Quote, Unquote: Robert P.T. Coffin

From Robert P.T. Coffin's book Kennebec: Cradle of Americans:

And there are days in January, after an icestorm,
for which chandelier is a pale word. It is like walking through a web of
rainbows to be up and out in such a glory. Every bush coated with cut diamonds
and the hills looking like the hills of the Apocalypse. It is a fine thing to be
alive in such splendor, and the splendor of the days gets into a man; the
splendor of nights so clear that the stars snap like sapphires overhead.

- John C.L. Morgan

Rewind: Wall-E

To mix things up around here, I occasionally weigh in with a haphazard review of a movie no longer available on County Road. For today's installment, though, I'm going to leave the work to the professionals, as The New Republic's Christopher Orr expresses my initial thoughts and feelings about Wall-E far more eloquently than I ever could. A sampling:

Characteristically sharp as this second half is,
though, it's the earlier, Earthbound portion of the film that lingers, the
quiet, nearly dialogue-free moments alone with WALL·E and the problematic object
of his affections. That Pixar could make this ambulatory trash compactor so
expressive, could convey his longing and loneliness so emphatically simply
through the images reflected in his binocular lenses, is a cinematic miracle.
You might have to go back the better part of a century to find a mainstream
movie in which so much is conveyed with so very few words.

- John C.L. Morgan

Public Assistance in Westbrook: December 2008, Part Two

According to a Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report, Westbrook had 1,361 cases of Food Stamps (FS) in December 2008. The total cost for these benefits was $317,380.

For historical context, there were 1,256 cases in December 2007, and the total cost was $236,443. In December 2006, there were 1,110 cases of FS (described by the DHHS as a program which provides food stamps to help low-income families buy food for good health) in Westbrook, and the program cost $205,629. And in December 2005, Westbrook had 1,162 FS cases, and the cost for the program was $204,543.

And for geographical context, South Portland (estimated 2006 population: 23,784) had 1,250 cases of FS in December 2008, and the cost of the program was $282,118. Windham (estimated 2006 population: 16,546) had 702 cases, and the cost was $158,628.

Westbrook's estimated 2006 population was 16,201.

For a list of monthly DHHS Geographic and Distbribution of Programs and Benefits reports dating back to January 2005, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Public Assistance in Westbrook: December 2008, Part One

According to a Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report, Westbrook had 244 Parents as Scholars (PaS) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cases in December 2008. The total cost for these benefits was $101,061.

PaS, a program in which parents involved in a two-year or four-year post-secondary education receive a monthly benefit based on guidelines for the TANF program, accounted for 9 of the 244 total cases. And TANF, which is described by DHHS as a program providing temporary help for children and their parents while the family works toward becoming self-supporting, accounted for the remaining 235 cases.

For historical context, the number of cases and the total cost of the benefits in December 2007 were 248 (10 PaS and 238 TANF) and $95,124, respectively. In December 2006, there were 243 total cases in Westbrook (8 PaS and 235 TANF), and the total benefit cost was $96,778. In December 2005, there were 228 total PaS and TANF cases in Westbrook (11 PaS and 217 TANF), and the total benefit cost was $87,576.

And for geographical context, there were 167 cases (10 PaS, 157 TANF) in South Portland (estimated 2006 population: 23,784), and the total cost was $70,588 in December 2008. And in Windham (estimated 2006 population: 16,546), there were 98 cases (3 PaS, 95 TANF) that cost $36,918 in December 2008.

Westbrook's estimated 2006 population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, was 16,201.

For a list of monthly DHHS Geographic and Distbribution of Programs and Benefits reports dating back to January 2005, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Broadening Horizons: How to Pour Stella Artois

A video that's so pretentious, I still can't take it seriously.

- John C.L. Morgan

Sports Update: January 12- January 18, 2009

The Blue Blazes boys' basketball team swept games against Noble (1/13), Bonny Eagle (1/15), and Kennebunk (1/17).

The girls' basketball team won two of three games, beating Thornton Academy (1/13) and Bonny Eagle (1/17) and losing to Noble (1/15).

The hockey team dropped a game against Gray-New Gloucester (1/14).

The wrestling team beat Marshwood (1/14), Portland (1/17), Sanford (1/17), and Scarborough (1/17), but lost to Noble (1/14).

The boys' swimming team bested Kennebunk and Portland (1/16).

The girls' swimming team finished second between Kennebunk and Portland (1/16).

The boys' indoor track team was sandwiched between Bonny Eagle and Portland (1/17).

The girls' indoor track team finished fourth behind Bonny Eagle, McAuley, and Portland (1/17).

- John C.L. Morgan

Old School

Westbrook businesses that haven't quite ventured into the paperless (read: debit and credit cards) world yet:

• Angelone's (768 Main Street)
• Guidi's Diner (916 Main Street)
• Mathieu's Market (424 Main Street)
• Mill Side Tavern (12 Cumberland Street)

An enterprising sociologist could probably have a field day with this subject.

- John C.L. Morgan

BruChu Thinks Pike is Bluffing

From this morning's PPH article on the relationship between redevelopment of Pike's Main Street land and that company's aspirations to expand its operations on Spring Street:

Pike officials say the company won't develop the Main Street site unless it can
build an asphalt plant on Spring Street."The two sites are absolutely linked,"
said Jonathan Olson, regional manager for Pike Industries. "What we do here
[Main Street] depends on our ability to relocate to the Spring Street site."

[snip]

Mayor Bruce Chuluda described Pike's argument as "specious." The Main Street
site is so valuable, he said, that it will eventually be redeveloped--no
matter what happens on Spring Street. "I'd love to see something like that
happen," he said of Pike's concept plan for its Main Street quarry, "and I'd
love to work to make that happen, regardless of what they do on Spring
Street."

- John C.L. Morgan

Disclosure: My wife works for Idexx.

Paper City Streets: William Clarke Drive

Running parallel with Main Street, William Clarke Drive is named after Westbrook's longest-serving City Clerk, the late William L. Clarke.

Clarke won nineteen consecutive elections and served as City Clerk for 38 years.

- John C.L. Morgan

MLK, Jr.

Is it possible to listen to this speech with breaking out into goosebumps?

- John C.L. Morgan

Quote of the Day

"I'm not going to take a financial beating in it. If you told me today I had to pay off Maine, that's $900,000 (in guarantees). I can't do that."

- Florida State University (FSU) athletic director Randy Spetman on his limits for buying out the contract FSU has with the University of Maine for a football game scheduled for opening weekend next fall. The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is pushing Florida State to play the University of Miami on Labor Day, but FSU would first have to cancel their currently scheduled game against UMaine to make that happen.

- John C.L. Morgan

Song of the Week

This week's song is "Antique Shop" by Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. The music video can be seen here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Politics: January 19- January 23, 2009

Thursday, January 22
Finance Committee meeting
Westbrook City Hall, 2 York Street
8a
FMI

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Almanac: January 11- January 17, 2009

Week-to-Date:
High: 37F (January 13)
Low: -16F (January 16)
Precipitation: 0.21 inches
Snowfall: 5.70 inches
Previous Sunrise: 7:11a
Previous Sunset: 4:33p

Month-to-Date:
High: 38F (January 6)
Low: -16F (January 16)
Precipitation: 0.72 inches
Snowfall: 8.60 inches

Year-to-Date:
High: 38F (January 6)
Low: -16F (Januay 16)
Precipitation: 0.72 inches
Snowfall: 8.60 inches

Source: National Weather Service

- John C.L. Morgan

Skybox Update

The AJ's Leslie Bridgers on the latest chapter in the arbitrary closing of Brown Street's Skybox Bar and Grill (sorry, no link):

Though the state overturned the City Council's decision to deny a liquor
license to the Skybox, it also determined that a license could not be issued
because the catering service at the same location [The Good Chef] already
has one.

[snip]

Lt. David Bowler of the Department of Public Safety found the
denial of the license was "without justifiable cause."

[snip]

According to City Administrator Jerre Bryant, the Moores could become
eligible for a license if the building is renovated to separate the two
businesses.

[Emphasis mine]

On the one hand, the state's finding that the City's denial of the license without cause reassures me that I am not an unreasonable, raving lunatic (here, here, and here). On the other, it's (euphemism alert!) discouraging that the City would treat a business this way.

- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Life: January 16- January 22, 2009

Friday, January 16
Youth: Warren Memorial Library, bouncing babies/ 10a/ 479 Main Street
Youth: Warren Memorial Library, toddler time/ 11a/ 479 Main Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Sport: WHS boys' swimming vs. Kennebunk, Portland/ 4p/ Davan Pool
Sport: WHS girls' swimming vs. Kennebunk, Portland/ 4p/ Davan Pool

Saturday, January 17
Sport: WHS girls' indoor track vs. Bonny Eagle, McAuley, Portland/ 8:15a/ Portland Exposition Building, Portland
Association: Westbrook Historical Society, open hours/ 9a-12p/ 17 Dunn Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Sport: WHS boys' indoor track vs. Bonny Eagle, Portland/ 3:05p/ Portland Exposition Building, Portland
Religion: Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, mass/ 4p/ 295 Brown Street
Sport: WHS girls' basketball vs. Bonny Eagle/ 7p/ Warren Centennial Gymnasium

Sunday, January 18
Religion: Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, mass/ 8:30a/ 295 Brown Street
Religion: Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Greater Portland, worship service/ 8:30a/ 715 Bridgton Road
Religion: Pride's Corner Congregational Church, worship service/ 10-11a/ 235 Pride Street
Religion: First Baptist Church in Westbrook, worship service/ 10:15a/ 733 Main Street
Religion: Trinity Lutheran Church, worship service/ 10:30a/ 612 Main Street
Religion: Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Greater Portland, worship service/ 10:30a/ 715 Bridgton Road
Religion: Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church, worship service/ 10:30-11:30a/ 810 Main Street
Religion: Parish of St. Anthony of Padua, mass/ 11a/ 295 Brown Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road

Monday, January 19
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Sport: WHS boys' basketball vs. Cheverus/ 4p/ Warren Centennial Gymnasium

Tuesday, January 20
Association: Westbrook Historical Society, open hours/ 9a-12p/ 17 Dunn Street
Politics: Walker Memorial Library, Inauguration party/ 11:30a/ 800 Main Street
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 11:30a-1:30p/ 10 Foster Street
Book: Walker Memorial Library, book talk/ 12-1p/ 800 Main Street
Association: Westbrook-Gorham Rotary, meeting/ 11:30a/ 125 Stroudwater Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 6:30-9p/ 10 Foster Street
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open swim/ 8-9p/ Davan Pool

Wednesday, January 21
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open swim/ 6-7:30a/ Davan Pool
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 11:30a-1:30p/ 10 Foster Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Youth: Warren Memorial Library, preschool story time/ 1p/ 479 Main Street
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 6:30-9p/ 10 Foster Street
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open swim/ 8-9p/ Davan Pool

Thursday, January 22
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 11:30a-1:30p/ 10 Foster Street
Film: Cinemagic/ 11:50a-10p/ 183 County Road
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open gym/ 11:30a-1:30p/ 10 Foster Street
Sport: Westbrook Recreation Department, adult open swim/ 8-9p/ Davan Pool

If you know of an event taking place between January 23 and January 29, e-mail me at riverbank_republic@yahoo.com.

- John C.L. Morgan

Did You Know?

Did you know Warren Block--the John Calvin Stevens-designed building sandwich between Main Street and Cumberland Street--once housed a gymnasium on the second floor?

Referred to as "the cradle of Westbrook High School basketball power" in one newspaper account, the Cumberland Gym was operated by the Cornelia Warren Association from 1904 until 1973, when it was closed for financial reasons.

Twenty-eight of the old gym's leather-seated chairs can be found at the Westbrook Historical Society.

- John C.L. Morgan

Rielly on the Rezoning of the Five Star Industrial Park

Almost a year after parrying Mayor Chuluda's push for a rezoning of the Five Star Industrial Park to halt Pike Industries' plans to expand its quarry on Spring Street, the City Council voted last night to begin the rezoning process. In an e-mail, City Council President Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1) explains what changed since last March:

A year ago, it was clear that the parties had not
spent any significant time actually talking to each other and trying to find a
resolution. It was also clear that a number of businesses in that area were
concerned about how and whether the proposed rezoning would affect them. We
tabled the matter to give our staff time to meet with the other businesses and
make changes to the language, but principally to give the parties involved time
and encouragement to try to find areas of agreement. As I said again last night,
it always better to have a resolution by agreement than one imposed on you.
Councilors met with the different parties affected (commercial and residential)
and encouraged them all to talk. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached and so
it's time to move the process forward.

- John C.L. Morgan

Disclosure: My wife is employed at Idexx.

Silky Smooth

The Maine Historical Society's October 2008 publication (sorry, I can't find an online link to it) has an article about the history of silk production in Maine written by Jacqueline Field. Close readers of this site may recognize Field as a co-author of American Silk, a book I wrote about last summer. Anyway, the pull-quote from Field's article:

In 1894 when the American Silk Association
commissioned scientific tests to compare the quality of foreign and domestic
silks, the American silks emerged triumphant, shown to have the least
adulteration. Published nationally, the results revealed that the American silks
used in the tests were from the Haskell Silk Company. This put the Westbrook
silk company on the map, associated the name Haskell with quality, and gave the
company a permanent marketing edge.

- John C.L. Morgan

P.S. Tip of the 'ol cap to Suzan Roberts Norton.

Council Begins Rezoning Process for Five Star Industrial Park

The Solons of Room 114 voted last night to begin the process of changing the zoning in the Five Star Industrial Park to lightweight manufacturing, a move that would effectively douse Pike Industries' hopes for expanding its quarry operations on Spring Street. For its part, Pike didn't go down without a fight:

[Pike Attorney David] Toolan said that if the move
is allowed, his client would dismantle its Main Street plant and undertake the
redevelopment of an existing quarry and business operation there. The $114
million Main Street Gateway project would create more than 1,600 jobs and
provide the city with more than $175,000 a year in new tax revenues, he said. A
concept plan for Main Street Gateway--the existing quarry would become a lake
with a walking path--was presented to the council at its Monday night meeting.
The mixed-use project would feature retail, office, restaurant, housing, hotel
and recreational uses. Councilors referred to the architectural drawings as
"pretty pictures" but irrelevant to the issue at hand.

Ouch, that last sentence has got to hurt.

Anyway, the article does not note if the Westbrook Heights Business Park on Saco Street is folded into this rezoning (the original PPH article on the sitch said it would be), but it does helpfully lay out the next steps for the proposal: A Council review of BruChu's rezoning proposal on February 2, a referral to the Planning Board, and back to the City Council for final approval.

-John C.L. Morgan

Disclosure: My wife is employed by Idexx.