crime, and displeased by the thirteen percent increase in robbery.
He also wants to dismantle two gangs existing in Portland. He declined to give their names publicly because he
says they thrive on seeing their names in the paper, and he won’t give them that satisfaction. But he sent a
strong message their way, saying: "They should know in 2010 we’re going to dismantle them and put them out
of business."
The connection between violence and drugs was mentioned as a major cause of the bank robberies experienced
by the city during last summer and fall. The perpetrators of those crimes have been apprehended. The latest
double shooting incident that occurred on Rackleff Street at 1:30 AM on January 8th was also drug-related.
Since many robberies are committed to gain money for drugs, and some robberies last summer had guns
involved, Craig stated "We want to pay close attention to those that have guns—or simulate that they have a
weapon."
-Marge Niblock
Shoppers Support Homeless Women's Housing Project
Shop For A Cause Day in Downtown Portland raises over $4,500 for Preble Street's Florence House
Portland's Downtown District's Annual Shop For A Cause Day raised over $4,500 from downtown shops and
businesses in the Old Port and Arts District for Preble Street's Florence House.
Janis M. Beitzer, Executive Director of Portland's Downtown District presented a check to Preble Street's
Development Manager Melanie McKean and Christina Griffin, Women's Shelter and Florence House Supervisor,
on January 6th at their administrative offices.
Florence House is a comprehensive housing and resource center for homeless women in Portland, opening in
January by the Preble Street organization. Florence House will provide safe, supported permanent housing to
chronically homeless women in Portland.
Animal Rights Group to Protest at Macy's
Animal Rights Maine plans to hold a protest at the Macy’s in South Portland on Saturday January 23rd, unless
the store agrees to go fur-free. Macy’s is offering real fur items again this year, much of it produced in China
under harsh conditions, according to ARM.
ARM issued a letter to the corporate headquarters of Macy’s in Chicago, encouraging removal of fur items
from the fashion line-up. ARM sent a similar letter to the Macy’s in South Portland.
Fur Free Friday, an annual event that takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving, aims to educate people about
abuses suffered by fur-bearing animals. Organized originally in 1986 by grassroots activists to abolish the fur
trade, Fur Free Friday has grown to be one of the most widely attended annual demonstrations of the animal
rights movement. Through protests, education, and the promotion of cruelty-free fashion, Fur Free Friday gives
a voice to the millions of animals who suffer and die at the hands of fur industry each year, according to animal
rights activists.
Neighborhood Evacuated After Gas Leak
Due to this morning's ammonia gas leak at 165 Read Street, the Portland Fire Department asked that residents at
Read Street, Gleckler Street, Wellington Road, Carlyle Road, and Glengarden Street evacuate the area. METRO
buses were on site to provide immediate sheltering for those that need it. Firefighters with police officers went
door to door at the identified streets to discuss the situation with the residents and request that they evacuate as
a safety precaution until the ammonia leak is contained and the building properly ventilated.
School buses delivering students to these streets have been instructed to return the students to the school where
parents can pick them up.
Residents impacted by the evacuation are asked to tune into local media for updates on the situation.
Nationally recognized programming, which incorporates wind direction, wind speed and topography, was used
to determine what streets should be evacuated.
Hazardous material teams, firefighters and ammonia experts on are scene working to stop the leak of material
and ventilate the building. Maine DEP is aware of the situation and also on scene. The cause of the leak is under
investigation.
Ecomaine Seeks Nominees for Community Eco-
Excellence Awards
Ecomaine, a municipally-owned and operated recycling and waste disposal operation, is seeking nominees for its
eco-Excellence Awards. The awards are given annually in recognition of any “green” activity. Chair of the
ecomaine Board of Directors and Windham Town Manager Anthony Plante explained, “Each one of the 38
communities served by ecomaine can win an award – it’s a great opportunity to thank a person or group that
has made a difference in your town.”
The names of nominees must be received at ecomaine by Friday, February 5th along with a brief description of
the nominee’s “green” activities. Awards are open to individuals or groups who either live or work in any of the
38 communities contracted with ecomaine [listed below]. The brief entry forms and information about previous
winners can be found on-line at www.ecomaine.org (“News & Events”) or by phoning 207-773-1738.
The 2009 award recipient from Portland was Sarah Cushman for her leadership in Portland Green Streets, a
grassroots group that promotes environmental responsible commuting. She had been nominated by Portland
Solid Waste manager Troy Moon.
A special Honorable Mention award in 2009 was presented to Dr. Sandy Wachholz, associate professor of
criminology at the University of Southern Maine. She had been nominated by Michelle Clements of the Portland
Water District.
The judging of entries will be done by members of the ecomaine Recycling Committee. Troy Moon (Portland),
chair of the committee, and a member of the board of directors, said all the recipients and their nominators will
be invited to an awards luncheon given in their honor in Portland on Tuesday, March 16th. “At that time,” said
Moon, “we will present the individual community awards, announce the one Grand Award winner, and ask
recipients to share their experiences with each other. Then, we’ll offer tours of ecomaine’s facilities, including
Maine’s only single-sort recycling operation.”
Moon noted that past winners have been representative of a wide variety of activities and ages. Examples include
a high school ecology club that initiated a successful school-wide recycling program, a volunteer who organizes
and operates the local transfer station swap shop, a local newspaper columnist who has written articles about
recycling, a store employee who convinced the owners to recycle, and a lumber company with a strong
commitment to green operations. A complete listing of past award recipients and their activities is available at
www.ecomaine.org.
From among the municipal award recipients, one will be named the 2010 Grand Award Winner and receive a
special recognition award. The 2009 Grand Award winner was Broadturn Farm of Scarborough.
First-Grader Was Run Over by CMP Truck
The West End NEWS has just learned that on January 15th at about 5 PM, a Reiche School first-grader was
hospitalized after being struck by a CMP truck at Pine and Brackett streets. The truck was driven by Robert
Taylor.
The six-year-old girl who was involved in the accident lives on Winter Street. She and the woman
accompanying her were both in the crosswalk when they were hit by the truck, which was making a left turn
coming from Pine Street.
The woman received “moderate scrapes and bruises,” when she was knocked down by the truck, according to
police. The child was then run over by the truck; she suffered a broken pelvis and internal injuries.
METRO to Hold Public Meeting on Bus Fare Increases
The board that determines bus fares in the Greater Portland area has scheduled a public hearing regarding
proposed fare increases. The hearing will take place on February 11th @ 7pm at City Hall in the State of Maine
Room.The towns of Falmouth and Westbrook will hold similar hearings on February 9th and 10th. A majority of
the METRO board recommended increasing fares to:
$1.50 Single (from $1.25).
$14.00 Ten-Ride from (11.00)
$45.00 Monthly (from 37.50)
The board will be voting on February 24th on it's operating budget, which assumes no reductions in service, and
stable local assessments. The board just approved a new labor contract. District 1 City Councilor Kevin
Donoghue, who is president of the board, opposes the fare increases on the monthly passes.
FIRE DAMAGES BUILDING NEAR LONGFELLOW SQUARE
Portland firefighters were on the scene of a fire at 660 Congress Street, across the street from Joe's Smoke
Shop, at about 9:45 PM on Thursday night, January 14th. Congress Street was closed between Congress
Square and Longfellow Square. The fire was in the building recently purchased by Roxanne Quimby, which is
undergoing restoration for use as an arts center. Heavy damage was reported on the first floor of the building,
whose windows had recently been boarded up. The building was formerly the location of Zinnia's Antiques
.
Firefighters were breaking windows in the three-story apartment building to vent it. It is not known if there was
anyone in the building at the time of the fire, but squatters have been known to enter the vacant building in the
past.
City Councilor David Marshall, who lives about a block away, was on the scene and sending photos and
updates. PHOTOS
CITY RESCHEDULES WEST END ANNUAL MEETING
Notices arrived after events were already held
City officials have rescheduled the District 2 (West End, Parkside, St. John/Valley Street) annual City
neighborhood meeting that was poorly attended after residents didn't get notices of the meeting until it was
over. The meeting will be held on February 11th at the Parkside Neighborhood Center at 85 Grant Street in
Parkside.
The City annually holds meetings in each district with city councilors and staff to answer questions and discuss
issues. The District 2 meeting was held on November 5th at Reiche School and was attended by just 13 people.
State Representative Herb Adams said that a bulk mailing sent by the City to alert residents of the meeting did
not arrive in mailboxes until about a week after the event. Notices for the meeting held in District 1 (East End)
also arrived after the event was over.
Neighborhood Election Tonight
Slate of candidates named
The West End Neighborhood Association meeting and election of officers scheduled for Wednesday night,
December 9th was snowed out and has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, January 13th, 6:30 p.m., at
Reiche Community Center. The slate of candidates is as follows.
Executive Committee
President - Dennis "Chip" Martin
Vice President - Rosanne Graef
Secretary - Jenny Anastasoff
Treasurer - Jo Coyne
Board Members
Anicet Bakunda
Wendy Cherubini
Maureen Clancy
Jennifer DiFilipp
Deborah McCoy
Penny Stevens
Jannette Tacka
Rosanne Graef has served as President for the past year. Dennis Martin has headed up the group's nominating
committee, searching for a new president, vice-president, and treasurer.
Police Review Committee Annual Public Meeting Tonight
Portland's Police Citizen Review Subcommittee will hold its annual public meeting in Room 24 in the basement
of Portland City Hall on Wednesday, January 13th at 6PM.
The meeting is the public's opportunity to discuss the police citizen complaint process.
The Portland City Council established the Police Citizen Review Subcommittee in November, 2001. The PCRS
has six commissioners and one alternate. The PCRS reviews the process of police investigations of citizens’
complaints, solicit public input on the police citizen complaint process, report to the City Manager on the results
of their case review, and issue recommendations for improving the police investigation process, training and
public confidence in the citizen complaint process.
To qualify as a committee member, an applicant must be a resident of Portland and a person of good moral
character with good communication skills.
Anyone who is or has been a City employee or City Councilor, or if the applicant or any member of the
applicant’s immediate family is or has been a Portland police officer, arrested by a Portland police officer, filed a
complaint with the internal affairs unit alleging a civil rights violation or criminal offense, or brought suit against
the Portland police department, he or she is disqualified from becoming a committee member.
Vigil Held to Honor Missing Woman
A candlelight vigil in honor of Sarah Rogers and her family was held in Portland's Monument Square on Sunday
January 10th.
Rogers, 29, has been missing since leaving her home in Barrington , Vermont on December 13th, wearing only
shorts, a tank top and a light jacket. Her car was found abandoned on I-95 in Clinton, Maine, in a snowstorm.
The car door was left open with the keys in the ignition, and Rogers' purse was found nearby. Footprints were
found leading away from the car and into the southbound lane of the highway, where they stopped. Rogers
reportedly suffers from bi-polar disorder and may have been in a manic state when she left home.
Anyone who may have seen Rogers is asked to to call either the Maine State Police at 1-800-452-4464 or the
Barrington Police Department at 1-603-664-7679.
City Councilor Storms Out of Public Meeting
Portland City Councilor Daniel Skolnik stormed out of a City Council workshop in a rage on January 4th after
several fellow councilors questioned certain aspects of Skolnik's plan to make changes to the City's Civilian
Police Review Subcommittee. Skolnik had just completed a lenghthy presentation, including a slide show, about
his proposal to make changes to the review board, when an exchange between him and Councilor Jill Duson
became heated.
Skolnik's proposal called for better outreach by the committee and for fewer restrictions on who can serve on
the board. Skolnik himself served on the review committee before being elected to the City Council, but was
required to resign after filing a complaint against the department, which he later tried to withdraw. His
proposal would have allowed former city councilors to be considered for the board, which is currently not
permitted. Both of Portland's police unions opposed the new eligiblity standards.
Before leaving the Council chambers, Skolnik stopped at the podium normally used for public comment, to
engage in further debate with Duson. Mayor Nick Mavodones banged his gavel and scolded Skolnik for not
adhering to the decorum of the City's governing body. Skolnik left the chamber, which was nearly filled to
capacity with people preparing for the regular City Council meeting which followed the workshop.He returned
shortly to participate in that meeting, but packed up his briefcase and left the chamber about halway through the
meeting, after the Council voted 8-1 against his proposal.
City Looking at West End Parking Restrictions
The City's Department of Public Services is considering the imposition of two-hour, 9am to 5pm, parking
restrictions on Spruce Street and Clark Street, from Pine Street to Spring Street.
Residents of the area would be able to obtain a free residential parking sticker. This sticker, displayed on the
vehicle's rear windshield, would exempt the vehicle from the time limit restrictions.
The Department is seeking feedback on this change in on-street parking restrictions. Please respond to
Michelle Sweeney at 874-8682 (or MLS@portlandmaine.gov) by January 6, 2010. The data collected will be
presented to the Transportation Committee at their next meeting, scheduled for January 19th. Check http:
//www.portlandmaine.gov/transcomm.htm for up-to-date details on the meeting time.
Suspect Sought in Local Burglaries
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Albert Dadiego, 33, who is wanted in connection with several
burglaries in the last several months.
The crimes have occurred in Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough, and the three departments are working
together to locate Dadiego.
Doctors’ and dentists’ offices had been targeted. Warrants have been issued for his arrest; he is wanted on three
counts of burglary and three counts of theft.
Anyone having information is urged to contact Portland Police at 874-8575.
-Marge Niblock
Portland Woman Foils Carjacking in Ellsworth
A Portland woman prevented an escaped prisoner from hijacking a car in which she was a passenger on
December 30th in Ellsworth, Maine .The would-be carjacker had just escaped from a local courtroom
According to the Bangor Daily News, Hannah Leeman, 19, kicked and punched Thomas Sawyer, 42, of
Brooklin, until he fled the car. Leeman then called police who recaptured Sawyer soon afterward.
Leeman was not injured during the incident. Sawyer was returned to jail, and was found hanged in his cell on
January 1st, in what authorities are calling an apparent suicide.
CITY TO RESCHEDULE
ANNUAL MEETINGS
Notices arrived after events were already held
City officials say they will reschedule at least one annual City neighborhood meeting that was poorly attended -
perhaps because residents didn't get notices of the meeting until it was over. Mayor Nick Mavodones and West
End City Councilor David Marshall both confirmed that City staff was in the process of rescheduling the
meeting, but no definite date had been established.
Parkside's State Representative Herb Adams had sent a letter to Mayor Mavodones asking that the City hold a
second neighborhood meeting in District 2 after notice for the first meeting arrived in residents’ mailboxes after
the event had already been held.
The City annually holds meetings in each district with city councilors and staff to answer questions and discuss
issues. The District 2 meeting was held on November 5th at Reiche School and was attended by just 13 people.
Adams said that a bulk mailing sent by the City to alert residents of the meeting did not arrive in mailboxes until
about a week after the event. Notices for the meeting held in District 1 (East End) also arrived after the evnt was
over.
“Only 13 people showed up for the District 2 City meeting at Reiche School in the middle of the most densely
populated square mile of Maine . Something was obviously wrong,” said Adams . “For many of us, myself
included, the bulk mail meeting notice arrived one week too late.”
In his letter to the mayor, Adams proposed that a second meeting be held in January at the Parkside
Neighborhood Center.
Ten-Year Mystery Surrounds Local School’s Globetrotting
Friend
The mystery correspondent who sends postcards to Riverton Elementary School in Portland had one of his or
her busiest years ever in 2009, with trips to Hawaii, Florida, Ohio, New York, Texas, South Carolina,Maryland,
Washington state, Georgia and Maine. The school’s globetrotting friend began the year in Washington, D.C.
during thepresidential inauguration, and wrote most recently from New Orleans.
At each stop, the correspondent took time to send at least one postcard to Riverton in wobbly handwriting. The
cards begin “Hello Raccoons” or “Dear Raccoons,” referring to the school’s mascot. They are signed simply,
“Your friend.” Every one is addressed to 16 Forest Avenue (the correct address is 1600 Forest Avenue).
2010 will mark the 10th anniversary of the mystery correspondent writing to the school. Ginny Lofman,
Riverton’s lead secretary, tacks the cards on a bulletin board that fills the wall by her desk, and she places a
notice in the morning bulletin so that teachers can stop by for a look. She received 22 cards in 2008, and 24
this year. At the rate that the cards are coming in, she’ll run out of room on her bulletin board in 2011.
Harris Auction Raises $9,166
The first annual R. Steve Harris Memorial Charity Auction on December 6th raised $9,166 for the "Kids for
Christmas" holiday fund drive to provide toys, clothing and other gifts for eighteen local families and forty-eight
children. The proceeds of the auction also went toward local homeless shelters.
Auctioneer Lou McNally flew into town from Florida to take part in the event. Volunteers donated and filled
backpacks with hats, gloves, scarves, and other necessities. Local social workers provided personalized gift lists
to the charity's volunteer shoppers, who bought, sorted and wrapped all the packages.
Harris, who died last year, started Harris Charities twenty years ago with his wife Rosie. The couple ran Ruski's
in the West End for many years, and Rosie still own the Old Port pub that bears her name, where the auction is
held.
Suspect Sought in
Local Burglaries
Police are asking for the public’s help
in locating Albert Dadiego, 33, who
is wanted in connection with several
burglaries in the last several months.
The crimes have occurred in
Portland, South Portland, and
Scarborough, and the three
departments are working together to
locate Dadiego.
Doctors’ and dentists’ offices had
been targeted. Warrants have been
issued for his arrest; he is wanted on
three counts of burglary and three
counts of theft.
Anyone having information is urged
to contact Portland Police at 874-
8575.
-Marge Niblock
Local Burglaries
Police are asking for the public’s help
in locating Albert Dadiego, 33, who
is wanted in connection with several
burglaries in the last several months.
The crimes have occurred in
Portland, South Portland, and
Scarborough, and the three
departments are working together to
locate Dadiego.
Doctors’ and dentists’ offices had
been targeted. Warrants have been
issued for his arrest; he is wanted on
three counts of burglary and three
counts of theft.
Anyone having information is urged
to contact Portland Police at 874-
8575.
-Marge Niblock
