Thursday, March 29, 2012

Food Coma TV Comes to Westbrook

AJ:
Food Coma TV is a collection of short films
released as a series online at www.foodcoma.tv, and hosted by Joe Ricchio, food
editor at Maine magazine. The show is based on Ricchio’s blog, Portland Food
Coma, and starts its second season on April 16 "We're excited to show off a city
that too often gets overlooked because of its proximity to Portland," Ricchio
said in a release.
- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Maine Food Coma (January 7, 2012)

Westbrook High Band to Play at UMaine Inauguration

AJ:
It’s not every year that the Symphonic Band at the
University of Maine gets to give a performance for the inauguration of one of
the university’s presidents.On April 11, the Westbrook High School Band will get
an even rarer treat: The privilege of playing at the same event.
- John C.L. Morgan

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Westbrook Volunteer Recognized for Longtime Efforts



PPH:
A face in the crowd caught Lou Lampron's eye. So
did another and another. Familiar faces, but faces he didn't usually see at a
middle school basketball tournament late in March. "I knew something was up,"
said Lampron, who was becoming more uncomfortable by the minute. "I didn't know
exactly what."He was about to be hit with more affection and appreciation than
he wanted to handle last Friday night.Later he would say he didn't see it
coming. He had been too busy making sure the basketball tournament he started 20
years ago would complete its 11-day run without too many glitches.
- John C.L. Morgan

Friday, March 23, 2012

Mayor Hilton Joins Group of Maine Mayors Focusing on Economic Matters

Morning Sentinel:
The group, Mayors Coalition on Jobs and Economic
Development, includes mayors from Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston,
Portland, Saco, South Portland, Waterville and Westbrook. Its first targets are
changes to the state General Assistance program proposed by Gov. Paul
LePage.
- John C.L. Morgan

Idexx to Break Ground on New Headquarters

AJ:
After waiting for nearly three years, Idexx
Laboratories is breaking ground in two weeks on a $35 million expansion of its
corporate headquarters on Eisenhower Drive in Westbrook.Code Enforcement Officer
Rick Gouzie said Idexx this week submitted an application for foundation work at
the site.
- John C.L. Morgan

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Mayor Hilton Joins Effort to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

PPH:
More than 160 mayors [in the U.S.] have signed a
statement advocating for the freedom to marry. Two other Maine mayors have
joined the group, Charlotte Warren of Hallowell and Colleen Hilton of Westbrook.
[Portland mayor Michael] Brennan said in a prepared statement that he will work
to bring marriage equality to all Maine families, and he invited municipal
leaders to join the coalition.
- John C.L. Morgan

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Prides Corner School to Join Other Schools on Real Estate Market

PPH:
When Westbrook's Prides Corner Elementary School
closes in June, it will join a growing list of former school buildings in
Greater Portland in search of a new purpose. Four schools in Portland, Gorham
and Falmouth were closed last year, reflecting a statewide trend of declining
enrollments and the construction of new, larger schools that consolidate
classrooms.Officials have found new uses for some of the old buildings, but
other schools remain vacant and their future is uncertain.
- John C.L. Morgan

Friday, March 16, 2012

City Officials: Expect a Tax Increase

AJ:
Despite a proposed 2013 Westbrook municipal budget
of $23.25 million--a decrease of nearly $46,000 compared to this year--a drop in
the city’s property valuation of nearly $20 million may force a tax hike.And
that doesn’t include the school department’s proposed $31.6 million budget,
which could push the tax rate even higher.
- John C.L. Morgan

School Board Decides to Shut Down Prides Corner School

PPH:
Prides Corner School will close. The Westbrook
School Committee took a final vote Wednesday in favor of closing the elementary
school for kindergarten through second grade.The committee voted 6-1, with Jim
Violette opposed. Closing the school will allow the district to move forward
with a plan to restructure all elementary grades next school year.
- John C.L. Morgan

Westbrook Joins Cities in Political Fight Over General Assistance Funding

PPH:
[Gov. Paul LePage's] plan calls for the most
far-reaching change to Maine’s General Assistance funding in 20 years, said
Portland Mayor Michael Brennan."It will increase local property taxes and make
hundreds of people homeless in Portland," he said. Portland is joining with nine
other cities--Biddeford, Bangor, Lewiston, Auburn, Waterville, Augusta, Saco,
Westbrook and South Portland--to pressure lawmakers to reject LePage’s
proposal.
- John C.L. Morgan

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Westbrook Principal Wins State Award

PPH:
The Maine Principals' Association has chosen Kate
Hersom of Saccarappa School as the state's 2012 Elementary Principal of the
Year. The award was presented to Hersom [Monday] morning at a schoolwide
assembly.
- John C.L. Morgan

Friday, March 9, 2012

Headline Update: March 3- March 8, 2012

AJ: Westbrook Historical Society opens new home in Community Center. (March 7)

AJ: Charter Commission
presents its proposed changes to the City Council. (March 7)

AJ: Municipal spending
is expected to remain level, and positions are expected to be eliminated. (March 7)

PPH: City Councilor Brendan Rielly
opts not to run for Congress after Rep. Chellie Pingree decides not to run for the U.S. Senate. (March 7)

AJ: Sappi engineer
becomes the University of Southern Maine's first engineer-in-residence. (March 7)

PPH: Comprehensive Plan Task Force
prepares to unveil 10-year plan. (March 3)

- John C.L. Morgan

Friday, March 2, 2012