Election '08: Ann Peoples's Proust Questionnaire

Ann Peoples is a Democrat seeking re-election to District #125 in the Maine House of Representatives.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I don't think "perfect" happiness is possible in a less-than-perfect world. Being useful, fulfilled and fortunate in your friends and family is pretty darn good however.
What is your current state of mind?
Hopeful.
Which living person do you most admire?
The person who gets up every morning and does what needs to be done with good humor and compassion and without complaint.
What is your greatest fear?
Helplessness.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Um, pedicures if you must know!
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Thoughtless cruelty.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Curiosity.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Impatience.
Which living person do you most despise?
The person who does something to you "for your own good."
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Patience (I think there's a pattern in here somewhere).
What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My very round face.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
At almost 62, that would have to be my age!
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Compassion.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Compassion.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Ya know?"
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to put people at ease.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My husband.
When and where were you happiest?
I make it a practice to be happiest in the here and now because that's where I am.
Where would you like to live?
Right here.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Loneliness.
What is your favorite occupation?
Learning about everything and anything.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Horatio Hornblower (no, really!)
Who are your heroes in real life?
The guys who run into burning buildings.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their ability to put up with me!
What is it that you most dislike?
Meanness.
What is your motto?
The Lord will provide, but if you want potatoes, pick up the hoe.

- John C.L. Morgan

Debatable

Via Maine Politics, here's video footage of the first debate between Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Rep. (D-Tom Allen) in their contest for Collins's U.S. Senate seat. The PPH has a write-up of the event here, as well as a review of the second debate between Chellie Pingree and Charlie Summers in their race to replace Tom Allen in the U.S. House of Representatives.

- John C.L. Morgan

Livestock and Carnies and Grub, Oh My

The fam and I ventured out to the Cumberland County Fair yesterday morning, an event captured quite nicely by this Roger McCord videogram.

For a schedule of events, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: September 22- September 26, 2008

Monday, September 22
City Council meeting
Westbrook High School, Room 114
6:30p
FMI

(Editor's Note: Though the agenda does not mention it, the City Council is also scheduled to workshop the proposed Stroudwater Place, according to the City Council President Brendan Rielly, the AJ, and the Stroudwater Place website.

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

This week's song is "All Godz Critters" by Evan Casas. Despite Casas's over-the-top vocals, I challenge you to not tap your foot and chuckle while listening to this song.

Anyway, maybe I'm just looking for a reprieve from the fact that we are one day closer to winter and I had to fire up my furnace for the first time this weekend.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: September 14- September 20, 2008

Week-to-Date:
High: 81F (September 15)
Low: 36F (September 20)
Precipitation: 0.21 inches
Previous Sunrise: 6:27a
Previous Sunset: 6:42p

Month-to-Date:
High: 88F (September 4)
Low: 36F (September 20)
Precipitation: 6.23 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 88F (September 4)
Low: -5F (January 4)
Precipitation: 43.47 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Nick S. McGee, Maine Senate #9

Full Name
Nicholas S. McGee
Political Party
Republican
Birthdate
November 27, 1979
Hometown
Portland, Maine
Family
Wife, Vanessa
Daughter, Madison
Religion
Catholic
Current Occupation
Stay-at-home Dad/Part-time consultant
Education
BA, History and Political Science, Providence College
Professional Experience
Assistant to Town Planner and Mayoral aide, Lincoln, Rhode Island
Legal/arbitration at a non-profit
Office manager at a law firm
Political Experience
None
Military Experience
None
Association Membership(s)
Board Member, Northwood Condominium Association
Former Chairman, Portland Republican City Committee
Address
80 Northwood Drive
Website
www.mcgeeforme.com
Phone Number
797-3960

Click here to find out if Nick McGee will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 4.

(Editor's Note: Nick McGee's opponent, Joe Brannigan, did not respond to my requests for biographical information.)

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine Speech

mod'rate
noun
1. a man who walks and talks slowly or lazily.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Phil Bartlett, Maine Senate #6

Full Name
Philip L. Bartlett II
Political Party
Democratic
Birthdate
September 24, 1976
Hometown
Gorham, Maine
Family
Wife, Susan
Daughter, Abigail
Religion
United Church of Christ
Current Occupation
Attorney
Education
JD, Harvard Law School
BA, Economics & Political Science, Tufts University
Professional Experience
Attorney, Scaccia, Lenkowski, Aranson & Bartlett
Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP
Law Clerk for Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, Maine Supreme Judicial Court
Political Experience
State Senator, Maine Senate
Military Experience
None
Association Membership(s)
None
Address
141 South Street, Gorham
Website
www.philbartlett.com
Phone Number
839-7827

Click here to see if Phil Bartlett will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Phil A. Csoros, Maine Senate #6

Full Name
Phil A. Csoros
Political Party
Republican
Date of Birth
July 6, 1966
Hometown
Lewiston, Maine
Family
Wife, Tammy
Children, Mark, Constance, Elaine, and James
Religion
South Portland Church of the Nazarene
Current Occupation
Pilot, American Airlines.
Education
M.B.A., Finance, Walden University
M.S., International Relations, Troy State University
B.S., Aircraft Engineering Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Professional Experience
AC-130 Gunship Pilot, U.S. Air Force
Political Experience
Town Councilor, Gorham, Maine
Military Experience
U.S. Air Force
Association Membership
Member, Gorham Economic Development Corporation
Coach, Gorham Recreation Department
Member, Children’s Council at the South Portland Church of the Nazarene.
Address
28 Black Brook Road, Gorham
Phone Number
415-9010

Click here to see if Phil Csoros will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 4.

- John C.L. Morgan

L.L. Bean Gets Onion'd

Via Maine Politics, here's the Onion News Network's, um, news story on African-Americans' eighty-year boycott against L.L. Bean.

- John C.L. Morgan

Quote, Unquote

"Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty."

- A character in Stephen King's novel The Gunslinger.

Unconsitutional

In honor of Constitution Day, I present Barney Fife's, er, recitation of that document's preamble.

On a more serious note, I recommend the National Constitution Center.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Tim Driscoll, Maine House of Representatives #126

Name
Tim Driscoll
Political Party
Democratic
Birthdate
November 20, 1956
Hometown
Calais, Maine
Family
Tina, Jacquie, Mallory, Lindsay
Religion
Catholic
Current Occupation
Emergency Room Registered Nurse, Mercy Hospital
Education
AAS Nursing, Westbrook College
AAS Occupational Health and Safety, Central Maine Community Center
Professional Experience
Registered Nurse, Mercy Hospital
Political Experience
Representative, Maine House of Representatives
Westbrook School Committee
Westbrook City Council
Westbrook Zoning Board of Appeals
Westbrook Board of Assessment Review
Military Experience
U.S. Navy, 1976-1980
Association Memberships
Friends of the Presumpscot
Emergency Nurses Association
Westbrook Democratic City Committee
Address
111 Monroe Avenue
Website
www.westbrookdems.com
Phone Numbers
856-7014
232-5026

Click here to find out if Tim Driscoll will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 4.

(Editor's Note: Tim Driscoll's opponent, Kevin Crocker, did not respond to my requests for biographical information.)

- John C.L. Morgan

Full Disclosure: My father has contributed to Tim Driscoll's campaigns in the past in the form of a $5 check to qualify to be a Clean Election candidate.

Sawin'

On Location: Scouting on the Green

When I was in junior high school, I faced a dilemma: Do I attend school dances on Friday nights, or do I skip the opportunity to sit on the outskirts of Wescott's gym and pray for one slow dance in order to attend Boy Scouts meetings? Considering I readily admit I'm all ax, no lumber, I'll let you venture a guess about my choice.

Flipping through my 1990 edition of the Boy Scouts Handbook, I now realize that I regret that decision. I regret not soaking up the practical skills and experiences the organization has to offer. Moreover, I've acquired a new appreciation for the Boy Scouts' emphasis on a brand of conservation and environmentalism that dovetails nicely with Rooseveltian (as in Theodore) ethics. So it's sad to write about the sparsely-attended exposition of one of Westbrook's two Boy Scout Troops. And even sadder to read about the depth to which the Boy Scouts of America have been thrown (or have thrown themselves) into the fires of America's culture wars.

On Saturday morning, Boy Scouts Troop 81 gathered at Westbrook's civic capital, Riverbank Park, and hosted a "Scouting on the Green" exposition. The troop, which has made it a habit to camp out at the park and prepare a pancake breakfast during Westbrook Together Days, is now starting a tradition of hosting an annual display in which various skills are shown off and adventurous experiences are talked about in an effort to attract interest and therefore bolster the troop's membership rolls.

On Saturday morning, for example, the Boy Scouts showed off their tent-pitching skills by erecting a canvas shelter while blindfolded. And they used a century-old two-man saw to display the old-fashioned method of teething the wood for winter. They even appealed to their own tastebuds by making homemade vanilla ice cream to complement the root beer they'd whipped up and bottled using vintage Coke bottles.

Unfortunately, though, when I dropped by around 10:30a, the expo, which started at 9a, had not yet attracted one visitor.

According to Dick Chretien, Troop 81's Scout Leader for thirty-four years, active recruitment for the troop is necessary, as there are ten teenagers in his Boy Scout troop and only eight boys in his Cub Scout troop. When pressed for possible reasons for his troop's relatively low numbers, Chretien supplied two theories: Busy kids and politics. Now, busyness and an assortment of other reasons for a reduction in an association's membership are familiar fare for this Robert Putnam reader. But I pressed Chretien on the politics angle, and he mentioned the Boy Scouts' exclusionary policy regarding homosexuals, agnostics, and athiests as being possible factors. Chetien cited only one personal experience in which the Boy Scouts' politics explicitly affected whether a boy would become a member of the Boy Scouts or not (Chretien said he'd tried to recruit a young man living in his neighborhood, but the boy's mother balked because of the Boy Scouts' policies), so I was taken aback by the prevalence to which the Boy Scouts is now linked with homophobia and religious intolerance.

In an ultimately fruitless attempt to research the membership trends of the Boy Scouts of America, I Yahoo'd various combinations of "membership" and "Boy Scouts". But each time I was bombarded with webpages full of court cases, lawsuits, and all the other goodies associated with a good, old-fashioned battle in America's culture war.

Which is too bad, because my Handbook contains some really great advice about winter camping.

- John C.L. Morgan

Full Disclosure: My father has been involved with Troop 81 since I was a Cub Scout back in the day, and my youngest brother is currently working toward his Eagle Scout as a member of the troop.

A Closer Look at the Casella-Westbrook Agreement

Courtesy of Leslie Bridgers's fine article in the American Journal and an informative e-mail from Westbrook City Administator Jerre Bryant, here's a quick review of the agreement between Casella Waste Systems and the City of Westbrook:

- The free curbside recycling program Casella Waste Systems will provide for Westbrook residents slated to begin next October will cost the company $540,000 each year over the next 20 years.

- The City of Westbrook's municipal solid waste tipping fees, described by Bryant as the cost of disposing the city's trash, will be reduced from $94.50 per ton to $68.50 per ton. According to Bryant, the $55,250 savings this reduction in tipping fees will generate is an estimate based on the city's current volume of trash (6,500 ton), coupled with the anticipation that the city's volume of waste will be reduced by 20-25% as a result of the recycling program.

- Casella Waste Systems has agreed to fund the construction of a left-turn lane and related road improvements on County Road. Westbrook City Engineer Eric Dudley estimates the cost of the construction to be $317,483, according to Bryant.

- The City of Westbrook has agreed to pay for an extension of the public sewer line on County Road. According to Bryant, the sewer line currently ends at Ledgeview Drive, so the City will extend it 850 feet to the current entrances of Winward Petroleum and to the proposed entrance of Casella's proposed development at 610 County Road. Bryant writes that City Engineer Eric Dudley has estimated the cost of the sewer extension to be $258,063.

- And finally, according to Bryant, all the buildings, equipment, and land involved with the Casella project will be taxable. Moreover, Bryant writes, "[t]he 70+ acre parcel is currently assessed at $841,500 with a 2008/09 property tax bill of $12,984.35," but he's unable to project what the new property value and tax bill will be after construction.

The Westbrook City Council will vote on final approval for the agreement on Monday, September 22.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Robert S. Morrill, Maine House of Representatives #125

Name
Robert (Bob) S. Morrill
Political Party
Republican
Birthdate
February 18, 1947
Hometown
Portland, Maine
Family
Wife, Martha
Children, Jessica (Morrill) Sheets, Julie Morrill and Jaclyn Morrill
Religion
Catholic
Current Occupation
Director of Client Relations, First Suburban Title Services
Education
High school, one year of college
Professional Experience
Director Marketing, Autowize Auto Parts
Vice President of Operations, Emery Waterhouse
Director of Customer Service and Distribution, Sebago Shoe
Political experience
Westbrook Planning Board
Westbrook Housing Authority
Westbrook Rent Justification Board
Military Experience
U.S. Air Force, 1965 – 1969
Association membership
Board of Directors, Mortgage Bankers Association of Maine
Address
260 Conant Street
Website
None
Phone Numbers
856-6613
807-8036

Click here to see if Robert S. Morrill will be on your ballot on Tuesday, November 4.

- John C.L. Morgan

Election '08: Introducing Ann E. Peoples, Maine House of Representatives #125

Name
Ann E. Peoples
Political Party
Democratic
Birthdate
January 31, 1947
Hometown
Westbrook, Maine
Family
Husband, Patrick
Children, Briana, Terry, Gavin, Kevin, and Kimberly
Grandchildren, Evan, Ainnir, Kyle, Lex and Fennel (Editor's Note: Another grandchild, Max, has joined the Peoples family since the 2008 elections.)
Religion
Catholic
Current Occupation
Telephone provider, Pine Tree Network
Education
BA, University of California
Professional Experience
Process Technician and Employee Communication, S.D. Warren
Branch Office Administrator, Edward Jones Investments
Political Experience
Representative, Maine House of Representatives
Westbrook City Council
Westbrook Planning Board
Military Experience
None
Association Membership
Westbrook Woman's Club
Address
22 Garfield Street
Phone Number
856-7264

- John C.L. Morgan

Paging Lynne Truss

River's Edge Deli, a local convenience store relocating from Bridge Street to Main Street, currently boasts a sign at its new location that attempts to remind passerby that the owner of River's Edge already has Main Street experience in the form of River's Edge Deli's antecedent, Fruiti's Deli.

Alas, the sign reads "formally (sic) Fruiti's Deli," which inspires a couple questions: Does how one refers to the deli (River's Edge or Fruiti's) depend on the fanciness of one's dress? Or does the diction and accent one uses when verbally referring to the shop determine whether it should be referred to as River's Edge or Fruiti's?

- John C.L. Morgan