Sunday, May 31, 2009
Neighbors Want More Police Presence
as Activity Increases
West End Neighborhood Association President Rosanne Graef
will meet with various City and school officials on June 8th
regarding WENA’s request that the West End Community
Policing Center be moved to the Reiche Community Center on
Brackett Street. The policing center is currently located at Harbor
Terrace on Danforth Street. Graef said she would like to hear
from members of the community about why they think this
would be a good move.
Meanwhile, neighbors of the Reiche School report that a group
of between four and eight young men is gathering regularly on the
Reiche School maintenance loading area, next to the parking lot,
where they play dice and cards, argue, push each other around,
and smoke cigarettes. The group was joined on Friday night by a
woman who reportedly had sex with one of the men. A car break-
in was reported on the lot last week.
A police cruiser came into the lot and the group dispersed, but
returned within half an hour. An hour later, a car with two males
pulled over, and there was an altercation with other men on the
sidewalk, involving fistfighting and yelling. This group dispersed
before another police cruiser arrived.
Neighbors have provided detailed descriptions of the individuals
involved, including automobile descriptions and license plate
numbers. Portland Chief of Police James Craig is scheduled to
meet with the neighborhood association on June 9th at the Reiche
Community Center.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
City Considers Use of Tasers by Police
MARGE NIBLOCK
James E. Craig, Portland’s new Police Chief, is a proponent of
the use of Tasers, when applicable, and wants to order some for
Portland’s Police Department, proposing a three-month test, after
which City officials would make an assessment.
Craig worked with Tasers during his 28-year career with the
LAPD. He touts the reduction of injuries to officers and
individuals who are violent and combative as reasons for wanting
to see them tried in Portland. He also advocates the use of Tasers
on people who are intent on committing suicide.
“Tasers as a use-of-force option have been very effective.”
Their use is not applicable in all police actions, however.
“In a deadly-force situation, it’s too risky,” stated Craig. “An
officer would more likely have to give up a place of cover to
deploy a Taser,” which leaves that officer in a vulnerable
position. Craig says “The key is officer safety, and having a
tactical plan leading up to the actual force. Effective use of Tasers
is enhanced with appropriate training and management
oversight.”
There are people in Portland who don’t want to see Tasers come
into use. They say that many people who have been zapped with
the 50,00-volt weapons used on them have died as a result.
Amnesty International cites a figure of 350 deaths since 2001 that
were related to Tasers.
Craig says that these numbers don’t give figures of how many
people were “tased” during that time period, and whether the
Taser was actually the direct cause of death.
“Police officers are held accountable and are responsible for safe
application of whatever tool is used,” Craig stated, “and medical
evaluation and treatment will be provided at the scene.”
City Councilor Kevin Donoghue is a member of the Council’s
Public Safety Committee. The committee has heard Craig’s
proposal for a three-month trial period and Donoghue says “The
pilot program is a canard. We’re not going to be renting Tasers.”
Once the City purchases the weapons, Portland will own them.
“I have no problem with the use of Tasers as an alternative to
deadly force; beyond that it’s a gray area,” stated Donoghue. “I
want a level of comfort with the conditions under which a Taser
will be deployed. I want to see standard operating procedures that
will make me comfortable.”
Donoghue said he doesn’t want to see Tasers used on unarmed
people as an alternative to using a baton, and doesn’t want their
use to be a “risk-management strategy.”
Councilor Dory Waxman, another member of the committee,
wants to “make sure police officers are safe and have the tools
they need. We also have to protect the public interest.” Waxman’s
main concern is to be certain the people using Tasers are trained
properly and are monitored. She says she has to educate herself
about Tasers before making a decision as to their use here.
Craig’s position is that “only trained officers would carry and use
Tasers; tools of de-escalation would be used first. Tasers would
only be used when a suspect became violent and aggressive.”
Craig stresses that the Taser is “another tool, a nonlethal tool to
bring about a successful resolution.”
Councilor Dan Skolnik chairs the Council’s Public Safety
Committee and was present when Chief Craig and Captain Vernon
Malloch spoke to them about Tasers on May 12th. Skolnik says
“Chief Craig is not riding into town with a Taser agenda.”
The Taser issue was raised a couple of months ago because of a
Justice Administration Grant (JAG) to buy equipment, and the
Police Department said they wanted to buy Tasers. Aside from
the many issues involved, such as medical issues, civil liberties
challenges in courts, and some studies and surveys done that
Skolnik feels are “inconclusive and ambiguous,” one of this
Councilor’s main concerns when taking all the information into
consideration is whether Tasers are cost effective for the Police
Department.
Deputy Chief Joseph Loughlin says Portland is interested in the
video-equipped Tasers, which he thinks cost about $1,200. He
says “The Portland Police Department has been talking about
Tasers for a long time. We get calls every night where they could
be used.”
There are now four police officers who have been trained in
Taser use. Loughlin said the use of Tasers would begin with
those four and also supervisors who would be trained. Loughlin
stated “When you look at officer injuries sustained, medical bills
accrued, and money spent due to time off after injuries, Tasers
are cost effective.” He says it has been proven to be so in other
communities.
Loughlin says the department has use-of-force committees and
policy review committees, and that Taser implementation would
be gradual, with testing and evaluation periods as to their safety
and use.
“There will be strict policies and procedures in place. We run a
tight ship here.”
Chief Craig will return to the Public Safety Committee in June to
propose the conditions and procedures for the proposed pilot
project, after which the committee will make its recommendation
to the full City Council.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Congress Street Traffic Stop Leads to
Murder and Arson Charges
Chad Gurney, a 27-year-old Portland man, was arrested without
incident at the Crest Motel on East Grand Avenue in Old Orchard
Beach at 5:00 AM on May 26th, and charged with murder and
arson.
A routine traffic stop by Officer Jason King on Congress Street at
2:00 AM this morning led to the suspect’s arrest. A man stopped
for going through a red light at Pearl Street was a friend of
Gurney’s and said to the officer: “I’m talking to Chad Gurney on
the phone and I know you guys are looking for him.”
Officer King and Gurney spoke for over 90 minutes, after which
Gurney told King where he was and agreed to surrender.
When firefighters arrived at the scene of a blaze in Gurney’s third-
floor apartment at 463 Cumberland Avenue in the Parkside
neighborhood on Monday night, they found a dead woman,
whose death “was not consistent with a typical fire death,”
according to Chief Fred LaMontagne of Portland’s Fire
Department. LaMontagne and Police Chief James E. Craig
appeared together at a news conference called regarding the fire
and subsequent investigation.
LaMontagne characterized the damage from the fire as “light to
medium, with minimal damage to adjoining apartments.” Two
firefighters were injured; one was released with a fractured leg
and the other is still hospitalized.
Chief Craig called it “a tragic situation,” and stated: “We’re still
actively investigating.” After disclosing that several neighbors and
other witnesses were interviewed and provided police with
information, he said “This is an example of how the police and
community work together.”
Captain Vern Malloch oversaw the investigation, and said the
relationship between the victim and the suspect was not clear at
this point, although she was not a resident of the apartment.
Malloch said “We believe the fire was set after the death,” and
stated “The autopsy is being conducted now.” Pending
notification of next of kin, the victim’s identity was not being
released.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Police Shoot Moose Near Forest Avenue
Portland police shot and killed a moose early this afternoon after
spending six hours in the Baxter Woods neighborhood trying
unsuccessfully to tranquilize the animal. When safety became an
issue as the animal headed toward Forest Avenue, it was shot “as
a last resort,” according to Lieutenant James Sweatt, whose D
Team dealt with the animal. Sweatt said it was disposed of
humanely.
-Marge Niblock
Car Break-in at Reiche Parking Lot
A car parked in the Reiche parking lot on Brackett Street was
broken into while its owner was visiting a friend on the street
between 8 and 11pm on May 21st. Someone apparently jimmied
the car's back window, pushed it down and broke the window's
mechanism, causing $800 in damages.
Police recovered a bag nearby. An iPod was missing from the
bag, but police were able to locate the victim because her
checkbook was still in the bag. The iPod contained client files, in
addition to music. It has a "Northeast Bank"inscription on the
back, and unique, expensive, black, over-the-ears type
headphones. Anyone seeing it should report it to the West End
Community Policing Center at 780-0495.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
East Bayside to Hire Community
Organizer
The East Bayside Neighborhood Organization wants to hire a
community organizer starting July 1st.
Job duties will include overseeing & coordinating EBNO's
fundraising efforts, and working in conjunction with the Board of
Directors, project managers, and general members, and making
quarterly reports to organizations and governmental units
providing funds to EBNO.
Among the coordinators other duties will be:
-Heading up the EBNO Crime Watch
-Overseeing the creating of neighborhood surveys
-Compiling and reporting the results of these neighborhood
surveys
-Creating monthly updates to keep neighborhood residents and
business informed of EBNO's activities
-Conducting community outreach
-Sitting on various committees and attending meetings as a
representative of EBNO
-Acting as EBNO's liason to MHNO and BNA (bordering
neighborhood organizations/ associations)
-Attending the Kennedy Park Tenant's Council meetings
-Facilitating discussions across cultural boundaries by engaging
residents in discussion, enlisting the help of other organizations.
The coordinator will work 20 hours per week (15 paid, 5
volunteer) and will earn up to $35 an hour, depending on
experience.
Applicants may email : jdalton@gwi.net or write to:
East Bayside Neighborhood Organization, c/o Jill Dalton, 61 East
Oxford Street, Portland, ME 04101
Final deadline for application is Friday June 5th.
Friday, May 22, 2009
PHS At-Risk Youth Educator Honored
Sophie Payson, a social worker for the Portland High School
Alternative Education Program, was among seven Maine
educators honored for their outstanding work on May 21st by
Governor Baldacci and Education Commissioner Susan Gendron.
Recipients were chosen because of their impact on young people
whose lives might have turned out quite differently if not for the
caring and intervention of these individuals.
Local school district dropout prevention committees submitted
nominations to the state Advisory Committee on Truancy,
Dropout and Alternative Education, which advises the
Commissioner on what causes students to be truant or to drop
out, and methods to address the issues.
Payson has been an integral part of the Portland High School
Alternative Education Program for the past 5 years. In that time,
the numbers of students enrolled and attending the program has
doubled. These are kids who have, in many cases, given up on
school and are encouraged and supported to return by Payson.
Mike Johnson, Principal of PHS, often says that Payson spends
more time in kitchens than in school visiting the homes of
students who face significant barriers to their education. When a
student faces circumstances which do not allow him/her to
pursue a high school diploma, she connects that student with
important community resources such as Adult Education, Youth
Building Alternatives or Job Corps
Thursday, May 21, 2009
State Wants to Test for Radon in
Rental Units
The Maine House of Representatives will consider a first-in-the-
nation proposal to test and disclose radon levels in apartment
homes and rental units. The legislature’s Legal and Veteran’s
Affairs Committee has voted unanimously to support the bill to
require rental property owners to test for the presence of radon, a
naturally occurring gas carcinogen found in soil and water, and
the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and
in Maine.
Under the proposal, landlords would have to test for radon in their
rental units at least once every 10 years, notify tenants of the
presence of unhealthy levels of radon, and mitigate until healthy
levels are achieved. More than 30 percent of all Mainers live in
rental housing.
The bill would ensure that certified testing professionals are
employed when landlords perform radon air tests, and that they
are educated about the importance of mitigation.
Maine ’s rates of radon exposure are some of the highest in the
nation. The gas cannot be detected by smell, taste or sight.
However, upon detection, it can be easily mitigated.
According to the Maine CDC, only about one-quarter of all Maine
homes have actually been tested for radon, with most tests
occurring during property sales. When combined with smoking
or exposure to second-hand smoke, radon can greatly increase
one’s risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon has also been linked
to illnesses such as pulmonary fibrosis, leukemia, and stomach
and liver cancer.
The legislation received support from cancer prevention
advocates, indoor air quality experts, and state officials seeking to
promote greater awareness of radon in Maine, during the public
hearing process. LD 943, An Act to Reduce Lung Cancer Rates
in Maine, will be considered by the Maine House of
Representatives in the coming weeks.
New Historic Walking Tour Hits
Portland
True Tales Tours of Portland will be offered downtown.
West End NEWS columnist Harlan Baker will lead walking tours of
downtown Portland, leaving from Monument Square every
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3:45 pm, starting June 11th.
The tour will go to Gorham's Corner in the West End, through the
Old Port to India Street, and end at the foot of Munjoy HIll.
Along the way, Baker will tell stories about the neighborhood
histories and colorful characters that lived there. Based in fact, all
tales will be accurately conveyed, providing superb history
lessons which transition into some of the most enticing narratives
ever told.
Many of the stories are based on interviews Baker conducted
while a writer for North Country, an alternative newspaper that
was published in Portland from 1969 to 1974.
Tourists will hear stories about bootlegging,the old fishing fleet,
the Great Fire of 1866,the destruction of Falmouth Neck in
October of 1775 by the British, and much more.
"There are many fascinating stories about people in Portland's
recent past as well as the 18th and 19th centuries, " said Baker. "I
think these tours will be unique in that people will learn about the
Portland they may not know about."
Baker is a local actor, professor and historian whose play "Jimmy
Higgins: A Life in the Labor Movement" is now on tour across
New England. He is an adjunct lecturer at the University of
Southern Maine, and writes the West End People column for The
West End News. He is also a story teller at the Witch House in
Salem, Massachusetts every October, where he tells haunted tales
in the manner of Edger Allen Poe.
"The stories that I will be telling on the tour have been handed
down to me by Portland residents over the 40 years I have lived
in Portland," says Baker.
No reservations are necessary for the tours, which will cost $22
per person. For more information contact 712-0228 or visit www.
harlanbaker.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
City to Start Crosswalk Painting
Beginning May 31st and continuing throughout the summer, the
City's Traffic Division will be painting crosswalks nightly
throughout the City of Portland.
The glass bead used to facilitate the painting process is slippery,
and City officials warned people to use caution while walking
across newly-painted crosswalks. Motorists should also take care
not to slam the brakes when driving over freshly painted
crosswalks and center lines, as they too can be affected by the
glass beading. The glass bead will wear off quickly once morning
traffic begins.
The painting process will be ongoing for the next two months
(weather permitting) beginning with pedestrian walkways
followed by directionals (arrows) and center lines.
Indie Biz Awards Gala Tonight
Portland Buy Local has invited the public, the business
community and Buy Local members to attend the IndieBiz
Awards Night Gala, tonight, May 20th from 6-9 pm at The
Empire Dine & Dance, for music, food, silent auction of goods
donated by Portland's diverse local independent businesses, and
the announcement of the awards.
Admission is free (donations welcome). One award is reserved
for an eligible business who may not fit any category, based on
audience decision the night of the event (see Wild Card Award) .
Each of the 9 winners receive an award and professional portrait
taken in their place of business, donated by Buy Local member
Fitzgerald Photo.
Portland Buy Local's 2nd Annual IndieBiz Awards honor local,
independent businesses nominated by the public in each of 8
categories (see 'Award Categories' below). Finalists were
nominated by the public and verified to be local, independent
businesses by Portland Buy Local.
Award Categories:
Soul of Portland
This business radiates 'Portland', in character, originality,
individuality, service, and contribution to the city’s quality of life.
Flavor of Portland
Portland is known for good food, but this food business goes the
extra acre by going out of their way to buy from local growers,
suppliers, distributors, bakers, and service providers,
strengthening our economy and supporting a diverse small
business culture.
Environmental Hero
This local business is the one considered Portland’s environmental
icon.
Portland's Best Kept Secret
Some local independent businesses consistently deliver a high
level of quality, but more often than not, fly under the radar.
Community Hero
This local business does a remarkable job of supporting the
community back.
Portland Totem
This local independent business has has been in Portland long
enough to have had such an influence on the city, that it’s hard to
even imagine working and living in Portland without them.
The Business With No Front
Many of Portland’s independent businesses operate in a studio, a
workshop, an office, a clinic, a garage, a gym, or even out of the
home. You can’t swing by for the paper and cup of coffee, but
they’re a big part of our economy and our quality of life, When
you need to call on them, you always have a great experience,
and you’re always glad they’re there.
Global Hero
This independent Portland business supports our local economy,
but also exposes our local community to the big world outside,
reminding us to be actively aware of the global community we are
all a part of.
Wild Card Award
On IndieBiz Awards Night, there'll be one award reserved for the
business who has such passionate patrons that they are willing to
get up and tell everyone all about the local business that defies
categorization.
Two Police Officers Attacked
Portland police arrested Patrick Thibbi, 46, on May 18th, and
charged him with two counts of assault on a police officer,
domestic violence assault, and refusing to submit to arrest. Police
had received a 911 call with an open line at 11:36 PM, in
reference to a domestic dispute on Arbor Street, and heard
someone yelling for police in the background.
Officers Christopher Dyer and Mark Keller responded to the call,
and saw Thibbi and his two sons standing on the sidewalk, and
then saw Thibbi enter the building.
The officers went inside and followed Thibbi into a bedroom,
where he grabbed a two-foot-long wooden stick which had been
partially hidden under a sheet, and struck both officers in the head
and face. After a brief struggle, Thibbi was subdued and, upon
searching him, the officers found six knives in his pockets and
belt.
There were no injuries listed to his wife, and the police involved
did not require medical treatment.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
RESIDENTS ORGANIZE AGAINST
CONDOS ON MUNJOY HILL
Neighbors and abutters of a proposed condo development at 29
Waterville Street on Munjoy Hill are organizing to express
concerns about the negative impact of this project on their homes
and on public scenic vistas.
Critics say that if developer Waterville Triad has its way, the
residential neighborhood will take on an industrial look with the
development of the 51-foot high condominium, which, they say,
will obscure light and vistas of neighbors and passersby. The
zinc, lead, and concrete clad building will include windows
projecting over the city’s sidewalks, and a large storage shed on
the roof. The developers have requested a waiver of the
requirement to plant street trees, says the group, and have
obtained view easements.
Members of the Munjoy Hill group are expressing their concern
by contacting City Planner Jean Fraser. The Portland Planning
Board will issue its final decision at the public hearing on June
9th.
Police Chief to Meet with
Neighborhood Groups
Portland's Chief of Police James Craig will meet with community
members from WENA, the Western Prom Neighborhood
Association and St. John/Valley Neighborhood Association on
Tuesday, June 9, at 6:30 in the auditorium of Reiche Community
Center. He will make a presentation and then there'll be
opportunity for questions and discussion.
The next WENA meeting is on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th, at 6:
30 at the Reiche Community Center.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Heavily Armed Men Arrested Outside
Congress Street Church
On Monday May 18th, at 8A.M, Portland police officers arrested
46-year-old Herbert Jones and 43-year-old Walter Begaye of
Portland. Both men were taken into custody in the area commonly
known as Freshman Alley, adjacent to the First Parish Unitarian
Church at 425 Congress Street.
Officer Steve Black was on duty at Portland High School as the
department’s school resource officer when he saw Jones
standing beside a car parked in Freshman Alley. Jones was
loading a high-power rifle when Officer Black approached from
behind and ordered Jones to put the gun down. Begaye was
sitting in the passenger seat of the car.
Jones made statements to officers claiming there were pedophiles
in the church, and indicated that was the reason he was loading
the rifle. There was an AA meeting taking place in the basement
of the First Parish Unitarian Church at 425 Congress Street.
Police said Jones is thought to have been stalking a woman
attending the meeting.
Jones is charged with terrorizing, stalking, possession of a
firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in a school zone.
Begaye is charged with carrying a concealed weapon. A knife
was found under the seat he occupied in the car.
A shotgun, four knives and additional ammunition were also
seized from the car. One additional firearm was seized by
detectives while executing a search warrant at Jones’ residence.
Burglar Arrested After Drinking Spree
Portland police arrested David McGlashing, 54, in the parking lot
of Cumberland Self-Storage at 258 Commerical Street on May
10th, at 7:40 AM. When police encountered him, he was so
intoxicated he was unable to walk. He was charged with theft,
commercial burglary, and criminal mischief.
McGlashing had been recorded on video at 4:57 AM, inside the
premises of the Portland Lobster Company, 180 Commercial
Street. He had gained entry to the building, forced open a cooler,
and stole three bottles of Kendall Jackson wine. McGlashing was
involved the day before in a burglary nearby involving liquor, but
the owner decided not to prosecute.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Candidate Asks for Help with
Disappearing Signs
City Charter Commission candidate Jim Gooch is asking his
supporters to help him keep track of his campaign signs.
Gooch says that his signs are being targeted. He doesn't name any
suspects, bu says that several well-anchored, large signs have
been completely removed: one on Spring Street by the Holiday
Inn, one at the foot of Congress at the intersection with the
Eastern Prom. Signs belonging to other candidates at those spots
have not been touched. There are nineteen declared candidates for
the nine seats available on the twelve-member commission. Few
of the candidates have done any visible campaigning, and Gooch
was the first to erect signs around the city.
Gooch says that four smaller signs at Brighton Avenue by the law
school were removed; again, leaving others' signs untouched. He
says that he also had two large signs at the Back Cove: one at the
foot of Vannah Street, and the other directly across from the
Hannaford parking lot. The signs were mounted on 2'x3' sheets
of 1/2 inch plywood, and framed with battens. The plywood was
mounted to two 2x4s, which were sunk eight inches into the
ground. They were then back-braced by strapping that was
screwed to 2x4 stakes, sunk into the ground. All that is left of
these signs are the stakes, says Gooch. Everything else is gone,
except by Hannaford, where there are a couple of scraps with
screws still in them on the ground.
As a first-time candidate, Gooch is not well known in Portland,
and says that the signs are a big part of establishing name
recognition for him, and represent a considerable cost in time,
effort and money. He does not have a campaign staff. He has
asked his supporters to take note of the signs they see, and get in
touch with him if they disappear, and he will try to replace them
as long as he has replacements. The election will be held on June
9th.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
WEST END NEWS EXCLUSIVE!
Police Chief Calls for Community
Advisory Board
Portland's new Chief of Police James E. Craig wants to
implement a new initiative - the Chief’s Community Police
Advisory Board. The board - still in the planning stage - would
meet monthly, and be comprised members of the various
communities in the city. Craig says he wants to have "a diverse
group of people who represent Portland."
Craig doesn’t want the board to be too big - perhaps 12 or 15
people. He stressed that all meetings would be open to the public.
"I want anyone who might be interested in participating in a
meeting to be able to come."
The initial meetings would probably be held at police headquarters
at 109 Middle Street, but Craig said "In an effort to inspire
participation, the meeting locations might move around." People
would be made aware of the meeting locations through the City
web site, and newspaper listings.
The main group might form working committees and
subcommittees to work with the police department on such issues
as homelessness, layouts, and alcoholism. Craig says "We can’t
be reactive; we must be proactive." The group might also give
leadership training for Neighborhood Watch organizations.
"I want the community to feel that it is a partner," Craig said.
"Community police advisory boards are effective at carrying
messages out to the larger community. They reinforce the
partnership.
-Marge Niblock
Friday, May 15, 2009
Filmmaking Bill Passes Tax Committee
The Visual Media Productions bill - LD 1449 - which would give
filmmakers more incentive to make their films in Maine, passed
the Taxation Committee on May 14th with a unanimous “Ought to
Pass” vote. The bill now heads to the House and Senate.
The film version of "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King is hoping to
film in Maine this summer - if the bill is passed and the incentives
are attractive enough. It is set in Maine, the director & producer
want to film it here, and King wants it shot here.
"Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout just won the Pulitizer Prize
for fiction, and it is set in a Maine town. The last Pulitzer-Prize-
winning novel set in Maine, "Empire Falls," was made into an
HBO film, and it was the last big feature film production shot in
Maine, in 2003.
Other films shot in Maine include Message In A Bottle (1999),
starring Kevin Costner, Paul Newman, and Robin Wright Penn. A
130-year-old house at 97 Danforth Street, just down the street
from Victoria Mansion, was remodeled and used in the movie as
Penn's Chicago townhome.
The skating scene in the movie The Preacher's Wife (1996),
starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, was filmed on
the pond in Deering Oaks Park in Portland.
Building Manager Pleads Guilty to
Stealing Rents
A State Street building manager pleaded guilty on May 13th to
stealing more than $266,000 in rents, and losing the money at
gambling casinos from 2006 to 2008. Thomas Abbot, 57, was
sentenced to four years in prison and three years probation. Abbot
had been the building manager at Northgate Apartments, 231 State
Street, for more than ten years.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Deering Student Nominated for State
Board of Education Seat
Andrea Levinsky, a sophomore at Deering High School in
Portland, has been nominated by Maine Gov. John Baldacci as the
student representative to the Maine State Board of Education.
Levinsky is president of the Deering sophomore class. She
participates in Deering's mock trial team, band, chorus and Key
Club. She volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, Relay for
Life and a local soup kitchen and she’s involved in her
synagogue. Levinsky works at a creative arts camp for children.
The board advises the commissioner of education on state laws
related to education. The board makes recommendations to the
Maine Legislature for the efficient conduct of public schools,
approves the formation of School Administrative Districts;
establishes requirements for approval and accreditation of
elementary and secondary schools, grants permission for
administrative units to enter into agreements for cooperative
educational purposes, approves standards for school construction
and approves school construction projects for state aid.
Gubernatorial nominations to the board must be reviewed by the
legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural
Affairs and confirmed by the Maine Senate.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Cafe Review to Publish Posthumous
Pat Murphy Book
An internationally-recognized poetry quarterly that is published in
Portland will publish a posthumous collection of the work of the
late Portland poet and bookseller Pat Murphy.
The Café Review plans to publish Sadie’s Upright Piano this fall.
Preston 'Pat' L. Murphy passed away on April 13th in Freeport.
Murphy was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 26,
1937, the son of Berle and Mary Newman. After serving in the
Merchant Marines, he found his way to Portland and worked for
many years as a bartender at the Lafayette Hotel on Congress
Street.
In the 1980s, Murphy opened a retail bookstore on High Street,
which became Yes Books after he moved it to Danforth Street.
(Yes Books was named to complement the Café No, a short-lived
café and jazz club that was its Danforth Street neighbor,
according to Steve Luttrell, the Café Review publisher, and a
longtime friend and associate of Murphy.)
Luttrell says that Murphy was a major early promoter of poetry in
Portland, including the starting of poetry readings at the Café No.
Murphy was known in the poetry community as ‘The Napkin
Poet’ because of his habit of jotting down his inspirations on the
nearest paper napkin. He was also known affectionately among
his friends as ‘The Buddha’ because of his physique. (A poetry
collection he published was titled Riding Buddha’s Bicycle.)
Murphy was also known for his great love of animals and for his
dependable support of local animal causes.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister Anne. He is
survived by two sons, Jon, and wife Darlene, of Old Orchard
Beach, and Devon Dembroski of North Yarmouth.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Police Face Angry Crowd
Two Portland police officers had to call for backup on May 8th
when an angry crowd formed near the soccer field in Bayside and
surrounded them, hollering “murderers,” “racists,” and other
derogatory comments as they were arresting a suspect in a theft
from Hannaford’s Supermarket.
A theft of two bottles of vodka from Hannaford at 295 Forest
Avenue caused police - who had a description of the suspect and
a license plate - to stop a car at Fox and Anderson streets, at a
little after 7 PM, where they arrested Jimmy Odong, 19, and
retrieved the stolen bottles of vodka.
Three juveniles and two adults were also arrested before the
confrontation was over. Two of the juveniles were charged with
assault - after police were allegedly hit by them. The other juvenile
was charged with obstructing government administration, as was
one of the adults. The other adult was charged with unlawful
interference with a law-enforcement dog.
Pepper spray was used to quell the group and effect the arrests.
-Marge Niblock
Body of Missing Man Found
The body of a young man that was discovered in the Fore River
near the Exxon Terminal in South Portland at 9:30 P.M. on May
8th has been tentatively identified as that of 22-year-old Ezra
Milan.
The identification is based upon clothing, personal items and
general physical characteristics of the body. DNA testing is in
underway in order to positively confirm the identification.
Autopsy results indicate the cause of death was accidental
drowning. The body was discovered in an area adjacent to the
Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, where Mr. Milan was last seen
walking in the early morning hours of March 11th.
MIHC to Mark Great Irish Famine
Procession planned to the West End Cemetery
The Maine Irish Heritage Center will memorialize and honor those
who suffered loss and devastation during the Great Irish Famine,
on Sunday May 17th at 1:00 PM.
The MIHC is holding events in conjunction with Ireland’s
National Famine Commemoration Committee which is headed up
by Minister Eamon O’Cuiv who was the guest of honor at the
MIHC’s re-opening in October, 2008.
Professor Michael Connolly of St. Joseph’s College will give an
overview of the cause and effect of the Famine, and local Irish
historian Matt Barker will discuss how Portland and its Irish
community, in particular St.Dominic's parish, were affected by
the Famine.
The setting of the event in the library room is appropriate because
it was built in 1847 to accommodate the hundreds of Irish
emigrants who were fleeing the Famine.
Also in attendance will be the local chapter of the Ancient Order
of the Hibernians (AOH) who organized and erected a marker in
Portland’s West End Cemetery to commemorate the Famine Irish.
The AOH and local Irish American Club will be leading a
procession to the West End Cemetery to place a wreath on the
site.
The MIHC is asking anyone who attends the event or any event at
the MIHC during the month of May to bring non-perishable food
products or to make a donation to the Wayside Soup Kitchen.
Patsy Wiggins, a MIHC board member and a member of the
Wayside Soup Kitchen, will be making brief remarks about the
expanded need for donated food in these difficult times.
\Monday, May 11, 2009
Eder Ready to Officiate at Same-Sex
Weddings
Former West End State Representative John Eder says that he will
be ready to perform same sex marriages in his role as a notary
public, should the state's recently-passed gay marriage law
become effective this fall. Opponents of the law have begun
collecting signatures for a People's Veto referendum which would
put the issue before voters in the November election.Governor
John E. Baldacci on May 6th signed into law LD 1020, An Act to
End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious
Freedom.
In a statement from his office, Baldacci said “I have followed
closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as
they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and
on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of
Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to
my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I did not
come to this decision lightly or in haste.”
In the past, Baldacci had opposed gay marriage while supporting
the idea of civil unions. The new law does not require any religion
to recognize a marriage or to perform any ceremony with which
it disagrees. Maine became the fifth state to legalize gay
marriage, and the first to have a law passed by a state legislature
and signed by the governor, without the involvement of the
judicial branch of government.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Greens Plan Local Political Potlucks
The Portland Green Party plans to hold regular political events in
Portland’s downtown where residents can gather to discuss local
issues. The events will be open to everyone and will feature
potluck dinners, political discussion, and music. The first event is
scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at 5:30 PM at City Councilor
David Marshall’s Constellation Gallery on Congress Street.
Marshall was elected Chair of the city’s Green party at a May 7th
meeting, replacing Tina Smith, who had resigned the post.
Marshall will serve as Chair until after the November, 2009
election. Marshall is running for re-election, but does not yet have
an opponent in the West End race. He said he will focus on
helping other Green Party candidates win seats in that election.
The Greens have three candidates running for the City Charter
Commission. That election will be held on June 9th.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Prom Businesses Help Cops Fight
Underage Drinking
"Wow, Times Have Changed!” is the theme of this year’s prom
campaign distributed by local florists, tuxedo rentals, hotels,
motels, and limousine companies, together with their local law
enforcement agencies and sponsoring prevention organizations.
The campaign highlights a recent report from the Maine Office of
Substance Abuse, which states that most of today’s youth do not
drink. In addition, a recent parent phone survey by 21 Reasons in
Portland found that more parents are taking concrete steps to
keep their children from drinking.
As part of the campaign, florists and tuxedo rental shops were
asked by their local police to distribute the “Wow, Times Have
Changed!” card with each corsage, boutonniere, and tux rental
during prom season.
The “Wow, Times have Changed!” effort also includes notifying
every limousine and hotel/motel operation in Cumberland County
of the dates of all proms and graduations, and asking the
businesses keep an eye out during those dates for underage
drinking parties. Police are also making personal appeals to local
area businesses to post positive prevention messages on their
marquee boards during prom and graduation season.
Statewide and in Cumberland County, teen drinking rates have
followed a downward trend in the past few years. In Portland,
for example, the percentage of youth who report recent alcohol
use (at least once within the past 30 days) has dropped
significantly--from 37% in 2000 and 36% in 2004, to 29% in
2008 (Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey). And
according to a phone survey conducted by 21 Reasons, more
Portland parents are concerned about underage drinking and
taking concrete steps to prevent it—including talking with their
teens about alcohol, asking if alcohol will be at parties, and calling
party hosts to make sure alcohol will not be provided.
More on the 21 Reasons website: www.21reasons.org.
Alfond's Bill Signed into Law
Portland freshman Senator Justin Alfond celebrated his first piece
of legislation becoming a law on April 16th. Governor Baldacci
signed LD 606, An Act to Enable the Maine Employers' Mutual
Insurance Company to Better Serve the Needs of All Employers
into law.
MEMIC has been offering employment practices liability
insurance only to its policyholders who have an average of 100 or
fewer employees. LD 606 removes the limitation and allows the
company to offer that insurance to its policyholders regardless of
the number of employees.
Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company was created in
1992 to write workers' compensation for Maine employers.
Friday, May 8, 2009
City Hall Goes Purple
Beginning May 1st, Portland's City Hall lights will be illuminated
purple to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence,
and to demonstrate the City's support for the work being done to
bring about its end.
As a part of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's
national campaign Glowing Purple: Shine the Light on Domestic
Violence, communities across the country are illuminating their
buildings and structures for the month of May in purple light, the
color representing the fight against domestic violence. Statistics
show that one in four women are affected by domestic abuse.
Any business, home or individual that would like to participate in
Glowing Purple: Shine the Light on Domestic Violence can visit
the NCADV's website at www.ncadv.org for more information.
Man Attacks Emergency Care Worker
A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to assaulting an
emergency care worker at Mercy Hospital.
Police were sent to Mercy Hospital on April 25th at 7 PM,
regarding an assault that had just occurred on the premises. Brian
R. Brewer, 48, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, was being
treated at the hospital’s emergency room, when he punched his
caregiver in the jaw, in an unprovoked attack.
Brewer was arrested and charged with assault on an emergency
medical care provider, which is a felony charge. He has since
plead guilty to that charge.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, May 7, 2009
House Approves Bill to Reduce Size
of Legislature
A bill to shrink the size of the Maine House of Representatives
from 151 members to 131 members received strong bipartisan
support in the House of Representatives on May 6th. Although
the State and Local Government Committee initially voted down
the bill, the full House approved the bill with an amendment put
forth by Rep. David Van Wie, D-New Gloucester. A motion to
vote down the bill failed 23-122, and the legislation was adopted
by unanimous consent.
Rep. Van Wie amended the bill so that the number of state
representatives would be shrunk to 131 instead of 115. This
would mean that representatives, who now serve roughly 8,400
constituents, would serve close to 10,000 constituents. Van Wie’
s amendment also does not reduce the size of the state Senate, as
the original bill did.
The bill is a Constitutional Amendment and would therefore
require a state-wide vote to accept or reject the proposal. If the
voters were to pass an amendment to the State Constitution, the
change would go into effect in 2013.
The bill faces further House and Senate votes.
Seniors, Veterans to Receive $250
Checks
Distribution of payments starting May 7th; Maine
residents to receive over $72 million
Starting May 7th, $250 checks will be going to Social Security
and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries in Maine,
according to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. The one-time
payments are part of the economic recovery act passed by
Congress and signed by the President earlier this year.
Payments to Social Security and SSI recipients will start going
out this week and be mailed out in batches over a four-week
period. Later in May, similar $250 payments will go out to
Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries, followed by Veteran
Compensation and Pension beneficiaries in June. Altogether,
Maine residents will receive over $72 million in payments.
“If you’re eligible, the check will come to you automatically," said
Pingree. "You don’t have to do anything to apply.”
To receive the payments, individuals needed to be eligible for
benefits during November 2008, December 2008 or January
2009. If someone receives payment from more than one of these
agencies, that person will still only get one payment of $250. If by
June 4th, a person who has not received a payment and thinks
they should have, should contact the Social Security office. For
more information, go to: www.socialsecurity.gov/payment/
Step Away from the Condoms
On May 2nd at 6:22 PM, police were called to the Rite Aid at 713
Congress Street regarding a shoplifter on the premises. They
were told by an employee that two men had entered the store, one
of whom had taken a package of condoms and wart cream, while
the other man appeared to be acting as a lookout.
A Rite Aid employee tried to stop the two as they left, and after a
brief struggle the men fled. Officers located and detained them
after a short foot pursuit after they refused to heed when police
ordered them to stop.
Danny Dumond, 21, of Portland was arrested and charged with
refusing to submit to arrest, and theft. The second man was not
arrested, police say, because he was not involved in the theft, but
both men were served with criminal trespass paperwork,
prohibiting them from returning to the store.
-Marge Niblock
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Bill Would Encourage Maine
Filmmaking
The Maine State Legislature is currently considering a bill that
would give filmmakers more incentive to make their films in
Maine.
The bill had a work session on May 4th, and its sponsor urged its
supporters to contact legislators to advocate for its passage. The
bill title is LD 1449 (HP 1005) An Act To Expand Tax Incentives
for Visual Media Productions.
The film version of "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King is hoping to
film in Maine this summer - if the bill is passed and the incentives
are attractive enough. It is set in Maine, the director & producer
want to film it here, and King wants it shot here.
"Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout just won the Pulitizer Prize
for fiction, and it is set in a Maine town. The last Pulitzer-Prize-
winning novel set in Maine, "Empire Falls," was made into an
HBO film, and it was the last big feature film production shot in
Maine, in 2003.
Man Arrested After Hitting Tree,
Fleeing
Portland police arrested Jonathan D. Aday, 24, of Portland, on
April 29th and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident,
operating after suspension, operating under the influence, and
probation violation.
Police had received a call at 3:50 AM about a white pickup truck
that hit a tree on Cutter Street on the Eastern Prom and left the
scene. The vehicle was last seen fleeing toward Washington
Avenue.
Officers began searching Munjoy Hill, and found a truck
matching the description they had been given, parked on
Congress Street in front of Colucci’s Market. No one was in the
truck, which had flashers on and had extensive front-end damage
to the passenger side. While police were at the scene, Aday exited
an apartment building and approached the officers. He was
arrested after having a discussion with police.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Maine House of Representatives
Approves Marriage Equality Legislation
Bill passes with bipartisan support, 89—57
Augusta , ME —The Maine House of Representatives has passed
legislation that would allow same sex couples to get married.
Maine joins Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont in
recognizing civil marriage for same sex couples, and other states
are currently considering similar proposals. The bill, L.D. 1020,
“An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm
Religious Freedom,” passed the Maine Senate last week by a vote
of 21 to 14.
Last week’s Senate vote provided strong momentum for the
proposal, which came on the heels of an especially strong vote of
support from the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. The
Committee participated in a large public hearing on April 22nd
that drew thousands of Mainers to Augusta.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for final enactment, and
will then be sent to the Governor.
Man Arrested After Threatening at
Laundromat
Police were called to a laundromat at 362 Cumberland Avenue in
the Bayside neighborhood at 2:40 PM on April 23rd, where a man
was reportedly yelling at a female employee. They found Monday
Francis, 22, of Portland in an agitated state outside the laundromat
because the woman would not make change for him. He was not
a customer in the laundromat.
The victim stated that Francis began yelling and screaming, then
made a fist and acted like he was going to punch her. Francis was
arrested and charged with criminal threatening.
-Marge Niblock
SENATE APPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE
LICENSE PLATE
On Tuesday, April 28th, LD 178 "An Act To Create the Support
Animal Welfare Registration Plate," sponsored by Senator John
Nutting, passed its final legislative vote. It is now on its way to
Governor Baldacci's desk for signature, which is expected to
happen during the month of May.
The money raised from the sale of the new Animal Welfare
specialty license plates will be divided equally between the Animal
Welfare Auxiliary Fund and the Companion Animal Sterilization
Fund.
According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the new plates will be
available to purchase on October 1st. The 2,000 Maine residents
that pre-purchased the plates will receive a voucher to pick up
their new plate(s) at their local BMV during the last week of
September.
A link to an image of the final Animal Welfare Registration Plate
and more information can be found at the following link:
http://www.planetdog.com/about/plate/
Monday, May 4, 2009
Fugitive Charged with Employee Theft
On April 20th at 11:15 AM, police were called to Olympia Sports
on Congress Street. They were told that Geoffrey R. Motil, 34, of
Portland, came to work the previous day wearing Reebok
sneakers, but when he went home, he was carrying the Reeboks
and was wearing a pair of Adidas. The empty box for the Adidas
shoes had been thrown into the trash.
Officers were told that Mr. Motil was scheduled to come in to
work at 1 PM. They returned while he was at work and did a
routine check of him, which showed an outstanding warrant for
his arrest in Florida on a stalking charge.
Motil was arrested and charged with theft, violation of conditional
release, and being a fugitive from justice.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Poll Changes Take Effect for May 12th
School Budget Referendum
Many Portland voters will have new polling places on May 12th
for the referendum on next year’s Portland Public Schools
budget. The number of city polling places has been reduced from
16 to 12. A list of polling places and voting districts can be found
at
www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp Polls will be open from
7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Absentee ballots for the school budget referendum now are
available on the Portland City Clerk’s Web site
(www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp#absentee_ballot) or at
the clerk’s office in Portland City Hall. Absentee ballots may not
be returned until May 5, the day after the Portland City Council
votes on the school budget.
This is the second year that Portland voters will participate in a
school budget referendum, as required by Maine’s School
Administrative Reorganization Law. The referendum covers the
portion of the school budget that pays for kindergarten through
twelfth grade classroom
instruction, administration, special education, transportation,
equipment and supplies and professional development.
The Portland School Committee has proposed a $91.4 million
budget that maintains programs, supports strategic planning,
updates a portion of the bus fleet and makes modest
improvements in technology.
A projected rise in Portland’s state subsidy funding would more
than offset the 2 percent increase in the school budget. As a
result, the portion of the
budget paid by local property taxes would decline by nearly $1
million.
Detailed school budget information:
www.portlandschools.org.
APRIL, 2009
Neighbors Want More Police Presence
as Activity Increases
West End Neighborhood Association President Rosanne Graef
will meet with various City and school officials on June 8th
regarding WENA’s request that the West End Community
Policing Center be moved to the Reiche Community Center on
Brackett Street. The policing center is currently located at Harbor
Terrace on Danforth Street. Graef said she would like to hear
from members of the community about why they think this
would be a good move.
Meanwhile, neighbors of the Reiche School report that a group
of between four and eight young men is gathering regularly on the
Reiche School maintenance loading area, next to the parking lot,
where they play dice and cards, argue, push each other around,
and smoke cigarettes. The group was joined on Friday night by a
woman who reportedly had sex with one of the men. A car break-
in was reported on the lot last week.
A police cruiser came into the lot and the group dispersed, but
returned within half an hour. An hour later, a car with two males
pulled over, and there was an altercation with other men on the
sidewalk, involving fistfighting and yelling. This group dispersed
before another police cruiser arrived.
Neighbors have provided detailed descriptions of the individuals
involved, including automobile descriptions and license plate
numbers. Portland Chief of Police James Craig is scheduled to
meet with the neighborhood association on June 9th at the Reiche
Community Center.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
City Considers Use of Tasers by Police
MARGE NIBLOCK
James E. Craig, Portland’s new Police Chief, is a proponent of
the use of Tasers, when applicable, and wants to order some for
Portland’s Police Department, proposing a three-month test, after
which City officials would make an assessment.
Craig worked with Tasers during his 28-year career with the
LAPD. He touts the reduction of injuries to officers and
individuals who are violent and combative as reasons for wanting
to see them tried in Portland. He also advocates the use of Tasers
on people who are intent on committing suicide.
“Tasers as a use-of-force option have been very effective.”
Their use is not applicable in all police actions, however.
“In a deadly-force situation, it’s too risky,” stated Craig. “An
officer would more likely have to give up a place of cover to
deploy a Taser,” which leaves that officer in a vulnerable
position. Craig says “The key is officer safety, and having a
tactical plan leading up to the actual force. Effective use of Tasers
is enhanced with appropriate training and management
oversight.”
There are people in Portland who don’t want to see Tasers come
into use. They say that many people who have been zapped with
the 50,00-volt weapons used on them have died as a result.
Amnesty International cites a figure of 350 deaths since 2001 that
were related to Tasers.
Craig says that these numbers don’t give figures of how many
people were “tased” during that time period, and whether the
Taser was actually the direct cause of death.
“Police officers are held accountable and are responsible for safe
application of whatever tool is used,” Craig stated, “and medical
evaluation and treatment will be provided at the scene.”
City Councilor Kevin Donoghue is a member of the Council’s
Public Safety Committee. The committee has heard Craig’s
proposal for a three-month trial period and Donoghue says “The
pilot program is a canard. We’re not going to be renting Tasers.”
Once the City purchases the weapons, Portland will own them.
“I have no problem with the use of Tasers as an alternative to
deadly force; beyond that it’s a gray area,” stated Donoghue. “I
want a level of comfort with the conditions under which a Taser
will be deployed. I want to see standard operating procedures that
will make me comfortable.”
Donoghue said he doesn’t want to see Tasers used on unarmed
people as an alternative to using a baton, and doesn’t want their
use to be a “risk-management strategy.”
Councilor Dory Waxman, another member of the committee,
wants to “make sure police officers are safe and have the tools
they need. We also have to protect the public interest.” Waxman’s
main concern is to be certain the people using Tasers are trained
properly and are monitored. She says she has to educate herself
about Tasers before making a decision as to their use here.
Craig’s position is that “only trained officers would carry and use
Tasers; tools of de-escalation would be used first. Tasers would
only be used when a suspect became violent and aggressive.”
Craig stresses that the Taser is “another tool, a nonlethal tool to
bring about a successful resolution.”
Councilor Dan Skolnik chairs the Council’s Public Safety
Committee and was present when Chief Craig and Captain Vernon
Malloch spoke to them about Tasers on May 12th. Skolnik says
“Chief Craig is not riding into town with a Taser agenda.”
The Taser issue was raised a couple of months ago because of a
Justice Administration Grant (JAG) to buy equipment, and the
Police Department said they wanted to buy Tasers. Aside from
the many issues involved, such as medical issues, civil liberties
challenges in courts, and some studies and surveys done that
Skolnik feels are “inconclusive and ambiguous,” one of this
Councilor’s main concerns when taking all the information into
consideration is whether Tasers are cost effective for the Police
Department.
Deputy Chief Joseph Loughlin says Portland is interested in the
video-equipped Tasers, which he thinks cost about $1,200. He
says “The Portland Police Department has been talking about
Tasers for a long time. We get calls every night where they could
be used.”
There are now four police officers who have been trained in
Taser use. Loughlin said the use of Tasers would begin with
those four and also supervisors who would be trained. Loughlin
stated “When you look at officer injuries sustained, medical bills
accrued, and money spent due to time off after injuries, Tasers
are cost effective.” He says it has been proven to be so in other
communities.
Loughlin says the department has use-of-force committees and
policy review committees, and that Taser implementation would
be gradual, with testing and evaluation periods as to their safety
and use.
“There will be strict policies and procedures in place. We run a
tight ship here.”
Chief Craig will return to the Public Safety Committee in June to
propose the conditions and procedures for the proposed pilot
project, after which the committee will make its recommendation
to the full City Council.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Congress Street Traffic Stop Leads to
Murder and Arson Charges
Chad Gurney, a 27-year-old Portland man, was arrested without
incident at the Crest Motel on East Grand Avenue in Old Orchard
Beach at 5:00 AM on May 26th, and charged with murder and
arson.
A routine traffic stop by Officer Jason King on Congress Street at
2:00 AM this morning led to the suspect’s arrest. A man stopped
for going through a red light at Pearl Street was a friend of
Gurney’s and said to the officer: “I’m talking to Chad Gurney on
the phone and I know you guys are looking for him.”
Officer King and Gurney spoke for over 90 minutes, after which
Gurney told King where he was and agreed to surrender.
When firefighters arrived at the scene of a blaze in Gurney’s third-
floor apartment at 463 Cumberland Avenue in the Parkside
neighborhood on Monday night, they found a dead woman,
whose death “was not consistent with a typical fire death,”
according to Chief Fred LaMontagne of Portland’s Fire
Department. LaMontagne and Police Chief James E. Craig
appeared together at a news conference called regarding the fire
and subsequent investigation.
LaMontagne characterized the damage from the fire as “light to
medium, with minimal damage to adjoining apartments.” Two
firefighters were injured; one was released with a fractured leg
and the other is still hospitalized.
Chief Craig called it “a tragic situation,” and stated: “We’re still
actively investigating.” After disclosing that several neighbors and
other witnesses were interviewed and provided police with
information, he said “This is an example of how the police and
community work together.”
Captain Vern Malloch oversaw the investigation, and said the
relationship between the victim and the suspect was not clear at
this point, although she was not a resident of the apartment.
Malloch said “We believe the fire was set after the death,” and
stated “The autopsy is being conducted now.” Pending
notification of next of kin, the victim’s identity was not being
released.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Police Shoot Moose Near Forest Avenue
Portland police shot and killed a moose early this afternoon after
spending six hours in the Baxter Woods neighborhood trying
unsuccessfully to tranquilize the animal. When safety became an
issue as the animal headed toward Forest Avenue, it was shot “as
a last resort,” according to Lieutenant James Sweatt, whose D
Team dealt with the animal. Sweatt said it was disposed of
humanely.
-Marge Niblock
Car Break-in at Reiche Parking Lot
A car parked in the Reiche parking lot on Brackett Street was
broken into while its owner was visiting a friend on the street
between 8 and 11pm on May 21st. Someone apparently jimmied
the car's back window, pushed it down and broke the window's
mechanism, causing $800 in damages.
Police recovered a bag nearby. An iPod was missing from the
bag, but police were able to locate the victim because her
checkbook was still in the bag. The iPod contained client files, in
addition to music. It has a "Northeast Bank"inscription on the
back, and unique, expensive, black, over-the-ears type
headphones. Anyone seeing it should report it to the West End
Community Policing Center at 780-0495.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
East Bayside to Hire Community
Organizer
The East Bayside Neighborhood Organization wants to hire a
community organizer starting July 1st.
Job duties will include overseeing & coordinating EBNO's
fundraising efforts, and working in conjunction with the Board of
Directors, project managers, and general members, and making
quarterly reports to organizations and governmental units
providing funds to EBNO.
Among the coordinators other duties will be:
-Heading up the EBNO Crime Watch
-Overseeing the creating of neighborhood surveys
-Compiling and reporting the results of these neighborhood
surveys
-Creating monthly updates to keep neighborhood residents and
business informed of EBNO's activities
-Conducting community outreach
-Sitting on various committees and attending meetings as a
representative of EBNO
-Acting as EBNO's liason to MHNO and BNA (bordering
neighborhood organizations/ associations)
-Attending the Kennedy Park Tenant's Council meetings
-Facilitating discussions across cultural boundaries by engaging
residents in discussion, enlisting the help of other organizations.
The coordinator will work 20 hours per week (15 paid, 5
volunteer) and will earn up to $35 an hour, depending on
experience.
Applicants may email : jdalton@gwi.net or write to:
East Bayside Neighborhood Organization, c/o Jill Dalton, 61 East
Oxford Street, Portland, ME 04101
Final deadline for application is Friday June 5th.
Friday, May 22, 2009
PHS At-Risk Youth Educator Honored
Sophie Payson, a social worker for the Portland High School
Alternative Education Program, was among seven Maine
educators honored for their outstanding work on May 21st by
Governor Baldacci and Education Commissioner Susan Gendron.
Recipients were chosen because of their impact on young people
whose lives might have turned out quite differently if not for the
caring and intervention of these individuals.
Local school district dropout prevention committees submitted
nominations to the state Advisory Committee on Truancy,
Dropout and Alternative Education, which advises the
Commissioner on what causes students to be truant or to drop
out, and methods to address the issues.
Payson has been an integral part of the Portland High School
Alternative Education Program for the past 5 years. In that time,
the numbers of students enrolled and attending the program has
doubled. These are kids who have, in many cases, given up on
school and are encouraged and supported to return by Payson.
Mike Johnson, Principal of PHS, often says that Payson spends
more time in kitchens than in school visiting the homes of
students who face significant barriers to their education. When a
student faces circumstances which do not allow him/her to
pursue a high school diploma, she connects that student with
important community resources such as Adult Education, Youth
Building Alternatives or Job Corps
Thursday, May 21, 2009
State Wants to Test for Radon in
Rental Units
The Maine House of Representatives will consider a first-in-the-
nation proposal to test and disclose radon levels in apartment
homes and rental units. The legislature’s Legal and Veteran’s
Affairs Committee has voted unanimously to support the bill to
require rental property owners to test for the presence of radon, a
naturally occurring gas carcinogen found in soil and water, and
the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and
in Maine.
Under the proposal, landlords would have to test for radon in their
rental units at least once every 10 years, notify tenants of the
presence of unhealthy levels of radon, and mitigate until healthy
levels are achieved. More than 30 percent of all Mainers live in
rental housing.
The bill would ensure that certified testing professionals are
employed when landlords perform radon air tests, and that they
are educated about the importance of mitigation.
Maine ’s rates of radon exposure are some of the highest in the
nation. The gas cannot be detected by smell, taste or sight.
However, upon detection, it can be easily mitigated.
According to the Maine CDC, only about one-quarter of all Maine
homes have actually been tested for radon, with most tests
occurring during property sales. When combined with smoking
or exposure to second-hand smoke, radon can greatly increase
one’s risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon has also been linked
to illnesses such as pulmonary fibrosis, leukemia, and stomach
and liver cancer.
The legislation received support from cancer prevention
advocates, indoor air quality experts, and state officials seeking to
promote greater awareness of radon in Maine, during the public
hearing process. LD 943, An Act to Reduce Lung Cancer Rates
in Maine, will be considered by the Maine House of
Representatives in the coming weeks.
New Historic Walking Tour Hits
Portland
True Tales Tours of Portland will be offered downtown.
West End NEWS columnist Harlan Baker will lead walking tours of
downtown Portland, leaving from Monument Square every
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 3:45 pm, starting June 11th.
The tour will go to Gorham's Corner in the West End, through the
Old Port to India Street, and end at the foot of Munjoy HIll.
Along the way, Baker will tell stories about the neighborhood
histories and colorful characters that lived there. Based in fact, all
tales will be accurately conveyed, providing superb history
lessons which transition into some of the most enticing narratives
ever told.
Many of the stories are based on interviews Baker conducted
while a writer for North Country, an alternative newspaper that
was published in Portland from 1969 to 1974.
Tourists will hear stories about bootlegging,the old fishing fleet,
the Great Fire of 1866,the destruction of Falmouth Neck in
October of 1775 by the British, and much more.
"There are many fascinating stories about people in Portland's
recent past as well as the 18th and 19th centuries, " said Baker. "I
think these tours will be unique in that people will learn about the
Portland they may not know about."
Baker is a local actor, professor and historian whose play "Jimmy
Higgins: A Life in the Labor Movement" is now on tour across
New England. He is an adjunct lecturer at the University of
Southern Maine, and writes the West End People column for The
West End News. He is also a story teller at the Witch House in
Salem, Massachusetts every October, where he tells haunted tales
in the manner of Edger Allen Poe.
"The stories that I will be telling on the tour have been handed
down to me by Portland residents over the 40 years I have lived
in Portland," says Baker.
No reservations are necessary for the tours, which will cost $22
per person. For more information contact 712-0228 or visit www.
harlanbaker.com
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
City to Start Crosswalk Painting
Beginning May 31st and continuing throughout the summer, the
City's Traffic Division will be painting crosswalks nightly
throughout the City of Portland.
The glass bead used to facilitate the painting process is slippery,
and City officials warned people to use caution while walking
across newly-painted crosswalks. Motorists should also take care
not to slam the brakes when driving over freshly painted
crosswalks and center lines, as they too can be affected by the
glass beading. The glass bead will wear off quickly once morning
traffic begins.
The painting process will be ongoing for the next two months
(weather permitting) beginning with pedestrian walkways
followed by directionals (arrows) and center lines.
Indie Biz Awards Gala Tonight
Portland Buy Local has invited the public, the business
community and Buy Local members to attend the IndieBiz
Awards Night Gala, tonight, May 20th from 6-9 pm at The
Empire Dine & Dance, for music, food, silent auction of goods
donated by Portland's diverse local independent businesses, and
the announcement of the awards.
Admission is free (donations welcome). One award is reserved
for an eligible business who may not fit any category, based on
audience decision the night of the event (see Wild Card Award) .
Each of the 9 winners receive an award and professional portrait
taken in their place of business, donated by Buy Local member
Fitzgerald Photo.
Portland Buy Local's 2nd Annual IndieBiz Awards honor local,
independent businesses nominated by the public in each of 8
categories (see 'Award Categories' below). Finalists were
nominated by the public and verified to be local, independent
businesses by Portland Buy Local.
Award Categories:
Soul of Portland
This business radiates 'Portland', in character, originality,
individuality, service, and contribution to the city’s quality of life.
Flavor of Portland
Portland is known for good food, but this food business goes the
extra acre by going out of their way to buy from local growers,
suppliers, distributors, bakers, and service providers,
strengthening our economy and supporting a diverse small
business culture.
Environmental Hero
This local business is the one considered Portland’s environmental
icon.
Portland's Best Kept Secret
Some local independent businesses consistently deliver a high
level of quality, but more often than not, fly under the radar.
Community Hero
This local business does a remarkable job of supporting the
community back.
Portland Totem
This local independent business has has been in Portland long
enough to have had such an influence on the city, that it’s hard to
even imagine working and living in Portland without them.
The Business With No Front
Many of Portland’s independent businesses operate in a studio, a
workshop, an office, a clinic, a garage, a gym, or even out of the
home. You can’t swing by for the paper and cup of coffee, but
they’re a big part of our economy and our quality of life, When
you need to call on them, you always have a great experience,
and you’re always glad they’re there.
Global Hero
This independent Portland business supports our local economy,
but also exposes our local community to the big world outside,
reminding us to be actively aware of the global community we are
all a part of.
Wild Card Award
On IndieBiz Awards Night, there'll be one award reserved for the
business who has such passionate patrons that they are willing to
get up and tell everyone all about the local business that defies
categorization.
Two Police Officers Attacked
Portland police arrested Patrick Thibbi, 46, on May 18th, and
charged him with two counts of assault on a police officer,
domestic violence assault, and refusing to submit to arrest. Police
had received a 911 call with an open line at 11:36 PM, in
reference to a domestic dispute on Arbor Street, and heard
someone yelling for police in the background.
Officers Christopher Dyer and Mark Keller responded to the call,
and saw Thibbi and his two sons standing on the sidewalk, and
then saw Thibbi enter the building.
The officers went inside and followed Thibbi into a bedroom,
where he grabbed a two-foot-long wooden stick which had been
partially hidden under a sheet, and struck both officers in the head
and face. After a brief struggle, Thibbi was subdued and, upon
searching him, the officers found six knives in his pockets and
belt.
There were no injuries listed to his wife, and the police involved
did not require medical treatment.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
RESIDENTS ORGANIZE AGAINST
CONDOS ON MUNJOY HILL
Neighbors and abutters of a proposed condo development at 29
Waterville Street on Munjoy Hill are organizing to express
concerns about the negative impact of this project on their homes
and on public scenic vistas.
Critics say that if developer Waterville Triad has its way, the
residential neighborhood will take on an industrial look with the
development of the 51-foot high condominium, which, they say,
will obscure light and vistas of neighbors and passersby. The
zinc, lead, and concrete clad building will include windows
projecting over the city’s sidewalks, and a large storage shed on
the roof. The developers have requested a waiver of the
requirement to plant street trees, says the group, and have
obtained view easements.
Members of the Munjoy Hill group are expressing their concern
by contacting City Planner Jean Fraser. The Portland Planning
Board will issue its final decision at the public hearing on June
9th.
Police Chief to Meet with
Neighborhood Groups
Portland's Chief of Police James Craig will meet with community
members from WENA, the Western Prom Neighborhood
Association and St. John/Valley Neighborhood Association on
Tuesday, June 9, at 6:30 in the auditorium of Reiche Community
Center. He will make a presentation and then there'll be
opportunity for questions and discussion.
The next WENA meeting is on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10th, at 6:
30 at the Reiche Community Center.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Heavily Armed Men Arrested Outside
Congress Street Church
On Monday May 18th, at 8A.M, Portland police officers arrested
46-year-old Herbert Jones and 43-year-old Walter Begaye of
Portland. Both men were taken into custody in the area commonly
known as Freshman Alley, adjacent to the First Parish Unitarian
Church at 425 Congress Street.
Officer Steve Black was on duty at Portland High School as the
department’s school resource officer when he saw Jones
standing beside a car parked in Freshman Alley. Jones was
loading a high-power rifle when Officer Black approached from
behind and ordered Jones to put the gun down. Begaye was
sitting in the passenger seat of the car.
Jones made statements to officers claiming there were pedophiles
in the church, and indicated that was the reason he was loading
the rifle. There was an AA meeting taking place in the basement
of the First Parish Unitarian Church at 425 Congress Street.
Police said Jones is thought to have been stalking a woman
attending the meeting.
Jones is charged with terrorizing, stalking, possession of a
firearm by a felon, and possession of a firearm in a school zone.
Begaye is charged with carrying a concealed weapon. A knife
was found under the seat he occupied in the car.
A shotgun, four knives and additional ammunition were also
seized from the car. One additional firearm was seized by
detectives while executing a search warrant at Jones’ residence.
Burglar Arrested After Drinking Spree
Portland police arrested David McGlashing, 54, in the parking lot
of Cumberland Self-Storage at 258 Commerical Street on May
10th, at 7:40 AM. When police encountered him, he was so
intoxicated he was unable to walk. He was charged with theft,
commercial burglary, and criminal mischief.
McGlashing had been recorded on video at 4:57 AM, inside the
premises of the Portland Lobster Company, 180 Commercial
Street. He had gained entry to the building, forced open a cooler,
and stole three bottles of Kendall Jackson wine. McGlashing was
involved the day before in a burglary nearby involving liquor, but
the owner decided not to prosecute.
-Marge Niblock
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Candidate Asks for Help with
Disappearing Signs
City Charter Commission candidate Jim Gooch is asking his
supporters to help him keep track of his campaign signs.
Gooch says that his signs are being targeted. He doesn't name any
suspects, bu says that several well-anchored, large signs have
been completely removed: one on Spring Street by the Holiday
Inn, one at the foot of Congress at the intersection with the
Eastern Prom. Signs belonging to other candidates at those spots
have not been touched. There are nineteen declared candidates for
the nine seats available on the twelve-member commission. Few
of the candidates have done any visible campaigning, and Gooch
was the first to erect signs around the city.
Gooch says that four smaller signs at Brighton Avenue by the law
school were removed; again, leaving others' signs untouched. He
says that he also had two large signs at the Back Cove: one at the
foot of Vannah Street, and the other directly across from the
Hannaford parking lot. The signs were mounted on 2'x3' sheets
of 1/2 inch plywood, and framed with battens. The plywood was
mounted to two 2x4s, which were sunk eight inches into the
ground. They were then back-braced by strapping that was
screwed to 2x4 stakes, sunk into the ground. All that is left of
these signs are the stakes, says Gooch. Everything else is gone,
except by Hannaford, where there are a couple of scraps with
screws still in them on the ground.
As a first-time candidate, Gooch is not well known in Portland,
and says that the signs are a big part of establishing name
recognition for him, and represent a considerable cost in time,
effort and money. He does not have a campaign staff. He has
asked his supporters to take note of the signs they see, and get in
touch with him if they disappear, and he will try to replace them
as long as he has replacements. The election will be held on June
9th.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
WEST END NEWS EXCLUSIVE!
Police Chief Calls for Community
Advisory Board
Portland's new Chief of Police James E. Craig wants to
implement a new initiative - the Chief’s Community Police
Advisory Board. The board - still in the planning stage - would
meet monthly, and be comprised members of the various
communities in the city. Craig says he wants to have "a diverse
group of people who represent Portland."
Craig doesn’t want the board to be too big - perhaps 12 or 15
people. He stressed that all meetings would be open to the public.
"I want anyone who might be interested in participating in a
meeting to be able to come."
The initial meetings would probably be held at police headquarters
at 109 Middle Street, but Craig said "In an effort to inspire
participation, the meeting locations might move around." People
would be made aware of the meeting locations through the City
web site, and newspaper listings.
The main group might form working committees and
subcommittees to work with the police department on such issues
as homelessness, layouts, and alcoholism. Craig says "We can’t
be reactive; we must be proactive." The group might also give
leadership training for Neighborhood Watch organizations.
"I want the community to feel that it is a partner," Craig said.
"Community police advisory boards are effective at carrying
messages out to the larger community. They reinforce the
partnership.
-Marge Niblock
Friday, May 15, 2009
Filmmaking Bill Passes Tax Committee
The Visual Media Productions bill - LD 1449 - which would give
filmmakers more incentive to make their films in Maine, passed
the Taxation Committee on May 14th with a unanimous “Ought to
Pass” vote. The bill now heads to the House and Senate.
The film version of "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King is hoping to
film in Maine this summer - if the bill is passed and the incentives
are attractive enough. It is set in Maine, the director & producer
want to film it here, and King wants it shot here.
"Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout just won the Pulitizer Prize
for fiction, and it is set in a Maine town. The last Pulitzer-Prize-
winning novel set in Maine, "Empire Falls," was made into an
HBO film, and it was the last big feature film production shot in
Maine, in 2003.
Other films shot in Maine include Message In A Bottle (1999),
starring Kevin Costner, Paul Newman, and Robin Wright Penn. A
130-year-old house at 97 Danforth Street, just down the street
from Victoria Mansion, was remodeled and used in the movie as
Penn's Chicago townhome.
The skating scene in the movie The Preacher's Wife (1996),
starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, was filmed on
the pond in Deering Oaks Park in Portland.
Building Manager Pleads Guilty to
Stealing Rents
A State Street building manager pleaded guilty on May 13th to
stealing more than $266,000 in rents, and losing the money at
gambling casinos from 2006 to 2008. Thomas Abbot, 57, was
sentenced to four years in prison and three years probation. Abbot
had been the building manager at Northgate Apartments, 231 State
Street, for more than ten years.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Deering Student Nominated for State
Board of Education Seat
Andrea Levinsky, a sophomore at Deering High School in
Portland, has been nominated by Maine Gov. John Baldacci as the
student representative to the Maine State Board of Education.
Levinsky is president of the Deering sophomore class. She
participates in Deering's mock trial team, band, chorus and Key
Club. She volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, Relay for
Life and a local soup kitchen and she’s involved in her
synagogue. Levinsky works at a creative arts camp for children.
The board advises the commissioner of education on state laws
related to education. The board makes recommendations to the
Maine Legislature for the efficient conduct of public schools,
approves the formation of School Administrative Districts;
establishes requirements for approval and accreditation of
elementary and secondary schools, grants permission for
administrative units to enter into agreements for cooperative
educational purposes, approves standards for school construction
and approves school construction projects for state aid.
Gubernatorial nominations to the board must be reviewed by the
legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural
Affairs and confirmed by the Maine Senate.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Cafe Review to Publish Posthumous
Pat Murphy Book
An internationally-recognized poetry quarterly that is published in
Portland will publish a posthumous collection of the work of the
late Portland poet and bookseller Pat Murphy.
The Café Review plans to publish Sadie’s Upright Piano this fall.
Preston 'Pat' L. Murphy passed away on April 13th in Freeport.
Murphy was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee on October 26,
1937, the son of Berle and Mary Newman. After serving in the
Merchant Marines, he found his way to Portland and worked for
many years as a bartender at the Lafayette Hotel on Congress
Street.
In the 1980s, Murphy opened a retail bookstore on High Street,
which became Yes Books after he moved it to Danforth Street.
(Yes Books was named to complement the Café No, a short-lived
café and jazz club that was its Danforth Street neighbor,
according to Steve Luttrell, the Café Review publisher, and a
longtime friend and associate of Murphy.)
Luttrell says that Murphy was a major early promoter of poetry in
Portland, including the starting of poetry readings at the Café No.
Murphy was known in the poetry community as ‘The Napkin
Poet’ because of his habit of jotting down his inspirations on the
nearest paper napkin. He was also known affectionately among
his friends as ‘The Buddha’ because of his physique. (A poetry
collection he published was titled Riding Buddha’s Bicycle.)
Murphy was also known for his great love of animals and for his
dependable support of local animal causes.
He was predeceased by his parents and sister Anne. He is
survived by two sons, Jon, and wife Darlene, of Old Orchard
Beach, and Devon Dembroski of North Yarmouth.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Police Face Angry Crowd
Two Portland police officers had to call for backup on May 8th
when an angry crowd formed near the soccer field in Bayside and
surrounded them, hollering “murderers,” “racists,” and other
derogatory comments as they were arresting a suspect in a theft
from Hannaford’s Supermarket.
A theft of two bottles of vodka from Hannaford at 295 Forest
Avenue caused police - who had a description of the suspect and
a license plate - to stop a car at Fox and Anderson streets, at a
little after 7 PM, where they arrested Jimmy Odong, 19, and
retrieved the stolen bottles of vodka.
Three juveniles and two adults were also arrested before the
confrontation was over. Two of the juveniles were charged with
assault - after police were allegedly hit by them. The other juvenile
was charged with obstructing government administration, as was
one of the adults. The other adult was charged with unlawful
interference with a law-enforcement dog.
Pepper spray was used to quell the group and effect the arrests.
-Marge Niblock
Body of Missing Man Found
The body of a young man that was discovered in the Fore River
near the Exxon Terminal in South Portland at 9:30 P.M. on May
8th has been tentatively identified as that of 22-year-old Ezra
Milan.
The identification is based upon clothing, personal items and
general physical characteristics of the body. DNA testing is in
underway in order to positively confirm the identification.
Autopsy results indicate the cause of death was accidental
drowning. The body was discovered in an area adjacent to the
Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, where Mr. Milan was last seen
walking in the early morning hours of March 11th.
MIHC to Mark Great Irish Famine
Procession planned to the West End Cemetery
The Maine Irish Heritage Center will memorialize and honor those
who suffered loss and devastation during the Great Irish Famine,
on Sunday May 17th at 1:00 PM.
The MIHC is holding events in conjunction with Ireland’s
National Famine Commemoration Committee which is headed up
by Minister Eamon O’Cuiv who was the guest of honor at the
MIHC’s re-opening in October, 2008.
Professor Michael Connolly of St. Joseph’s College will give an
overview of the cause and effect of the Famine, and local Irish
historian Matt Barker will discuss how Portland and its Irish
community, in particular St.Dominic's parish, were affected by
the Famine.
The setting of the event in the library room is appropriate because
it was built in 1847 to accommodate the hundreds of Irish
emigrants who were fleeing the Famine.
Also in attendance will be the local chapter of the Ancient Order
of the Hibernians (AOH) who organized and erected a marker in
Portland’s West End Cemetery to commemorate the Famine Irish.
The AOH and local Irish American Club will be leading a
procession to the West End Cemetery to place a wreath on the
site.
The MIHC is asking anyone who attends the event or any event at
the MIHC during the month of May to bring non-perishable food
products or to make a donation to the Wayside Soup Kitchen.
Patsy Wiggins, a MIHC board member and a member of the
Wayside Soup Kitchen, will be making brief remarks about the
expanded need for donated food in these difficult times.
\Monday, May 11, 2009
Eder Ready to Officiate at Same-Sex
Weddings
Former West End State Representative John Eder says that he will
be ready to perform same sex marriages in his role as a notary
public, should the state's recently-passed gay marriage law
become effective this fall. Opponents of the law have begun
collecting signatures for a People's Veto referendum which would
put the issue before voters in the November election.Governor
John E. Baldacci on May 6th signed into law LD 1020, An Act to
End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious
Freedom.
In a statement from his office, Baldacci said “I have followed
closely the debate on this issue. I have listened to both sides, as
they have presented their arguments during the public hearing and
on the floor of the Maine Senate and the House of
Representatives. I have read many of the notes and letters sent to
my office, and I have weighed my decision carefully. I did not
come to this decision lightly or in haste.”
In the past, Baldacci had opposed gay marriage while supporting
the idea of civil unions. The new law does not require any religion
to recognize a marriage or to perform any ceremony with which
it disagrees. Maine became the fifth state to legalize gay
marriage, and the first to have a law passed by a state legislature
and signed by the governor, without the involvement of the
judicial branch of government.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Greens Plan Local Political Potlucks
The Portland Green Party plans to hold regular political events in
Portland’s downtown where residents can gather to discuss local
issues. The events will be open to everyone and will feature
potluck dinners, political discussion, and music. The first event is
scheduled for Thursday, May 28th at 5:30 PM at City Councilor
David Marshall’s Constellation Gallery on Congress Street.
Marshall was elected Chair of the city’s Green party at a May 7th
meeting, replacing Tina Smith, who had resigned the post.
Marshall will serve as Chair until after the November, 2009
election. Marshall is running for re-election, but does not yet have
an opponent in the West End race. He said he will focus on
helping other Green Party candidates win seats in that election.
The Greens have three candidates running for the City Charter
Commission. That election will be held on June 9th.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Prom Businesses Help Cops Fight
Underage Drinking
"Wow, Times Have Changed!” is the theme of this year’s prom
campaign distributed by local florists, tuxedo rentals, hotels,
motels, and limousine companies, together with their local law
enforcement agencies and sponsoring prevention organizations.
The campaign highlights a recent report from the Maine Office of
Substance Abuse, which states that most of today’s youth do not
drink. In addition, a recent parent phone survey by 21 Reasons in
Portland found that more parents are taking concrete steps to
keep their children from drinking.
As part of the campaign, florists and tuxedo rental shops were
asked by their local police to distribute the “Wow, Times Have
Changed!” card with each corsage, boutonniere, and tux rental
during prom season.
The “Wow, Times have Changed!” effort also includes notifying
every limousine and hotel/motel operation in Cumberland County
of the dates of all proms and graduations, and asking the
businesses keep an eye out during those dates for underage
drinking parties. Police are also making personal appeals to local
area businesses to post positive prevention messages on their
marquee boards during prom and graduation season.
Statewide and in Cumberland County, teen drinking rates have
followed a downward trend in the past few years. In Portland,
for example, the percentage of youth who report recent alcohol
use (at least once within the past 30 days) has dropped
significantly--from 37% in 2000 and 36% in 2004, to 29% in
2008 (Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey). And
according to a phone survey conducted by 21 Reasons, more
Portland parents are concerned about underage drinking and
taking concrete steps to prevent it—including talking with their
teens about alcohol, asking if alcohol will be at parties, and calling
party hosts to make sure alcohol will not be provided.
More on the 21 Reasons website: www.21reasons.org.
Alfond's Bill Signed into Law
Portland freshman Senator Justin Alfond celebrated his first piece
of legislation becoming a law on April 16th. Governor Baldacci
signed LD 606, An Act to Enable the Maine Employers' Mutual
Insurance Company to Better Serve the Needs of All Employers
into law.
MEMIC has been offering employment practices liability
insurance only to its policyholders who have an average of 100 or
fewer employees. LD 606 removes the limitation and allows the
company to offer that insurance to its policyholders regardless of
the number of employees.
Maine Employers' Mutual Insurance Company was created in
1992 to write workers' compensation for Maine employers.
Friday, May 8, 2009
City Hall Goes Purple
Beginning May 1st, Portland's City Hall lights will be illuminated
purple to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence,
and to demonstrate the City's support for the work being done to
bring about its end.
As a part of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence's
national campaign Glowing Purple: Shine the Light on Domestic
Violence, communities across the country are illuminating their
buildings and structures for the month of May in purple light, the
color representing the fight against domestic violence. Statistics
show that one in four women are affected by domestic abuse.
Any business, home or individual that would like to participate in
Glowing Purple: Shine the Light on Domestic Violence can visit
the NCADV's website at www.ncadv.org for more information.
Man Attacks Emergency Care Worker
A New Hampshire man has pleaded guilty to assaulting an
emergency care worker at Mercy Hospital.
Police were sent to Mercy Hospital on April 25th at 7 PM,
regarding an assault that had just occurred on the premises. Brian
R. Brewer, 48, of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, was being
treated at the hospital’s emergency room, when he punched his
caregiver in the jaw, in an unprovoked attack.
Brewer was arrested and charged with assault on an emergency
medical care provider, which is a felony charge. He has since
plead guilty to that charge.
-Marge Niblock
Thursday, May 7, 2009
House Approves Bill to Reduce Size
of Legislature
A bill to shrink the size of the Maine House of Representatives
from 151 members to 131 members received strong bipartisan
support in the House of Representatives on May 6th. Although
the State and Local Government Committee initially voted down
the bill, the full House approved the bill with an amendment put
forth by Rep. David Van Wie, D-New Gloucester. A motion to
vote down the bill failed 23-122, and the legislation was adopted
by unanimous consent.
Rep. Van Wie amended the bill so that the number of state
representatives would be shrunk to 131 instead of 115. This
would mean that representatives, who now serve roughly 8,400
constituents, would serve close to 10,000 constituents. Van Wie’
s amendment also does not reduce the size of the state Senate, as
the original bill did.
The bill is a Constitutional Amendment and would therefore
require a state-wide vote to accept or reject the proposal. If the
voters were to pass an amendment to the State Constitution, the
change would go into effect in 2013.
The bill faces further House and Senate votes.
Seniors, Veterans to Receive $250
Checks
Distribution of payments starting May 7th; Maine
residents to receive over $72 million
Starting May 7th, $250 checks will be going to Social Security
and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries in Maine,
according to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. The one-time
payments are part of the economic recovery act passed by
Congress and signed by the President earlier this year.
Payments to Social Security and SSI recipients will start going
out this week and be mailed out in batches over a four-week
period. Later in May, similar $250 payments will go out to
Railroad Retirement Board beneficiaries, followed by Veteran
Compensation and Pension beneficiaries in June. Altogether,
Maine residents will receive over $72 million in payments.
“If you’re eligible, the check will come to you automatically," said
Pingree. "You don’t have to do anything to apply.”
To receive the payments, individuals needed to be eligible for
benefits during November 2008, December 2008 or January
2009. If someone receives payment from more than one of these
agencies, that person will still only get one payment of $250. If by
June 4th, a person who has not received a payment and thinks
they should have, should contact the Social Security office. For
more information, go to: www.socialsecurity.gov/payment/
Step Away from the Condoms
On May 2nd at 6:22 PM, police were called to the Rite Aid at 713
Congress Street regarding a shoplifter on the premises. They
were told by an employee that two men had entered the store, one
of whom had taken a package of condoms and wart cream, while
the other man appeared to be acting as a lookout.
A Rite Aid employee tried to stop the two as they left, and after a
brief struggle the men fled. Officers located and detained them
after a short foot pursuit after they refused to heed when police
ordered them to stop.
Danny Dumond, 21, of Portland was arrested and charged with
refusing to submit to arrest, and theft. The second man was not
arrested, police say, because he was not involved in the theft, but
both men were served with criminal trespass paperwork,
prohibiting them from returning to the store.
-Marge Niblock
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Bill Would Encourage Maine
Filmmaking
The Maine State Legislature is currently considering a bill that
would give filmmakers more incentive to make their films in
Maine.
The bill had a work session on May 4th, and its sponsor urged its
supporters to contact legislators to advocate for its passage. The
bill title is LD 1449 (HP 1005) An Act To Expand Tax Incentives
for Visual Media Productions.
The film version of "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King is hoping to
film in Maine this summer - if the bill is passed and the incentives
are attractive enough. It is set in Maine, the director & producer
want to film it here, and King wants it shot here.
"Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout just won the Pulitizer Prize
for fiction, and it is set in a Maine town. The last Pulitzer-Prize-
winning novel set in Maine, "Empire Falls," was made into an
HBO film, and it was the last big feature film production shot in
Maine, in 2003.
Man Arrested After Hitting Tree,
Fleeing
Portland police arrested Jonathan D. Aday, 24, of Portland, on
April 29th and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident,
operating after suspension, operating under the influence, and
probation violation.
Police had received a call at 3:50 AM about a white pickup truck
that hit a tree on Cutter Street on the Eastern Prom and left the
scene. The vehicle was last seen fleeing toward Washington
Avenue.
Officers began searching Munjoy Hill, and found a truck
matching the description they had been given, parked on
Congress Street in front of Colucci’s Market. No one was in the
truck, which had flashers on and had extensive front-end damage
to the passenger side. While police were at the scene, Aday exited
an apartment building and approached the officers. He was
arrested after having a discussion with police.
-Marge Niblock
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Maine House of Representatives
Approves Marriage Equality Legislation
Bill passes with bipartisan support, 89—57
Augusta , ME —The Maine House of Representatives has passed
legislation that would allow same sex couples to get married.
Maine joins Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, and Vermont in
recognizing civil marriage for same sex couples, and other states
are currently considering similar proposals. The bill, L.D. 1020,
“An Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm
Religious Freedom,” passed the Maine Senate last week by a vote
of 21 to 14.
Last week’s Senate vote provided strong momentum for the
proposal, which came on the heels of an especially strong vote of
support from the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. The
Committee participated in a large public hearing on April 22nd
that drew thousands of Mainers to Augusta.
The bill will now be sent to the Senate for final enactment, and
will then be sent to the Governor.
Man Arrested After Threatening at
Laundromat
Police were called to a laundromat at 362 Cumberland Avenue in
the Bayside neighborhood at 2:40 PM on April 23rd, where a man
was reportedly yelling at a female employee. They found Monday
Francis, 22, of Portland in an agitated state outside the laundromat
because the woman would not make change for him. He was not
a customer in the laundromat.
The victim stated that Francis began yelling and screaming, then
made a fist and acted like he was going to punch her. Francis was
arrested and charged with criminal threatening.
-Marge Niblock
SENATE APPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE
LICENSE PLATE
On Tuesday, April 28th, LD 178 "An Act To Create the Support
Animal Welfare Registration Plate," sponsored by Senator John
Nutting, passed its final legislative vote. It is now on its way to
Governor Baldacci's desk for signature, which is expected to
happen during the month of May.
The money raised from the sale of the new Animal Welfare
specialty license plates will be divided equally between the Animal
Welfare Auxiliary Fund and the Companion Animal Sterilization
Fund.
According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the new plates will be
available to purchase on October 1st. The 2,000 Maine residents
that pre-purchased the plates will receive a voucher to pick up
their new plate(s) at their local BMV during the last week of
September.
A link to an image of the final Animal Welfare Registration Plate
and more information can be found at the following link:
http://www.planetdog.com/about/plate/
Monday, May 4, 2009
Fugitive Charged with Employee Theft
On April 20th at 11:15 AM, police were called to Olympia Sports
on Congress Street. They were told that Geoffrey R. Motil, 34, of
Portland, came to work the previous day wearing Reebok
sneakers, but when he went home, he was carrying the Reeboks
and was wearing a pair of Adidas. The empty box for the Adidas
shoes had been thrown into the trash.
Officers were told that Mr. Motil was scheduled to come in to
work at 1 PM. They returned while he was at work and did a
routine check of him, which showed an outstanding warrant for
his arrest in Florida on a stalking charge.
Motil was arrested and charged with theft, violation of conditional
release, and being a fugitive from justice.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Poll Changes Take Effect for May 12th
School Budget Referendum
Many Portland voters will have new polling places on May 12th
for the referendum on next year’s Portland Public Schools
budget. The number of city polling places has been reduced from
16 to 12. A list of polling places and voting districts can be found
at
www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp Polls will be open from
7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Absentee ballots for the school budget referendum now are
available on the Portland City Clerk’s Web site
(www.portlandmaine.gov/voter/voter.asp#absentee_ballot) or at
the clerk’s office in Portland City Hall. Absentee ballots may not
be returned until May 5, the day after the Portland City Council
votes on the school budget.
This is the second year that Portland voters will participate in a
school budget referendum, as required by Maine’s School
Administrative Reorganization Law. The referendum covers the
portion of the school budget that pays for kindergarten through
twelfth grade classroom
instruction, administration, special education, transportation,
equipment and supplies and professional development.
The Portland School Committee has proposed a $91.4 million
budget that maintains programs, supports strategic planning,
updates a portion of the bus fleet and makes modest
improvements in technology.
A projected rise in Portland’s state subsidy funding would more
than offset the 2 percent increase in the school budget. As a
result, the portion of the
budget paid by local property taxes would decline by nearly $1
million.
Detailed school budget information:
www.portlandschools.org.
APRIL, 2009
| “If it’s not here today, we’ll have it tomorrow.” The “GREAT JUNQUE” Shoppe 570 Brighton Avenue, Portland 615-6295 c 772-9156 h Collectibles, Furniture, Antiques, “Stuff” 11-5 Tuesday by Chance Wed-Sat |
| JUNE 9TH VOTE DANIEL JENKINS CHARTER COMMISSION DISTRICT 2 ENDORSED BY Former State Rep John Eder The League of Young Voters West End City Councilor Dave Marshall Paid for and authorized by the Committee to Elect Daniel Jenkins, 103 Grant St., Apt. 1, Portland, ME 04101 Treasurer, Daniel Harris |
| Tom Elliman At Large Candidate for Charter Commission -25 year resident of Greater Portland - 45 years in Maine -Munjoy Hill resident since 2007 -10 years in business in downtown Portland -TV weather reporter in Portland market for 10 years -Maine Sunday Telegram columnist for six years -Marketing executive for Ford Motor Co. (in Detroit) for 12 years -Self-Employed Marketing Consultant Committed to Portland's future Remember to vote on Tuesday, June 9th ! Paid for and authorized by Tom Elliman for Charter Commission, Peter Doyle, Treasurer |