| The West End NEWSCC |
| Portland’s New Position: Neighborhood Prosecutor By Marge Niblock |
Bragdon to Run
for Mayor
East End taxi driver Charles Bragdon
is the first announced candidate for
the elected mayor position that was
approved by Portland voters on
November 2nd. Bragdon was a
candidate for an at-large seat on the
Portland City Council in the recent
election. Incumbent City Councilors
John Anton and Jill Duson retained
their seats in that race.
Bragdon has previously been a
candidate for the District 1 City
Council seat (Munjoy Hill, East End,
Bayside, Downtown). He was
defeated in that race by City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue. Bragdon
also lost a Green Independent Party
primary race to Anna Trevorrow last
spring for the Green Party
nomination to run for the District
120 seat in the Maine State
Legislature . Trevorrow was recently
defeated by the incumbent
Democrat, Representative Diane
Russell.
Bragdon is the owner of the A-Plus
Family Taxi in Portland. He is a
Portland native and lives in Munjoy
South with his wife and two
children. The mayoral election will be
held in November, 2011.
for Mayor
East End taxi driver Charles Bragdon
is the first announced candidate for
the elected mayor position that was
approved by Portland voters on
November 2nd. Bragdon was a
candidate for an at-large seat on the
Portland City Council in the recent
election. Incumbent City Councilors
John Anton and Jill Duson retained
their seats in that race.
Bragdon has previously been a
candidate for the District 1 City
Council seat (Munjoy Hill, East End,
Bayside, Downtown). He was
defeated in that race by City
Councilor Kevin Donoghue. Bragdon
also lost a Green Independent Party
primary race to Anna Trevorrow last
spring for the Green Party
nomination to run for the District
120 seat in the Maine State
Legislature . Trevorrow was recently
defeated by the incumbent
Democrat, Representative Diane
Russell.
Bragdon is the owner of the A-Plus
Family Taxi in Portland. He is a
Portland native and lives in Munjoy
South with his wife and two
children. The mayoral election will be
held in November, 2011.
Police Recover Stolen School
Computers; Discover Pot
Growing Operation
Portland Police detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on
Irving Street on Friday night, November 5th, and recovered 61 of the 78
computers that were reported stolen from the Ocean Avenue School on
November 4. There are 17 Apple IMAC and Apple Mac Book computers
still missing. Detectives also discovered a small marijuana grow in the
residence and recovered 12 marijuana plants. No arrests were made and
the case remains under investigation. The location is near the school.
The investigation has revealed that the computers were stolen from the
school over a period of several days. The 17 missing computers have
most likely been sold, say police, some of them even before they were
reported stolen. Police originally said that the 78 computers were stolen
from the Ocean Avenue School between the hours of midnight and 2AM
on November 4th. By prying open a window, thieves forced their way
into the school, which is still under construction, and scheduled to open
in January.
Contractors arriving to work at the site at at 150 Ocean Avenue
discovered the burglary. There were 33 Apple iMac computers and 45
Apple MacBook computers stolen. The machines were new and were
still in boxes. Police say their value is approximately $60,000.
After entry was gained to the building, an inside door was forced open,
and this was where the computers were stored. Smaller construction-
type tools were also stolen.
Police expect to make an arrest and are hopeful that they can recover the
remaining computers. Police are asking that anyone who has recently
purchased a new Apple IMAC or Apple MAC Book at a reduced price or
through a private seller to contact them. Anyone with information about
this case is asked to call Portland Police at 874-8533.
To provide information anonymously community members may contact
police by text, internet, or phone. To "Text a Tip", mobile phone users
should text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637
(CRIMES). Community members may also submit tips by going to the
Portland Police Department website: www.portland-police.com, and
clicking "Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.” Finally, community
members can leave anonymous phone tips on the Department’s Crime
Tip line: 874-8584.
-Marge Niblock
Computers; Discover Pot
Growing Operation
Portland Police detectives executed a search warrant at a residence on
Irving Street on Friday night, November 5th, and recovered 61 of the 78
computers that were reported stolen from the Ocean Avenue School on
November 4. There are 17 Apple IMAC and Apple Mac Book computers
still missing. Detectives also discovered a small marijuana grow in the
residence and recovered 12 marijuana plants. No arrests were made and
the case remains under investigation. The location is near the school.
The investigation has revealed that the computers were stolen from the
school over a period of several days. The 17 missing computers have
most likely been sold, say police, some of them even before they were
reported stolen. Police originally said that the 78 computers were stolen
from the Ocean Avenue School between the hours of midnight and 2AM
on November 4th. By prying open a window, thieves forced their way
into the school, which is still under construction, and scheduled to open
in January.
Contractors arriving to work at the site at at 150 Ocean Avenue
discovered the burglary. There were 33 Apple iMac computers and 45
Apple MacBook computers stolen. The machines were new and were
still in boxes. Police say their value is approximately $60,000.
After entry was gained to the building, an inside door was forced open,
and this was where the computers were stored. Smaller construction-
type tools were also stolen.
Police expect to make an arrest and are hopeful that they can recover the
remaining computers. Police are asking that anyone who has recently
purchased a new Apple IMAC or Apple MAC Book at a reduced price or
through a private seller to contact them. Anyone with information about
this case is asked to call Portland Police at 874-8533.
To provide information anonymously community members may contact
police by text, internet, or phone. To "Text a Tip", mobile phone users
should text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus their message to 274637
(CRIMES). Community members may also submit tips by going to the
Portland Police Department website: www.portland-police.com, and
clicking "Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.” Finally, community
members can leave anonymous phone tips on the Department’s Crime
Tip line: 874-8584.
-Marge Niblock
Greens to Push Runoff
Voting Statewide
The Maine Greens Independent Party plans to pursue the idea
and implementation of instant runoff voting for future elections
across the state. Party leaders and members plan to contact
members of the legislature as well as key political players who
have expressed an interest in the reform.
In the recent election, Portland, voters approved the work the of
the Portland Charter Commission that calls for the election of a
mayor using instant runoff voting, a method of voting that
allows voters to choose their preference of candidates by
number.
“This provides us the opportunity to use instant runoff voting
as a starting point for electoral reform in the city, and as a
model for the state,” said Anna Trevorrow, a Green Independent
candidate who finished second in her race for the state house in
District 120, against incumbent Diane Russell.
Eliot Cutler, the gubernatorial candidate who finished second in
the November 2nd election, was quoted on MPBN as saying that
he would like to pursue a method of electoral reform in Maine
that included a runoff.
The Maine Green Independent Party has always favored instant-
runoff voting as a more democratic way of voting, since it
eliminates the need for a second election between the candidates
who receive the top percentages of the vote, and allows voter to
rank their preference of candidates in order from one to the
amount of total candidates. It would also mean the winner
would have to get just over 50% of the vote to be declared the
winner.
The runoff could take place by the election workers, and require
no additional voting, no second election, according to Nate
Shea, media chair for the Maine Green Independent Party. “It
would also encourage greater civic participation and would
encourage candidates to soften their tone to attract a wide-range
of voters, not just their base,” said Shea.
Voting Statewide
The Maine Greens Independent Party plans to pursue the idea
and implementation of instant runoff voting for future elections
across the state. Party leaders and members plan to contact
members of the legislature as well as key political players who
have expressed an interest in the reform.
In the recent election, Portland, voters approved the work the of
the Portland Charter Commission that calls for the election of a
mayor using instant runoff voting, a method of voting that
allows voters to choose their preference of candidates by
number.
“This provides us the opportunity to use instant runoff voting
as a starting point for electoral reform in the city, and as a
model for the state,” said Anna Trevorrow, a Green Independent
candidate who finished second in her race for the state house in
District 120, against incumbent Diane Russell.
Eliot Cutler, the gubernatorial candidate who finished second in
the November 2nd election, was quoted on MPBN as saying that
he would like to pursue a method of electoral reform in Maine
that included a runoff.
The Maine Green Independent Party has always favored instant-
runoff voting as a more democratic way of voting, since it
eliminates the need for a second election between the candidates
who receive the top percentages of the vote, and allows voter to
rank their preference of candidates in order from one to the
amount of total candidates. It would also mean the winner
would have to get just over 50% of the vote to be declared the
winner.
The runoff could take place by the election workers, and require
no additional voting, no second election, according to Nate
Shea, media chair for the Maine Green Independent Party. “It
would also encourage greater civic participation and would
encourage candidates to soften their tone to attract a wide-range
of voters, not just their base,” said Shea.
LEEMAN TO
SERVE AS CITY'S
LAST NON-
ELECTED MAYOR
Longtime Portland City Councilor
Cheryl Leeman will serve the next year
as the last Portland mayor to be chosen
by her fellow councilors. Beginning
next year, the mayor will be elected by
voters.
Leeman has served on the Portland
City Council for 26 years, or nine
three-year terms. She has served as
mayor twice before, in 1988-89 and
2000-20001.
Leeman has the support of the four
Democrats on the officially
non-partisan council - Mayor
Mavodones, and Councilors Duson,
Waxman, and Coyne.
SERVE AS CITY'S
LAST NON-
ELECTED MAYOR
Longtime Portland City Councilor
Cheryl Leeman will serve the next year
as the last Portland mayor to be chosen
by her fellow councilors. Beginning
next year, the mayor will be elected by
voters.
Leeman has served on the Portland
City Council for 26 years, or nine
three-year terms. She has served as
mayor twice before, in 1988-89 and
2000-20001.
Leeman has the support of the four
Democrats on the officially
non-partisan council - Mayor
Mavodones, and Councilors Duson,
Waxman, and Coyne.
Pushy New
Yorker Shoves
His Way into a
Jail Cell
Portland police arrested a man
wearing a Yankees baseball cap
after he pushed a clerk at the Big
Apple at 2 Park Avenue on
November 1st at 10:00 PM. The
thirty-year-old New Yorker was
upset because he was carded
when trying to buy cigarettes.
The female clerk told the man to
leave the store and he refused,
pushed her out of the way, and
tried to get at the male clerk,
when a customer intervened.
When stopped nearby by police
for questioning, the man identified
himself as Christopher Watson
from New York. He claimed the
female clerk had pushed him, and
he told the officer he was going
to return and assault the clerk.
The Cumberland County Jail
employees couldn’t verify the
suspect’s name, but his
fingerprints identified him as
Jermaine Hill. Hill was charged
with assault, failure to give a
correct name, terrorizing, and
aggravated forgery, since he had
given a false name when he
signed the fingerprint card.
-Marge Niblock
Yorker Shoves
His Way into a
Jail Cell
Portland police arrested a man
wearing a Yankees baseball cap
after he pushed a clerk at the Big
Apple at 2 Park Avenue on
November 1st at 10:00 PM. The
thirty-year-old New Yorker was
upset because he was carded
when trying to buy cigarettes.
The female clerk told the man to
leave the store and he refused,
pushed her out of the way, and
tried to get at the male clerk,
when a customer intervened.
When stopped nearby by police
for questioning, the man identified
himself as Christopher Watson
from New York. He claimed the
female clerk had pushed him, and
he told the officer he was going
to return and assault the clerk.
The Cumberland County Jail
employees couldn’t verify the
suspect’s name, but his
fingerprints identified him as
Jermaine Hill. Hill was charged
with assault, failure to give a
correct name, terrorizing, and
aggravated forgery, since he had
given a false name when he
signed the fingerprint card.
-Marge Niblock
Man’s
Pants Stolen
in Robbery
Portland police reported that a
man’s pants were taken in a
strong-arm robbery at 6:30 PM on
November 18th. Along with the
pants, a cell phone and a wallet
were stolen.
Police say that two out-of-town
men, ages 23 and 24, went to visit
a friend at 255 Oxford Street, and
were jumped by two others when
they entered the building’s
hallway. One of the victims was
punched and threatened with a
knife.
A third suspect, a female, got the
keys to the vehicle of one of the
victims, and removed his
backpack, containing cash and a
laptop.
Police speculated that the victim's
wallet may have been attached to
his pants, and it may have been
easier for the robbers to take both
items, rather than to try to
separate them.
-Marge Niblock
Pants Stolen
in Robbery
Portland police reported that a
man’s pants were taken in a
strong-arm robbery at 6:30 PM on
November 18th. Along with the
pants, a cell phone and a wallet
were stolen.
Police say that two out-of-town
men, ages 23 and 24, went to visit
a friend at 255 Oxford Street, and
were jumped by two others when
they entered the building’s
hallway. One of the victims was
punched and threatened with a
knife.
A third suspect, a female, got the
keys to the vehicle of one of the
victims, and removed his
backpack, containing cash and a
laptop.
Police speculated that the victim's
wallet may have been attached to
his pants, and it may have been
easier for the robbers to take both
items, rather than to try to
separate them.
-Marge Niblock
"Local Daily NEWS Before the
SUN Rises!"
Volume 11, Number 12 Portland, Maine
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
SUN Rises!"
Volume 11, Number 12 Portland, Maine
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
| THE 10th VOICE ORLANDO DELOGU |
Early Returns (1st Place Votes)
Bragdon, Charles E. 213 1.09%
Brennan, Michael F. 5,240 26.76%
Bryant, Peter G. 367 1.87%
Carmona, Ralph C. 317 1.62%
Dodge, Richard A. 670 3.42%
Duson, Jill C. 834 4.26%
Eder, John 271 1.38%
Haadoow, Hamza A. 185 0.94%
Lapchick, Jodie L. 127 0.65%
Marshall, David A. 1,516 7.74%
Mavodones, Jr, Nicholas M. 2,938 15.00%
Miller, Markos S. 718 3.67%
Rathband, Jed 1,394 7.12%
Strimling, Ethan King 4,390 22.42%
Vail, Christopher L. 403 2.06%
Bragdon, Charles E. 213 1.09%
Brennan, Michael F. 5,240 26.76%
Bryant, Peter G. 367 1.87%
Carmona, Ralph C. 317 1.62%
Dodge, Richard A. 670 3.42%
Duson, Jill C. 834 4.26%
Eder, John 271 1.38%
Haadoow, Hamza A. 185 0.94%
Lapchick, Jodie L. 127 0.65%
Marshall, David A. 1,516 7.74%
Mavodones, Jr, Nicholas M. 2,938 15.00%
Miller, Markos S. 718 3.67%
Rathband, Jed 1,394 7.12%
Strimling, Ethan King 4,390 22.42%
Vail, Christopher L. 403 2.06%
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| Residential Snow Plowing Call Mark 207-632-0338 |
Three Large Trees Taken Down at High and Danforth Street
Three large pine trees were cut down on January 30th in the lot at the corner of High and Danforth Street in the
West End. The property is being developed as an affordable housing project. A 15-unit building will be
constructed on the site, next to an existing building which will be converted into a 20-unit apartment building.
West End. The property is being developed as an affordable housing project. A 15-unit building will be
constructed on the site, next to an existing building which will be converted into a 20-unit apartment building.
Shareholders Hold Protest at Bank of
America in Monument Square
Members of Maine People’s Alliance who have purchased Bank of America shares, and members of the Maine Small
Business Coalition rallied in front of the Bank of America branch office at 1 City Center in Portland on February
3rd, joining more than 50 protests and direct actions across the United States. The ‘Confront Corporate Power’
coalition launched in Portland and across the nation this week to make joint demands of the “worst of the worst”
corporate offenders: Bank of America, Sallie Mae, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo and Verizon.
Genevieve Lysen, Lead Organizer from the MPA attempted to deliver a letter stating the group's intent to attend the
annual shareholder meeting later this spring. However, her letter was not accepted by the branch manager, and she
distributed letters to all the other desks in the bank. Several Portland police officers were on hand to keep order if
necessary, but the group dispersed peacefully after the action.
The nationwide ‘Confront Corporate Power’ coalition is targeting top corporations, like Bank of America, responsible
for home foreclosures, tax evasion, subprime and predatory lending, and the financing of environmental degradation,
according to a press release from the group.
City Hall Goes Red for Women
The City Hall lights will be illuminated red this month to raise awareness for American Heart Month, and Wear Red
Day. Heart disease is the number one killer of women aged twenty and older, killing approximately one woman every
minute. City Councilor Nicholas Mavodones, along with the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association, called upon residents and local businesses to join them by wearing red at a press conference on Friday,
February 3rd on the steps of City Hall.
With more than eighty million American adults suffering from heart disease, stroke or some other form of
cardiovascular disease, American Heart Month is designed to turn around these statistics by educating adults on what
the signs are of a heart attack, encouraging the public to learn CPR and how to use an automated external
defibrillator, and helping men and women take control of their own heart health.
For more information about Go Red Day, visit www.goredforwomen.org. To schedule a preventative screening at
the Portland Community Health Center, call (207) 874-2141 or visit http://www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/phpchcmain.
asp.
Sewer Collapses on Munjoy Street
This morning, a sewer line collapsed in Munjoy Street between Moody Street and Wilson Street on Munjoy Hill. This
section of the street will be closed to all traffic until the repairs are complete. Commuters should to seek alternate
routes to avoid traffic or delays and remember to please share the road.
Alfond, Chipman Announce Runs for Re-election
State Senator Justin Alfond and State Representative Ben Chipman have announced they will each run for re-election
to the Maine State Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
Alfond has served in the District 8 State Senate seat for the last four years. He was in the majority as a first-term
legislator, and is now serving in the minority and in a leadership role. He is on the Education Committee and has
focused on economic development and education issues. He is running again as a Clean Elections candidate.
Chipman will seek re-election in Novemer to his legislative seat representing District 119, which includes the Parkside
and Bayside neighborhoods. Chipman, an independent, was elected to his first two-year term in 2010, succeeding
longtime representative Herb Adams, who was term-limited.
Chipman, serves on the House Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, and has focused on election issues and landlord-
tenant issues. He, too, is running as a Clean Elections candidate.
Court: Occupy Maine Must Clear Out
Judge Thomas D. Warren of Superior Court on February 1st upheld the Portland City Council’s denial of a petition
brought by OccupyMaine to continue its twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week encampment in Lincoln Park for at
least 179 days, and to establish a continuous free speech and assemblies zone in the park. Citing health and safety
concerns, the degradation of the park and need to ensure that the space can be enjoyed by all, the City Council voted
to deny the petition in December.
The decision follows other decisions issued across the country, which found that the city’s Parks Ordinance, which
restricts use of parks by the public to the hours of 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM and requires a permit granted by the City
Council for events lasting more than three days, is a reasonable time, place and manner restriction.
Following the decision, City staff met with the attorney representing Occupy Maine, John Branson, to discuss next
steps and the City’s hope that members of Occupy Maine will voluntarily end their encampment of the park, as well
as honor their commitment to be good stewards of the open space by removing items and debris. To that end, City
Manager Mark Rees has stated the City’s willingness to help facilitate a clean-up of Lincoln Park with the Department
of Public Services providing a disposal dumpster to Occupy Maine, as well as making available staff from the City’s
Department of Health and Human Services to work with members in need of housing assistance.
The City will issue a notice to vacate Lincoln Park tomorrow, following Occupy Maine’s discussion at tonight’s
general assembly. The notice will give members of Occupy Maine at least two days to comply with the City’s
ordinance that restricts use of the park to the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM.
“It is my hope that, given that the City has honored the commitment to allow Occupy Maine to pursue the issue of
their encampment in Lincoln Park through the courts that, today, members of Occupy Maine will continue in a
similar vein by working with the City to ensure a peaceful and respectful end to the encampment,” said City Manager
Mark Rees.
“While I understand that members of Occupy Maine may be disappointed with today’s decision, conversations
concerning income disparity will continue here in Portland and throughout the nation,” stated City of Portland Mayor
Michael Brennan. “Now that these issues have been brought to the forefront, it’s time for the discussion to move
indoors.”
Group Wants to Move Forward on Corporate
Personhood Issue
A group of local activists will hold a discussion on how to move forward on the issue of corporate personhood at 7:
30pm on Thursday, February 2nd at Local Sprouts (649 Congress Street).
On January 18th, the Portland City Council adopted a resolution opposing the US Supreme Court’s decision which
recognizes corporate personhood, which gives corporations a constitutional, protected right to contribute unlimited
funds for use in the political process. The resolution was sponsored by Councilors David Marshall, Mayor Michael
Brennan, and Councilors John Anton and Kevin Donoghue.
The resolution passed by a vote of 6-2, with Councilors Coyne and Leeman voting against it. Councilor Ed Suslovic
was forced to leave the meeting before the vote was held because he was suffering from a back injury. In explaining
her vote, Councilor Leeman expressed her support for the ideas contained in the resolution, but said that the City
Council was not the proper forum in which to address the issue.
The resolution was initiated by the League of Young Voters, which formed a working group that included members
of Occupy Maine and the Maine Independent Green Party to take a public position against the Supreme Court’s
Citizens United case, which has allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections. The working group and Councilor
Marshall drafted language for the resolution in early January at a meeting at the League of Young Voters' office.
In December 2011, League members met to discuss the issue after a Facebook post about a similar resolution passed
in California put out the call to address corporate personhood.
Throughout January and February League members are meeting with local elected officials to discuss these
concerns and continue making their voices heard.
Matt Moonen Announces Candidacy for West End
State House Seat
Matt Moonen, a resident of the West End, has announced that he is running as a Democratic candidate for the Maine
House of Representatives in District 118, which includes the West End, Libbytown and St. John Valley and
Rosemont neighborhoods. He joins West End residents Tom MacMillan and Dillon Bates, who have announced that
they will run for the open seat. Moonen and Bates will face off in a primary in June for the Democratic nomination.
The seat is currently held by state Representative Jon Hinck, who has represented the district since 2006. Hinck is
not seeking re-election to the Legislature to focus on a run for U.S. Senate.
Moonen has served as Political Director for EqualityMaine, where he was one of the key strategists in the successful
passage of the 2009 marriage equality bill, and the historic No on 1: Protect Maine Equality campaign. More recently,
he worked with Maine Citizens for Clean Elections to preserve Maine’s strong campaign finance laws and reduce the
influence of big money in government. He also volunteered on the successful campaign to preserve same-day voter
registration rights, and is currently the Vice Chair of the Portland Democratic City Committee. For more information,
please visit the campaign’s Facebook page: facebook.com/moonenformaine or email Matt at matt.moonen@gmail.com
Sauschuck Named City’s New Police Chief
Portland City Manager Mark Rees has announced the selection of Acting Police Chief Michael Sauschuck as the city’
s next Police Chief. Rees will formally present Sauschuck for City Council confirmation at the February 6, 2012
meeting. Upon confirmation, Sauschuck will become the nineteenth Police Chief to serve the city.
Sauschuck has been with the Portland Police Department for fifteen years. After graduating from high school,
Sauschuck joined the Marines where he was sent to Camp Pendleton, San Mateo, California. During his five year
tenure, he served as a Corporal then Sergeant within the Marine Security Guard in San Salvador, El Salvador and
Moscow, Russia. After four years as a reserve police officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department,
Sauschuck joined the Portland Police Department where he worked in a variety of specialties including the crisis
intervention team, special reaction team and as a field training officer. In March 2011, Sauschuck was selected as the
department’s Assistant Chief, where he served as Chief James Craig’s second in command and directly oversaw
criminal investigations, uniformed operations and emergency communications.
Upon Chief Craig’s departure in August, Sauschuck led the Police Department as Acting Police Chief during which
he oversaw a department of more than two hundred employees and an annual budget of $13.4 million. Over the past
five months, Sauschuck has worked both internally to advance progressive policies designed to help the department
respond to the needs of the city as well as externally to build open and trusting relationships with various community
groups and leaders.
Over the past decade, Sauschuck has received a number of awards for his commitment to the department and the
community including the Sgt. Michael J. Wallace Award, the Enrique Camarena Memorial Award from the Maine
Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Heroes with a Heart Award. Sauschuck earned his Bachelors of Arts in
Criminology from the University of Maine in 1998 and completed a Command Training Series for police executives at
Rogers Williams University in 2010. He is married to fellow Portland Police Detective, Mary Sauschuck.
The announcement marks the end of a five-month search for a new Police Chief. A nationwide search effort was
initiated last fall. More than eighty candidates applied for the position and after an initial vetting process, five
candidates were invited for a round of interviews with two panels comprised of city staff, union representatives,
Police Department staff, members of community organizations and local business leaders. Following the interviews,
the candidates participated in a day-long assessment organized by Massachusetts company, Badgequest. The
Assessment included a variety of exercises designed to test and assess the candidates ability to lead the city’s Police
Department. Select candidates were then invited back to the city for a final interview with City Manager Rees, during
which, Rees selected Sauschuck for the top post.
America in Monument Square
Members of Maine People’s Alliance who have purchased Bank of America shares, and members of the Maine Small
Business Coalition rallied in front of the Bank of America branch office at 1 City Center in Portland on February
3rd, joining more than 50 protests and direct actions across the United States. The ‘Confront Corporate Power’
coalition launched in Portland and across the nation this week to make joint demands of the “worst of the worst”
corporate offenders: Bank of America, Sallie Mae, Wal-Mart, Wells Fargo and Verizon.
Genevieve Lysen, Lead Organizer from the MPA attempted to deliver a letter stating the group's intent to attend the
annual shareholder meeting later this spring. However, her letter was not accepted by the branch manager, and she
distributed letters to all the other desks in the bank. Several Portland police officers were on hand to keep order if
necessary, but the group dispersed peacefully after the action.
The nationwide ‘Confront Corporate Power’ coalition is targeting top corporations, like Bank of America, responsible
for home foreclosures, tax evasion, subprime and predatory lending, and the financing of environmental degradation,
according to a press release from the group.
City Hall Goes Red for Women
The City Hall lights will be illuminated red this month to raise awareness for American Heart Month, and Wear Red
Day. Heart disease is the number one killer of women aged twenty and older, killing approximately one woman every
minute. City Councilor Nicholas Mavodones, along with the American Heart Association/American Stroke
Association, called upon residents and local businesses to join them by wearing red at a press conference on Friday,
February 3rd on the steps of City Hall.
With more than eighty million American adults suffering from heart disease, stroke or some other form of
cardiovascular disease, American Heart Month is designed to turn around these statistics by educating adults on what
the signs are of a heart attack, encouraging the public to learn CPR and how to use an automated external
defibrillator, and helping men and women take control of their own heart health.
For more information about Go Red Day, visit www.goredforwomen.org. To schedule a preventative screening at
the Portland Community Health Center, call (207) 874-2141 or visit http://www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/phpchcmain.
asp.
Sewer Collapses on Munjoy Street
This morning, a sewer line collapsed in Munjoy Street between Moody Street and Wilson Street on Munjoy Hill. This
section of the street will be closed to all traffic until the repairs are complete. Commuters should to seek alternate
routes to avoid traffic or delays and remember to please share the road.
Alfond, Chipman Announce Runs for Re-election
State Senator Justin Alfond and State Representative Ben Chipman have announced they will each run for re-election
to the Maine State Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
Alfond has served in the District 8 State Senate seat for the last four years. He was in the majority as a first-term
legislator, and is now serving in the minority and in a leadership role. He is on the Education Committee and has
focused on economic development and education issues. He is running again as a Clean Elections candidate.
Chipman will seek re-election in Novemer to his legislative seat representing District 119, which includes the Parkside
and Bayside neighborhoods. Chipman, an independent, was elected to his first two-year term in 2010, succeeding
longtime representative Herb Adams, who was term-limited.
Chipman, serves on the House Veterans and Legal Affairs committee, and has focused on election issues and landlord-
tenant issues. He, too, is running as a Clean Elections candidate.
Court: Occupy Maine Must Clear Out
Judge Thomas D. Warren of Superior Court on February 1st upheld the Portland City Council’s denial of a petition
brought by OccupyMaine to continue its twenty-four hour, seven day-a-week encampment in Lincoln Park for at
least 179 days, and to establish a continuous free speech and assemblies zone in the park. Citing health and safety
concerns, the degradation of the park and need to ensure that the space can be enjoyed by all, the City Council voted
to deny the petition in December.
The decision follows other decisions issued across the country, which found that the city’s Parks Ordinance, which
restricts use of parks by the public to the hours of 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM and requires a permit granted by the City
Council for events lasting more than three days, is a reasonable time, place and manner restriction.
Following the decision, City staff met with the attorney representing Occupy Maine, John Branson, to discuss next
steps and the City’s hope that members of Occupy Maine will voluntarily end their encampment of the park, as well
as honor their commitment to be good stewards of the open space by removing items and debris. To that end, City
Manager Mark Rees has stated the City’s willingness to help facilitate a clean-up of Lincoln Park with the Department
of Public Services providing a disposal dumpster to Occupy Maine, as well as making available staff from the City’s
Department of Health and Human Services to work with members in need of housing assistance.
The City will issue a notice to vacate Lincoln Park tomorrow, following Occupy Maine’s discussion at tonight’s
general assembly. The notice will give members of Occupy Maine at least two days to comply with the City’s
ordinance that restricts use of the park to the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM.
“It is my hope that, given that the City has honored the commitment to allow Occupy Maine to pursue the issue of
their encampment in Lincoln Park through the courts that, today, members of Occupy Maine will continue in a
similar vein by working with the City to ensure a peaceful and respectful end to the encampment,” said City Manager
Mark Rees.
“While I understand that members of Occupy Maine may be disappointed with today’s decision, conversations
concerning income disparity will continue here in Portland and throughout the nation,” stated City of Portland Mayor
Michael Brennan. “Now that these issues have been brought to the forefront, it’s time for the discussion to move
indoors.”
Group Wants to Move Forward on Corporate
Personhood Issue
A group of local activists will hold a discussion on how to move forward on the issue of corporate personhood at 7:
30pm on Thursday, February 2nd at Local Sprouts (649 Congress Street).
On January 18th, the Portland City Council adopted a resolution opposing the US Supreme Court’s decision which
recognizes corporate personhood, which gives corporations a constitutional, protected right to contribute unlimited
funds for use in the political process. The resolution was sponsored by Councilors David Marshall, Mayor Michael
Brennan, and Councilors John Anton and Kevin Donoghue.
The resolution passed by a vote of 6-2, with Councilors Coyne and Leeman voting against it. Councilor Ed Suslovic
was forced to leave the meeting before the vote was held because he was suffering from a back injury. In explaining
her vote, Councilor Leeman expressed her support for the ideas contained in the resolution, but said that the City
Council was not the proper forum in which to address the issue.
The resolution was initiated by the League of Young Voters, which formed a working group that included members
of Occupy Maine and the Maine Independent Green Party to take a public position against the Supreme Court’s
Citizens United case, which has allowed unlimited corporate spending in elections. The working group and Councilor
Marshall drafted language for the resolution in early January at a meeting at the League of Young Voters' office.
In December 2011, League members met to discuss the issue after a Facebook post about a similar resolution passed
in California put out the call to address corporate personhood.
Throughout January and February League members are meeting with local elected officials to discuss these
concerns and continue making their voices heard.
Matt Moonen Announces Candidacy for West End
State House Seat
Matt Moonen, a resident of the West End, has announced that he is running as a Democratic candidate for the Maine
House of Representatives in District 118, which includes the West End, Libbytown and St. John Valley and
Rosemont neighborhoods. He joins West End residents Tom MacMillan and Dillon Bates, who have announced that
they will run for the open seat. Moonen and Bates will face off in a primary in June for the Democratic nomination.
The seat is currently held by state Representative Jon Hinck, who has represented the district since 2006. Hinck is
not seeking re-election to the Legislature to focus on a run for U.S. Senate.
Moonen has served as Political Director for EqualityMaine, where he was one of the key strategists in the successful
passage of the 2009 marriage equality bill, and the historic No on 1: Protect Maine Equality campaign. More recently,
he worked with Maine Citizens for Clean Elections to preserve Maine’s strong campaign finance laws and reduce the
influence of big money in government. He also volunteered on the successful campaign to preserve same-day voter
registration rights, and is currently the Vice Chair of the Portland Democratic City Committee. For more information,
please visit the campaign’s Facebook page: facebook.com/moonenformaine or email Matt at matt.moonen@gmail.com
Sauschuck Named City’s New Police Chief
Portland City Manager Mark Rees has announced the selection of Acting Police Chief Michael Sauschuck as the city’
s next Police Chief. Rees will formally present Sauschuck for City Council confirmation at the February 6, 2012
meeting. Upon confirmation, Sauschuck will become the nineteenth Police Chief to serve the city.
Sauschuck has been with the Portland Police Department for fifteen years. After graduating from high school,
Sauschuck joined the Marines where he was sent to Camp Pendleton, San Mateo, California. During his five year
tenure, he served as a Corporal then Sergeant within the Marine Security Guard in San Salvador, El Salvador and
Moscow, Russia. After four years as a reserve police officer with the Old Orchard Beach Police Department,
Sauschuck joined the Portland Police Department where he worked in a variety of specialties including the crisis
intervention team, special reaction team and as a field training officer. In March 2011, Sauschuck was selected as the
department’s Assistant Chief, where he served as Chief James Craig’s second in command and directly oversaw
criminal investigations, uniformed operations and emergency communications.
Upon Chief Craig’s departure in August, Sauschuck led the Police Department as Acting Police Chief during which
he oversaw a department of more than two hundred employees and an annual budget of $13.4 million. Over the past
five months, Sauschuck has worked both internally to advance progressive policies designed to help the department
respond to the needs of the city as well as externally to build open and trusting relationships with various community
groups and leaders.
Over the past decade, Sauschuck has received a number of awards for his commitment to the department and the
community including the Sgt. Michael J. Wallace Award, the Enrique Camarena Memorial Award from the Maine
Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Heroes with a Heart Award. Sauschuck earned his Bachelors of Arts in
Criminology from the University of Maine in 1998 and completed a Command Training Series for police executives at
Rogers Williams University in 2010. He is married to fellow Portland Police Detective, Mary Sauschuck.
The announcement marks the end of a five-month search for a new Police Chief. A nationwide search effort was
initiated last fall. More than eighty candidates applied for the position and after an initial vetting process, five
candidates were invited for a round of interviews with two panels comprised of city staff, union representatives,
Police Department staff, members of community organizations and local business leaders. Following the interviews,
the candidates participated in a day-long assessment organized by Massachusetts company, Badgequest. The
Assessment included a variety of exercises designed to test and assess the candidates ability to lead the city’s Police
Department. Select candidates were then invited back to the city for a final interview with City Manager Rees, during
which, Rees selected Sauschuck for the top post.
Genevieve Lysen (above), Lead Organizer from the
MPA, consulting with Portland police in front of
the Bank of America branch in Monument Square.
Committee Rejects Voter ID Legislation
AUGUSTA – The Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on February 3rd killed a proposal to require voters to
present a photo ID before casting a ballot during an election.
The language of the bill, which would have created additional hurdles to voting, was replaced with a resolve tasking
the Secretary of State to study changes to Maine’s election system.
“Today’s action is a significant victory for voters and for voting rights,” said Ann Luther of the League of Women
Voters of Maine. “The committee has recognized that Maine’s elections are well-run, secure and efficient. And they
took a strong stand to make sure all eligible Maine voters are able to participate.”
"Requiring voters to present photo ID before participating in elections creates an unacceptable burden for thousands
of eligible Maine voters," said Shenna Bellows , executive director of the ACLU of Maine. "Unfortunately, this study
is a waste of resources and time, and it creates a new opportunity that could be used to further politicize the
administration of elections. In these difficult economic times it seems irresponsible to use state resources directing
the Secretary of State to do his job.”
While the amended language of the bill protects voting rights, the study language that was adopted is redundant and
unnecessary, according to the ACLU of Maine. In testimony before the committee last week, Secretary of State
Charlie Summers said twice that his office already has the power to review election practices and propose changes
without additional action by the Legislature.
“I am fully aware that my office has the authority and the ability to do this,” Summers said. The Yes on 1 campaign
last year restored same-day voter registration in Maine.
AUGUSTA – The Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee on February 3rd killed a proposal to require voters to
present a photo ID before casting a ballot during an election.
The language of the bill, which would have created additional hurdles to voting, was replaced with a resolve tasking
the Secretary of State to study changes to Maine’s election system.
“Today’s action is a significant victory for voters and for voting rights,” said Ann Luther of the League of Women
Voters of Maine. “The committee has recognized that Maine’s elections are well-run, secure and efficient. And they
took a strong stand to make sure all eligible Maine voters are able to participate.”
"Requiring voters to present photo ID before participating in elections creates an unacceptable burden for thousands
of eligible Maine voters," said Shenna Bellows , executive director of the ACLU of Maine. "Unfortunately, this study
is a waste of resources and time, and it creates a new opportunity that could be used to further politicize the
administration of elections. In these difficult economic times it seems irresponsible to use state resources directing
the Secretary of State to do his job.”
While the amended language of the bill protects voting rights, the study language that was adopted is redundant and
unnecessary, according to the ACLU of Maine. In testimony before the committee last week, Secretary of State
Charlie Summers said twice that his office already has the power to review election practices and propose changes
without additional action by the Legislature.
“I am fully aware that my office has the authority and the ability to do this,” Summers said. The Yes on 1 campaign
last year restored same-day voter registration in Maine.