City Council Starts Process for Adopting Strip Club Ordinance

PPH:

Proposed limits on nude dancing and strip clubs in
Westbrook have been sent to a City Council committee for possible action next
month. The council held an early-morning meeting Wednesday to take up the
proposal, which it sent to the Committee of the Whole, made up of all seven
councilors. That committee is expected to meet next month, at which time it
could make a recommendation for the council.

- John C.L. Morgan

Civic Center Trustees Ask Snyder for More Details

PPH:

The Cumberland County Civic Center's trustees are
questioning the feasibility of a developer's proposal to build an 8,000-seat
arena in Westbrook or Portland while turning the civic center into a convention
facility. Jason Snyder was supposed to meet with the civic center's board last
week to talk about his plan, but he asked for a postponement a few days
beforehand. In a letter to Snyder, Neal Pratt, chairman of the board, posed a
dozen questions that he said the trustees planned to ask at the meeting, about
the cost estimates for Snyder's arena and the financing for the project.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Council to Meet This Morning to Discuss Strip Club Ordinance

PPH:

The proposed ordinance outlines rules for nude
dancing. It would prohibit total nudity and require the operator to get a permit
from the code enforcement officer before opening a strip club. It also would
prohibit a nude dancing establishment from operating within 500 feet of a
school, a playground or park, a place of worship or a library. Dreamers Cabaret
is in the city's industrial zone, which far exceeds the 500-foot requirement. It
is 1.3 miles from Riverbank Park and less than a mile from PT's Show Club in
Portland, another strip club.

- John C.L. Morgan

On Westbrook Wildlife

PPH:

For a goose with a badly broken wing, life could be
worse. The Canada goose that has taken up residence in the city's Riverbank Park
area can't fly, but it's got food, a companion and lots of concerned fans. "We
received an awful lot of complaints from people thinking we haven't been helpful
or sympathetic to the plight of the goose," said Westbrook police Capt. Tom
Roth.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Shuts Down Unauthorized Strip Club

PPH:

A new strip club in Westbrook was shut down on Friday by city officials, who say
it didn’t obtain permits to operate. Dreamers Cabaret, located at 84B Warren
Ave., was shut down after city officials learned of the business and discovered
several fire code violations. City Administrator Jerre Bryant said the owners of
the club did not obtain permits to operate the club. "The city had no knowledge
of this business until we heard they opened," Bryant said.

(Update: The AJ has more on this story, including news that the owner is determined to re-open the club.)

- John C.L. Morgan

Checkmate

As an avid follower of the Maine v. New Hampshire debate and the son of the state's fourth-ranked chess player, this news is particularly disappointing.

I suppose there's always the Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket on October 2 to look forward to.

- John C.L. Morgan

Tea Partiers Gather in Riverbank Park

PPH:

Part history lesson, part community picnic, part
political revolution. The Cumberland County tea party rally was a little bit of
each. More than 100 people gathered Sunday afternoon at Riverside Park in
Westbrook to listen to speeches by political candidates--including three
independent candidates for governor, tea party leaders and some patriotic
musical classics, such as Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." "We're
rediscovering our Constitution and what it means," said Dean Scontras, a
Republican running to unseat U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, a Democrat, in Maine's
1st Congressional District.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook High Sports Round-Up: September 13- September 18, 2010

Tuesday, September 14
Boys' Soccer: Westbrook (0-3-1) tied Deering (1-2-1), 0-0.
Field Hockey: Westbrook (4-0) defeated South Portland (0-3), 3-1.
Golf: Portland defeated Westbrook, 12-1.

Wednesday, September 15
Girls' Soccer: Westbrook (2-2) defeated Deering (2-2), 1-0.
Golf: Deering defeated Westbrook, 13-0.

Thursday, September 16
Boys' Soccer: Westbrook (1-3-1) defeated Massabesic (0-5), 4-0.
Football: Portland (1-2) defeated Westbrook (0-3) 27-16.

Friday, September 17
Boys' Cross Country: Scarborough defeated Westbrook and Kennebunk, 27-43-61.
Girls' Cross Country: Scarborough defeated Kennebunk, McAuley, and Westbrook, 31-45-58-NA
Girls' Soccer: Noble (3-2) defeated Westbrook (2-3), 4-3.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: September 20- September 24, 2010

Monday, September 20
Finance Committee meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
6:30p
FMI

Thursday, September 23
Comprehensive Plan Task Force meeting
Westbrook Middle School, Library
7a

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: September 12- September 18, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 72F (September 14)
Low: 43F (September 16)
Precipitation: 0.58 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:41a
Previous Sunset: 6:58p

Month-to-Date:
High: 93F (September 2)
Low: 43F (September 16)
Precipitation: 1.68 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 35.76 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Housing for Artists Breaks Ground Downtown

AJ:

At the start of the new year, artists will have
three new affordable spaces in which to live and sell their work in downtown
Westbrook. Construction began Monday on a three-unit live/work residential
community for artists. The building at 917 Main St., is the latest project of
Westbrook Housing. It will have three condominium units for artists, which will
consist of upstairs living spaces and downstairs retail spaces for the artists
to sell their work.

- John C.L. Morgan

Snyder Cancels Meeting with Civic Center Trustees

PPH:

Jason Snyder, who has suggested building an
8,000-seat arena, had asked to talk to the trustees about his proposal and a
recommendation to turn the civic center into a convention center. Snyder is one
of the developers of a proposed $300 million retail and commercial project in
Westbrook to be called Stroudwater Place. Neal Pratt, chairman of the trustees,
said Snyder told him that his presentation wasn’t ready and did not suggest an
alternative meeting date.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: More on Snyder's Plans for Arena and Convention Center (September 7, 2010)

Blue Burrito Earns 4 of 5 Stars from PPH

PPH:

One of the reasons I ordered the blackened steak
and cheese quesadilla is that I figured it would be a good test. Too often, the
steak in this kind of dish comes out overcooked, tough and chewy, and you end up
wishing you'd ordered something else. I was pleasantly surprised to find that
the meat in my quesadilla was tender and still lightly pink in the center. It
came with caramelized poblano peppers, onions and sauteed mushrooms, with sour
cream on the side.

- John C.L. Morgan

Mill Side Tavern Closes

AJ:

Westbrook’s Municipal Officers on Monday approved
renewing the liquor license for the Mill Side Tavern. However, by the next day,
the bar appeared to have shut down. As of Tuesday, a big cardboard signed
reading "Closed" had appeared in the window of the tavern on Cumberland Street.
The sign was still there on Wednesday morning.Patricia and William Kowalski, who
have owned the bar for 18 years, did not return repeated calls for comment
regarding the status of the tavern.

- John C.L. Morgan

Owner of Dana Warp Mill Victim of Foreclosure

PPH:

A former mill that is now billed as the "business
and cultural center of Westbrook" has been placed in receivership. Superior
Court Justice Roland Cole signed a court order earlier this month effectively
placing the Dana Warp Mill under new management. People who are familiar with
the court's foreclosure order--initiated by the mortgage holder, Bank of
America--said tenants can expect no significant changes in the way the building
is managed.

The AJ has more on this story.

- John C.L. Morgan

Family Celebrated Return of Native Soldier

AJ:

If you’ve seen the film, “The Hurt Locker,” you will have some idea of what
25-year-old Joe LaCourse experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan. Like the soldiers
depicted in that movie, LaCourse, who joined the U.S. Navy in 2003 after
graduating from Westbrook High School, was involved in explosive ordnance
disposal. In simple terms, that means he had the white-knuckled job of defusing
bombs hidden along roads, in buildings and elsewhere. During the nine months
LaCourse spent in Baghdad and then his more recent six-month deployment in
Afghanistan, his family constantly feared for his safety as he disarmed live
explosives so they couldn’t blow up and hurt others.But now LaCourse is safely
back stateside, stationed in San Diego. And when he and his wife returned to
Westbrook for a visit over the Labor Day weekend, his family threw him a big
surprise party that included a motorcycle escort by military veterans and by
police cars into the city.

- John C.L. Morgan

Wanted: Used Sports Equipment, Take Two

PPH:

It's time to look through your closets. Check underneath your bed and in the
basement. A family in Westbrook is looking for donations of gently used sports
equipment that can be sold to create scholarships so kids can participate in the
city's recreational sports and activities. The program, Re-Play, would also give
parents who can't afford new sports gear a chance to buy it at a reduced price.
Morgan, 14, Shannon, 13, and 10-year-old Maura Rielly announced the program at a
packed City Council meeting Aug. 30 at Westbrook High School. "Many children in
Westbrook can't afford the cost of sports programs and other activities,"
Shannon Rielly said at the meeting. "They also can't afford to buy the sports
gear they need."

Items can be donated this week (September 13-September 17) at one of the following locations: The Recreation Department's offices, the principals' offices in any of Westbrook's schools, and City Hall. Or, you can drop off your equipment at the Westbrook Community Center's gym on Saturday, September 18 (8a-11:30a).

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Wanted: Used Sports Equipment (September 9, 2010)

Westbrook High Sports Round-Up, September 6- September 12, 2010

Tuesday, September 7
Boys' Soccer: Kennebunk (1-1) defeated Westbrook (0-2), 3-1.
Girls' Soccer: Westbrook (1-1) defeated Kennebunk (1-1), 2-1.
Golf: South Portland defeated Westbrook.

Wednesday, September 8
Field Hockey: Westbrook (2-0) defeated Noble (1-1), 5-0.

Thursday, September 9
Boys' Soccer: Gorham (2-1) defeated Westbrook (0-3), 2-1.

Friday, September 10
Field Hockey: Westbrook (3-0) defeated Sanford (1-1), 4-3.
Football: South Portland (2-0) defeated Westbrook (0-2), 34-22.

Saturday, September 11
Boys' Cross Country: Massabesic and Deering defeated Westbrook, 28-44-58.
Girls' Cross Country: Massabesic and Deering defeated Westbrook, 18-43-81.
Girls' Soccer: Gorham (2-1) defeated Westbrook (1-2), 7-1.

Related: Westbrook High Sports Round-Up, August 30-September 4, 2010 (September 5, 2010)

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: September 13- September 17, 2010

Monday, September 13
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: September 5- September 11, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 81F (September 8)
Low: 50F (September 11)
Precipitation: 1.13 inches
Snowfall: 0.21 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:34a
Previous Sunset: 7:10p

Month-to-Date:
High: 93F (September 2)
Low: 50F (September 11)
Precipitation: 1.34 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 35.42 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Take Notes, Maine Pols

The New Republic's Jonathan Chait calls him "Chris Farley's character Matt Foley come to life," but I prefer to think of Phil Davison, a candidate for county treasurer in Ohio's Stark County, as the man who will change the rhetorical norms of local politics forever.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: On Location: Room 114 (March 11, 2008)

Wanted: Used Sports Equipment

The Westbrook Community Center is hosting Re*Play, an event designed to give Westbrook families the opportunity to buy quality sports gear at a low price.

To donate your gently-used sports gear for the September 24 (6p-9p) and September 25 (8a-11:30a) sales, you can drop the equipment off during the week of September 13-September 17 at one of the following locations: The Recreation Department's offices, the principals' offices in any of Westbrook's schools, and City Hall. Or, you can drop off your equipment at the Westbrook Community Center's gym on Saturday, September 18 (8a-11:30a).

Re*Play is being organized by Westbrook youngsters Morgan, Shannon, and Maura Rielly, and all proceeds of the sales will go toward funding scholarships for Recreation Department activities.

If you have any questions, call (207) 856-7704 or e-mail brielly@maine.rr.com.

- John C.L. Morgan

Judge Delays Pike's Lawsuit Against City

PPH:

A judge this morning agreed to postpone a trial in a dispute between Pike
Industries and the city of Westbrook so that he can review a last-minute
settlement proposed by the parties.

[snip]

Lawyers for the city and for Pike, as well as the lawyers for an intervenor in
the court case, Idexx Laboratories, support the consent agreement and they will
urge Humphrey to sign off on the 25-page document. Two other intervenors in the
case, however, oppose the deal. Representatives of Artel and Smiling Hill Farm
say the consent agreement is deeply flawed and was rushed in front of the City
Council.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Council Approves Pike Deal

PPH:

The City Council voted Wednesday night to approve a
revised consent agreement that would allow Pike Industries to operate its rock
quarry in the Five Star Industrial Park. The council voted 4-2 to approve the
agreement between Pike, Idexx Laboratories, two neighboring businesses and
nearby residents. Councilors Victor Chau and John O'Hara cast the dissenting
votes. Councilor Paul Emery did not attend the meeting. The agreement needs
final approval from Justice Thomas Humphrey, who is presiding over a civil case
involving Pike and the city of Westbrook.

- John C.L. Morgan

Pinball-alaria-itis at Skybox

Maine Observer:

The next stop was in Westbrook, at the Skybox Bar & Grille. When I drove up
to this place, I noticed it violated a rule I have about bars: Don’t enter a bar
that has almost no windows (i.e. Rockin’ Ricky’s Tavern). This wasn’t about me
though; this was about cataloging [pinball-alaria-itis]. I went in.

[snip]

The environment is dicey, but thankfully the classic rock cover band made things
more comfortable. Pinball just isn’t pinball if you don’t hear someone singing
"Turn the Page" by Bob Seger. Once you settle in, the place starts to feel
welcoming. They also host a pinball tournament every Tuesday at 7 p.m. for three
bucks. VERDICT: This place spreads [pinball-alaria-itis] like warm butter on a
biscuit.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Skybox: (Bar)cade and Grill (December 29, 2009)

More on Snyder's Plans for Arena and Convention Center

Mainebiz:

Few Portland region business leaders or elected officials greeted with much
enthusiasm Jason Snyder's announcement in June that he would build a $60
million-plus arena and do a $30 million renovation of the Cumberland County
Civic Center. But the Westbrook developer maintains he is forming a sound
business plan that he hopes will convince state lawmakers, Cumberland County
officials and city officials in Portland and Westbrook that a new 8,000-seat
arena and a dedicated convention center in Portland will yield the best return
on investment. He will present his plan to the civic center board of trustees
next week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Snyder Proposes Arena, Convention Center to Complement Mall Plans (June 23, 2010)

TNR on Labor Day

The New Republic:

It's Labor Day, a time to commemorate and reexamine the role
of organized labor in American life. The best way to do so, of course,
is to browse this collection of classic TNR pieces on labor.

- John C.L. Morgan

On Maine's Quiet Crisis

Charles Lawton:

The single greatest challenge facing Maine today is
demographic. Over the next 20 years, our 65+ population will increase over 80
percent, while our population age 20 to 29 will decrease by nearly 30 percent.
If we are to avoid the stagnation and poverty of a population entirely dependent
on transfer payments coming from an ever-declining working-age cohort, we need
to increase ways for the elderly to remain in the labor market--even, or perhaps
especially, part-time.

This solution--getting older workers to stay in the job market--will definitely be needed, especially when you consider that any compromise that salvages Social Security will probably include raising the age of eligibility for the program.

The other solution, as Lawton and others have pointed out numerous times, is to grow the work force (read: Retain and recruit youngsters). Increasing the birthrate could be a factor, but social, cultural, and economic trends (Maine has the second-lowest birthrate in the U.S.) shouldn't make us very optimistic about that option.

What is left, then, is immigration, both from within the borders of the U.S. and from outside America. Strip away any other humanitarian and ethical reasons for Mainers to become more welcoming and engaging toward American and foreign immigrants and you get perhaps the most appealing argument to beat back the paranoia and fear that is unbefitting for a state and country that have such a good track record of assimilation: It's in our collective self-interest that those "from away" are successful. And it seems to me the best way to encourage success is engagement, not ostracism.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: The New Brunswick Model (August 19, 2010)
Related: 2010 v. 1895 (May 5, 2010)
Related: Cross-Pollination, Take Two (March 10, 2010)

Westbrook TV Station Hosts Gubernatorial Forum

KJ:

The five candidates for governor sat down together
for the first time at a forum Sunday afternoon hosted by the TV program Youth in
Politics.

[snip]

Sunday's forum was hosted by Logan Leavitt, 17, of
Portland, a senior at Deering High School, and Justin Chenette, 19, of Saco, a
sophomore at Lyndon State College in Vermont. There wasn't any back-and-forth
between candidates; this wasn't a debate, per se. Rather the Blaine House
hopefuls gave their positions on a number of topics including the economy,
energy, health care and education.

More on WPXT's show Youth in Politics can be read here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Housing Market: Sales Down, Prices Up

Coastal and Southern Maine Homes:

The [Westbrook residential] market saw 10
transactions close in August 2010, down 41% from August 2009 and down 41% from
July of this year. Median pricing clocked in at 196K, up 6% from 2009 and up 26%
from July 2010. Prices in Westbrook continue to stabilize, but the summer season
was very sluggish compared with the strong spring we experienced.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: September 5- September 9, 2010

Wednesday, September 7
City Council meeting
Westbrook Performing Arts Center
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: September 1- September 4, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 93F (September 2)
Low: 65F (September 1)
Precipitation: 1.13 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:07a
Previous Sunset: 7:13p

Month-to-Date:
High: 93F (September 2)
Low: 65F (September 1)
Precipitation: 1.13 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 35.11 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook High Sports Round-Up, August 30- September 4, 2010

Thursday, September 2
Field Hockey: Westbrook (1-0) defeated Massabesic (0-1) in Waterboro, 4-0.
Golf: Scarborough (1-0) defeated Westbrook (0-1), 11.5-1.5.

Friday, September 3
Football: Bonny Eagle (1-0) defeated Westbrook (0-1) at Olmsted Field, 36-0.
Girls' Soccer: South Portland (1-0) defeated Westbrook (0-1) in South Portland, 3-1.

Saturday, September 4
Boys' Soccer: South Portland (1-0) defeated Westbrook (0-1) at Olmsted Field, 1-0.

- John C.L. Morgan

Judge: Civil Trial Involving Pike and City Will Proceed as Scheduled

PPH:

A judge has refused to delay a civil trial
involving the city of Westbrook and Pike Industries, as parties in the case
hasten to reach a new agreement to allow Pike to operate its rock quarry and
satisfy nearby residents and businesses. Critics of the process are questioning
the need for speed. On Friday, Justice Thomas Humphrey denied the city's motion
to continue the trial. Pike has sued Westbrook, claiming that it should be
allowed to mine its quarry off Spring Street because the city has allowed it for
years. The trial is set to start Sept. 13.

- John C.L. Morgan

City's Settlement with Firefighters Costs About $850,000

AJ:

Two female firefighters who made charges of sexual
harassment and discrimination against at the Westbrook Fire Department will
receive a total of about $850,000 between them in separate settlements with the
city. The payments to firefighters Lisa Theberge and Kathy Rogers, who made
their claims two years ago and subsequently filed state and federal lawsuits
against the city, will be for lost compensation such as overtime and sick time,
damages, attorney's fees and other costs. In exchange, the firefighters will
drop their legal claims against the city. Of the total payment to settle the
claims of the two women, the city of Westbrook is responsible for nearly
$228,000 or about 27 percent. The city's insurance carrier, the Maine Municipal
Association, will cover the remainder, which is about $620,000 or 73
percent.

- John C.L. Morgan

Tea Partiers to Convene in Westbrook

FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Future of Pike-Idexx Consent Agreement Unclear

AJ:

Officials at Pike Industries are "exceptionally
disappointed" by a Westbrook City Council decision to table a proposed agreement
to let Pike resume operations at its Spring Street quarry. The agreement
included restrictions designed to protect nearby homes and businesses such as
Idexx Laboratories. But many residents and businesses said the protections
weren’t strong enough, so the council on Monday voted 7-0 to table the consent
agreement until October so that further negotiations with those groups can take
place.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook TV Station to Host Televised Gubernatorial Debate

MPBN:

For weeks, some organizations have been trying to
get all five gubernatorial candidates on one stage for an election forum. Those
efforts have been foiled either by scheduling conflicts, a decision to exclude
some of the candidates based on perceived viablity--or the refusal of another
candidate to participate in a forum that doesn't include everyone who's on the
ballot. But all that changes this Sunday when the quintet of gubernatorial
candidates converge in Westbrook to be grilled by teenagers.

- John C.L. Morgan

Smiling Hill Farm to Host Annual Craft Show

FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Department of Doh!

I'm linking to this Falmouth story partly because I don't Westbrook to be the only town to represent in the crime dispatches, but mostly because the story is hilarious. Courtesy of the PPH:

Two officers had just arrived at Walton Park on
Aug. 19 and parked a "bait car" with some valuables inside hoping to catch a
crook and reduce the number of burglaries and other crimes reported there this
summer, according to Falmouth Police Lt. John Kilbride. But, according to
Kilbride, an 18-year-old man instead broke into the surveillance van and took a
bottle of water, apparently not noticing the officer in back behind a curtain.
The second officer was out of sight near the bank of the Presumpscot River. Then
the alleged water thief and a friend stood next to the van, in front of a
one-way glass window, and prepared to smoke some marijuana with a pipe made from
a carrot. One teen even told the other that using the carrot would make it
harder for police to bust them, Kilbride said.

- John C.L. Morgan

Council Tables Vote on Pike-Idexx Compromise

PPH:

Emotions ran high Monday night as the City Council
weighed sharply opposing views on a proposal that would let Pike Industries
continue mining its rock quarry in the Five Star Industrial Park. After more
than two hours of testimony, the council voted 7-0 late Monday to table its vote
on the consent agreement reached this month by Pike, Idexx Laboratories and city
officials. More than 125 people packed the public hearing at Westbrook High
School as the council considered the consent agreement, which would establish
guidelines for Pike's quarry.

- John C.L. Morgan

Miscue Leads to Big Donation of Cat Food to Refuge League

Sun Journal:

The Animal Rescue League in Westbrook, Maine, won't have to worry about how to
feed the cats in its shelter for a couple weeks. On Friday [August 27], an
18-wheeler pulled up and dropped off 87 cases containing 1,044 cans of cat food.
The gift worth $1,000 was due to a miscommunication. The truck driver delivered
a load to Hannaford Bros. Co. in Scarborough but the supermarket chain had not
ordered the cat food. The driver contacted Portland's animal control officer who
put him in contact with league. The driver said his boss wanted the truck back
empty.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Loses TechMaine

PPH:

The TechMaine industry association is moving out of Westbrook this weekend and
eyeing space in Portland, including the soon-to-be-vacated L.L. Bean factory
store on Congress Street. TechMaine opened its Westbrook offices five years ago.
The high-tech industry group has been around since 1992, originally called the
Maine Software Developers Association. The name was changed to TechMaine in
2007. The Westbrook location was the first physical space the group had and gave
area tech companies a place to meet, host user groups and share access to
technology.But the lease is up, and member companies have told the group they
felt it would be more valuable to have TechMaine's offices in downtown Portland,
amid the cluster of technology firms, said Joe Kumiszcza, executive director.
Several recent surveys reinforced that sentiment, Kumiszcza said.

- John C.L. Morgan

An Appearance on the WPD's Facebook Page Could Mean No Old Port for You

PPH:

Both clubs [Oasis and Wharf 51] are using ID scanners that let security
know if a person trying to get into a bar has caused problems before. The
devices store information about IDs that have been scanned and flag anyone with
past problems. Security workers are also checking out Westbrook Police
Department's Facebook page. The department is diligent about putting up mug
shots of wanted people, and security wants to keep them out of the bar, Currier
said.

The WPD's Facebook Page can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Pike-Idexx Agreement Still Faces City Council Vote

AJ:

[W]hile Pike regional manager Jonathan Olson and Idexx president Jonathan Ayers
shook hands at an Aug. 20 press conference at City Hall and said they were happy
with the deal, a number of the city’s other businesses and residents decidedly
are not. The consent agreement is not final--it still needs the approval of the
City Council. And some businesses and residents are hoping to persuade
councilors to reject it outright--or at least send it back for further
negotiations to change it. The council will hold a public hearing and vote on
the proposal on Monday, Aug. 30. At the public hearing, the council is likely to
hear vocal opposition from those upset that the agreement would allow Pike to
resume blasting and other quarrying operations at the site.

The PPH has editorialized in favor of the agreement, but ARTEL's Senior Scientific Manager George Rodrigues has rebuked the agreement in writing, while Artel's CEO Kirby Pilcher spoke out against the agreement on Fox's Good Day Maine.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 30- September 3, 2010

Monday, August 30
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
5:30p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 22- August 28, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 83F (August 28)
Low: 52F (August 28)
Precipitation: 2.74 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:59a
Previous Sunset: 7:25p

Month-to-Date:
High: 91F (August 4)
Low: 47F (August 7)
Precipitation: 2.95 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 33.98 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Once More to the Lake

Taking a cue from E.B. White, so I won't be back until next week--God willing and the Presumpscot don't rise.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 22- August 26, 2010

There are no events scheduled this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 15- August 21, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 84F (August 17)
Low: 52F (August 21)
Precipitation: 0.15 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:52a
Previous Sunset: 7:36p

Month-to-Date:
High: 91F (August 4)
Low: 47F (August 7)
Precipitation: 0.21 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 31.24 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Pike and Idexx Release Specifics of Agreement

Courtesy of an article in the PPH, which also featured critiques of the agreement:

* Pike Industries will drop its original plan for an asphalt or concrete plant.

*Pike will not operate the quarry on the Spring Street property closest to Idexx Laboratories.

* Pike will operate the quarry with limits on sound and vibration, with no more than eight explosions annually.

* Pike will limit the magnitude of the blasts to substantially lower levels than what has occurred in the past, and to one-quarter of the legal limit.

* Pike will eliminate any dust.

*Pike will greatly reduce the visual impact of the quarry on the Five Star Industrial Park with berms, fences and buffers.

*Truck traffic will be limited to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no increase in volume.

- John C.L. Morgan

Gangs of Westbrook

PPH:

Westbrook Police Chief Bill Baker said that gang [Asian Boyz] is definitely in
his city and has connections to several Massachusetts communities: Lowell,
Lawrence and Brockton. Gang members have used safe houses in Westbrook but their
criminal activities have been centered primarily in Portland and Massachusetts,
Baker said. "I would even go so far to say there isn’t any visible or
active gang activity in Westbrook," he said. "What there is is people with
connections to the gangs, some of whom act badly in Westbrook and get prosecuted
for crimes."

- John C.L. Morgan

French Press to Remain Open After All

AJ:

The French Press Eatery, a popular restaurant on Main Street in Westbrook that
just closed a week ago, is re-opening on Tuesday, Aug. 31, according to one of
the owners, James Tranchemontagne. The restaurant at 855 Main St. was shut down
last Saturday, Aug. 14, and put up for sale for financial reasons. However,
Tranchemontagne said on Friday, Aug. 20 that financial advisors said it would be
easier to sell if the eatery were open. Also, he said, although the restaurant
was not bringing in enough revenue to pay off bills associated with its recent
renovation, bringing in some revenue would be better than none.

The PPH has more on the decision to re-open the cafe.

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine: Where You Come to Die

Move over, Vacationland, we might just have a new slogan brewing.

There is, of course, the oft-stated fact that Maine is the oldest state in the U.S. Then there's the fact that our bureacratic efficiency at processing death certificates has actually inspired some to move to Maine in order to, well, die. Now, though, the perception of Maine as America's retirement home has apparently filtered down to the MTV set. Here's Taylor Swift in the PPH:

"When I am old and I have silver hair. Or white. I don't know which one it will
be, some shade like that. I want to live in Maine. I want to have a house and
make necklaces or something and have a lot of cats," she said. "It's a whole
fantasy for me. So at least I know where I'm going to end up."

To paraphrase Lady Antebellum, we Mainers kind of need you now.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: The New Brunswick Model (August 19, 2010)

City Reaches Compromise with Idexx and Pike

PPH:

Westbrook officials, Idexx Laboratories and Pike Industries have reached an
out-of-court settlement that will allow Pike to continue its quarrying operation
in Westbrook, Mayor Colleen Hilton confirmed Thursday night. The parties reached
a consent agreement limiting Pike to eight blasts a year in its quarry in the
Five Star Industrial Park, Hilton said. Details of the agreement will be
announced during a news conference at 1:30 p.m. today at City Hall. Hilton said
the City Council will be asked to approve the agreement at its meeting Aug. 30.

- John C.L. Morgan

This Westbrook Life

My daughter and I were walking down Seavey Street yesterday, and passed a guy holding a can of Pepsi:

Me: Hey, how are ya?
Him: (This)

Stay classy, Paper City.

- John C.L. Morgan

Community Center Undergoes Rejuvenation

AJ:

Laura DiBiase was delighted with the day camp program that her children attended
this summer at the new Westbrook Community Center. In the past, she said, she
had to coax her 10-year-old son to attend, but a restructuring of the city-run
program this summer to include many more activities beyond sports made her son,
and now her 6-year-old daughter, eager to go to day camp. "He and his sister
loved going," DiBiase said. "This year it’s almost like a totally new program."
The re-vamped summer recreation program is just one of the changes at the city’s
new Community Center--located in the former Wescott Junior High School building
on Bridge Street. And as the fall approaches, plans for more new opportunities
are under way, according to Maria Dorn, the city’s first director of community
services.

- John C.L. Morgan

The New Brunswick Model

PPH:

This Maritime province shares many traits with its western neighbor, Maine. Both
places are defined by their forests and rugged coastlines. Both value
independence and self-reliance. And in both places, the vast majority of
residents are white and aging. As the baby boom generation begins to retire,
officials and business leaders in both New Brunswick and Maine have fretted over
where the next wave of workers, homeowners and taxpayers will come from. Unlike
Maine, New Brunswick is taking strong action. New Brunswick has developed a
multipart strategy to grow its population, and it appears to be working.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: 2010 v. 1895 (May 5, 2010)

More on the Closure of French Press

PPH:

The French Press Eatery, a popular cafe in downtown Westbrook, has closed just
one month after expanding to a 55-seat restaurant with a bar. One of its owners
said a weak economy and a lack of events downtown contributed to the cafe's
demise. City officials said they will work with the owners to help the business
reopen. The French Press, known for its homemade doughnuts and specialty coffee,
closed on Saturday, three days after the owners held a grand reopening to
celebrate their expansion. James Tranchemontagne, a co-owner, said he ran out of
money to keep the business going. The expansion cost an estimated $130,000.

The AJ has also written an obituary for the cafe.

- John C.L. Morgan

French Press Eatery Closes Its Doors

Via a post on their Facebook page Saturday afternoon:

Thank you for giving the French Press Eatery a wonderful nine months. It has
been a journey like no other. Sadly, at this time, we are closing the doors
indefinitely due to circumstances beyond our control. All of us have enjoyed our
time here and we hope to see you our new friends at the Frog and Turtle.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 16- August 20, 2010

There are no events scheduled for this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 8- August 14, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 89F (August 10)
Low: 50F (August 14)
Precipitation: 0.00 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:44a
Previous Sunset: 7:47p

Month-to-Date:
High: 91F (August 4)
Low: 47F (August 7)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 31.09 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

From Canada, with Love

Rev. W.H. Gane of Amerherstburg, Canada had the following to say about the Paper City in the official program devoted to Westbrook's 1895 celebrations of July 4:

Westbrook is a manufacturing town and is devoid of
what we call aristocracy, although the noblest aristocrats I ever met I met in
this city. There is a wonderful sense of equality and a definitely expressed
commonality of thought and feeling. Splendid and comfortable homes are owned by
the workingmen, and great taste is displayed in interior and exterior adornment.
Every home in which I visited gave unmistakable evidences of culture. The books
and magazines of the day give mental stimulus to the [residents]. I saw no
drunkenness, no poverty, no want, no half-starved, ragged children in this
beautiful city; but thrift, health, and happiness.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Did You Know? (March 19, 2008)

Department of Unfortunate Timing

Joseph Brannigan, a longtime Democratic state senator who represents part of Westbrook, took to the PPH editorial pages Monday morning to defend State Rep. Sean Flaherty (D-Scarborough) against PPH columnist Tony Payne's August 1 swipe at Flaherty ("[W]hat does a part-time swim coach fresh out of college know about solving a billion-dollar hole in the state budget?").

Unfortunately for State Sen. Brannigan, his full-throated defense of the freshman legislator (entitled "Columnist shouldn't attack lawmaker for his youth") was probably skipping through the printing press at about the same time this happened.

- John C.L. Morgan

The Phoenix Discovers the 'Brook

About Town:

It was a good landmark to indicate the location of my new favorite (probably
illegal) swimming hole; right there in the Presumpscot just before Bridge
Street. Basically you just walk through the parking lot and along the short
boardwalk that overlooks the river and the back of the Dana Warp Mill, clamber
down this rocky slope, jump off a rock, and then make sure to quickly swim back
toward the shore becaue the current is strong and we claim no liability for you
getting swept down to the waterfall.

Related: Bill Baker, YouTube Star (February 8, 2008)

Davan Pool, Walker Library to Get Some Work

AJ:

The Davan Swimming Pool at the former Wescott Junior High School will likely be
shut down for repairs later this month. In Monday's first of two required
readings, the Westbrook City Council in a 6-0 vote (Dotty Aube absent) favored
spending $49,740 for pool repairs to be performed by Knowles Industrial Services
Corp. in Gorham.

[snip]

In other action, councilors voted 5-1 (Victor Chau opposed) to spend up to
$4,000 if a possible historic preservation review would be required for a
heating system replacement at Walker Memorial Library. The city has obtained an
$85,000 energy efficiency grant to replace the boiler and steam radiator heating
system at the library. The library has been cited as needing extensive
repairs--$1 million or more--and the city has yet to decide on the library's
future.

- John C.L. Morgan

World Cup-Inspired Culinary Wish List

I've been suffering withdrawal for about a month now that the 2010 World Cup has closed, but tonight's U.S. vs. Brazil friendly will take the edge off a bit.

It also gives me an excuse to make this post, which I've meant to make for a while now: A culinary wish list for Westbrook, inspired by the two countries (Uruguay and Germany) who battled for third place in South Africa this past July.

I wouldn't be surprised if Uruguay's Estancia del Puerto benefited from mouth-watering camera work and sizzling sound effects, but I can't resist drooling all over my keyboard when I watch this clip from Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. It seems just watching, hearing, and smelling meat being cooked this way would almost be as satisfying as it eating it.



The second item on this brief wish list is a more personal fare. Whenever I've gone to Berlin to visit a former German exchange student my family hosted while I was in high school, the döner kebab is basically the only thing I eat. Breakfast, lunch, mid-morning snack, dinner, midnight snack, it doesn't matter; I can't get enough. Apparently, I'm not the only one, as the döner is reportedly the most popular form of fast food in Germany, thanks in part to the country's sizable Turkish population.



- John C.L. Morgan

Related: No Reservations (April 23, 2010)

Westbrook Politics: August 9- August 13, 2010

There are no events scheduled this week.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: August 1- August 7, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 91F (August 4)
Low: 47F (August 7)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:36a
Previous Sunset: 7:57p

Month-to-Date:
High: 91F (August 4)
Low: 47F (August 7)
Precipitation: 0.06 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 31.09 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

School Department Providing Free Lunch for Students Throughout Summer

FOX23:

The Westbrook School Department is offering kids 18 and younger free lunches
this summer, trying to make sure students who would otherwise go without food
are fed even when they're not in school. This is the second year of the free
summer lunch program, and already officials say they're on track to serve nearly
fifty percent more kids this year than last. The lunches are offered at Canal
School, and this year, for the first time, at the Brown Street Center, a
neighborhood spot that organizers say has brought the kids together, not only
for lunch, but also to participate in activities to keep them moving and
learning in the summer months.

- John C.L. Morgan

City Council Approves Members of Comprehensive Plan Task Force

PPH:

The city is moving forward with creating a blueprint for its future. The City
Council voted this week to appoint a 17-member task force to create a
comprehensive plan for Westbrook. The task force includes city officials,
business leaders and residents from each voting ward. Its goal is to create a
plan to guide city officials' decisions on issues such as land use, housing,
transportation, public facilities, and agriculture and forestry resources. The
task force, which is expected to start meeting later this month or in September,
will begin its work by developing a vision statement for the next 10 years.

- John C.L. Morgan

Full disclosure: I'm a member of the task force.

Westbrook Couple Helps Disoriented Beach to Beacon Runner

PPH:

With limited ability to speak English, [Wude] Ayalew somehow encountered a
couple from Saco visiting [Fort Williams]. They called a friend in Westbrook,
Kiros Alemtsehay, who is originally from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
"She was scared," Alemtsehay said. "I told them, just keep her there. I'll come
and get her." Before long, Ayalew was in Westbrook meeting Alemtsehay's wife
Jessica and their two children. After a few phone calls, [Tracy] Sesselberg
drove out to Westbrook and picked up her wayward runner.

- John C.L. Morgan

Smiling Hill Looks to Enter the Tomato Market

AJ:

Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook is known for its dairy products. But now the farm
on County Road also hopes to make a name for itself as a producer of fresh
tomatoes grown year-round in a 20-acre greenhouse. The hydroponic vine-cluster
tomatoes Smiling Hill would grow would be red and ripe when they left the
greenhouse to go to customers in Maine and places like Boston and New York. But
they would be "green" in the sense that they would be grown in an
environmentally friendly way, according to Warren Knight, president of Smiling
Hill.

(Update: The PPH has more on this story.)

- John C.L. Morgan

Daily Paintings

Westbrook artist Caren-Marie Michel is attempting to complete fifty-two paintings throughout the month of August. You can follow Michel's progress here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Westbrook's Portrait Laureate (January 18, 2008)

Cinemagic to Give Free Tickets to Blood Donors

PPH:

Give blood, see a movie for free. Cinemagic Stadium Theaters in Westbrook will
offer that deal this weekend during the Fifth Annual Cinemagic Blood Drive. The
marathon drive, run by the American Red Cross, will be held from noon Friday
until 3 p.m. Saturday. Anyone who gives blood will get a free pass to see a
movie, at any time, at any of Cinemagic's six locations. Besides Westbrook, the
company has theaters in Saco, South Portland, Salisbury, Mass., and Hooksett and
Merrimack, N.H.

- John C.L. Morgan

America, We Have a Problem

George Packer of The New Yorker has written a very good essay about the sad institutional state of the U.S. Senate. Included was this nugget:

In 2007, [Senator Lamar] Alexander and [Senator Joe] Lieberman started a series
of bipartisan Tuesday breakfasts. "They kind of dwindled off during the
health-care debate," Alexander said. [Senator Tom] Udall has tried to revive
the Wednesday inner-sanctum lunch. For the first few months, only Democrats
attended. Then, one Wednesday in May, Susan Collins, the Maine
Republican, showed up, joking nervously about being a turncoat; to protect her reputation, her presence was kept secret.

[Emphasis mine]

When a U.S. senator thinks it's necessary to clandestinely scurry about in order redeem a Senate tradition of bipartisanship by breaking bread with the other team, I'm not sure the title of this post is an exercise in digital hyperventilation.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Police: Profenno's Didn't Overserve Fatally Injured Driver

PPH:

There is no conclusive evidence that Profenno's
Pizzeria and Pub should have stopped serving alcohol to Jana Pooler on the night
in May when she rolled her car on the Westbrook Arterial and was fatally
injured, according to the findings of a police investigation. Now, the state's
Liquor Licensing and Compliance Unit is reviewing the case, and Pooler's family
is considering suing Profenno's.

- John C.L. Morgan

Another Sparkling Review for 'Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay'

PPH:

"The Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay" is a novel of national scope and importance
but is also a Maine treasure. Any thoughts to expanding or creating a new
"Mirror of Maine: One Hundred Books that Reveal the History of the State of
Maine and the Life of its People" (Orono: UMO-Baxter Society 2000) ought to take
this volume into serious consideration.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: More Praise for Beverly Jensen's Book (July 12, 2010)

Photograph of the Day

About 'Photograph of the Day'

Most of us have swell with enthusiasm when describing how great this summer has been, especially relative to last year. The pessimists among us, however, can always point to the fact that each day of sunshine and thick air represents but one more step in the inevitable trudge toward wintry scenes like the one captured above.

The caption that accompanied this undated photo indicated that it captured the first output of electric lights in Westbrook history, evidently in the 1880s. The photograph is part of the collection of the Westbrook Historical Society.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: August 2- August 6, 2010

Monday, August 2, 2010
Special City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
6p

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

Finance Committee meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
8p
FMI

Tuesday, August 3
Planning Board meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
7p
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: July 25- July 31, 2010

Week-to-Date:
High: 87F (July 28)
Low: 51F (July 31)
Precipitation: 0.34 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches
Previous Sunrise: 5:31a
Previous Sunset: 8:02p

Month-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: 49F (July 1)
Precipitation: 4.06 inches
Snowfall: 0.00 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 95F (July 6)
Low: -1F (January 10)
Precipitation: 31.03 inches
Snowfall: 24.8 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan