August 2008

By Carol McCracken

The community development committee voted yesterday to forward several motions regarding the redevelopment of the Maine State Pier to the city council for consideration next Monday.

The first motion to be passed asks the city council to accept the “Term Sheet” – a document, which when approved by both parties, will become the basis for all future negotiations for this redevelopment. In opposition to this motion, Tony Armstrong, a supporter of Ocean Properties, stated that the CDC was moving too fast by forwarding this document on to the city council for action August 8^th. This statement was rejected by Chairwoman Leeman.

A second motion passed by the CDC for city council consideration next week is that the construction of the megaberth and the redevelopment of the Maine State Pier be separated from each other and built independently of each other – the construction of the megaberth was added to the RFP just days before selection of Olympia as developer was announced.

Prior to the passage of these two motions, there was extensive discussion on issues ranging from penalties for lack of performance by the developer, whether or not the state or the city of Portland owns title to the submerged seabed, whether or not the developer has secured financing from banks, and whether or not the developer had signed any tenants for the project. Sasha Cook, representing developer Olympia, said the company has talked to a number of potential hotels and other tenants for the project and there is interest, although he did not name names.  Cook was equally silent on some of the funding questions posed to him by CDC members.

One member of the CDC called Cook’s responses “woofy” with a dismissive shrug of his shoulders. James Broder, negotiating attorney for the city, responded – the developer is under no obligation, legal or otherwise, to disclose any information about potential financing or possible tenants until the Master Development Agreement is executed – until Olympia has a signed contract in hand.

Another important clarification for the CDC was an article in the “Portland Press Herald” on Saturday, August 9^th. The article ’Portland to Issue Bond to Help Fix Maine State Pier’  implied that the city would be helping to finance the project. Chairwoman Leeman denied that any city money would be put into this project. Rearguing the case for his former company, Ocean Properties, in the same article,  Robert Baldacci, questioned removing the megaberth from the overall redevelopment.  (Baldacci is  one of several potential purchasers of the “Portland Press Herald”).  In his rebuttal of what at times seemed like a bunch of ”we gottcha now” questions from some CDC members, Sasha Cohen, of Olympia, said “It is our responsibility to finance this project.”

In yet another wrinkle, prior to the late afternoon meeting yesterday, councilor David Marshall, who supported Olympia said: “I’m not convinced that we’ll find a majority of the council supporting the megaberth as our top infrastructure need.”

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By Carol McCracken

Jeff Cumming was polishing the John Ford silver trophy with enthusiasm to be admired. He was readying it for the upcoming John Ford Regatta. “It’s coming along,” he said, grinning and referring to the trophy. “It’ll be ready by Thursday.” That’s August 14 at 6:00 p.m. at the SailMaine headquarters adjacent to Portland Yacht Services on the waterfront.

Cumming who grew up in Wiscasset, Maine, graduated the University of Southern Maine where he was an Englilsh major. He said that major taught him critical thinking which has been very useful to him. He was on the USM sailing team. From there he was picked to run the summer program. Because of the program’s exceptional growth, it’s become a year-round job for Jeff. It’s the “Bees Knees” of a job for him, he said over the weekend just past. (An expression he attributes to a friend of his who is currently coaching the Canadian sailing team for the Olympics in China).

The upcoming regatta later this week is only one of the fifty SailMaine hosts throughout the sailing season – which – by the way – lasts 10 months out of the year. (That includes the frostbite sailors who sail in 21 foot keel boats ). The John Ford Regata is for young people thirteen years old and under. It came about when Ford’s granddaughter gave a perpetual gift of a trophy in the famous movie director’s name. Ford lived on Munjoy Hill for many years.

Cumming also administers the school’s six sailing programs as well as the 30 seasonal staff required to do the teaching. SailMaine offers a wide variety of programs designed to get the entire community involved in sailing, regardless of age and financial ability. Currently there are 350 participants in the organization.

During the two month winter break, Cumming and his two part-time employees, hunker down at the shed on the property loaned to them by the City of Portland. There they recover from the extremely demanding summer just passed and do extensive planning for the coming sailing season. “There is plenty of work to keep us busy then,” says the modest Cumming. He has an easy commute to his job since he lives on the Hill as well.

As to the future, the mature Cumming said: “It’s hard to speculate about the future of the waterfront, but we know there’s a demand for sailing. We hope to meet that need.” Moreover, Cumming would like to see this organization grow into a regional organization for sailing. “We wouldn’t be here without a lot of people helping us,” he adds. “Certainly Phin Sprague, Jr. of Portland Yacht Services, is one of them.” When the non-profit was originally established, it was on Portland Yacht Services waterfront property – rent free.

“With almost 3500 miles of coastline, shouldn’t the people of Maine be sailors?” is a question on all of the non-profits literature.

For more details, visit www.sailmaine.org or call (207) 650-7878.

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By Carol McCracken

For the “common good” is the mantra of the organzation Catholics United. This non-profit is focused on eliminating the politics of division which dominated the presidential election of 2004, said Chris Korzen, at a book signing at Books, Etc. on Exchange Street at the end of July.

Korzen is a co-founder of Catholics United and serves as its executive director with headquarters in Washington, D.C. He attended Weston Jesuit School of Theology from which he earned a Masters of Theological Studies. He lives near the former Adams School on the Hill.

Korzen read excerpts from his new book, “A Nation for All. How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America From the Politics of Division.” He urges all religiously affiliated voters, be they Catholic or of another faith, to reject the narrow agenda of the far right which was crucial in re-electing President Bush to a second term in 2004. This narrow agenda benefits a few who are rich and powerful. Korzen said so far, “it’s been a very one-sided debate, although that is beginning to change.”

All voters need to embrace the issues of poverty, housing, climate change and others since they are at the core of religious teachings. These issues are crucial to the ‘common good’ in meeting the challenges of greed, materialism and excessive individualism,. “This message does not get said enough,” said Korzen, although he intends to change that.

Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr., Pennsylvania, wrote the introduction to Korzen’s book. It was recently reported in “The New York Times” that he may be a speaker at the Democratic convention later this month. Casey has supported Barack Obama from the get-go. Casey is a Catholic opposed to abortion. The August 7 article, written by John Broder, stated that sixteen years ago, the senior Casey was denied a speaking slot at the Democratic convention because he was anti-abortion. Some conservatives have never gotten over the ovesight – costing the Democrats votes, said “The New York Times” article.

Korzen will be speaking and signing books once again at Longfellow Books, Monument Way, on October 9^th. The hardcover book costs $24.95 and can be purchased at local bookstores.

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By Carol McCracken

The news that the construction of a megaberth as part of the planned renovations to the Maine State Pier has been scrapped was announced at a press conference this morning at City Hall.  Rather, plans to build the megaberth will proceed substantially before the redevelopment of the Pier itself starts.  Olympia Cos., the contracted Pier developer, might not build the megaberth afterall.   Councilor Cheryl Leeman, chairwoman of the city’s community development committee, announced that an additional RFP might have to be issued by the city to build that megaberth separately.

Another surprising  admission was that the city will give a 75- year lease to Olympia Cos. on the project. It’s hoped that this long lease would make it easier for the developer to obtain the financial support needed for the PIer’s redevelopment.  It adds fuel  to the speculation that Olympia Cos. is having difficulty funding the project, despite claims to the contrary by developer Kevin Mahaney, present at the press conference.

The reason given for peeling off the construction of the megaberth from the rest of the project is that the megaberth is fully permitted and ready to be built – within 18 – 22 months said Chairwoman Leeman. Perhaps one more indication that there is a long process ahead for the city in getting the permits from the State necessary to complete the project. The city and state are at odds over which entity owns the sea bed under the Pier; a controversy which might have to be  resolved in court if the two parties are unable to resolve it on  their own.

Chairwoman Leeman said she has been involved in many contract negotiations for the city, but this one is unique. “All parties want the best product for the city,” she said. “And that’s what we have here.” Leeman also cited the many advantages to the city of this redevelopment of the Maine State Pier – including tax relief for the residents of Portland.

Just prior to the press conference, Geoffrey Wood, president of the Portland Chamber of Commerce restated its position since the start: “We are remaining neutral in this. We just want to see the redevelopment get done as quickly as possible.” Also attending the press conference was former city councilor Will Gorham who supported Ocean Properties in the selection process. He testified at a city council public hearing as to the possible financial instability of Olympia Cos. Dory Waxman, lobbyist for Ocean Properties and a candidate for city council was also present. The much anticipated and well-attended press conference was held at the City Hall on Friday morning, August 8^th.

The community development committee meets again on Monday, August 11, to address the possible reissuing of a RFP for construction of the megaberth and other matters.

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