March 2009

By Carol McCracken

During the past month or so Doug Sherwood, facilities director for the Portland Public Schools, has been meeting with groups on the Hill. He’s been listening to their concerns and answering their questions about the proposed construction of a 100 ft. tower on the property of the East End Community School that would measure the wind velocity there. If the wind velocity measured thirteen miles or more, it could lead the way to the additional construction of a wind turbine on the site. If it doesn’t meet that criteria, there would be no reason to construct a wind turbine there.

Last night Sherwood met with the board of the Promenade Towers on the Eastern Promenade for close to an hour. Earlier today, Sherwood said the board recognizes the educational opportunity of such a tower, but is concerned about the health and safety for those living so close to the equipment. So far, this board has been the only group to register its opposition to the proposed project.

John Rastl, an owner of a penthouse at the Towers and treasurer of the board said he is not in favor of erecting the wind testing tower because they will give the group a “leg up – that’s all they want. The approval of a wind tower will lead to a wind turbine.” he said. Following Sherwood’s presentation, the board continued its monthly meeting – the thrust of which Rastl could not talk about – except to say the board will consult with its attorney. “As a board member, it’s my responsibility to protect the investments of these residents,” he said.

Last month Sherwood met with members of the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization at the East End Community School to listen to their concerns and answer questions as well. Present at the meeting were several members of the Promenade Towers board which led to last night’s meeting with the Board.

Sherwood expects to conduct another public meeting sometime next month on the Hill. It will be well advertised in advance so that as many members of the community can participate as possible. Then Sherwood plans to take the matter to the planning board. The wind testing equipment could be up as early as June or as late as November, he said. Meanwhile Sherwood will continue to research the health and safety concerns of the board of the Promenade Towers.

“I certainly know a lot more than I used to about wind power. And no doubt I’ll continue to learn, “ said Sherwood laughing late this afternoon.

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By Carol McCracken

The second in a series of public meetings on the past and future of the Maine State Pier will be offered Wednesday, March 25 from 7:00 – 8: 30 p.m. at the Ocean Gateway Terminal, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier at the bottom of the Hill. It’s intended to inform the public about issues confronting the redevelopment of the Pier as well as to receive input from the public on the project.

There will be a panel discussion with Charles Colgan, economist at the Muskie School of Public Service, John Henshaw, Director of the Maine Port Authority and Morris Fisher, of Boulas Property Management.

The panel will address how the Maine State Pier can best contribute to the local economy and paths that should be considered for redevelopment of the pier and surrounding area as well as other matters. The meetings are hosted by the city.

For more information, please call the city’s planning office at 874-8719.

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By Carol McCracken

The spring semester of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (“OLLI”), starts on Monday, March 23rd. There is still time for you to register for a class or two. They are wide-ranging in scope; including history, music, science, literature, etc. If you are at least 50 years old with an interest in learning just for the joy of if, then it might be just what you’ve been looking for.

OLLI, originally called Senior College, is now eleven years old. For its first ten years, classes were held on Fridays only in the University of Southern Maine classrooms here in Portland. However, with the completion of the Wishcamper Center last fall, OLLI classes are available five days a week. The Center is located on Bedford Street on the USM campus here in Portland. OLLI shares the building with the Muskie School of Public Service. Classes are low in cost and there are scholarships available. There are more than 1,000 enrolled in the program.

Each semester lasts for eight weeks. There are no grades or tests. All books and course materials are included in the course fee and are distributed on the first day of class.

For more information, please call 780-4406 or visit www.usm.maine.edu/olli

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By Carol McCracken

For Julian Saintlaurent patience is not just a virtue, but a necessity to succeed in his job. Julian works for an agency that is state funded to manage group homes in the Portland area for people with autisism. Julian is also a very articulate 24 year old with seemingly natural communication skills.

Julian was sitting in a chair near the front door of the North Star Café placing tiny red ink drops on a blank page in the “community journal” when he caught the attention of the MHN. He visit’s the Café often and works on the community journal, he said. Either Julian was creating a new psychological diagnostic tool or killing time, MHN thought. At this point it wasn’t clear. After he’d filled a page with red dots, a friend of his drew green stems and leaves under the red dots. Quite lovely, really.

Julian has devoted the last six years of his 24 year life working in a group home for autistic teenagers. Chronologically the teenagers are between the ages of 17 – 19 years old. Developmentally they are about 2 years old. The job takes a lot of patience and communication skills he said. That’s because “I have to talk to non-verbal kids,” he said. “I have to understand my own inner thought process and how I would feel put in their shoes. That helps me understand their needs. That’s the difficulty. They can’t relay their needs.”

If you work hard at it, you are going to get burned out, he says. So occasionally he takes a break from his responsibilities, but always returns. “These teenagers will have at least 500 caregivers during their lifetimes. People come and go in their lives. So consistency is important.” Perhaps that’s part of the reason he keeps returning to their lives after a break. However, this time is different. Many of his original teenagers have left this phase of the program. It might be time for him to move on as well. “I feel good about what I’ve done here. Even if I don’t come back, I leave with a good feeling.” he says smiling.

Julian aspires to be an art therapist. But other than that his plans are incomplete. Ceramics are his form of art. One thing is for certain, however. Whatever he does, he has the prequisite skills for success; patience and good communication skills.

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