Westbrook Politics: March 1- March 5, 2010

Monday, March 1
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

Tuesday, March 2
Planning Board meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: February 21- February 27, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 47F (February 22)
Low: 27F (February 21, February 22)
Precipitation: 6.08 inches
Snowfall: 1.70 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:21a
Previous Sunset: 5:28p

Month-to-Date:
High: 50F (February 18)
Low: 10F (February 6)
Precipitation: 6.14 inches
Snowfall: 3.20 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 50F (January 25)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 9.06 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Storm Damage

A story about yesterday's storm can be read here. And WCSH has numerous shots of the swollen Presumpscot.

- John C.L. Morgan

The Hope Next Door

The late Mary Jo Taylor and Westbrook resident Jeffrey Wood were the subjects of "The Hope Next Door," a Salt Institute for Documentary Studies project completed in 2009 by Kai Lindemulder.

According to Wood, who is the founder and president of the caregiving organization eHope, he and Lindemulder have begun to collaborate a book that will be similar to the Salt project. Here's a sampling:

Mary Jo’s predicament is not uncommon; we are becoming more isolated from one
another. The Internet and its slew of online social networking opportunities
have a vast number of Americans putting energy into hundreds of shallow distant
relationships, rather than connecting with the people around them. Our roots are
spreading wider, but they don’t travel deep enough to provide us with true
support. Jeffrey suggests that this is directly linked to the fact that in
21st-century neighborhoods, we get to know our neighbors through the blinds.
This trend is precisely what he seeks to counteract.

- John C.L. Morgan

Pike Rezoning Committee Meets with Residents

PPH:

Residents who live near Pike Industries' quarry
told members of a special committee Wednesday that Pike's blasting has damaged
their homes and disrupted their lives, and they want it to stop. The Spring
Street Quarry/Industrial Zone Steering Committee met with residents for about
two hours to address their concerns about Pike's quarry operation at the Five
Star Industrial Park. About 25 residents turned out and expressed concerns about
the noise, dust and vibration caused by Pike's blasting.

The next meeting for residents living in the surrounding neighborhoods is Saturday at 9a at Westbrook Middle School.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Westbrook Officials Begin Attempt to Broker Pike Compromise (February 19, 2010)

METRO Board Raises Fares

PPH:

The full fare will increase from $1.25 to $1.50,
and the monthly pass from $37.50 to $40. The board had originally proposed
increasing the monthly pass to $45. But the board today voted 5-2 to lower the
increase.

According to the piece, Westbrook's investment into the service increased $12,021 this year, bringing the city's total share to $370,044. That represents about 13% of the costs, as Portland contributes $2,302,233 to the service, and Falmouth pays $127,486.

- John C.L. Morgan

On Location: On Location: Metro No. 4 (July 15, 2008)

Two Cheers for the French Press Eatery's Donuts

Appetite Portland discovered the French Press Eatery's donuts:

Biting into the donuts caused an intense “fresh from the fryer” reaction in
me--a slight film instantly coated my tongue as the jolt of sugar and fat hit my
blood stream. After eating only a third of each, I was ready to explode
(okay--confession—-I eventually nibbled my way through most of the Bacon-Maple).
Topped with real bacon crisps and a dense maple glaze, the mixture of sweet and
savory was right down my alley.

And Edible Obsessions echoed that sentiment, only with higher praise:

Words cannot describe how f'ing good these are. The base of the doughnuts are
dense, without being heavy and the outsides are crunchy, yet not greasy. To say
that these are the perfect doughnut would not be an exaggeration. Then add on
the toppings and you are well into the realm of pure gluttony.00

- John C.L. Morgan

h/t: The always reliable Portland Food Map

Related: French Press Receives Mostly Favorable Review (January 14, 2010)
Related: The Paper City Foodie's Guide to Westbrook (November 6, 2009)

A Model of Persistence

Back in the days when my exercise regimen was a tad bit more strenuous than the one I have now (when I ask the baggers at Hannaford to overload my canvas bags because they represent the only exercise I get each week, I'm only half-joking), I regularly swam three or four nights a week at Davan Pool. By the time I jumped into the water to start my workout, Pat Gallant-Charette had usually started her seemingly endless stream of laps. And on the cold winter evenings when I was just too lazy to bundle up and head out to Davan, Pat was almost surely churning through Davan's waters.

All this is my way of saying you should check in on Pat every once a while via her blog, Pat's Channel Swim, as she begins to train yet again to conquer the English Channel in 2011, despite two previous attempts to cross it in 2008 and 2009.

Frankly, it's difficult for me to not to be inspired by her single-minded determination.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: On Location: Davan Pool (February 19, 2009)
Related: Quote, Unquote (August 7, 2008)

Michael Lawson to Challenge Ann Peoples for House Seat

Republican Michael Lawson will challenge Democratic Rep. Ann Peoples for the Maine House of Representative's District 125 seat this fall, according to the Web site of the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices.

Lawson most recently ran as a Democrat in the 2009 At-Large City Council race, where he collected 26% of the vote en route to a third place finish out of three candidates.

- John C.L. Morgan

How Maine Influenced Teddy Roosevelt

MPBN:

It was at a small settlement called Island Falls in Aroostook County that Teddy
Roosevelt first encountered William Wingate Sewall, the legendary upcountry
woodsman who was to have a profound influence on the young Roosevelt. The
relationship between these two men of very different backgrounds is chronicled
in "Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America's 26th
President," published by Down East Books. The author, Andrew Vietze, is himself
a registered Maine guide, as well as an award-winning writer. Vietze says it's
surprising that so little has been written about Bill Sewall until now.

Vietze's book can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Good Salary. Little Work. Soft Snap! (April 7, 2008)
Related: Wanted: Skilled Mainers (February 26, 2008)

Cheverus Pulls Away from Westbrook

PPH:

Indiana Faithfull can beat a team with his defense, playmaking and scoring. This
time Faithfull decided to score, helping Cheverus take control in the third
quarter on the way to a 56-46 victory against Westbrook in the Western Class A
boys’ basketball final Saturday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: My Best ESPN Impersonation (February 19, 2010)

Westbrook Churches Spread Word About Community Resources

WCSH:

The group "Westbrook Cares Community Together" went door to door this weekend
with pamphlets in hand. They're spreading the word about programs that can help
people in the community, things like food pantries, substance abuse programs,
and the city's recreational activities.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: February 22- February 26, 2010

There are no public meetings scheduled for this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: February 14- February 20, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 50F (February 18 )
Low: 19F (February 16)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Snowfall: 1.50 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:53a
Previous Sunset: 5:51p

Month-to-Date:
High: 50F (February 18)
Low: 10F (February 6)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Snowfall: 1.60 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 50F (January 25)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 2.92 inches
Snowfall: 21.6 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

My Best ESPN Impersonation

Highlight reels of Westbrook High School's Dominic Borelli and Cheverus High's Indiana Faithfull.

The two players (and their teams, of course) will match up tomorrow night at the Cumberland County Civic Center for the Class A Western Finals, as the Blue Blazes attempt to return to the state finals for the first time since their 2000 loss to Bangor.

The game is scheduled to start at about 9p, adult tickets are $7, and the smack talk/observations/odes related to the game can be followed here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: On Location: Warren Centennial Gymnasium (January 22, 2009)

WFD: The Latest

News that the former chief is pondering a lawsuit against the City wasn't the only bit of media coverage concerning the Westbrook Fire Department this week.

On Wednesday, the AJ quoted a document written by a harassment prevention consultant that observes: "We have never seen a level of tension and anxiety among staff that comes close to reaching the level which exists at the Westbrook Fire and Rescue Department," a sentiment echoed in today's PPH article on the impending training department personnel will be undertaking.

Here's to the WFD eventually gracing this site only when they're, you know, fighting fires.

- John C.L. Morgan

Sports Update

Below are the top performances turned in by Westbrook High School's winter athletes at each team's respective state championships.

Boys' Indoor Track (10th place overall)
Emmanuel Vincent finished fourth in the 400-yard race.

Patrick Fagan finished third in both the shot put and the high jump.

Girls' Indoor Track (12th place overall)
Audrey Cobb finished second in the shot put.

Courtney Mailly finished fourth in the high jump.

Boys' Swimming (10th place overall)
Keegan Goan won the 100-yard butterfly and tied for fourth in the 50-yard freestyle.

Derek Hawkes finished third in both the 500-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke.

Girls' Swimming (20th place overall)
Kathryn Violette finished third in both the 500-yard freestyle and the 200-yard invidual medley for the girls' swimming team.

Wrestling (4th place overall)
Glenn Emery finished fourth in the 119-pound division.

Cole Larrivee won the 152-pound championship.

Troy Fogg finished third in the 160-pound division.

Harrison Strondak finished second in the 189-pound division.

Andrew Drouin won the 215-pound championship.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Officials Begin Attempt to Broker Pike Compromise

PPH:

Westbrook officials will begin efforts today to
broker a compromise between Pike Industries and the residents and businesses
opposed to the company’s quarry operation in the Five Star Industrial Park on
Spring Street. Mayor Colleen Hilton has formed a committee that will meet with
businesses and residents to identify concerns about Pike’s operation and the
growth and management of the park.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Optimism and Skepticism Greet City's Plea for Compromise (February 3, 2010)

Old Westbrook, By Way of Old Lewiston

Check out archived newspaper articles about Westbrook dating back to the 1860s in this virtual vault of Lewiston newspapers. Plucked from a May 1961 Lewiston Evening Journal article was this gem:

The air over Westbrook is pine scented these days,
and it's no accident. The S.D. Warren Co. started pouring a pine concentrate into
its pulp digesters Monday. The idea is to offset a spoiled cabbage odor--a
result of the kraft pulp process--that had ired residents of the paper mill city
and surrounding communities.

Looks like the title of a certain blog is more prescient--or in this case, reminiscent--than even I could've hoped.

- John C.L. Morgan

h/t: The always interesting All Things Maine site.

School Superintendent Supports Board Exams, Expresses Concerns

MPBN:

Reza Namin, superintendent of Westbrook schools, is supportive of the board
exams because he thinks it will make high school education more tailored for the
student, and therefore more challenging and rigorous. But he does have some
questions about how the board exams will work. "What happens to the students
that have learning difficulties, learning challenges? What happens to the
students who have already dropped out?" Namin says he also wants to make sure
that the vocational schools, one of which Westbrook operates for the city and nearby
municipalities, are not marginalized.

- John C.L. Morgan

Full disclosure: I'm currently interning at Westbrook High School.

Former WPD Captain Gets Good Press in Tenn.

Herald-Citizen:

After [Lester] McKenzie e-mailed the photo to Police Chief Gay Shepherd and
others on the campus, the praise poured in, and now, Officer [Mike] Lambert is
being nominated for at least two awards, the Disability Services Ambassador
Award and the TTU Ambassador of the Month award. A retired captain from the
Westbrook, Maine, Police Department, Officer Lambert has been with TTU Police
since 2005.

- John C.L. Morgan

Stephen King Praises Beverly Jensen's Forthcoming Book

Via Jay Silverman, Jensen's widower:

Every now and then--maybe two or three times in a decade--a book comes along
that's so good you want to buttonhole strangers on the street, show it to them,
and say: "Read this! It will fill you up and make you glad you're alive!" The
late Beverly Jensen's The Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay is exactly that
kind of book. It roars from hilarity to horror to heartbreak, sometimes in the
space of ten or twenty pages, then back again to hilarity. It's profane, loving,
hardnosed, and completely beautiful.

In other Beverly Jensen news, her short story "Wake" (the short story that appeared in the edition of The Best American Short Stories that King edited) has been translated into Uzbek.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Beverly Jensen's Web Site is Up, Book to Be Published June 28 (January 21, 2010)

Former Fire Chief May Sue City

AJ:

Westbrook Fire Chief Daniel Brock was unrightfully terminated from his position,
according to a letter from his lawyer to Mayor Colleen Hilton. The letter, dated
Jan. 15, claimed Brock is still the fire chief, despite Hilton’s announcement
during her inaugural address that she would not be reappointing him to the
position. In the letter, attorney Barbara Goodwin of Murray, Plumb & Murray
said Brock is “prepared to take legal action to enforce his rights,” but would
prefer to resolve the matter without litigation and has requested to be paid 4.5
years’ salary.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: More on York Street Shakeup (January 6, 2010)

Nominate Westbrook for Cutting Edge Technology

You can read more about Google's project here, and you can nominate Westbrook as a host city for this experiment here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Could This Work in Westbrook? (November 23, 2009)

Westbook to Host L.L. Bean's Imagemakers

Quad/Graphics:

As part of the unique partnership established by this agreement, L.L.Bean will
build Studio 1912, a state-of-the-art, 16,000-square-foot all digital
photography studio in Westbrook, a Portland, Maine suburb, about 20 miles from
L.L.Bean’s Freeport corporate headquarters. The Studio 1912 name reflects the
year that L.L.Bean started in business. Quad/Graphics Photography Services will
manage studio operations in cooperation with L.L.Bean’s Photography Operations
and Creative Department.

- John Morgan

Council Says 'Not Now' to Pot

AJ:

Westbrook won’t see its first medical marijuana dispensary until August at the
earliest. The City Council Monday enacted a six-month moratorium on the
dispensaries, retroactive to Feb. 1. The council approved the moratorium
unanimously, without any discussion by officials or any comments from the
public. According to City Administrator Jerre Bryant, the purpose of the
moratorium is to allow the city time to develop regulations regarding where the
dispensaries could be located in Westbrook.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Cream, Sugar, and Cannabis? (December 21, 2009)

Westbrook Almanac: February 7- February 13, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 45F (February 9)
Low: 13F (February 7)
Precipitation: 0.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.10 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:43a
Previous Sunset: 5:09p

Month-to-Date:
High: 45F (February 9)
Low: 10F (February 6)
Precipitation: 0.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.10 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 50F (January 25)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 2.86 inches
Snowfall: 20.1 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Rings In Its 196th Year

Westbrook formally incorporated as a town 196 years ago today. Below are three trivia questions related to the founding of Westbrook. (Editor's Note: Westbrook's first mayor wasn't actually elected until after Westbrook was incorporated as a city in 1892.)

What was the town's original name when it was incorporated on February 14, 1814? (Answer)

What is the symbolic relevance of the City's seal? (Answer)

Who was Westbrook's first mayor? (Answer)

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Haven's Candies as Loyal Provincialists--Or Not (February 13, 2009)
Related: Quote, Unquote (February 13, 2008)

Rep. Pingree to Host Energy Workshop Feb. 16

Pingree's Web site:

Heating your home shouldn't break the bank. Luckily, it doesn't have to. Join
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and a panel of experts who can help you apply for
cost-saving programs that will help you or your business save energy and money.
Learn about easy, low-cost ways to lower the cost of staying warm this winter.

- John C.L. Morgan

h/t: City Councilor Victor Chau (D-Ward 2)

Rush Limbaugh Calls Out MOOMilk

BDN:

Vaughn Chase was milking his cows Monday afternoon, listening to Rush Limbaugh
on the radio, when he heard his name resonate through the barn. The cows may
have been the only witnesses to the shocked look on the Aroostook County
farmer’s face when he heard the Voice of the Right accuse him of scheming to
pervert capitalism. There is more to the story than the conservative commentator
would have listeners believe.

You can read Limbaugh's full remarks here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: MOOMilk is on Shelves (January 25, 2010)

City, Skybox Can't Reach an Agreement

PPH:

Westbrook officials and the owners of the Skybox Bar and Grill have failed to
resolve their longstanding differences over licensing issues with informal
negotiations. So the lawyer for Allen and Lynn Moore will take a deposition from
City Administrator Jerre Bryant on Feb. 22, as they gather evidence to support
their claim that city officials acted arbitrarily in denying the Skybox food
sales and liquor licenses.

- John C.L. Morgan

Did You Know?

Did you know the Best Westbrook Task Force is modeled after the Better Denver Bond Program?

Spearheaded by Westbrook City Council President Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1), the Best Westbrook Task Force will be an independent commission made up of Westbrook residents (twenty had signed up by late January) who will be looking to make City government more proactive when it comes to Westbrook's infrastructure. In other words, Council President Rielly advocated for the creation of the task force as a way for the City to analyze Westbrook's public buildings, development strategies, roads, and other parts of infrastructure to identify possible troubles areas before they become, well, trouble.

According to Rielly, the Best Westbrook Task Force will be valuable for a couple reasons. First, it will give the City of Westbrook a great opportunity to appraise best practices when it comes to road development, infrastructure improvements, and neighborhood protection in a strategic way, instead of during budget season, which is often the case. And second, Rielly hopes the task force will identify trouble spots before they become an issue so that the City can resolve possible controversies before they occur. According to Rielly, governments generally are reactive, so they might eventually "fix the problem for the next guy, but not be able to help the first guy in line."

The task force, according to Rielly, will begin meeting after the City hires a finance chief, which is expected to happen to happen sometime this month, according to published reports. If you are interested in serving on the Best Westbrook Task Force, contact Councilor Rielly.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Wrestlers Win Regional Title

PPH:

Westbrook, meanwhile, held off Cony to claim its first regional title while competing in the Eastern Class A meet for the first time, in its home gym. The Blue Blazes scored 161 points, beating Cony by 11 points. Mt. Blue (115.5), Mt. Ararat (100.5) and Skowhegan (98) rounded out the top five.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Westbrook Athlete Excels, Despite Pulling Double Duty (February 3, 2010)
Related: Westbrook Wrasslers Grapple with Cancer (December 29, 2009)
Related: Wrasslers Today, Servicemen Tomorrow (December 8, 2009)

Westbrook Politics: February 8- February 12, 2010

Monday, February 8
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: January 31- February 6, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 32F (February 5)
Low: 10F (February 6)
Precipitation: 0.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.0 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:51a
Previous Sunset: 5:01p

Month-to-Date:
High: 32F (February 5)
Low: 10F (February 6)
Precipitation: 0.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 50F (January 25)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 2.86 inches
Snowfall: 20.0 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

On Nativism

Happy Friday.

- John C.L. Morgan

Cross-Pollination

I was elected to the Westbrook Soccer League's (WSL) Board of Directors last month, so I created the Pine-Scented Pitch, a blog about the goings-on of the WSL and of soccer in general. I've so far resisted any urges to promote the soccer-specific site on this site, but I just posted an interview on the PSP that might be of interest to even the non-soccer reader.

Rosie Perkins, a 2005 graduate from Westbrook High School, is currently working in South Africa with Grassroot Soccer, an organization that uses soccer to fight the spread of HIV and AIDS among South Africans. Perkins was gracious enough to take the time to share her some of here experiences working in Port Elizabeth since last August, so I recommend you check it out. Here's a taste: Oh, and I'd be shirking my duties as a WSL mouthpiece if I neglected to encourage you to become a Facebook fan of the WSL. In the meantime, we now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

One very important thing I want people to know is the people living in the
townships live with less money and fewer material goods, but they are still
living full and busy lives just like the rest of the world. There has been
immense suffering in this country, but the people I’ve met here love where they
live and wouldn’t trade it for anything else. There is still a huge barrier
between whites and blacks--as well as coloreds--and I think that too has shocked
me. Many whites we’ve met who've grown up in Port Elizabeth have never been to
the townships. Some don’t even know the names of the townships in Port
Elizabeth.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Department of Self-Promotion (December 23, 2009)

New Performing Arts Center to Host First Event Feb. 13

AJ:

The new Westbrook Performing Arts Center will swing open its doors next weekend
for its very first event--a full day of a cappella workshops and performances.
The event, called Male House Rock, is geared toward young male singers, but
anyone can attend.

More info about the event can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Casella: Biddo's Mayor Hasn't Derailed Westbrook Plans

AJ:

Casella Waste Systems will move forward with its plan to build a $15 million
facility in Westbrook for processing the trash that currently goes to Maine
Energy Recovery Co., despite losing the support of Biddeford Mayor Joanne
Twomey. The construction of a trash-processing plant in Westbrook was part of a
package of initiatives developed to mitigate the negative effects of MERC,
Biddeford's controversial trash incinerator.

On a separate note, a PPH editorial on Twomey's decision sounded a more pessimistic tone about Casella's plans for the Paper City.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Has Biddeford's Mayor Killed Casella's Plans for Westbrook? (February 1, 2010)

WHS Athlete Excels, Despite Pulling Double Duty

PPH:

[Emmanuel] Vincent, a junior at Westbrook High, is among the rarest of high
school athletes this winter. He is competing in two sports: track, which he’s
been running since the fifth grade, and wrestling, which he took up about two
months ago. He admits to being exhausted some nights when his wrestling practice
ends. Considering that he has a full workout with the track team before he goes
to wrestling practice, that’s not surprising.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Westbrook Wrasslers Grapple with Cancer (December 29, 2009)

Two New Family-Friendly Facilities Poised to Open in Westbrook

(Editor's Note: I posted an inaccurate item related to this topic yesterday. Fortunately, a couple of readers graciously pointed out the errors contained in that post, so I've deleted it to avoid confusion and misinformation. I apologize for the error.)

The All Play Family Entertainment Center, which is profiled by Maine Biz here, will be opening this Saturday. It is located at 2 Karen Drive, which is off the Smiling Hill half of County Road.

Meanwhile, the Peek-A-Boo Childrens' Center, which is located in the Dana Warp Mill, will also be opening its doors for the first time this Saturday.

- John C.L. Morgan

Optimism and Skepticism Greet City's Plea for Compromise

PPH:

Businesses in the city's Five Star Industrial Park responded favorably Tuesday
to the City Council's decision to postpone a vote on a controversial zoning
change and seek an agreement that would let Pike Industries continue operating.
But some residents in the nearby Birdland neighborhood remained skeptical of
Pike's intentions. City officials plan to bring businesses and residents
together to find a way to resolve the long dispute.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Council Tables Re-Zoning, Mayor Urges Compromise (February 2, 2010)

Council Tables Re-Zoning, Mayor Urges Compromise

PPH:

Supporters of Pike Industries and the neighbors and businesses that oppose its
quarrying operation in the Five Star Industrial Park packed a hearing room
Monday night as city councilors considered rezoning the park. Councilors
heard nearly three hours of testimony and hour-long presentations by Pike and
representatives of Westbrook Works, a coalition of businesses that includes
Idexx Laboratories. At the end of the hearing, Mayor Colleen Hilton asked
ask the council to table the issue for three months. The council voted 7-0 to
approve her recommendation.

- John C.L. Morgan

Has Biddeford's Mayor Killed Casella's Plans for Westbrook?

Maine Biz:

She [Biddeford mayor Joanne Twomey] was also opposed to Casella seeking federal
grants to pay for the new $15 million trash processing facility the company is
proposing in Westbrook. While Casella officials said the project can move
forward without Biddeford's backing, other members of the task force said
Twomey's decision could stall the project indefinitely. "I don't see this having
a prayer of going anywhere without the full support of Biddeford's mayor," Peter
Morelli, economic development director for Saco, told the paper.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Casella: Westbrook Facility Key to Goal of 'Zero Waste' Future (January 25, 2010)
Related: Will Westbrook Be the Next Biddeford? (December 30, 2009)

New Comment Policy

Every since I started this site in January 2008, I've wrestled with whether I should allow commenters post anonymously. Fortunately, most of my readers and commenters have been respectful enough toward each other and other people in the community to make such an exercise mostly an abstract one. Nevertheless, the trend on this site and elsewhere in the virtual world have caused me to decide against allowing anonymous posters.

I am tired of playing judge and jury when it comes to each questionable post, and I am too busy to worry about this anymore. I apologize to those who did not abuse this system.

- John C.L. Morgan

Donnybrook in the 'Brook Takes Show to Council

PPH:

A long-running zoning battle that has led to court
action and polarized two of the city's largest taxpayers will come to a head
tonight before the Westbrook City Council. On the agenda is a public hearing on
a proposal to rezone the Five Star Industrial Park on Spring Street from heavy
industrial to light manufacturing uses.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Dems Choose Gattine as Party Chair

Via an e-mail from State Rep. Tim Driscoll (D-126), Westbrook Democrats on Sunday chose former Ward 2 City Councilor Drew Gattine as the chairman of the Westbrook Democratic City Committee.

David Driscoll (Vice Chair), Jim Violette (Secretary), and City Councilor Mike Foley (Treasurer) were also chosen to the Democratic City Committee at the caucus.

- John C.L. Morgan