NextSentry

Cities respond during trouble on bridge

Sentry editor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:33:00 GMT

By Rick Wright
Staff Writer

The South Portland Police Department has more than just vehicles to worry about on the Casco Bay Bridge.
Portland police had to deal with a 34-year-old woman who on Nov. 22 threatened to jump into the Fore River on the Portland side of the bridge. Fortunately, the woman was saved by Lt. Jim Sweatt and Sgt. John Nueslein, who restrained her on a catwalk.
South Portland Police stood by to play a supporting role and traffic was diverted for about 90 minutes while the bridge was closed in both directions.
The same woman had tried to jump off the bridge the previous night but Portland officer Joshua Wiseman grabbed her arm and both were saved from falling over the side by Sgt. Julie Grabofsky and Officer Jeff Druan, who held on to Wiseman’s gun belt.
The woman was admitted to Maine Medical Center for a psychological evaluation and released the following day. She returned to the bridge for her second suicide attempt in two days.
The South Portland Police Department had four calls for service involving this same woman this year, according to Lt. Todd Bernard. The department has received seven reports of possible jumpers on the bridge this year. All were resolved without deaths or injuries.
“We usually are out there whenever there’s a jumper on either side,” said South Portland Police Sgt. Joseph Dell’Aquila. “Whoever’s side it’s on will usually end up dealing with them.”
Dell’Aquila said South Portland does have a policy for handling situations like this.
“Usually we don’t shut down the whole bridge,” he said. “We do have a plan whereby we close one side of the bridge.”
Dell’Aquila was quick to add that the final decision about closing the entire bridge rests with the shift commander, who makes the call based on the situation.
Officers from South Portland’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) are specially trained to handle these situations, Dell’Aquila said. Team members wear special pins and are easily recognizable.
They use a number of tactics to dissuade people from jumping including offers of counseling, transportation, food, and telephone calls.
South Portland currently has 22 intervention teams. Eventually, the entire South Portland police force will be members of the team because all newly sworn officers must go through a training program conducted jointly by the police department and the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), a nonprofit organization that has a state branch based in Augusta.
Bob Tiner, director of criminal justice programs for NAMI in Maine, does most of the training for police officers. The curriculum includes role-playing exercises and lectures covering many subjects including trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, suicide prevention, risk assessment, autism and de-escalation skills.
Executive Director Carol Carothers believes this training is helpful for police officers and people in crisis.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237 or news@inthesentry.com.

Solder worries about more than safety

Sentry editor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:28:00 GMT

By Rick Wright
Staff Writer

Aaron McKenney is a young man with a lot on his mind these days.
A first lieutenant and army infantry platoon leader currently serving in Iraq, McKenney spends much of his time trying to protect himself and his soldiers from enemy attacks.
McKenney, 24, also worries about the fate of Iraqi school children and is trying to gather supplies for 1,500 students and three schools in his area.
A 2003 graduate of Cape Elizabeth High School, McKenney recruited the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club in early November to help with his project.
“Everybody wants to support the young men and women that are over there serving our country,” said Rotary member Bob Flynn. “It’s an extremely beneficial project because it does send such a positive message. It’s not always about bombs and bullets. Sometimes it’s about books.”
Flynn said he’s not surprised McKenney is spearheading an effort like this.
“Everything he does is very positive,” Flynn said. “He really tries to make the world a better place and this is one example of it.”
Club president Joan Frustaci shared the idea with club members and got a positive response.
“The club embraced it,” Frustaci said. “This thing just exploded and became really exciting. People are just donating like crazy. The good will part of it is fantastic.”
According to a Rotary press release, the children need everything from pencils, pens, erasers and crayons to basic hygiene supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, brushes, and combs.
McKenney’s father, Paul, also is a Rotary member. He said he’s very proud of his son’s plans to help Iraqi kids.
“It’s a great way to build up good will between the Iraqi people and U.S. forces,” he said. “He’s really showing the human side of the American army. He figured if he could do something like this and help the children, it would show U.S. forces in a very positive light.”
The Rotary Club already has started to collect items at several locations around South Portland and Cape Elizabeth. All donations will be shipped to McKenney by Dec. 16 so he can distribute them before his unit moves out of his sector.
Students at Cape Elizabeth and South Portland high schools also are involved in this campaign headed by the Rotary Interact Clubs at both schools.
For more information regarding in-kind or cash donations, call Flynn at 767-7388 or Frustaci at 767-2490.

Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.

South Portland residents claim age discrimination at USM

Sentry editor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:26:00 GMT

By David Harry
Staff Writer

A state senator and a staff writer for the Sentry are among six former University of Southern Maine employees who claim they are victims of age discrimination in a university hiring process.
Sen. Larry Bliss, D-South Portland, 62; Rick Wright, 55, a Sentry staff writer; and Louise Nesbit, 62, are South Portland residents who have said they were denied jobs in a reconfigured student services office because of their age and despite extensive experience as student advisors.
The three were joined in filing complaints with the USM Office of Equity and Compliance by Falmouth resident Darlene Merrill, 59; Margaret Park, 65, of New Gloucester; and Mary Ann Benson, 57, of Portland.
USM Executive Director of Public Affairs Robert Caswell said it is hoped the review of age discrimination claims will be completed by the end of the month.
Caswell said the complaints also will be reviewed by officials from the University of Maine Systems.
Chad Hansen, an attorney representing the former employees, said five have filed complaints with the Maine Human Rights Commission and a sixth complaint will soon be filed.
“We are really at the beginning; this is about getting to the bottom of what happened,” Hansen said. He said it might take two years for the Maine Human Rights Commission to decide on the validity of the complaints.
The complaints stem from a decision by USM administrators to consolidate three student services offices into one in an attempt to increase student retention and graduation rates, Caswell said.
Offices of Student Advising, Early Student Services and Career Services and Professional Life Development, staffed by 21 employees, were consolidated into a Student Success Center with offices on the USM campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston/Auburn, Caswell said.
The changes were made because an independent review and further research indicated students would be better served by the consolidation, Caswell said. The university retention rate, determined by the number of freshmen returning for sophomore year, is 65 percent compared to about 70 to 75 percent nationally. USM graduates about 34 percent of its students, compared to about 45 to 50 percent nationally, Caswell said.
USM’s rates were compared to other publicly funded schools across the country with enrollments similar to the 9,700 full-time, part-time, graduate and undergraduate students attending USM, Caswell said.
When the offices were consolidated, USM invited the 21 employees to apply for 19 available positions, including three coordinator jobs.
Hansen, the former employees’ attorney, said the application process led to “results that are odd,” because the six former employees were passed over despite decades of experience advising students.
“If I were a student walking into the office, these are the people I’d want to help me,” said Hansen.
In compiling the complaints, Hansen said he noted positions were filled by employees with far less experience who reportedly commented on how surprised they were to get the jobs.
Caswell said the positions were filled after interviews with search committees comprised of university staff and faculty and the consolidation and search process were discussed with human resource staffs at the university and in the University of Maine System.
Officials from the University of Maine Professional Staff Association, which represents university employees, also were consulted to ensure contractual obligations were met in the consolidation and search, Caswell said.
Caswell said he could not comment on the search process except to say the search committee recommended the six former employees not be offered new positions. Caswell also said the average age of university employees is 49 and that about 50 percent of university of employees are 50 or older.
There are still six open positions to staff the student service centers, Caswell said, and the search to fill them is on hold because of budgetary issues. But Caswell said the office consolidation was “not a budget-saving exercise.”
Hansen wondered why he was told by his clients the process of interviewing advisors who have helped students prepare for job interviews did not include mentions of resumes or qualifications or why the two staffers most experienced in assisting veterans getting their educational benefits were not offered jobs.
“I think we saw some very disparate results,” Hansen said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219

South Portland officials will meet to discuss budget concerns

Sentry editor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:23:00 GMT

By Rick Wright
Staff Writer

South Portland Schools Superintendent Suzanne Godin is determined to spare her students and staff from serious consequences despite a massive funding reduction recently announced by Gov. John Baldacci.
“It’s going to have a tremendous impact,” Godin said. “The recommendations we put forward will minimize the impact on students and we anticipate not having to do layoffs in this round of curtailments.”
Under the governor’s curtailment order, General Purpose Aid funding for K-12 schools in Maine will be reduced by $38.1 million for the 2009-2010 academic year.
South Portland’s share of the cut is $1,230,208, the second largest in the state. This is a 25 percent reduction in the city’s original state appropriation of $4,819,552.78.
Reductions are based on a complicated formula that considers several factors, including enrollment and local property values.
Portland schools suffered the biggest reduction – $2,652,752.00.
All superintendents were officially notified of their school’s curtailments by Maine Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron on Nov. 20.
Overall, the governor’s proposal reduces the rate of state spending this fiscal year by 63.1 million, pending final approval by the 124th Legislature which is expected early next year. State revenues for 2010-2011 are projected to be down by $400 million.
On Dec. 1, South Portland City Manager James Gailey imposed a spending freeze for the second time this calendar year. Gailey took this action to blunt the effect of anticipated revenue losses between now and the end of June.
Assistant City Manager Erik Carson said it is difficult to predict how large those losses might be. “It’s a moving target based on what the state identifies in DHS and educational funding,” he said.
The board of education has scheduled a special meeting for Dec. 7 to consider ideas for offsetting the loss of state subsidy.
“I expected it and I’m disappointed by it,” said at-large board member Karen Callaghan. “I hope the state will stop doing it.”
Godin has formed a task force to look at possible solutions to the problem. The superintendent will present the task force recommendations to the board at next Monday’s meeting.
The Cape Elizabeth School Board also has formed an ad hoc committee to examine ways to overcome its state curtailment of $621,440.00. The committee will hold a public forum Dec. 8 to offer recommendations to the board
Godin already has implemented some cost-saving measures to help balance the school budget. She has frozen all nonessential expenditures, including professional development, supplies, field trips, dues, fees, travel and non-essential overtime.

Staff Writer Rick Wright can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.

Five years later, battalion faces redeployment

Sentry editor — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:17:00 GMT

By David Harry
Staff Writer

The first time Sgt. Maj. Peter Kelley went to Iraq, he shared a tent with four other soldiers as they fought in Operation Desert Storm.
The second time Kelley went to Iraq, he was with the 133rd Engineer Battalion of the Maine Army National Guard, deployed in 2004 for what became a 14-month tour of duty.
Kelley, who lives in Scarborough with his wife, Kim, and their two children, will return to Iraq sometime next spring as the 133rd is again called to duty on a mission Kelley said will involve construction work.
Memories of his last deployment are still vivid, Kelley said.
“If you have ever been in an accident and know that feeling of adrenaline three seconds before it, it’s like living that way for the whole time,” he said.
Kelley, who served in the Army for 11 years before joining the Maine Army National Guard 13 years ago, said preparing for deployment is critical for success of the mission.
“We have been told we need to do it and I will make the best of it,” Kelley said.
More than 800 members of the Maine Army National Guard have been called up for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan next spring, according to Guard spokesman Capt. Shannon Cotta. More than half of National Guard soldiers in the state will be called to overseas combat duty.
Kelley will be joined by South Portland residents Staff Sgt. Matthew Longo and Chief Warrant Officer Chris Barnaby. Barnaby was part of the 2004 deployment and Longo is going on his first assignment.
Kelley and Longo are full-time officers in the Maine Army National Guard, with Kelley the second in command of the 133rd. Barnaby will leave his job at Maine Medical Center for what is expected to be a 12-month assignment.
“I’m prepared, and my job is to prepare the soldiers,” Longo said of his work compiling emergency contacts, insurance documents and paperwork for promotions.
Barnaby said he is bracing his son Keegan, 15, and his girlfriend, Kim Valentine, for his assignment.
“How do you mentally prepare for something that is ever changing,” Barnaby asked. His answer has been with humor and candor as he and Valentine fully confront her fears and worries about the deployment.
Valentine, a teacher at Deering High School in Portland, said adjusting to a life without Barnaby at home may be “comparatively easier; I have lived alone before.”
“I let her move in because she had better tools than me,” Barnaby said.
“I may not be that good with the snow thrower yet,” Valentine said.
But as he moved to compile and post emergency phone numbers, automatically pay his bills online and mark utility and water shut-off valves in his home with bright tags, he urged everyone headed with him to do the same.
“Pay the bills and make sure the support systems are there,” is Longo’s advice to men preparing to leave home. He will be leaving his girlfriend, Kristie Bradbury, and their two cats and dogs behind when he ships out.
The composition of the 133rd has changed since the last assignment in Iraq with an estimated 60 percent turnover, Kelley said.
So has the focus on preparing soldiers for duty, he said, as intensive language courses now are available online and the battalion chaplains keep busy answering questions and trying to alleviate worries.
Battalion members have known for at least 18 months they would be called up again, Kelley said. It is his job to identify who might be troubled by the assignment or preparing for it and see they get the help they need.
He said it can be difficult because active duty commanders see their troops five or seven days a week while a guard commander sees his troops perhaps two weekends a month.
Because he was married while still on active duty, he said his wife grew accustomed to the demands of military life.
“I could have gone to work on a Monday and then be gone for four months,” Kelley said.
Kelley said the support network for families of soldier serving overseas has expanded vastly since the war in Iraq began in 2003.
“There are people here who will trip over themselves to help,” said Kelley, who had his well pump and septic system fail while he was in Iraq in 2004.
Longo said the battalion spent considerable time training in Massachusetts this summer, learning more about tactical movements, camouflage and how to deal with the cultural and weather climates.
The battalion assignment will be to build structures. Barnaby said the B Company of the 133rd was split into units that either clear land or build structures. He is now a part of the 136th Engineer Company based in Westbrook.
“We have a chop saw here and a table saw there,” he said. The company includes carpenters, electricians and masons.
Based in Mosul in 2004, the battalion lost two men when a suicide bomber infiltrated a mess hall. Kelley and Barnaby said they were in other areas when the attack occurred. Keegan Barnaby, Chris Barnaby’s son, said he is uneasy about current headlines about violence in Iraq.
He also said the nicest thing civilians can do is to ask how soldiers and their families are doing during the deployment, while Kelley said the care packages and letters from local students are always welcomed.
Longo and Barnaby said they will be taking vacations with their companions before leaving, and are confident in the soldiers with whom they serve.
“I am thankful I am deploying with this group of people,” Longo said.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219

Firm cited for deceptive ads

Sentry editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:37:00 GMT

By David Harry
Staff Writer

The Maine Board of Insurance has sanctioned a South Portland man’s company for business practices “replete with inaccuracies and outright deceptions.”
Joseph P. Conroy, who has said he developed software to accurate forecast trends in commodities and the stock market, had his insurance producer license application denied by the Maine Board of Insurance.
In a 7,000-word decision released Tuesday, Superintendent Mila Kofman also revoked the licenses of Conroy’s business partner, Nicholas E. Costa, and their company, CostaConroy LLC. The company has been fined $15,000 and Costa has been fined $1,000.
Attempts to reach Costa and Conroy were unsuccessful. According to Bureau of Insurance spokesman Katie Dunton, CostaConroy was a Portland-based company that relocated last summer to Alfred.
In a 2008 interview with the Sentry, Conroy outlined plans to use a software program he developed called Auto-Associative Adaptive Artificial Intelligence to earn investors money in the stock market.
Conroy said the program, also known as A4-I, could predict seismic events, auto emissions and the demand for electricity.
“[A4-I] actually learns on its own, based on the number of variables and models you program it to contain,” he said at the time. “You can use it almost for anything.”
In his decision, Kofman had no dispute with program, but listed a wide variety of violations regarding the manner in which Conroy and Costa marketed the company and themselves.
Since February 2008, Costa and Conroy had marketed themselves as consultants without proper state licensing and did not disclose in advertisements they were selling annuity plans instead of investing retirement funds for clients, Kofman said.
Conroy and Costa also were rebuked for referring in advertising to the Maine Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act, which violates state law. Kofman said company advertising misled customers about the return on investments and the investment risks involved.
In the Sentry interview, Conroy said he had successfully predicted demand in the energy market to the degree that he had drawn attention from the federal Securities and Exchange Commission before selling his company, Envapower, for $12 million.
At the time, Conroy said he would use the program to predict stock market results for investors.
Those claims, although cited in Kofman’s decision, were not addressed. The decision is limited to Conroy and Costa’s efforts to market themselves and services offered by Costa Conroy.
In citing the deceptive business practices, Kofman said Costa and Conroy circulated an investment guide for the company that claimed the company had hundreds of clients.
“This is simply a lie, and it is inexcusable,” Kofman said while noting Costa said the company had served five to seven clients from its opening in February 2008 to October 2008 when he spoke before the Insurance Board in August.
The CostaConroy investment guide also alluded to how a company product would have performed had it been purchased before the stock market decline in 2000-2001. Because the annuity mentioned did not exist until 2008, Kofman said the claim was “a further instance of false advertising.”
Kofman said the investment guide also included endorsements from customers of a different company, and Conroy told the board the photographs accompanying the quotes “were just abstract photographs. They are not pictures of the people being quoted.”
The investment guide also used quotes from financial analysts Suze Orman and Jim Cramer, although they are not company endorsements, according to Kofman.
Costa told Kofman he did not believe the two had given permission to appear on company materials, and Kofman said including them seemed a clear intent to give the impression Orman and Cramer used the same investment strategies the company promoted.
Kofman also cited Conroy and Costa for misleading statements about products offered by the company, including that certain products were risk free and no loss of principal invested would occur. Investment return rates were also inflated, Kofman said, because a bonus rate of 10 percent was available only if money was left in an annuity for an extended period of time.
A second company publication was cited by Kofman because it contained a disclaimer Conroy admitted to lifting from the Web site of another company and then tailoring to fit CostaConroy. The disclaimer listed Canadian, Japanese and Swiss subsidiaries of the company that do not exist.
Kofman said Conroy’s explanation of how the disclaimer was written is not credible and although the publication was not distributed, he said Costa’s lack of oversight as a licensed insurance producer was a sign of incompetence worthy of license revocation.
In concluding his order to revoke and deny the insurance producer licenses, Kofman said Conroy and Costa “demonstrated a lack of fitness to be insurance producers,” and said their acknowledgement of their responsibility was “limited to their least serious violations. With regard to their pattern of deceptive conduct, they have been both defensive and evasive,” Kofman said.

Police arrest store robbery suspect

Sentry editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:34:00 GMT

Warren Peavey, 32, of South Portland, was arrested early Wednesday after police said he robbed the 7-Eleven store on Main Street.
Police say a man entered the store and flashed a fake, but realistic-looking gun in the waistband of his pants at a clerk.
The suspect than took a sum of cash from the register and ran from the convenience store. A witness watched the suspect run into a nearby apartment building, where police arrested Peavey on a robbery charge.
Police said Seavey has a long history of criminal mischief and is being held at the Cumberland County Jail on $25,000 cash bail.

Funding will go toward new pump station

Sentry editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:33:00 GMT

South Portland has accepted approximately $750,000 from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund to go toward construction of a new $3.8 million Long Creek pump station.
Before the Nov. 4 election, the city was unable to collect the funds because the city charter required that the proposal go out to bid before accepting the money. New wording on the charter was passed, allowing the city to collect the funds.
The Clean Water Revolving Loan is set up by the Environmental Protection Agency, which awarded money to10 projects in the state to help with environmental ventures.
The Long Creek pump station was number 11 on the list, and now South Portland is receiving the left over funds from the other 10 other projects.
South Portland will receive $540,000 in a loan paid back with zero percent interest over 20 years, while the other $210,000 will be paid in a forgivable loan, essentially a grant.

Council OKs zoning for new sound stage

Sentry editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:28:00 GMT

South Portland’s Armory will be rezoned to allow for a sound stage to be built at the property.
The Armory, located on Broadway, will now be in a conditional armory zone instead of a residential A zone, after the city council unanimously voted to approve the change in zoning text and maps during Monday’s council meeting.
The new zone will include the adjacent property owned by Central Maine Power Co., which is needed because some larger vehicles dropping off equipment to the Armory may need to turn around on the CMP-owned property.
The buffer between the residential areas next to the Armory has been upgraded to 40 feet from 20 feet to keep noise from the sound stage from disturbing people in nearby residential areas.

In Cape, 69% of voters go to polls

Sentry editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:28:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson Staff Writer
So many South Portland voters turned out Tuesday that the city ran out of ballots.
Karen Morrill of the South Portland city clerk’s office said the city usually has a large turnout, but South Portland only expected about 40 percent of citizens to vote. Instead, 11,611 voters, or 63.2 percent of the 18,348 registered voters, went to the polls or cast absentee ballots. Afternoon and evening voters used photocopied ballots that volunteer election workers counted by hand.
Morrill said this was not the first time the city has run out of ballots. She attributed the large turnout to the referendum questions about the hours dogs are allowed on Willard Beach and the statewide question to decide whether to repeal the same-sex marriage law. South Portland residents voted against repealing the same-sex marriage law, 64 percent to 36 percent. Statewide, Maine residents narrowly voted in favor of Question 1 and repeal. Voters rejected the Willared Beach question 6,770 to 4,377.
“I changed my Facebook status today to say the Yankees can win the World Series if my gay friends can get married and the dog ordinance doesn’t pass,” said Cory Schnaible, who lives near Willard Beach. “I’m a Red Sox fan so it’s a hard thing.” Willard Beach has been open to dog walkers for many years.
Last year, the South Portland City Council put together a Willard Beach task force to monitor dog-related complaints to the beach. As a result of the group’s recommendations to the council, hours dogs are allowed on the beach were changed from 6 to 9 a.m. to 7 to 9 in both the morning and evening during the summer months.
This spring, the Save Willard Beach group, led by South Portland resident Gary Crosby, put forth a petition to ban the dogs in the summer, with more 1,000 signatures to South Portland Council. South Portland voters by a vote of 6,841 to 3,371 also approved a charter amendment allowing the city to sell bonds publicly.
Rosemarie DeAnglis will return to the council, and won the District 3 seat with 4,009 votes, beating Gary Crosby with 2,635 and Chris Kessler’s 3,008 votes. Incumbent Maxine Beecher, who was unopposed, won South Portland’s District 4 council seat, with 8,468 of the votes.
On the school board, James Gilboy won the District 4 seat with 4,294 votes against Kendall Faffett’s 3,786 votes. Alan Livingston’s 4,166 won a close race in the District 5 seat with 4,166 votes to Tappan Fitzgerald’s 4,152 votes. The late Michael Eastman, whose name could not be removed from the ballot in time, was the winner of the District 3 School Board seat. His replacement will be appointed by the new city council. South Portland also voted against repealing the same-sex marriage legislation that passed during the last legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.
Suzanne Radomski, who was first in line to vote at the South Portland Community Center Tuesday morning at 6:55 a.m., said she was unsure how to vote on the first state referendum question.
“I’m torn on the same-sex question,” said Radomski. “I read about it in the newspapers, and my church put out a long reading on it for the diocese.” After voting, same-sex marriage advocate Lisa Martin said she was relieved, “I’m just glad it’s over now; it’s going to be really close. If it doesn’t go through it will be sad.”
South Portland voted with the state of Maine and defeated TABOR II, 7,364 to 3, 872. Local residents voted against decreasing the excise tax by a vote of 8,230 to 3,143, again mirroring the statewide sentiment. City residents voted with the state against repealing school consolidation by 7,638 to 3,238, and were against giving local officials more time to verify signatures on petitions by a close vote of 5,5,20 to 5,396. Voters in the city approved expanding medical marijuana laws by 7,987 to 3,462 and using of bonds for statewide highway improvement by a vote of 8,006 to 3,188. Both measures passed voter scrutiny statewide.
Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

South Portland says yes to dogs

Sentry editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:27:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

So many South Portland voters turned out Tuesday that the city ran out of ballots.
Karen Morrill of the South Portland city clerk’s office said the city usually has a large turnout, but South Portland only expected about 40 percent of citizens to vote. Instead, 11,611 voters, or 63.2 percent of the 18,348 registered voters, went to the polls or cast absentee ballots.
Afternoon and evening voters used photocopied ballots that volunteer election workers counted by hand.
Morrill said this was not the first time the city has run out of ballots. She attributed the large turnout to the referendum questions about the hours dogs are allowed on Willard Beach and the statewide question to decide whether to repeal the same-sex marriage law.
South Portland residents voted against repealing the same-sex marriage law, 64 percent to 36 percent. Statewide, Maine residents narrowly voted in favor of Question 1 and repeal. Voters rejected the Willared Beach question 6,770 to 4,377.
“I changed my Facebook status today to say the Yankees can win the World Series if my gay friends can get married and the dog ordinance doesn’t pass,” said Cory Schnaible, who lives near Willard Beach. “I’m a Red Sox fan so it’s a hard thing.” Willard Beach has been open to dog walkers for many years.
Last year, the South Portland City Council put together a Willard Beach task force to monitor dog-related complaints to the beach. As a result of the group’s recommendations to the council, hours dogs are allowed on the beach were changed from 6 to 9 a.m. to 7 to 9 in both the morning and evening during the summer months.
This spring, the Save Willard Beach group, led by South Portland resident Gary Crosby, put forth a petition to ban the dogs in the summer, with more 1,000 signatures to South Portland Council.
South Portland voters by a vote of 6,841 to 3,371 also approved a charter amendment allowing the city to sell bonds publicly.
Rosemarie DeAnglis will return to the council, and won the District 3 seat with 4,009 votes, beating Gary Crosby with 2,635 and Chris Kessler’s 3,008 votes.
Incumbent Maxine Beecher, who was unopposed, won South Portland’s District 4 council seat, with 8,468 of the votes.
In the school board, James Gilboy won the District 4 seat with 4,294 votes against Kendall Faffett’s 3,786 votes. Alan Livingston’s 4,166 won a close race in the District 5 seat with 4,166 votes to Tappan Fitzgerald’s 4,152 votes.
The late Michael Eastman, whose name could not be removed from the ballot in time, was the winner of the District 3 School Board seat. His replacement will be appointed by the new city council.
South Portland also voted against repealing the same-sex marriage legislation that passed during the last legislative session and was signed into law by Gov. John Baldacci.
Suzanne Radomski, who was first in line to vote at the South Portland Community Center Tuesday morning at 6:55 a.m., said she was unsure how to vote on the first state referendum question.
“I’m torn on the same-sex question,” said Radomski. “I read about it in the newspapers, and my church put out a long reading on it for the diocese.”
After voting, same-sex marriage advocate Lisa Martin said she was relieved, “I’m just glad it’s over now; it’s going to be really close. If it doesn’t go through it will be sad.”
South Portland voted with the state of Maine and defeated TABOR II, 7,364 to 3, 872. Local residents voted against decreasing the excise tax by a vote of 8,230 to 3,143, again mirroring the statewide sentiment. City residents voted with the state against repealing school consolidation by 7,638 to 3,238, and were against giving local officials more time to verify signatures on petitions by a close vote of 5,5,20 to 5,396.
Voters in the city approved expanding medical marijuana laws by 7,987 to 3,462 and using of bonds for statewide highway improvement by a vote of 8,006 to 3,188.
Both measures passed voter scrutiny statewide.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Students in Cape line up to battle flu

Sentry editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:25:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

“I want a shot,” said Timmy Brewer, 5, of Cape Elizabeth as he patiently stood in line with his mom, Biz. “Have you ever heard of a kid wanting a shot?” asked his mom.
The Brewers were in line with hundreds of other parents and children outside Cape Elizabeth’s fire station last Friday, waiting for students to receive H1N1 flu shots or nasal spray.
More than 80 percent of the schools’ 1,700 students had permission slips from their parents to receive a shot or spray.
The vaccines were only given to students who have underlying issues, such as asthma. Brewer’s son was one of the few children to receive a shot. The rest of the students were given the nasal spray. Cape Elizabeth Middle School student Charlie Dietz, there with his mother Meg, said the spray tickled his nose and made it feel like “my nose was runny.”
Cape Elizabeth was one of the few schools in the area to receive the vaccinations at its originally scheduled time, said Cape Elizabeth Middle School nurse Cindy Tardif. Tardif said she didn’t do anything special to receive the shots, just followed the rules and got lucky.
“The thing I brought to the table was the flu mist – that was the sole reason we got vaccines when we did, but the timing was impeccable. They had vaccines to send us right now, and next week they may not, but having everything submitted on time was helpful,” said Tardif.
Cape Elizabeth Superintendent Alan Hawkins, who manned the front door all day, said Tardif also played a role in receiving the vaccinations on time.
“Part of the reason we got the vaccines is because Cindy is here. She jumped on this immediately,” said Hawkins.
While there has been some criticism of potential H1N1 vaccine side effects, Hawkins and Tardif received only one call from a concerned parent.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention on its Web site reports the H1N1 flu is now widespread in 48 states, including Maine, and the number of deaths related to the flu is above epidemic numbers.
Tardif says she has no knowledge of any cases of H1N1 in the Cape Elizabeth area yet, but said people suspected of having H1N1 must be hospitalized before testing for the virus.
The Cape Elizabeth school departments have a weekly meeting with Hawkins, some school administrators, school nurses and even a parent to look at what can be done for the flu and discuss pandemic and disaster plans, including online classes for students who miss school and need to keep up with their classes.
Tardif says as a parent and nurse she understands why people are very concerned about the epidemic.
Polly Keniston, a Pond Cove School parent accompanying her children, said she wanted to get the shot for her children after talking to her doctor. “I talked to our pediatrician who encouraged it, and then I did some research.”
The Brewers wanted their son vaccinated to keep him safe while he’s in public
“Parents just want to know if their kids have this or not,” said Tardif, “If a child’s not getting any better or has respiratory distress, that’s the best indicator I have.”

Songs, friends help girl fight epilepsy

Sentry editor — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:21:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff writer

Alicia Fournier’s dreams came true this summer when she met Zac Efron, the star of the popular High School Musical series and he gave the 10-year-old some advice.
“He told me to stay in musical theater because you meet all your friends there,” said Alicia.
Alicia has met many talented friends who will be helping her this weekend. The Fournier family of Scarborough and Alicia’s friends are putting on a best of Broadway show “Alicia and Friends 2” at the Lyric Theater in South Portland on Saturday to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation.
This is the second year the family will host “Alicia and Friends.” Last year’s event raised $11,000 in one night.
Alicia has struggled with epilepsy for seven years. Her mother said she has had more than 1,000 seizures in that time.
Alicia met Efron through Make-A-Wish Foundation. While her mother, Julie Fournier, thinks it’s great her daughter got to meet the star, she describes the experience as a “Catch-22” because Make-A-Wish helps children with life-threatening medical conditions.
“She sometimes loses her vision, has hallucinations, but thankfully doesn’t have seizures on the floor,” said Julie. “She’s not seizure free now.”
Julie originally wanted to do a Broadway show, but because Alicia and her mother wanted to invite the friends Alicia had made in the theater, they decided a “best of” would be a more practical choice.
“Theater people are the kindest, most non-judgmental people,” said Julie.
This year the show will include numbers from “Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat,” “Hairspray” and “High School Musical,” along with a Power Point presentation that explains epilepsy.
“If one person leaves the benefit with new knowledge, we’ve done our job,” said Julie.
November is epilepsy month, but the timing of the show works for another reason: Alicia is scheduled for surgery Nov. 9.
“The goal is to remove the problem; there’s a long way to get there,” said Julie. Alicia will have an internal grid attached to a lesion on the back of her head that will monitor the electrical currents on her brain. The lesion, which never fully grew or developed at the base of her head near the optic nerves, cause Alicia’s seizures.
After two or three weeks in New York University Medical Center, Alicia will have more surgery to remove the grid and hopefully remove the area that is causing the seizures.
“I’m scared about surgery, but excited because I’m probably going to be seizure free,” says Alicia.
Alicia calls herself a “Broadway type of girl,” starting with acting in the play “Annie” at age 6.
Julie said her daughter has been “singing since she could talk,” and thought she had talent.
A few days before Alicia’s first audition, she was hospitalized. During the hospital stay, the doctors had glued wires on to Alicia’s head to watch for electrical currents related to the onset of an epileptic seizure.
“I was sitting there [at the audition] with all these other parents picking glue out of her hair,” said Julie of the audition.
After the hospitalization, Julie had asked her daughter if she still wanted to go to the audition, and Alicia said yes.
“I had taught her a simple little song and she messed it up, but instead of getting embarrassed she said, ‘Why don’t I try that again’ and got the part,” said Julie. “The directors told me later they cast Alicia because she handled the mess up so well.
“I kept taking her to auditions and she kept getting the part, so we started voice lessons and it just snowballed,” said Julie.
Alicia has now been in 13 stage productions, including “Les Miserables,” “The King and I” and “Sound of Music.”
During “Sound of Music” Alicia had a seizure onstage. Alicia said she sometimes can feel a seizure coming by a tingling sensation that travels up her body, so she will grab someone near her. During one scene, Julie saw her daughter grab the hand of another actress, who picked up Alicia, put her on her hip and walked off stage.
“I ran backstage terrified that Alicia could not come out of the seizure only to find her giggling on the bathroom floor with the director, Michael Donovan, about who would pick up her line during the next song,” said her mother. Another actor did pick up her line and no one in the audience was any wiser.
Another time she had a seizure, but was able to continue her lines, and one time a producer held the curtain, refusing to start the second act until Alicia was able to return to the stage.
“It wouldn’t be like that on a soccer field, it’s too competitive,” said Julie.
“Violent,” Alicia chimes in.
Theater has also given Julie a place where she feels safe leaving Alicia, “Every day I take her to school, I leave with a pit in my stomach. At the theater I know she’s taken care of,” said Julie.
While talking about “Alicia and Friends 2,” Alicia asks if Zac Efron will attend. Julie tells her she doesn’t think they can afford his security.
“I’ll be his security,” said Alicia.
In January, Alicia will perform in a youth production of “Moulin Rouge,” but after that, the future is not clear.
“We’ll see from there,” said Julie. “That’s my fear, the unknown in the other side.”

Tickets for this year’s performance are $50 for adults and $20 for children. The price includes hors d’oeuvres, champagne or punch and a raffle that includes Patriots tickets, a Marriott getaway, Bruins tickets or a Cole Haan bag. Tickets can be ordered by calling Julie Fournier at 807-2458.

Correction

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:18:00 GMT

In a story that ran Oct. 23, "Lack of funding slows tank art project,” the painting company was incorrectly named as Annex. The company’s correct name is Amex. It was a reporter’s error.

Got ghosts? Call a historian

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:17:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

South Portland residents have long called Kathy DiPhilippo when they have a history question about the city where she’s lived all her life.
But this year DiPhillippo, historian for the city’s historical society, has received more and more calls about South Portland houses and secrets they may hold.
“As a historian I receive calls from residents who do believe there is something in their house,” she said. Something … unusual.
DiPhillippo recently received a call from a woman in Thornton Heights who was in her basement when she felt a presence behind her. Thinking it was her husband, she began a conversation. When he didn’t answer her, she turned around to discover she was alone.
DiPhilippo understand callers’ concerns – she’s had her own experience with strange houses.
When she was young her father was a minister at the Elm Street Church and her family lived in a house just off Broadway near the church.
The family that lived there had an ominous warning when her family moved into the house: They told tales of lights turning on and off and the sound of footsteps running up and down the upstairs hallway to the attic doorway.
The homeowners told DiPhilippo’s family they had put a lock on the attic door because they used it as a storage unit and didn’t want their small children playing among the boxes and furniture, including a chaise lounge with a blanket thrown over the chair to protect it from dust.
One day the family unlocked the attic door and went upstairs to find something in storage. While they were looking around the attic, they noticed the blanket on top of the chaise lounge had an imprint, almost as if a body had been sitting in the lounge moments before.
“There was definitely something centered around the attic. I would hear doors opening and closing even when everyone was sleeping,” said DiPhilippo. “Even if the [attic] door was nailed shut, it would still open.”
DiPhilippo said she would hear footsteps coming down the hallway and stop right outside her door, but when she opened the door no one was there.
“Our dog would sit in one room looking up at the air and start barking,” she says. DiPhilippo thinks the dog was barking at a person, or thing, the family couldn’t see.
DiPhillippo has had other experiences at other houses but is amazed that people call her at the historical society to learn the histories of their own homes.
Cape Elizabeth may not have a historian with a history of the paranormal, but it does have an old lighthouse with a spooky past.
After two deaths in a shipwreck near Portland Head, a lighthouse was finally built for the busy port in 1791.
Many stories of ghosts are told about the lighthouse, including one recounted in “Haunted Maine” by Charles Stainsfield Jr. of a father and son who tended the light.
According to the book, Samuel Lancaster lost his young son to typhoid fever while the two were working at the lighthouse. A few years later Lancaster fell sick and died during the middle of a big storm. But the light never flickered or went out at Portland Head Light, and sailors reported seeing a small boy waving at them from the top of the lighthouse.
Portland Head Light Museum Director Jeanne Gross had never heard that story or felt anything strange in the lighthouse, but has heard a few interesting tales.
Last year a group of English investigators of the paranormal visited the historic lighthouse to see if they could find any scientific or psychic evidence of ghostly spirits at the keeper’s house.
Gross said they told her they felt the presence of a 7- or 8-year-old girl named Mary playing in what used to be the keeper’s dining room, one of the museum’s main rooms.
Glenn Jordan, who used to live in an apartment above the lighthouse museum, has another tale to tell. One day several years ago while walking outside the building on his way to the laundry room, he saw a group heading up the lighthouse steps through a window. Jordan said this was not strange because groups often came to see the historic site.
He nodded his head or waved at the group and a man standing in the window scowled at him. Jordan said the man appeared scruffy and was wearing what looked like blue sailor’s attire. Jordan was a bit confused by the interaction but continued on his way.
After 10 minutes in the basement thinking about the man, Jordan walked outside again and looked up to see if the group was still there.
Not only was there no one in the lighthouse, but there wasn’t even a window on that side of the building.
Jordan says it could have been his eyes playing tricks on him, but the memory is still vivid.
DiPhilippo’s memories also are very vivid, and she says can still remember the strange feelings she felt at her haunted house.
“I’m sure some people are making things up, but I’m not making it up,” said DiPhilippo.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

Another try for TABOR

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:16:00 GMT

By David Harry
Staff Writer

Three years after voters rejected a measure to cap state and local tax increases, backers of a similar question say it is more needed than ever.
Opponents of a second Taxpayer Bill of Rights, including the South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth town councils, say the measure is flawed because it includes increases in state highway spending and because state-mandated spending caps enacted by LD 1 in 2005 are already effective.
Statewide, the first TABOR question was supported by about 45 percent of the voters in 2006. Locally, the measure was approved by 52 percent of Scarborough voters but did not pass muster with voters in Biddeford, Cape Elizabeth, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco and South Portland.
But according to Tarren Bragdon, chief executive officer of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, TABOR II needs to pass because of a lack of meaningful tax reform and an increase in overall government spending above the cap limits the referendum will establish, “The beauty is that voters have the say,” he said.
The center is working to get the referendum passed, but the measure was written by staff at Maine Leads, described on its Web site as a “nonprofit, non-partisan action and advocacy group.”
Maine Leads staff also wrote Question 2, which seeks to reduce vehicle excise taxes and exempt hybrid and energy efficient vehicles from the state sales tax and the first three years of excise taxes.
Scarborough Town Manager Tom Hall said the effects of both questions passing could be drastic.
“If both pass, it is really doomsday,” Hall said.
Bragdon disputes the idea that letting voters decide on budget and tax increases automatically means cuts in municipal services.
“The claims about gutting services are lies,” Bragdon said.
Martin Sheehan, director of communications for the policy center, asks voters to take a closer look at organizations and governing boards opposed to TABOR II and reducing the vehicle excise tax.
“The opposition to TABOR and the excise tax are people who are receivers of tax dollars,” he said.
A key distinction in the current referendum question reduces the majority needed to pass a tax increase from two-thirds to a simple majority of voters.
A second change in TABOR II has eliminated the requirement to vote on tax increases to pay for local school budgets. The provision was eliminated because the school district consolidation act passed by the Maine Legislature in 2007 mandates local votes on school budgets.
Another tax increase targeted by the question is the annual increase in the gasoline tax that now is adjusted each year with the rate of inflation.
If passed, Question 4 will establish a state fund comprised of budget surpluses to offset future increases as well.
Sheehan said the overriding philosophy of TABOR II is that government should grow at a rate taxpayers can afford. Voters also need a stronger voice in setting spending decisions, he said.
The need for TABOR II is based on increases of almost $300 million in state taxes from 2006 through the 2011 fiscal year and the addition of 3,400 new public employees in the state this decade – despite the loss of more than 13,000 private sector jobs, Sheehan said. The center also cites increases in local tax commitments for the need to extend TABOR to towns and cities.
South Portland Finance Director Greg L’Heureux said passing TABOR II could complicate future bond questions already decided by voters. This is because while the bond vote might be approved, future budget increases to pay for bond commitments might also require votes.
The tax commitment in South Portland to pay for government services has increased from $44.64 million in 2000 to $55.23 million this year, according to data presented at the policy center Web site.
That 23 percent increase in the property tax commitment is less than seen in Cape Elizabeth, where the property tax commitment was $13.61 million in 2000 and is now $23.07 million.
The opposition of South Portland councilors to TABOR II and the excise tax question led to a complaint by David Crocker of the TABOR Now campaign to the Maine Commission on Government Ethics and Election Practices this week because of a flier included with South Portland property tax bills on the vote against the referendum questions.
Crocker has asked the commission to investigate whether the flier violates campaign finance laws because the city has not registered as a ballot question committee that should submit financial records for public review.
Sheehan said the fliers are also unfair.
“You can’t have government telling people how to vote,” Sheehan said.
South Portland City Manager James Gailey said flyers were included in 9,300 tax bills sent to residents last week at a cost of $564, well below the $5,000 spending threshold required for registration.
The flier notes the city council opposition to questions 2 and 4 and lists two bullet points below the ballot text of the questions that discuss potential effects of each question. Voters are then encouraged to learn more about the questions by visiting the city Web site to find links supporting and opposing the referendum questions.
Paul Lavin, a staffer at the ethics commission said a decision on whether to investigate the flier and possible campaign finance violations will be made at a meeting Nov. 19.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219

Meeting previews school proposal

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:15:00 GMT

By Suzanne Hodgson
Staff Writer

South Portland’s Secondary School Facilities Committee is back with a new outlook, new budget and new plan for a modern high school.
A joint meeting between the council and the school board Tuesday gave the public, council and school board a chance to question the committee on what the high school needs, how a new proposed plan differs from a 2007 plan and why they want to put the question to voters next June.
The issue of the aging building has led to accreditation problems with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which conducted a 10-year evaluation that included teachers, programs and the facilities.
NEASC identified 17 problems with the building, and in a letter to Principal Jeanne Crocker this April referred to “the serious level of structural decay of the facility.”
The level of structural decay was apparent during a tour Tuesday of the building. Windows are nailed to the building so they won’t fall out the other side; a large crack has formed in one room where the original 1950s building is pulling away from the 1979 addition; and 11 separate levels throughout the three-story building make handicapped access at the current building cumbersome.
Handicapped students and adults use an antiquated elevator system that stops six times as it goes up three stories and opens into a classroom. A different lift in a glass-enclosed room also carries handicapped students to the gym. Crocker says most handicapped students would rather make their way around the outside of the building.
The school does have accreditation, but with a warning.
“Warnings are not abnormal now for schools. Most schools usually have between 60 and 100 recommendations from NEASC,” said Crocker. South Portland High School has 20 recommendations in addition to the building concerns.
If the NEASC recommendations are not addressed five years after the recommendations are made, the school could be put on probation. That might affect students applying to colleges because the accreditation probation would show up on student transcripts, Crocker said.
“Some [colleges] go on history of the high school, some will have grave concern if students come from a high school on probation,” said Crocker.
After the NEASC walk through, voters passed $5.8 million in June to address some health and safety issues to the high school and Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools. The high school used part of the money to put in a new sprinkler system. Crocker says the money was spent so even if reconstruction of the school does eventually pass, the work done with the money would not be wasted.
A $56 million school was on the ballot in 2007, but voters rejected the plan 3 to 1. The Secondary School Facilities Committee hopes a lower cost will be more appealing to voters. South Portland Superintendent Suzanne Godin says she wants to keep the cost around $40 million, which would include the addition of 76,000 square feet to the existing school.
Dan Robbins, estimator for Harriman Associates, the architects working with the South Portland school project, said many recent construction projects have cost less than projected budgets.
“There has been a drop in development cost due to economy and market, I don’t see it changing,” said Robbins.
Scott Pakulsk,i facilities manager for Harriman Associates, showed how the new proposal would use less room than the previously proposed school by building a two-story gym instead of a larger one-story gym, condensing the new building and not building another turf field.
The school hopes to have a June referendum vote instead of November so the district would have lower construction costs by building in the summer and avoid displacing students during the work.
If the plan passes in June 2010, construction plans would be drawn during the winter and bidding would begin in March 2011. Pakulski estimated the proposed project would take 33 months from referendum approval to completion.
The project as proposed would keep the new auditorium and sections of the existing school but add on a larger addition between the present buildings, although committee members noted the plan is still in its preliminary stages.

Staff Writer Suzanne Hodgson can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 233.

South Portland polling times and places

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:13:00 GMT

South Portland polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, for school board and city council candidates and local and state issues.
   Residents of District 1 will vote at the Boys & Girls Club, 169 Broadway. Residents of District 2 may vote at the American Legion Hall, 413 Broadway. Residents of District 3 and 4 cmay vote at the South Portland Community Center, 21 Nelson Road. Residents of District 5 may vote at the Redbank Community Center on MacArthur Circle West.
   Voters will be asked if they are in favor of dogs in parks or on beaches at certain times beyond the permitted hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The referendum question specifically bans dogs from Willard Beach between April 15 and Oct. 15 and requires them to be on leashes under the owner’s control between Oct. 16 and April 14.
The other local refrendum question asks voters if they favor the city council determining the method by which the city sells its bonds. The city currently sells its bonds at a public sale. The amendment would allow the city to sell its bonds in a negotiated sale process.
Gary Crosby, Rosemarie De Anglis and Christopher Kessler are competing for the city council in District 3. The District 4 candidate is Maxine Beecher.
   The Portland water district trustee for South Portland and Cape Elizabeth has no candidate, but is open for write-in nominations.
   Michael Eastman, who died after the ballots were printed, will still likely be elected for South Portland’s District 3 seat for School Board if no write-in candidate wins, according to South Portland City Clerk Susan Mooney. If Eastman wins, the city council will appoint someone to the seat until next year’s election.
Candidates for the school board District 4 seat are Kendall Fassett and James Gilboy.
   Tappen Fitzgerald and Alan Livingston are the candidates for the District 5 school board seat.

Two open seats to be filled on South Portland Council

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:10:00 GMT

Voters in South Portland will elect two city councilors to three-year terms Nov. 3. Three candidates are competing for one open seat in District 3 and incumbent Maxine Beecher is the only candidate for the District 4 seat.

District 3

Christopher Kessler
Address: 37 Cottage Road
Education: Bachelor of arts in music
Occupation: Former direct care mental health professional for special needs children at Spurwink Services until layoffs in July. Now starting eco-friendly home-cleaning service
Political experience: Maine Chapter Leader of StudentLoanJustice.org
Civic associations: South Portland Land Trust, Knightville-Mill Creek Neighborhood Association, Hour Exchange Portland, Local Sprouts Community-Supported Kitchen
State your position on the following issues:
Municipal spending
South Portland provides good services, but there is alsoa need to take a hard look at where we should be cutting back.
Willard Beach proposed ban on dogs
The recommendations of the Willard Beach Task Force were fair and equitable, and the proposed change is an “all or nothing’” approach that I don’t agree with.
Proposed amendments giving city council flexibility in determining the method by which the city sells bonds
The city should be able to manage its debts with all options that are available, as long as it does not lead to more debt.
  Education funding
We should continue to provide the best learning experience for our students, but take a hard look at what expenses are really necessary and what is not.
Economic development
I want to help strengthen our local economy by supporting small businesses and fostering local trade.
List in order the municipality’s three highest spending priorities
The city’s top spending priorities (aside from the school system) are currently public safety, insurance and retirement and public works.
  Name three goals you hope to accomplish in the next term
I hope to improve the quality of life for people in any way I can. My goal is to be a representative, and to help South Portland be the best it can be.
Write a general statement about your candidacy
I am running for city council because I want to help bring positive change. I will have an open mind and open ears to listen to the concerns of the community. My goal is to help South Portland be the best it can be.

Gary Crosby
Address: 2 Tanner St.
Education: High school and two years technical school
Occupation: Self-employed
Age: 49
Political experience: previously ran for office
Civic associations: None
Municipal spending
  I believe there is still room to rein in spending.
Willard Beach ban on dogs
I am in support of this referendum question.  The city council has been divided over this issue for many years.  This referendum will allow the people of South Portland to make the choice. Whether it is as a city councilor or as a citizen of South Portland, I will support whatever the people decide.
Proposed amendments providing city council with flexibility in determining the method by which the city sells its bonds
I am in support of this. Things change fast in the financial markets and the council needs some flexibility here.
   Education funding
I would work with our state reps to increase our share of school funding from the state level. At this point it is out of whack and we are not receiving what we should. If we were successful in this it would reduce our property taxes.
Economic development
Not long ago we hired an assistant city manger whose job description entails economic development. He has done a good job with that and as a councilor I would continue to support his efforts in bringing new business to our area.
List in order the municipality’s three highest spending priorities
I am not sure there is any one priority. With a city of 23,000 people priorities are different for each of us. One of the responsibilities of a councilor is to look at each one as they come up and deal with it.
Name three goals you hope to accomplish in the next term
Maintain the current tax rate or reduce it. Make the atmosphere at council meetings welcoming to the community so people feel comfortable getting up and speaking their minds without fear. Make sure that people feel as though their voices are being heard.
  General statement about your candidacy
I am running for office because I believe in our system of government and want to be part of it. As a 25-year resident of South Portland I know the city well and can serve in the city’s and the people’s best interests. I have no personal agenda. I am just looking forward to serving the public.

Rosemarie De Angelis
Age: 57
Address: 30 Buttonwood St.
Occupation: College instructor, guardian ad litem, family mediator, speech/language pathologist
Education: Master of arts degree, University of Maine at Orono, plus more than 55 graduate credits beyond master’s in education; family law/guardian ad litem and mediation training
Personal: Single with two kitties that attend private school at 30 Buttonwood, with limited success in training
Political and civic experience: City councilor, 2003-2006; People’s Regional Opportunity Programs (PROP) Board of Trustees, three years; volunteer advocacy work with immigrant and refugee populations from 2004 to present; member of South Portland Historical Society; member of South Portland Land Trust
Municipal spending
Having served on the council, I am aware of the budgetary needs and wants. It is the council’s responsibility to be in tune with those services that our residents desire, to provide adequate information as to the cost of those services, and to follow under the guidance of the city manager to make sound budgetary decisions.
Education funding, economic development
All of the above issues are simply titles to areas that require much more explanation and thought in order to give a real answer to my “stance.” The greatest portion of our tax dollars is used to fund education. This is, I believe, one of our most important investments and should continue to be that way. However, in these economic times, we also need to make sound decisions that continue to provide quality services to children while simultaneously being affordable to all our residents. There is a delicate balance.
  South Portland has many great attributes, one of them being a strong sense of balancing growth and development while maintaining a small city feel.
List in order the municipality’s three highest spending priorities
Education, infrastructure, economic development.
Name three goals you hope to accomplish in the next term
I have one goal and that is to represent the voice of the citizens of this city. My personal goals should represent only one voice of one citizen – nothing more. My job is to speak for those who may allow me to do so.
Write a general statement about your candidacy
1. To provide the voters with choice
2. To continue my commitment to civic engagement
3. To represent the residents of this city as a true ‘voice of the people’

District 4

Maxine R. Beecher
Address: 1359 Highland Ave.
Education: graduate Whitingham High School, Whitingham, Vt.; licensed cosmetologist; bachelor of science in communication, USM
Occupation:Self-employed cosmetologist/beautician
Age: 66
Political experience: South Portland Board of Education, 1982-85; city council 2003-2009; South Portland mayor, 2006; chair South Portland Land Use (environmental), Zoning Committee, 2006-2008
Civic associations: chair South Portland Community Advocates for Social Action (substance abuse and violence prevention team); chair of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Medication Collection Project 2008 and 2009
State your position on the following issues:
Municipal spending
Caution. Caution. We must make any spending other than for basic services already in place a “can’t do without” add on.
Willard Beach ban on dogs
For decades councilors have debated the “dogs on Willard Beach” issue. Too much time and energy has gone into this with no winners. Let the people decide.
Proposed amendments providing city council with flexibility in determining the method by which the city sells its bonds
Yes for the charter change. Presently, the city must bid its bonds out to the open market at whatever the going interest rate is. With this change and a three-fifths vote by councilors, the city can borrow money from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank at much lower rates, sometimes even at no interest
Education funding
I believe that funding education is a priority. Good schools bring good companies that want good places for their families to live.
Economic development
We need businesses to help pay for services such as trash pick up, schools, recreation and staffing for the operation of this community. Presently we need to pursue companies to take over empty buildings and those who are willing to expand them.
List in order the municipality’s three highest spending priorities
1. Education 2. Employees (good workers make good community) 3. Infrastructure to include environmental cleanup, road maintenance and public works building.
List areas of municipal spending that need to be cut or eliminated
We have eliminated most excessive spending. I’m not sure without doing a breakout where to cut.
Name three goals you hope to accomplish in the next term
1. To make South Portland a destination where people want to visit and live
2. Update the comprehensive plan
3. Maintain good services
Write a general statement about your candidacy
I love this community. I am grateful for the honor of representing the citizens of South Portland. I am anxious to move forward with the comprehensive plan. It is a plan to help us balance all aspects of this community, its people, its zoning, and its business growth. It is a map for the future while keeping in place standards of protection and growth.

Three running for South Portland School Board

Sentry editor — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:07:00 GMT

On Nov. 3 voters in South Portland will elect three school board members to three-year terms. In District 3, Michael Eastman’s name appears on the ballot, but either a write-in candidate will replace him or a council appointed member. In District 4, Kendall Fassett is challenging incumbent James Gillboy and in District 5, Tappen Fitzgerald and Alan Livingston are competing for the seat.

District 4

Name: Kendall Fassett
Address: 26 Carignan Ave.
Education: Associate’s degree in accounting, Champlain College, 1990; enrolled as business administration major at the University of Southern Maine.
Occupation: Tax accountant, LL Bean. Formerly a finance and data manager, Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District, Montpelier, Vt., population 60,000 (23 municipalities)
Age: 39
Political experience: None
Civic associations: Athletic director, soccer and basketball coach at Barre Town (Vt.) Middle School, population 10,000
State your position on the following issues:
Municipal spending
Responsible and defendable spending to accomplish valued goals
Education funding
A balanced approach, understanding that there is a symbiotic relationship between education and community sustainability. The ability to question and consider everything in a respectful and considerate manner can lead to responsible management.
Write a general statement about your candidacy
In the last two years I have spoken with many South Portland residents about the problems facing our city’s schools. The importance of having experienced and qualified decision makers will be instrumental, as we will be spending well over $100 million on educational endeavors over the next three years. I am well qualified and feel that it is my duty to step forward and be willing to serve.
Currently I am a key contributor responsible for ensuring appropriate sales, property and income taxation at LL Bean. Previously I have been a municipal and school employee responsible for developing and communicating budget requirements on behalf of executive staff, board members and citizens. Additionally I played a key role in operational and planning decisions, including facilitation of public meetings and hearings. I have considerable experience forming relationships with public officials, municipal employees, professional contractors and fellow citizens as a neighbor and a staff member.
We need decision makers that want to listen to the public and have fiscal and municipal experience combined with the skills to help move toward solutions. I look forward to the opportunity to serve if the people will have me.

James H. Gilboy
Address: 235 Barnstable Road
Education: Graduate of Weymouth North High School Class of 1986, Weymouth, Mass.
Occupation: Manager at First American EAppraise IT/ certified residential real estate appraiser
Age: 41. Married to Beth Monroe Gilboy, four children, three of which are enrolled in public school, with our youngest enrolled in the South Portland Community Center Pre-school program.
Political experience: Seeking re-election for third term for the South Portland Board of Education representing District 4.
Civic associations: none
State your position on the following issue:
Education funding
We need to ensure that the federal and state government contributes more for public education in South Portland. The current funding, I feel, puts too much burden on the taxpayer living in South Portland. We need to reach out to our local representatives at the state and federal levels for better education funding/reform.
Please write a general statement about your candidacy
On Nov. 3, in District 4 City of South Portland Board of Education please vote for James Gilboy , who is seeking re-election for third term. Please feel free to contact me with any questions and or comments atjhgboy@maine.rr.com.

District 5

Tappen “Tap” Fitzgerald II
Address: 19 Massachusetts Ave.
Education: South Portland High School, USM
Occupation: Employed for 23-plus years at Hannaford Bros. Co.; Community relations specialist/owner of Sideshow Music, a professional emcee/disk jockey service
Age: 41
Political experience: I have not had aspirations for political office until now.
Civic associations: Nine-year member of Skillin School PTA,; fundraising chair for Skillin School Playground Project; 2008 redistricting pre-work committee.
State your position on the following issue:
Education funding
Unfortunately, because of state revenue shortfalls due to the economy, schools districts around the state may see a curtailment of state funding. This is almost becoming an annual issue for the South Portland school system and other neighboring communities. As a board, we will need to work with the City Council to make sure that funding is adequate. Non-essential spending and will need to be scrutinized very closely and we will need to take a more collaborative and creative approach between the School Board, the schools, and the PTA’s for acceptable options.
Please write a general statement about your candidacy
As I go out and meet and talk with people in South Portland, I continually get asked the same question: Why now? The answer is simple. We need people on the school board who will not only put the education of our students as a top priority, but also be able to make tough decisions and present new ideas and approaches. I know I can offer budget experience, and a common sense approach that will help to right the ship. Simply making the cuts and reinvesting in the same programs – because we have done it this way for years – is not a satisfactory answer. We can do better.
Citizens of South Portland demand that our schools offer a safe, healthy, and progressive educational environment for our children. We need to be fiscally responsible, not only with budgets, but the assets of the city. We need to make sure maintenance and repairs are done, as scheduled, so our buildings do not reach such a point of disrepair that replacement is the only option.

Alan R. Livingston
Address: 205 Sandy Hill Road
Education: Bachelor’s in mathematics, University of Maine, Orono, 1973, South Portland High School
Occupation: Math Teacher , Cheverus High School (12th year) Varsity Baseball Coach (1989-2008), Intramural Sports Director
Age: 59
Political experience: None
Civic associations: South Portland High School baseball, football, and soccer booster’s member and past president. South Portland High School Parent Principal Committee; Maine Principals’ Association baseball committee, Maine American Legion Junior Legion Baseball Commissioner; Maine American Legion Baseball Committee; State Legion Baseball Tournament Director. South Portland High School parent and principal committee member. International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Ethics Committee.
Please write a general statement about your candidacy
The city of South Portland and School Department have had a positive influence on my life. As a resident of South Portland since 1955 (when I was 5 and my parents moved our family), I feel it’s my duty to give back to the community. With my 29 years of experience as a teacher and coach, and a proud parent of three South Portland School Department graduates, I believe I will bring a unique perspective to the Board. I have been a member of many committees and organizations and have positively influenced the direction of these organizations. I believe that I can offer a similar influence to the Board of Education. With two grandchildren currently in the school system, I would like to offer them and the other students the best educational opportunity possible.