September 2008

By Carol McCracken

“I wish today were Friday ‘cause that’s my day off,” said Brad Robinson, gloomily, as he watched the aerial lift being loaded onto a flat bed tow truck while the yellow trailer it had until three hours earlier been riding on remained in the middle of Congress Street – at the corner of the Eastern Promenade. As truck driver Brad turned the corner onto Congress Street, the lift and trailer toppled over together onto the street. No one was injured. The accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. today according to Brad.

The skinny Brad said he’d loaded the aerial lift onto the trailer on North Street on the Hill where it had just finished a job. That was around 7:00 this morning. He was driving it to Saco for another job when the accident occurred. The youngish Brad who is a ten year licensed truck driver with no criminal record works for Lawrence Ryea Construction Co. in Saco.

According to State Policeman Charles Granger the aerial lift was not loaded properly on the trailer. And the brakes on the trailer didn’t work at all. Five safety chains are required by law to secure the load on the trailer and Brad admitted that he had attached only two of the safety chains this morning on North Street – in violation of the law. The construction company is responsible for the brake failure.

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By Carol McCracken

By a unanimous vote, the three members of the Community Development Committee, voted last night to ask its staff to proceed in negotiating the terms of a contract with Avesta Housing – the only developer to respond to the city’s Request for Proposal to redevelop the former Adams School on the Hill.

The Adams School was built in 1958 and named for a beloved teacher on the Hill – Mirada Adams. In 2006, the school was closed when a new school was opened – the East End Community School on North Street. Shortly after that an Adams School Reuse Committee was formed with Dan Haley, Jr. serving as its chairman.

Dana Totman presented an overall view of the proposed redevelopment – the Beckett Green & Marada Adams Park- to the committee and about twenty-five members of the public present at the meeting. The development will consist of ten buildings with four housing units each. A unique feature is that twenty home purchasers will be able to rent the other twenty units to a family member – it was characterized as a “cradle to grave” approach. So far, fifty off street parking spaces have been allocated for the development. That was followed by a statement by Dan Haley, Jr. stating that the Avesta Housing staff had or was in the process of complying with most of the recommended changes steming from his committee’s work.

Will Gorham, former city councilor and current president of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Association (“MHNO”) said that the board had requested the city to reissue the RFP hoping for another proposal in addition to the one submitted by Avesta Housing. He also expressed personal concern for what he called the lack of sufficient off street parking and overall funding of the project.

Fred Brancato of Beckett Street said he was impressed by Avesta’s proposal. It was “very responsive to the recommendations of the reuse committee.” Brancato also liked the pass through and open spaces throughout the development. He also said the prospective developer had been very successful in integrating the development into the community. However, he was disappointed that there had been no competition in the process and that the winter parking available at Adams School during parking bans would be eliminated by this development. Many in the area depend on this lot for parking ban parking.

Dave Gailus, a self-employed engineer who lives on the Hill, said he was concerned that someone might end up holding an empty bag on this one. Specifically, he expressed concern that if this process is dragged out over 2 or 3 years, interest rates could be substantially higher – putting it out of the financial reach of those for whom it’s intended.

Following the meeting, Haley said he was pleased with the outcome. “It’s a good project, although they have some things left to address-like parking and finding additional sources of funding for the project.” According to Chairman Leeman, there will be other opportunities for public comment during the entire process.

(It should be noted that there is no connection between the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization, “MHNO” and the Munjoy Hill News, “MHN.”)

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By Carol McCracken

He loves living on the Hill and everything about it; the people, the culture, the lifestyle, the political progressiveness found here as well as the opportunity for outdoor sports. So says Paul Drinan, the ‘drop dead good looking’ guy who is a small business owner, actor, political activist, etc. But he is secretive about his age – go figure!

Paul grew up in the Boston area. He’s always been interested in acting. He was the class clown in school and as he got older, he did impersonations of everyone who was famous – presidents, film stars, etc. He had the privilege of studying in New York City with Jodie McClintock, Terry Schreiber and Patsy Rodenberg – experiences that were “personal highs” for him – while acting in NYC at the same time. Paul spent one year in Los Angeles acting, but definitely prefered his NYC experience in the world of theater. Interestingly, Paul says that his agent has procured more work for him since he’s been on the Hill than when he lived in both LA or NYC. Go figure!

Paul is currently sharing the stage of the Good Theater at the St. Lawrence on the Hill with two Broadway veterans – Willi Burke and Bob M. Brooks. In a recent conversation in the patio at 92 Congress Street, Paul said its been a privilege to work with these two actors who, incidentally, are husband and wife in real life. “They are so experienced that they have a lot to give. They make my job a lot easier to do. I’ve learned a lot from them as well as they’ve reminded me of things I’d forgotten.” The name of the play is “On Golden Pond”. It runs through October 12. The original movie starred Henry Fonda, Katharine Kepburn and Jane Fonda. www.goodtheater.com

Another significant achievement for Paul was co- founding a local Shakespearean acting group which is an offshoot of Acorn Productions. Since before his days in NYC, Shakespeare has been one of his icons. Currently, he’s taking a break from acting in that group, however. Politics likewise is never far from his thoughts. He’s been involved in many local campaigns, but he has no interest in being a candidate for office himself. “I don’t want the constant scrutiny,” he says. “When it’s on the stage that’s by choice.”

Paul owns his own construction business, Dirigo Co.. which pays the bills that acting, modeling, commercials. and catalogue modeling don’t pay. As he gets on his bicycle for a workout for a duathon he will be entering soon, he says: “By the way, I might do something really juicy at Good Theater next year.” But it’s too soon to confirm. MHN never did find out his age – maybe he’s ageless, just like his hero Shakespeare – Portland audiences can hope! www.pauldrinan.com

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