In an effort to keep up with the rising cost of fuel and electricity this fall, my wife has put together a budget for us both. 

While we’re now having less trouble paying our bills, I am having much more trouble staying entertained. Our new financial plan leaves no room for movie rentals or dinners out, the half a tank of gas it takes to head up to our favorite vacation spot or to visit friends an hour away. Such is life, right?

Less than a week after the South Portland City Council and City Manager Jim Gailey listened to eight members of the public criticize their $83 million budget for the upcoming year, the council approved nearly $75,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to redevelop the Skillin School tennis courts to a combination basketball court and roller hockey rink. Gailey said money had been saved for the project over the last three years after a resident and member of the Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) asked the city to do something about the cracked and unused courts. 

Councilor Maxine Beecher called the idea a “wonderful and creative way” to put the deteriorating space to use. 

Given the current economic trends, I’m not sure how wonderful or creative my wife would consider me if I spent our three-year savings on new sails for our tired old sailboat, shiny wheels for my car or maybe some new fancy lacrosse gear, all of which we have done just fine without since 2005. 

Councilor Tom Blake, who advocated “spending less or making more” at last week’s public budget hearing, only asked about lighting and time restrictions concerning the use of the new facility before voting in favor of the project.

No members of the public spoke on the issue; as a reporter, my opinion would have to wait until this edition, and it looked like the tennis court project was going to receive a quick approval until South Portland City Councilor and former Mayor Claude Morgan spoke.

“I have concerns with using these expenditures when there’s a permissive use for CDBG funds for heating oil assistance,” he said. “Discussions around tennis courts seem superficial to me.”

The city council approved the project with a 5 to 1 vote with Morgan in the minority.

Morgan said his vote against the project was merely a “message to the CDAC” to encourage reconsideration of future uses for CDBG money and I believe it could represent a shifting of priorities we’re likely to see more of in politics and our personal lives. 

“Quality of life is important, but so is survival,” Morgan said.

Mayor Soule couldn’t have spoken loud enough when saying that “a vote is never just a statement” following the council’s approval of the project.

I regret that Councilor Morgan and his “survival instict” logic were not present at a council workshop two weeks ago concerning a Fairchild Semiconductor Tax Increment Finance district (TIF) extension where the city turned away from an opportunity to capture $1 million in revenue. 

In what councilor Linda Boudreau called “playing it fair,” the council decided to amend the TIF extension, essentially forfeiting $1 million to a corporate entity rather than keeping it for municipal use.

In a time when I can’t afford to go to the movies or put fuel in my car, why would I walk away from the chance to receive money that would otherwise go to a worldwide corporation like Fairchild Semiconductor – is there enough money in the municipal till that the city can afford not only to spend more, but make less? 

I say take the money and run.

Councilor Morgan should be commended for realizing the times we’re all finding ourselves in and acting accordingly, even if we are all a little excited about shooting hoops and scoring goals at the new Skillin School facility this summer. 

                                     - Nate Jones