Election '10: Tim Driscoll on the Issues

Democrat Tim Driscoll is running as the incumbent against the Republican nominee Bruce Chuluda for the District 126 seat in the Maine House of Representatives. Driscoll responds to a batch of policy questions below, and you can see if he'll be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 2 here.

What are your top three legislative priorities for the upcoming session?
Develop and adopt a plan that addresses our future impending budget shortfall, while at the same time preserving investment in workforce development; education, municipalities, and infrastructure needs; and protecting our quality of place.

How do you plan to implement each of these three goals?
Work toward energy cost reduction, regulatory predictability, and further Research & Development of biotechnologies and green energy, such as wind and ocean energy development. Job-specific and directed investment in our community colleges and universty system, increased access to dental services by assisting with the development of a school of dentistry, and continued encouragement of entrepreneurial growth.

Also, I would work toward the preservation of existing jobs and work on policies that would enhance creation of new jobs through continued work on the Labor Committee. Once known for its partisanship and divisiveness, the committee is now valued for its understanding, its thoughtful deliberation, and its fairness for working families and the business community as well.

Which three programs do you think should be maintained or expanded?
Each of the 17 Joint Standing Committees have oversight over specific departments and programs. We will look at every department and program from the committee level to address reductions/expansions that have already been made by department heads and make the needed changes, either agree or disagree with those changes, and make revisions as a committee before sending them on to the appropriations committee for deliberation.

Which three programs do you think should be cut or eliminated?
See my answer above.

Cite at least one example in which you cooperated with a member (or members) of another political party.
During the 2nd session of the 124th legislature, we were facing a national economic collapse and unprecedented job losses. One other Democrate and myself, along with all of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle on the Labor Committee, ensured that LD 1655 did not make it out of committee. This was no time to be putting more mandates (paid sick leave) on an already struggling business climate in the state.

What are your thoughts concerning the state budget?
In the 124th Legislature, we worked in a bipartisan fashion to find efficiencies and coordinate service to reduce the current biennial budget by approximately $840 million, without raising any taxes. we need to continue in that vein and to work in a collaborative effort to find smarter and more efficient ways to deliver services at a reduced cost to Maine citizens. At the same time, we need to ensure our children, our elderly, and the disabled are not adversely impacted by our decisions. Every program and department will be on the table for review.

What are your thoughts concerning the Clean Elections law in Maine?
I support the Clean Election law in this state.

What is your opponent's greatest strength?
His willingness to participate in the election process.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's education (K-12, as well as higher education) policies?
I am a strong advocate for education. I believe that many processes that were put in place in the school consolidation bill were already being accomplished or looked at within the Westbrook school system and seem to be working well at this time. Our community college system is "busting at the seams" with waiting lists of prospective students. I believe we could also look at consolidating some of the administrative processes with our university system as well.

What are your thoughts concerning same-sex marriage?
I support marriage equality. I cast my vote in the legislature in support of marriage equality.

Cite at least one example in which you've differed with your political party.
Again, see my opposition to LD 1655, a bill that would've mandated paid sick leave.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's taxation system?
In the 123rd Legislature I voted against tax reform, because the redcution in the income tax was not enough. I think it was 0.2% of 1%. At that time I supported Rep. Woodbury's, (I) Yarmouth, proposal, which was a gradual reduction of the income tax from 8.5% to I believe 6.5% over a period of 5 or 6 years. His amendment did not have enough votes to pass. In the 124th, I supported a reduction of the income tax from 8.5% to 6.5%; however, it was repealed by the voters. We need to continue to talk and work on reducing the income tax of individuals, as well as small business.

What are your thoughts concerning term limits for legislators?
Legislators have term limits every 2 years at the polls, if they decide to run for re-election.
As a legislator, however, I respect the voice of my constituents when they voted to create term limits.

What is your opponent's greatest shortcoming?
I don't know him that well to respond.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's transportation policies?
The cost of petroleum products has been so volatile that we are unable to do what we would like because of the cost fluctuations and the high cost of pavement. We have been replacing bridges, as we have seen and will be seeing more of here in Westbrook. There has always been the rumor that the highway fund has been raided over the years to supplement the general fund. Although there have been transfers from one to the other over the years, we did receive a run sheet which showed that over a 20-year period, I believe, there was about a $200,000 difference when the changes were looked at in total.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's public assistance programs?
Working in an emergency room, believe me, I see the value of folks being able to secure needed medical care. However, I also do see what many would consider abuse of the system as well. My concern is always for single women with children, the elderly, and the disabled. My understanding of residency requirements, put forth by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, is that they would be unconstitutional.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Election '08: Introducing Tim Driscoll (September 16, 2010)
Related: Election '08: Tim Driscoll's Proust Questionnaire (September 23, 2010)
Related: Election '08: Tim Driscoll's Favorite Things (September 30, 2010)

Election '10: Westbrook Students Participate in Mock Election

WMTW:

Students from more than 150 schools in Maine cast ballots Thursday in a
statewide mock election. Organizers, including officials from the Maine
Secretary of State's Office, said the election is an important lesson for
students, and helps democracy in the state. The students said they enjoyed the
process. "It's a lot of fun," said Nicole Labbe, an eighth-grade student and
Westbrook Middle School. "I think it's definitely going to help prepare the kids
for when they have to actually vote."

I had a pre-election post in October 2008 about how Maine students' mock elections are pretty accurate forecasts of real election results. Indeed, considering the 2008 election results into my previously-crunched numbers (again, see my October 2008 post), Maine students have not only picked the eventual winner in 83% of the presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial races in which there's been a statewide mock vote (15 of 18), but they have also been within 5 percentage points of the winner's eventual vote total 80% of the time (12 of the 15 races they picked correctly).

In 2008, 58% of actual Maine voters voted for then-Sen. Barack Obama, whereas 61% of Maine students did. Sixty-one percent of actual voters voted for Sen. Susan Collins, compared to 58% of students; and 67% of actual voters chose Rep. Michael Michaud, compared to 62% of student voters. The outlier in 2008 was Chellie Pingree, who captured 55% of the actual vote, despite narrowly losing the student vote to her opponent, Charlie Summers.

The irony is that the one candidate whose campaign touted this Web site's look at the mock elections was, you guessed it, Charlie Summers.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Looking to Spark Interest in Saco Street Business Park

AJ:

Five years after purchasing a 40-acre parcel of land with intentions of building
a business park, city officials are looking into increasing the marketability of
the site. With only two of seven lots currently occupied at the Westbrook
Heights Business Park off Saco Street, city officials maintain a decision to
enter into the development business was the right choice. Officials say the
collapse of the economy has been the major obstacle to selling the lots.

- John C.L. Morgan

Snyder Still Facing Skepticism Among CCCC Trustees

PPH:

Jason Snyder's plan for a new sports and concert arena ran into a skeptical
audience Wednesday: the Cumberland County Civic Center's trustees, who manage
the arena in downtown Portland. Snyder outlined his vision for an arena, with
6,800 seats for hockey and 8,000 for concerts, on property he owns along the
Portland-Westbrook city line, adjacent to Interstate 95. He said it would cost
about $85 million, with 5 to 20 percent privately funded and the rest coming
from taxpayers.His plan calls for $30million--all public money--to turn the
Civic Center into a convention center.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '10: Jeff Martin on the Issues

Republican Jeff Martin is running against incumbent Democratic State Senator Joe Brannigan for the District 9 seat in the Maine Senate. Martin, who resides in Portland with his wife, Kirsten, and their two children, owns Foreside Real Estate Management. His political experience includes a stint on the Maine Legislative Action Committee for the Condo Association Institute (CAI). You can see if Martin will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 2 here.

What are your top three legislative priorities for the upcoming session?
Jobs and the economy, fiscal spending, and welfare reform.

How do you plan to implement each of these three goals?
It takes principled leadership to change the culture in any organization. I will stand by my principles that government should work for the people and not the other way around.

Which three state programs do you think should be maintained or expanded?
I think Envision Maine’s report Reinventing Maine Government is a great first step to where legislators should first look to reorganize Maine’s government. It highlighted a billion dollars worth of savings in Maine government.

Which three state programs do you think should be cut or eliminated?
See above.

Cite at least one example in which you cooperated with a member (or members) of another political party.
I successfully worked with former Democratic State Senator Michael Brennan in a stakeholders' group on developing a five-year vision for Portland schools. Our work produced 4 of the 5 adopted vision statements.

What are your thoughts concerning the state budget?
It is fiscally unsustainable. We can't continue to start the year with a $1 billion shortfall and expect that government can work properly. We need adults in Augusta that are not afraid to make the tough decisions so that we can keep the promises--like funding teachers and state pension obligations--that government has made.

What are your thoughts concerning the Clean Elections law in Maine?
This is my second time I have run as a "clean" candidate. Honestly, I think the term "clean" is a little disingenuous of a term as it has only shifted the "dirty" money voters who supported this law to want to reduce or eliminate it. I think "Maine Taxpayer Election Fund" is a much more transparent term.

What is your opponent's greatest strength?
I don’t know if it is his greatest strength, but my opponent has dedicated a lifetime of service to the community. His service is something I respect and admire, and I am honored to be his opponent.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's education (K-12, as well as higher education) policies?
We are close to the top in the nation on spending but our results don’t reflect that investment. Not enough of the money we spend on education is getting to the teachers and the classroom. That needs to be addressed. We also need to make higher education affordable. I support an optional fifth year of high school to give students an option to receive an associates degree or the first two years of a bachelors degree through the public education system.

What are your thoughts concerning same-sex marriage?
As a Senator, I will support same-sex marriage.

Cite at least one example in which you've differed with your political party.
I think the answer above is a good example.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's taxation system?
I think we desperately need tax reform. However, the last package was a jobs killer and was rightly defeated by Maine voters. The reality is that when an investor decides what states to invest in a couple percentage points in taxes can make or break the deal. And that results in lost jobs and lower overall tax revenue. I believe that we need fair reform that reduces the burden on the middle and lower class and stimulates investment in jobs.

What are your thoughts concerning term limits for legislators?
I have mixed feelings on this. While term limits didn't push any of the long-time fixtures in the hallways of Augusta toward retirement, I do believe that service in the legislature should be treated as a short-term public service and not a career.

What is your opponent's greatest shortcoming?
I think my opponent can best answer that question.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's transportation policies?
Transportation issues are part of the jobs and economy equation as we need a solid, reliable transportation infrastructure to get our goods to market quickly and cheaply. Transportation projects that show the highest potential to grow and support a local economy will get my support first.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's public assistance programs?
I think everyone agrees that a strong safety net is needed to help those that have fallen on difficult economic times. However, temporary public assistance should not turn into a long-term way of life. The current system undermines hard work and traps families in poverty. I support reforming the system to place emphasis on supporting a path to self-reliance and away from dependency.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Ann Peoples on the Issues (October 20, 2010)

Visionaries Wanted

The Comprehensive Plan Task Force kicks off its neighborhood meetings tonight, when it hosts residents and businesspeople from wards 5 and 1-2 (you can see which ward you belong to here) at the Westbrook Community Center at 7p.

The task force, which is amidst the six-month "visioning" portion of the state-required review of the City's Comprehensive Plan, will also be hosting neighborhood meetings for wards 4 and 1-1 (Thursday, October 28 at 6p at The French Press Eatery), and wards 2 and 3 (Thursday, November 4 at 6p at IDEXX). The culminating event for this initial phase will be a daylong, city-wide meeting devoted to conversations about everyone's vision of Westbrook over the next 10-20 years. That event will take place Saturday, December 11 at 10a in the Westbrook Middle School cafeteria.

These events are great opportunities for members of the public to articulate their perspectives on what Westbrook should be like as a place to make a home or build a business over the next couple decades. Moreover, the public is always welcome at the task force's meetings (a meeting schedule through May 2011 can be seen here), and is encouraged to fill out the task force's questionnaire (here).

(Full disclosure: I represent Ward 2 on the Comprehensive Plan Task Force.)

- John C.L. Morgan

City Cancels 'Halloween on Main Street'

AJ:

It’s more "boo-hoo" than "boo" from city residents after officials announced the
cancellation of Halloween on Main Street this year. But that doesn’t mean there
won’t be any Halloween fun in Westbrook.The new community center at the old
Wescott Junior High building on Bridge Street will host a "Fright Night" Oct.
29, put on by recreation department staff and Westbrook students. The annual
tradition of Halloween on Main Street typically draws hundreds of costumed kids
and their families to downtown Westbrook for a safe and entertaining evening of
trick-or-treat. However, officials decided to cancel the event this year due to
the ongoing William Clarke Drive construction.

- John C.L. Morgan

Fish Passages Coming to a Dam Near You

PPH:

The great boiling schools of blueback herring, shad
and alewives that once passed through Westbrook on their way up the Presumpscot
River disappeared hundreds of years ago. But by May 1, 2013--at the latest--the
stage will be set for their return. That is the date Inland Fisheries and
Wildlife Commissioner Roland D. Martin set for completion of a fish passage
through the Cumberland Mills dam. When it is complete, the project will trigger
construction of more fish passages on five of the eight remaining dams that
block the river on its 25-mile course from Sebago Lake into Casco Bay in
Portland.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: October 25- October 29, 2010

Tuesday, October 26
Comprehensive Plan Task Force meeting
Westbrook Community Center, Cafeteria A
7-9p
FMI

Thursday, October 28
Comprehensive Plan Task Force meeting
French Press Eatery
6-8:45p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: October 17- October 23, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 62F (October 17)
Low: 29F (October 19)
Precipitation: 0.17 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:45a
Previous Sunset: 6:49p

Month-to-Date:
High: 63F (October 8)
Low: 29F (October 17)
Precipitation: 6.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 42.38 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook's Crime Stats

The Press Herald had an overlooked (by me anyway) story on Tuesday about crime statistics on a town-by-town basis.

The discouraging news: Portland and South Portland are the only cities or towns in Cumberland County with a higher crime rate than Westbrook in 2009. Portland's crime rate (which is calculated by dividing the town's estimated population by the number of crimes that take place within that town) was 49.07%, South Portland's was 47.21%, and Westbrook's was 40.59%. Nevertheless, there is some encouraging news.

The number of crimes committed in Westbrook dropped about 11% in the last year, from 758 in 2008 to 673 in 2009. Moreover, that reduction in the number of crimes accounted for the largest fall in the crime rate in Cumberland County, from 2008 to 2009.

The entire 2009 report, along with reports dating back to 1995, can be read here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Local Firm Gives Four Season Rink a Facelift

AJ:

They may not have scored any goals, but volunteers with St.Germain Collins
registered a big assist to the city of Westbrook when they offered to clean up
the outdoor ice rink on Lincoln Street recently. St.Germain Collins, an
environmental consulting firm with offices on Main Street in Westbrook, annually
conducts a volunteering or team-building exercise, said Scott Collins, company
vice president. Some within the company happen to enjoy Friday ice hockey
matches at the Cornelia Warren Four Season rink on Lincoln Street during the
winter months, so this year they decided to revitalize the aging outdoor rink.

- John C.L. Morgan

City to Renovate Walker Memorial Library

PPH:

Westbrook officials have scrapped a proposal to move the Walker Memorial Library
into a vacant library building on Main Street because the asking price was too
high. Instead, the city is moving forward with a $1.2 million to $2 million
renovation of the historic building that houses the Walker Library. The
Facilities and Streets Committee, a subcommittee of the City Council, will meet
Nov. 8 to discuss the proposed renovation, which would likely be completed in
phases. The committee will make a recommendation to the City Council for final
approval.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '10: Ann Peoples on the Issues

Democrat Ann Peoples is running as the incumbent against the Republican nominee Michael Lawson for the District 125 seat in the Maine House of Representatives. Peoples responds to a batch of policy questions below:

What are your top three legislative priorities for the upcoming session?
Transportation infrastructure, green jobs that can't be off-shored, and a more rationalized way of providing services to our most vulnerable citizens.

How do you plan to implement each of these three goals?
Continue to work on the Transportation Committee to implement a number of projects that allow us to do more with less (increasing the gas tax is not on the top of my agenda). To support the University of Maine in creating new technologies that give us a practical way to build and implement wind and tidal projects. To support training folks to do the "energy efficiency" jobs that we all know home owners need. And encourage the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to look for economies of scale so that the smaller providers can manage and bill through a larger provider in the area. This will save some serious overhead.

Which three state programs do you think should be maintained or expanded?
This question, and the following one, are just too global to answer in the time available. I am not a true believer who wants to take an axe to anything. We need to have a way to evaluate the the success of all our programs.

Which three state programs do you think should be cut or eliminated?
See above.

Cite at least one example in which you cooperated with a member (or members) of another political party.
We have had, over the last four years, a very bi-partisan House. My filter is 1) My conscience, 2) My constituency, and 3) My caucus. Frankly, we have had few issues that came down to a clearly partisan vote.

What are your thoughts concerning the state budget?
We will make it work. I have no idea how, but I know we always get there.

What are your thoughts concerning the Clean Elections law in Maine?
Best thing since sliced bread--that sure shows my age! Anybody still remember when most bread came unsliced?

What is your opponent's (Michael Lawson) greatest strength?
He sure looks like a healthy guy.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's education (K-12, as well as higher education) policies?
This is a work in progress. I actually went to school on Essential Programs and Services (EPS) and I'm still confused. I will continue to encourage the State to live up to the 55% promise.

What are your thoughts concerning same-sex marriage?
Give me one good reason LBGT shouldn't be just as invested as the rest of us. Partnerships are a fact on the ground, makes no sense to me that we don't rationalize that!

Cite at least one example in which you've differed with your political party.
The Sportsman's Alliance of Maine endorsed me. Enough said.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's taxation system?
See my voting record. I try and I try to tell folks that we have a problem, and I just don't get anywhere. Sigh.

What are your thoughts concerning term limits for legislators?
Term limits are counterproductive. The two-year election cycle is term limits. John Martin was the poster boy for that thing, and I ask you, who is still there?

What is your opponent's (Michael Lawson) greatest shortcoming?
I have no idea how tall he is.

What are your thoughts concerning the state's transportation policies?
Got to love the trains!

What are your thoughts concerning the state's public assistance programs?
See earlier comment.

You can see if Peoples is on your ballot on Tuesday, November 2 by clicking here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Election '08: Introducing Ann Peoples (September 15, 2008)
Related: Election '08: Ann Peoples's Proust Questionnaire (September 22, 2008)
Related: Election '08: Ann Peoples's Favorite Things (September 29, 2008)

Council Initially Approves Regs for Strip Clubs

PPH:

The Westbrook City Council gave preliminary approval Monday night to an
ordinance that would allow strip clubs to operate in the city's industrial
zones. Restrictions would include a requirement that dancers be partially
covered up. Mayor Colleen Hilton said the ordinance received unanimous approval
on a first reading. It must go through a public hearing and a second
reading--scheduled for Nov. 1--before it can be enacted. A representative for
Dreamers Cabaret, the club on Warren Avenue that led councilors to consider the
ordinance, said it is poorly crafted and unconstitutional.

- John C.L. Morgan

The Story Behind the Hawkes Doc

The lifestyle magazine maine. has a profile of Andrew Jawitz, the director of The Eventful Life of Al Hawkes, a 47-minute documentary on the Westbrook musician:

Hawkes lives in Westbrook, Maine. When Jawitz and
Findlen walked into Hawkes’s recording studio in the basement of his home, they
were amazed. For Jawitz, who had done a college internship at the Woody Guthrie
Archives in New York City, it was heaven. Hawkes had 50,000 LP records, all
catalogued as if by an archivist, wax cylinder players, wire recordings,
reel-to-reel recorders from the 1950s, pictures of musicians, and old posters.
“It was like a Museum of Maine Country Music,” says Jawitz enthusiastically. "It
was a treasure trove." As the film documents, all the seminal Maine
country-music performers of the late 1950s are in some way connected to
Hawkes.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: On Al Hawkes (April 9, 2010)

Westbrook Veteran Pens 'Intriguing' Memoir

PPH:

Now 86, the Westbrook resident and Maine native
[Dick Goodie] continues his decades-long writing career. His 1984 essay
collection, "The Maine Quality of Running," was well received. So was his 1997
World War II novel, "A Bracelet for Lily." Goodie's most recent book, published
this year, may be best of the three. "Raindrops on a Nail Keg" is a summing-up
collection of essays that touch on three areas that define the author's life:
boyhood on a Maine farm run by his grandmother, life in a World War II infantry
battalion, and the pleasure of running and racing as an over-50 sport fanatic.

- John C.L. Morgan

Main Street Cafe Shuts Its Doors

AJ:

The Main Street Café has closed its doors, making
it the latest Westbrook restaurant casualty in a struggling economy. The
restaurant, located for 10 years at 888 Main St., officially served its final
customers on Sunday, Oct. 3, according to its Facebook page. Restaurant owner
Mike LaChance declined to speak extensively about the closure, but cited the
economy as a reason for the decision. "Nobody’s eating out," he said.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Mill Side Tavern Closes (September 16, 2010)
Related: Thankgiving's Shuts Its Doors (July 28, 2010)

Warren Foundation Gift to Help Fund Renovation of Community Center

PPH:

A $750,000 donation was awarded to the city of Westbrook to make much-needed
repairs to the former Wescott Jr. High School, home to the city’s community
center. The gift was made by the Cornelia Warren Community Association, a
nonprofit that supports Westbrook’s recreation and athletic programs. The
donation, to be accepted by the City Council on Monday, will help fund a $4
million renovation project that includes replacing the community center's roof
and all the exterior doors and windows.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Warren Foundation to Contribute $750,000 to Community Center (October 8, 2010)

Westbrook Politics: October 18- October 22, 2010

Monday, October 18
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

Thursday, October 21
Comprehensive Plan Task Force meeting
Westbrook Community Center
6p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: October 10- October 16, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 63F (October 10, October 11)
Low: 32F (October 10)
Precipitation: 3.51 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:45a
Previous Sunset: 6:49p

Month-to-Date:
High: 63F (October 8)
Low: 32F (October 9)
Precipitation: 5.83 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 42.21 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Judge Rules Against Dreamers

PPH:

A federal judge on Tuesday denied a request to reinstate the occupancy permit
for a strip club in Westbrook, ruling that its owner had not met the
requirements for a temporary restraining order against the city. Lawyers
representing Larry Ferrante, owner of Dreamers Cabaret, argued before Judge D.
Brock Hornby that Westbrook and its fire inspector, Charles Jarrett, violated
Ferrante's constitutional rights when they shut down the club.

- John C.L. Morgan

A Note on Polls

I've now caught election fever (which isn't the only type of fever going around the house these days), so I've created some polls (see left) for the various local elections to be decided on November 2.

Please note these informal polls are not intended in any way to represent a scientific sampling of the electorate; they are merely offered as a parlour game of sorts with the intention of raising the awareness and the visibility of candidates whose diligence and hard work is often lost amid the clutter of national and statewide races.

- John C.L. Morgan

Late Westbrook Coach Honored as a Maine Sports Legend

BDN:

[Art] Dyer graduated from Windham High School in 1959 having lettered in
baseball and basketball all four years. He participated in those same sports
while attending Gorham State, where he graduated in 1964. At Medomak Valley his
teams compiled a record of 184-44, making the Class B tournament every year,
winning the Western Maine title four times and the state title twice. In 1980 he
accepted a position at Westbrook High School, where his teams won 152 games,
making it to the Western Maine Final four times and won the state Class A
championship in 1984. He was an assistant coach at Division I Fairfield
University in Connecticut from 1991 to 1998, when he retired.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Art Dyer Inducted into Midcoast Sports Hall of Fame (October 18, 2009)

The Lobster Mobster

The New York Times Magazine has a fascinating profile of Ingrid Bengis-Palei, the 66-year-old owner of Stonington-based Ingrid Bengis Seafood:

She has lived in Mexico, Nicaragua, Greece, France, Russia and Israel and is
proficient in Russian and French. She is quite possibly the only seafood
procurer to be nominated for a National Book Award. Her first book, Combat in
the Erogenous Zone, published in 1973 by Knopf and called “remarkable” by
Newsweek, recounts in frank detail her efforts to come to grips with feminism
and the sexual revolution, exploring “man hating,” lesbianism and love. Combat
made her the toast of New York’s literary establishment, and she became friends
with Norman Mailer, Kurt Vonnegut and other writers. But she could not handle
the pressures of fame and fled to Stonington. “I settled for notoriety here
versus celebrity in New York City,” she said.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: October 11- October 15, 2010

There are no events scheduled for this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: October 3- October 9, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 71F (October 8)
Low: 37 (October 9)
Precipitation: 2.32 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:45a
Previous Sunset: 6:49p

Month-to-Date:
High: 71F (October 8)
Low: 37F (October 9)
Precipitation: 2.32 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 38.24 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Birdland Residents File Lawsuit

PPH:

A group of residents in the Birdland neighborhood of Westbrook sued the city on
Thursday, asking a judge to invalidate a proposed consent agreement that would
allow Pike Industries to mine its rock quarry off Spring Street. The lawsuit,
filed in Cumberland County Superior Court, contends that the agreement approved
by the City Council on Sept. 8 creates a "spot zone" for Pike, violating the
city's zoning ordinance and a related zoning enabling act.

- John C.L. Morgan

Warren Foundation to Contribute $750,000 to Community Center

AJ:

The Westbrook Community Center is $750,000 richer thanks to a contribution from
the Cornelia Warren Community Association on Wednesday afternoon. According to
John Bernier, chairman of the board of the association, the organization
presented the news of the gift to Mayor Colleen Hilton, City Administrator Jerre
Bryant and Maria Dorn, director of the community center, in a meeting on
Wednesday. Bernier said it is the largest amount of money the association has
ever awarded to a single project. Bryant said the gift would be paid in three
annual installments of $250,000. The Westbrook Community Center is located in
the former junior high school building on Bridge Street.

- John C.L. Morgan

Skybox Passes Muster, New Restaurant Fails to Earn Licensing

AJ:

In sharp contrast to the kerfuffle that surrounded the April license renewal
hearings for the Skybox Bar and Grill, a review of the bar’s operations Monday
was short and without any rancor. The six-month review by the city’s municipal
officers was part of the conditions outlined when the Brown Street bar’s liquor,
food service, poolroom and pinball licenses were renewed on April 6.

AJ:

At issue behind the denial [of Shai's Lounge's requests for licensing] is a
April misdemeanor conviction for the sale and use of drug paraphernalia in
Biddeford, stemming from a July 2009 incident at a Getty station owned by [Shai]
Patel. On Patel’s application, he indicated that he had not been convicted of
any crime in the past 10 years, and the councilors based their denial on both
the conviction and its omission from the applications.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Council Approves Bottling License for Dreamers

PPH:

The City Council voted late Monday night to approve a bottle club license for
the owner of a strip club that the city shut down right after it opened last
month. The council voted 7-0 to approve the license for Dreamers Cabaret on
Warren Avenue, which opened on Sept. 17 and was closed the next day, after
Westbrook's fire inspector cited code violations. A bottle club doesn't sell or
serve alcohol, but patrons are allowed to bring their own.

[snip]

City Administrator Jerre Bryant said before Monday's meeting that if the council
approved the bottle club license and the proposed ordinance, Ferrante would have
to decide between alcohol and nude dancing in his club.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Musician Records CD

AJ:

For 30 years, [David Good] has been entertaining audiences in New England with
his eclectic mix of cover songs and original music. Locally, he has been
featured at the Stockhouse Restaurant & Sports Pub and the Frog & Turtle
bistro pub. He also has performed at dozens of fundraising events for the
Westbrook School Department, Mission Possible Teen Center, booster groups,
private functions, and weddings, according to his wife, Nancy Good. "You name
it, he has probably played there!" she said.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook is Home to 6 of Maine's Largest Companies

The following Westbrook-based companies are included in Portland Monthly's list of the 100 largest businesses headquartered in Maine: IDEXX (3), Olympia Sports (8), Lee Chrysler Plymouth (33), Ford Rowe Sales (49), Bill Dodge Buick-Pontiac-GMC (53), and CCB (87).

The figures are based on each company's gross revenue in 2009 or 2008.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: October 4- October 8, 2010

Monday, October 4
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

Wednesday, October 6
Comprehensive Plan Task Force meeting
Westbrook Middle School, Library
7a
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan