Trevorrow,
Barkley Win
Local Contested
Nominations
Charter Commission member Anna
Trevorrow won the Green
Independent Party nomination in
District 120 with nearly 90% of the
votes, defeating Portland cab driver
Charles Bragdon 79-9.
In a closer race, Democratic activist
Jill Barkley defeated USM student and
immigration rights activist Mohammed
Dini in the Democratic primary for the
District 119 seat representing Parkside
and Bayside. Barkley received 380
votes (63.23%) to Dini's 221 votes
(36.77%). The major difference
between the two candidates was
Barkley's support of equal marriage
and Dini's opposition to it. Barkley
said that she hopes to work with Dini
on various issues in the future.
In a speech delivered to a gathering of
supporters at Mama’s Crow Bar on
Munjoy Hill, Trevorrow said that she
will be an energetic independent voice
for District 120, which represents the
East End and Downtown
neighborhoods, as far west as State
Street. Trevorrow Campaign Chair
and former Green Party State
Representative John Eder attended the
election night gathering, along with
city councilors and Green
Independents Kevin Donoghue and
David Marshall.
Trevorrow, a former State Chair of
the Green Independent Party and a
present elected member of the
Portland Charter Commission, has
been involved in progressive politics at
the municipal level and at the state
level for several years. On the Charter
Commission, she spearheaded various
progressive issues like ranked choice
voting, an elected mayor for Portland
and voting rights for legal immigrants
in Portland.
Trevorrow works as a customer
service representative for Norway
Savings Bank on Exchange Street.
Bragdon ran unsuccessfully against
East End City Councilor Kevin
Donoghue last year. Trevorrow will
face Democratic Representative
Diane Marie Russell in in the general
election November 2nd. Russell
received 831 votes in the uncontested
Democratic primary.
Barkley Win
Local Contested
Nominations
Charter Commission member Anna
Trevorrow won the Green
Independent Party nomination in
District 120 with nearly 90% of the
votes, defeating Portland cab driver
Charles Bragdon 79-9.
In a closer race, Democratic activist
Jill Barkley defeated USM student and
immigration rights activist Mohammed
Dini in the Democratic primary for the
District 119 seat representing Parkside
and Bayside. Barkley received 380
votes (63.23%) to Dini's 221 votes
(36.77%). The major difference
between the two candidates was
Barkley's support of equal marriage
and Dini's opposition to it. Barkley
said that she hopes to work with Dini
on various issues in the future.
In a speech delivered to a gathering of
supporters at Mama’s Crow Bar on
Munjoy Hill, Trevorrow said that she
will be an energetic independent voice
for District 120, which represents the
East End and Downtown
neighborhoods, as far west as State
Street. Trevorrow Campaign Chair
and former Green Party State
Representative John Eder attended the
election night gathering, along with
city councilors and Green
Independents Kevin Donoghue and
David Marshall.
Trevorrow, a former State Chair of
the Green Independent Party and a
present elected member of the
Portland Charter Commission, has
been involved in progressive politics at
the municipal level and at the state
level for several years. On the Charter
Commission, she spearheaded various
progressive issues like ranked choice
voting, an elected mayor for Portland
and voting rights for legal immigrants
in Portland.
Trevorrow works as a customer
service representative for Norway
Savings Bank on Exchange Street.
Bragdon ran unsuccessfully against
East End City Councilor Kevin
Donoghue last year. Trevorrow will
face Democratic Representative
Diane Marie Russell in in the general
election November 2nd. Russell
received 831 votes in the uncontested
Democratic primary.
June, 2010
Residents Want
Curtailment of
Problem Pay
Phones
A request had been made to the three
convenience stores in the West End to
have their telephones programmed so
that, between the hours of 10 PM to 5
AM, the only calls that would be able to
go through would be 911 emergency
calls. Pay phones in the vicinity of Dow
Street have been associated with
prostitution and drug dealing, causing
neighbors to want curtailment of their
hours of use. A meeting held at a West
End resident’s home, focused on ways
to alleviate the criminal activity tied to
some of these outdoor phones. People
representing the City, including
Councilor David Marshall, were in
attendance.
The three stores that had been asked to
comply with the request are the Rite Aid
at 713 Congress Street, Cumberland
Farms on Pine Street, and the 7-Eleven
at 704 Congress Street. The telephones
at Rite Aid were removed after it was
brought to their attention that after 10
PM those phones were being used for
prostitution; Cumberland Farms
complied immediately to the 911-calls
only between those overnight hours; but
7-Eleven has not changed their phones
yet.
Marshall says of their pay phones, “We
know it’s been associated with drug
trafficking and violence. It has a
negative impact on the neighborhood.”
Letters have been sent by Marshall to
the corporate office to inform them of
the criminal activity associated with
their property, and Marshall has met
with the franchisor and someone above
the regional franchisors. The
telephones, however, remain
unchanged, and Marshall says he will
follow up with further contacts to
remind them of this unresolved
problem. If that doesn’t work, he will
look into other policy and legal avenues
to address the issue. -Marge Niblock
Curtailment of
Problem Pay
Phones
A request had been made to the three
convenience stores in the West End to
have their telephones programmed so
that, between the hours of 10 PM to 5
AM, the only calls that would be able to
go through would be 911 emergency
calls. Pay phones in the vicinity of Dow
Street have been associated with
prostitution and drug dealing, causing
neighbors to want curtailment of their
hours of use. A meeting held at a West
End resident’s home, focused on ways
to alleviate the criminal activity tied to
some of these outdoor phones. People
representing the City, including
Councilor David Marshall, were in
attendance.
The three stores that had been asked to
comply with the request are the Rite Aid
at 713 Congress Street, Cumberland
Farms on Pine Street, and the 7-Eleven
at 704 Congress Street. The telephones
at Rite Aid were removed after it was
brought to their attention that after 10
PM those phones were being used for
prostitution; Cumberland Farms
complied immediately to the 911-calls
only between those overnight hours; but
7-Eleven has not changed their phones
yet.
Marshall says of their pay phones, “We
know it’s been associated with drug
trafficking and violence. It has a
negative impact on the neighborhood.”
Letters have been sent by Marshall to
the corporate office to inform them of
the criminal activity associated with
their property, and Marshall has met
with the franchisor and someone above
the regional franchisors. The
telephones, however, remain
unchanged, and Marshall says he will
follow up with further contacts to
remind them of this unresolved
problem. If that doesn’t work, he will
look into other policy and legal avenues
to address the issue. -Marge Niblock
Local Restaurant
Employee Maced
At 6 PM on June 1st, a male
employee of the 51 Wharf Street
Restaurant was maced by an
argumentative man who refused to
leave the property.
The victim told police that when he
approached Mike Cordero, 47, of
Portland, in response to a complaint
from a waitress, Cordero said he was
on “public property” and wouldn’t
leave. The victim was going to the
kitchen to get help when Cordero
sprayed him with mace.
Police were flagged down by the
restaurant’s owner, and when police
reached the premises, the staff had
brought Cordero to the ground and
had taken away the mace.
Senior Lead Officer Jeff Hawkins
arrested Cordero and transported him
to jail. He was charged with assault
and criminal use of disabling
chemicals. He was also given a
criminal trespass notice barring him
from returning to the restaurant’s
property.
-Marge Niblock
Employee Maced
At 6 PM on June 1st, a male
employee of the 51 Wharf Street
Restaurant was maced by an
argumentative man who refused to
leave the property.
The victim told police that when he
approached Mike Cordero, 47, of
Portland, in response to a complaint
from a waitress, Cordero said he was
on “public property” and wouldn’t
leave. The victim was going to the
kitchen to get help when Cordero
sprayed him with mace.
Police were flagged down by the
restaurant’s owner, and when police
reached the premises, the staff had
brought Cordero to the ground and
had taken away the mace.
Senior Lead Officer Jeff Hawkins
arrested Cordero and transported him
to jail. He was charged with assault
and criminal use of disabling
chemicals. He was also given a
criminal trespass notice barring him
from returning to the restaurant’s
property.
-Marge Niblock
Penis Hacker
Loose in
Portland
An unknown person went into
the sculpture garden of the Art
Gallery at the University of New
England on the night of June 17th
and hacked off the penis of a
two-foot high clay sculpture that
was on exhibit.
The sculptor, Munjoy Hill artist
Nancy Nevergole, had been
asked the previous day to remove
the sculpture. Nevergole
discovered the vandalism when
she arrived to remove the
sculpture. The statue was part of
the annual Sculpture Garden
Invitational held at the UNE
gallery. The missing piece has not
been found.
Loose in
Portland
An unknown person went into
the sculpture garden of the Art
Gallery at the University of New
England on the night of June 17th
and hacked off the penis of a
two-foot high clay sculpture that
was on exhibit.
The sculptor, Munjoy Hill artist
Nancy Nevergole, had been
asked the previous day to remove
the sculpture. Nevergole
discovered the vandalism when
she arrived to remove the
sculpture. The statue was part of
the annual Sculpture Garden
Invitational held at the UNE
gallery. The missing piece has not
been found.
Clothing
Connoisseur
Arrested
On June 11th, Michael B. Arington,
21, of Portland was arrested and
charged with a commercial
burglary of Bertini, a store on
Middle Street that sells expensive
men’s clothing. Arington was also
charged with theft.
The sartorial escapade began on
June 5th, with officers responding
to 185 Middle Street,upon the
opening of the store that morning,
for a burglary report. The owner
realized that approximately $10,000
worth of clothing was missing.
A nearby business owner told the
clothing store’s proprietor that he
had seen a male behaving in a
suspicious manner in an alcove near
the movie theater. The man was
changing shoes and carrying a
duffel bag.
Police were able to develop
Arington as a suspect during their
investigation, and officers were
looking for him. When officers
Kevin McCarthy and Bob Pelletier
spotted Arington near 29 Portland
Street at 7 AM, they noticed his
fashion chic.
Arington is unemployed and
homeless, but well-dressed at the
time of his arrest. He was wearing
a $1400 suit jacket, jeans that sell
for $165, a $200 belt, and $300
shoes. Arresting officers knew
exactly how much everything cost
- because the price tags were still
on the items. Aringtom was also
wearing a hooded sweatshirt -
which wasn’t priced -over his suit
coat.
-Marge Niblock
Connoisseur
Arrested
On June 11th, Michael B. Arington,
21, of Portland was arrested and
charged with a commercial
burglary of Bertini, a store on
Middle Street that sells expensive
men’s clothing. Arington was also
charged with theft.
The sartorial escapade began on
June 5th, with officers responding
to 185 Middle Street,upon the
opening of the store that morning,
for a burglary report. The owner
realized that approximately $10,000
worth of clothing was missing.
A nearby business owner told the
clothing store’s proprietor that he
had seen a male behaving in a
suspicious manner in an alcove near
the movie theater. The man was
changing shoes and carrying a
duffel bag.
Police were able to develop
Arington as a suspect during their
investigation, and officers were
looking for him. When officers
Kevin McCarthy and Bob Pelletier
spotted Arington near 29 Portland
Street at 7 AM, they noticed his
fashion chic.
Arington is unemployed and
homeless, but well-dressed at the
time of his arrest. He was wearing
a $1400 suit jacket, jeans that sell
for $165, a $200 belt, and $300
shoes. Arresting officers knew
exactly how much everything cost
- because the price tags were still
on the items. Aringtom was also
wearing a hooded sweatshirt -
which wasn’t priced -over his suit
coat.
-Marge Niblock
Veterans Memorial
Bridge Construction
Begins
Construction has begun on the new
Veterans Memorial Bridge, with
completion of the new bridge slated for
the summer of 2012, and demolition of
the old bridge to be completed by
December, 2012. During this time, the
existing Veterans Memorial Bridge will
remain open to traffic so as to reduce
traffic disruptions.
The Veterans Memorial Bridge was
built in 1954 to connect Portland’s
West End to South Portland over the
Fore River. In the last 50 years, traffic
has grown to the point where the
bridge now carries over 22,000
vehicles a day. It is quickly
deteriorating and while it is still safe for
use, MaineDOT has made it a priority
to replace the bridge.
The new bridge will be built in the
vicinity of the existing bridge so as to
keep disruption to traffic to a minimum.
The design includes a
bicycle/pedestrian pathway as well as
green spaces. In addition, the idea of
the bridge as a way to honor veterans
will predominate, with the placement of
five memorial gathering areas: one for
each branch of the military.
Public involvement with the project
began early in 2009 with a series of
public information meetings, hosted by
Portland Area Comprehensive
Transportation System (PACTS).
Neighbors and stakeholders were
involved in outlining a number of the
bridge elements important to
pedestrians, bikers, and residents of
both Portland and South Portland.
The MDOT website (http://www.
veteransmemorialbridge.org/) will be a
source for regular, updated information
about the bridge progress and
construction. E-mail updates will also
be sent to anyone who signs up for this
information. The new bridge is
designed to last 100 years.
Bridge Construction
Begins
Construction has begun on the new
Veterans Memorial Bridge, with
completion of the new bridge slated for
the summer of 2012, and demolition of
the old bridge to be completed by
December, 2012. During this time, the
existing Veterans Memorial Bridge will
remain open to traffic so as to reduce
traffic disruptions.
The Veterans Memorial Bridge was
built in 1954 to connect Portland’s
West End to South Portland over the
Fore River. In the last 50 years, traffic
has grown to the point where the
bridge now carries over 22,000
vehicles a day. It is quickly
deteriorating and while it is still safe for
use, MaineDOT has made it a priority
to replace the bridge.
The new bridge will be built in the
vicinity of the existing bridge so as to
keep disruption to traffic to a minimum.
The design includes a
bicycle/pedestrian pathway as well as
green spaces. In addition, the idea of
the bridge as a way to honor veterans
will predominate, with the placement of
five memorial gathering areas: one for
each branch of the military.
Public involvement with the project
began early in 2009 with a series of
public information meetings, hosted by
Portland Area Comprehensive
Transportation System (PACTS).
Neighbors and stakeholders were
involved in outlining a number of the
bridge elements important to
pedestrians, bikers, and residents of
both Portland and South Portland.
The MDOT website (http://www.
veteransmemorialbridge.org/) will be a
source for regular, updated information
about the bridge progress and
construction. E-mail updates will also
be sent to anyone who signs up for this
information. The new bridge is
designed to last 100 years.
Woman with Ice
Chopper Gets
Tased by Police
Portland police officers used Tasers
on two people on the last weekend in
June, including the first woman in
Portland to be Tased.
On June 25th, at 4 PM, police were
told that Ewa Gwardys, 54, of
Portland, was in an apartment at
1289 Forest Avenue, from which she
had been evicted, in violation of a
court order.
When police arrived at the scene,
Gwardys was inside the front door,
holding an ice chopper and
screaming. She charged at officers
using the long bladed implement as a
weapon. A Taser was used because
the woman refused to drop the ice
chopper. She was arrested and
charged with criminal trespass and
criminal threatening with a dangerous
weapon.
Early Sunday morning, June 27th,
there was a disturbance on Fore
Street in front of Pearl, at closing
time. Handely Lamour, 22, of
Portland, fought with police as they
tried to arrest him. As a result of his
refusal to comply with police
instructions a Taser was deployed.
There were also outstanding
warrants issued for Lamour. A
warrant for carrying a concealed
weapon had been issued by
Lewiston, and Auburn had a warrant
for disorderly conduct for Lamour.
He was charged with assault,
criminal threatening, and disorderly
conduct.
Chopper Gets
Tased by Police
Portland police officers used Tasers
on two people on the last weekend in
June, including the first woman in
Portland to be Tased.
On June 25th, at 4 PM, police were
told that Ewa Gwardys, 54, of
Portland, was in an apartment at
1289 Forest Avenue, from which she
had been evicted, in violation of a
court order.
When police arrived at the scene,
Gwardys was inside the front door,
holding an ice chopper and
screaming. She charged at officers
using the long bladed implement as a
weapon. A Taser was used because
the woman refused to drop the ice
chopper. She was arrested and
charged with criminal trespass and
criminal threatening with a dangerous
weapon.
Early Sunday morning, June 27th,
there was a disturbance on Fore
Street in front of Pearl, at closing
time. Handely Lamour, 22, of
Portland, fought with police as they
tried to arrest him. As a result of his
refusal to comply with police
instructions a Taser was deployed.
There were also outstanding
warrants issued for Lamour. A
warrant for carrying a concealed
weapon had been issued by
Lewiston, and Auburn had a warrant
for disorderly conduct for Lamour.
He was charged with assault,
criminal threatening, and disorderly
conduct.
West End NEWS Photo
Nineteen people were arrested across the city in late June (including an
arrest in Lonfellow Square, above) as a result of Operation “Summer Slam”,
a cooperative effort involving federal, state, municipal, and county law
enforcement agencies. The agencies served arrest warrants for offenders of
drug-related crimes, and made arrests on other non drug-related warrants as
well. Arrests were made for offenses including trafficking in crack cocaine,
cultivation of marijuana, tampering with a witness, assault, disorderly
conduct, failure to stop for a police officer, theft, and leaving the scene of a
motor vehicle accident, among others Over 50 law enforcement personnel
took part in the effort. Portland agents also recovered suspected crack
cocaine with a street value of $1,000.
Nineteen people were arrested across the city in late June (including an
arrest in Lonfellow Square, above) as a result of Operation “Summer Slam”,
a cooperative effort involving federal, state, municipal, and county law
enforcement agencies. The agencies served arrest warrants for offenders of
drug-related crimes, and made arrests on other non drug-related warrants as
well. Arrests were made for offenses including trafficking in crack cocaine,
cultivation of marijuana, tampering with a witness, assault, disorderly
conduct, failure to stop for a police officer, theft, and leaving the scene of a
motor vehicle accident, among others Over 50 law enforcement personnel
took part in the effort. Portland agents also recovered suspected crack
cocaine with a street value of $1,000.
Skolnik Uses
Direct Line to
Police
City Councilor Dan Skolnik, who is
Chair of the City Council's Public
Safety Committee, has made at least
two direct calls to the Portland Police
Department regarding incidents that
would normally be processed through
the 911 emergency number.
On June 28th, at around 10:30 AM,
police went to Maine Bank & Trust at
465 Congress Street, after being
informed that a dispute was in
progress involving Skolnik, who
wanted to withdraw all of his funds
from the institution. Skolnik was in
front of the building at that time. A
sergeant responded to the call.
Officials at the bank were unwilling to
discuss the event after police left.
When asked how the call came in, a
police spokesperson said it had come
in via “nonstandard means.” Police
went as a “keep the peace” call,
anticipating a possible issue. They
remained until Skolnik had completed
his transaction.
West End City Councilor David
Marshall, who served as Public Safety
Committee Chair before Skolnik, said
that the Chair of the committee has the
same rights as an ordinary citizen, and
no special influence with the
Department. He said that the Chair's
responsibilities include calling
meetings, setting agendas, and
directing City policy in police matters.
The Public Safety Chair has no direct
power over the plice department,
according to Marshall.
Skolnik also called Police Chief James
Craig on Craig's cell phone on May
27th to report a man on Brighton
Avenue with a gun. According to
police records, the man turned out to
have a nail gun and was working at a
construction site in the area.. Skolnik
made the call shortly after a press
conference in Monument Square
concerning safety in the Old Port.
Skolnik was a speaker at the press
conference. Craig was still in
Monument Square when he took the
call. He then called police dispatch to
report the incident.
Marshall says that he always has
called 911 for any police emergencies,
and he doesn't have the police chief's
cell phone number.
-Ed King
Direct Line to
Police
City Councilor Dan Skolnik, who is
Chair of the City Council's Public
Safety Committee, has made at least
two direct calls to the Portland Police
Department regarding incidents that
would normally be processed through
the 911 emergency number.
On June 28th, at around 10:30 AM,
police went to Maine Bank & Trust at
465 Congress Street, after being
informed that a dispute was in
progress involving Skolnik, who
wanted to withdraw all of his funds
from the institution. Skolnik was in
front of the building at that time. A
sergeant responded to the call.
Officials at the bank were unwilling to
discuss the event after police left.
When asked how the call came in, a
police spokesperson said it had come
in via “nonstandard means.” Police
went as a “keep the peace” call,
anticipating a possible issue. They
remained until Skolnik had completed
his transaction.
West End City Councilor David
Marshall, who served as Public Safety
Committee Chair before Skolnik, said
that the Chair of the committee has the
same rights as an ordinary citizen, and
no special influence with the
Department. He said that the Chair's
responsibilities include calling
meetings, setting agendas, and
directing City policy in police matters.
The Public Safety Chair has no direct
power over the plice department,
according to Marshall.
Skolnik also called Police Chief James
Craig on Craig's cell phone on May
27th to report a man on Brighton
Avenue with a gun. According to
police records, the man turned out to
have a nail gun and was working at a
construction site in the area.. Skolnik
made the call shortly after a press
conference in Monument Square
concerning safety in the Old Port.
Skolnik was a speaker at the press
conference. Craig was still in
Monument Square when he took the
call. He then called police dispatch to
report the incident.
Marshall says that he always has
called 911 for any police emergencies,
and he doesn't have the police chief's
cell phone number.
-Ed King
Skolnik to Run
for Re-Election
District 3 City Councilor Dan Skolnik
has announced that he will be a
candidate for re-election to the
Council seat representing the
Libbytown-Stroudwater-Brighton
areas. Skolnik made the
announcement on a new Facebook
page titled 'Reelect Dan Skolnik'.
Among the issues Skolnik addresses
on the page are the Maine State Pier
and the Megaberth Project, the City's
Taser Policy, background checks for
all volunteers for City Boards and
Committees, and the MLK Memorial
Task Force, which he heads. He also
discusses the open carry of firearms
in the city, and mentions issues such
as snow removal, the Portland Charter
Commission, the elected mayor,
smoking, and notice to tenants
provisions.
Former mayor and city councilor Ed
Suslovic had previously announced
that he would run for the District 3
seat. Skolnik's slogan is 'Keep the
Momentum'.
for Re-Election
District 3 City Councilor Dan Skolnik
has announced that he will be a
candidate for re-election to the
Council seat representing the
Libbytown-Stroudwater-Brighton
areas. Skolnik made the
announcement on a new Facebook
page titled 'Reelect Dan Skolnik'.
Among the issues Skolnik addresses
on the page are the Maine State Pier
and the Megaberth Project, the City's
Taser Policy, background checks for
all volunteers for City Boards and
Committees, and the MLK Memorial
Task Force, which he heads. He also
discusses the open carry of firearms
in the city, and mentions issues such
as snow removal, the Portland Charter
Commission, the elected mayor,
smoking, and notice to tenants
provisions.
Former mayor and city councilor Ed
Suslovic had previously announced
that he would run for the District 3
seat. Skolnik's slogan is 'Keep the
Momentum'.
Eder to Lead
Local Greens
Former West End legislator John Eder
was elected the new Chair of the
Portland Green Independent
Committee at the party's June 10th
meeting. Eder replaces City Councilor
David Marshall in the position.
Eder served as the Representative of
District 118 (West End) to the Maine
State Legislature from 2002 to 2006.
At the time, he was the highest-ranking
Green Independent elected official in
the country. He was defeated for
re-election by the current West End
representative, Democrat Jon Hinck.
Eder, 41, currently serves on the
Cumberland County Charter
Commission, is finishing his
undergraduate degree, and is writing a
book about his experiences. Eder also
served as campaign chair for Anna
Trevorrow in her recent Green Party
primary victory over Charles Bragdon.
Local Greens
Former West End legislator John Eder
was elected the new Chair of the
Portland Green Independent
Committee at the party's June 10th
meeting. Eder replaces City Councilor
David Marshall in the position.
Eder served as the Representative of
District 118 (West End) to the Maine
State Legislature from 2002 to 2006.
At the time, he was the highest-ranking
Green Independent elected official in
the country. He was defeated for
re-election by the current West End
representative, Democrat Jon Hinck.
Eder, 41, currently serves on the
Cumberland County Charter
Commission, is finishing his
undergraduate degree, and is writing a
book about his experiences. Eder also
served as campaign chair for Anna
Trevorrow in her recent Green Party
primary victory over Charles Bragdon.