July 2009

Captain Eric Jones Addresses The Crowd

Julie Diddell and her husband, ??, Await Liberty For Their Son!

City councilor Nick Mavodones Gives Key To City To Captain Eric Jones, Eagle.

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By Carol McCracken

With the Coast Guard Barque Eagle in the background, city councilor Nick Mavodones, welcomed Captain Eric Jones and his ship to Portland.  The noontime ceremony took place at the Maine State Pier with a large crowd of onlookers present.  Some in the crowd were families and friends of the crew disembarking from the ship later in the day for some liberty.

The ceremony and exchange of gifts took place in recognition of the great working relationship between Portland and the Coast Guard.  Ms. Cheryl Leeman, representing Senator Snow’s office, said she was Mayor of Portland when the Eagle was in Portland during the Tall Ships celebration of 2000.  Currently she is a city councilor in Portland.  Councilor Mavodones, speaking on behalf of Mayor Jill Duson, recalled OP Sail 2000 as well – when the Eagle led the parade of  Tall Ships visiting Portland.  ”Portland has a long history of welcoming ships into the Harbor,” he said.

Among the parents and friends waiting dockside for the Swabs to disembark to begin liberty were Julie Diddell and her husband from Westfield, New Jersey.  They were waiting and hoping that their son aboard the Eagle would be given some liberty so they could spend time with him.  “In the meantime, we are helping the local economy by eating in resturants, staying at local hotels and shopping in all the stores here,” Julie said with a big grin.  Moments late, when it was announced that indeed her son would be released within ten minutes, her smile got much larger.  Swab Diddell returns to the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut by bus tomorow afternoon.,

Stationed at the Coast Guard station is Hill resident Terence Leahy.  Leahy who lives on North Street is originally from Dublin, Ireland.  He was working in a supportive role at todays ceremony.

The Eagle is open for free public tours:  SATURDAY, August – 1 from  11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  and SUNDAY, August 2 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Supporters of Maine's Marriage Equality Law in State of Maine room

By Carol McCracken

Supporters of Maine’s Marriage Equality Law filled the State of Maine room at city hall earlier today to hear that more than 60,000 Mainers have promised to defend the law when it comes up on this fall’s ballot.  Signs around the room urged voters to vote “NO on Question 1 in November.”  To do so will insure that the law remains in tact.

“These 60,000 pledges, collected by Maine volunteers and the campaign’s professional field staff, demonstrate that our grassroots effort is a campaign about Maine, by Maine people and consistent with Maine values,” said Jesse Connolly, campaign manager of Maine Freedom to Marry.  “Tomorrow, our opponents will submit signatures to the Secrretary of State collected largely by a professional firm from Michigan at a cost of more than $240,000,” Connolly said.  “Theirs is a campaign fueled not by Maine volunteers but by paid out of state operatives.  Fairness and equality are too precious to be sold to the highest bidder.”  Connolly addressed the enthusiastic crowed at a noontime rally in the State of Maine room.

Prior to the start of the press conference State Representative Linda Sanborn (D), said that opponents of the Maine State law have gathered enough signatures to put the matter on the November ballot to try and overturn this law.  “The opposition has brought in lots of money and people to try and overturn the law.  It’s the same group that was successful in overturning California’s gay marriage law,” Sanborn said.  Sanborn has three sons, two of whom are gay.

Connolly also announced that from now on the campaign will be called “NO on/Protect Maine Equality.”  Please call Mark Sullivan at (207) 899-1330 for more information

By Carol McCracken

The kick-off to this year’s record setting cruise ship season began this morning when the American Glory arrived in Portland Harbor early.  It had been expected to stay in Portland until evening, but due to the threat of a storm brewing, the fifty passenger ship changed its schedule and departed east at noon – about eight hours earlier than planned.  The American Glory will be in port here in Portland 6 more times this cruise season.

A total number of forty-five ships carrying a record setting 69,892 passengers will be in Portland this summer.  Next year, it’s anticipated that the  number of cruise ships will jump to another record of sixty-eight ships in port carrying a total of 78,000 passengers – a doubling of ships in just two years, according to Nicole Clegg, city spokeswoman. 

Almost any subject relating to the Portland waterfront is controversial.  That includes those who support and those who oppose its development into a more income producing location; it depends on whom you speak with.  Likewise, the commercial benefit to local businesses from the cruise ship industry is sometimes questioned.  Often it depends on what kind of business you talk to in the Old Port.  Frequently it is said  that too many tourists  take buses to L. L. Bean in Freeport and to the Bush estate in Kennebunkport or other tours in the area.   (MHN has long believed that if an aquarium or comparable attraction were established on the waterfront,  more tourists would remain in the Old Port spending their much coveted dollars.)

An economic impact study of Portland’s 2008 cruise ship season just released reported that passengers spent between $80 to $110 in the Greater Portland area.  That in turn generated between $5.8 million and $8 million for the regional economy and created 69 to 95 full and part-time jobs.   The study was conducted by two University of Maine, Orono economists, Todd Gabe and Jim McConnon, Jr.

The next cruise ship scheduled to arrive at Portland Ocean Terminal at the bottom of the Hill is the Grand Caribe which arrives tomorrow, July 30 am and departs Friday, July 31st at 2:00 p.m.  The Grandeur of the Seas, the first large cruise ship visit this year, will berth at the Maine State Pier August 15 carrying 1,950 passengers.

Schooner Virginia Below Ft. Allen Park on the E. Promenade

By Carol McCracken

One of the more impressive sailboats to enter Portland Harbor this summer is the schooner Virginia.  Last week this 126 ft. yacht arrived at Portland Yacht Services where it intends to remain – running its cruises from its docks.

According to deckhand Nate Killops, Portland, Oregon, the yacht runs “team-building” programs for young people.  That includes learning seamanship skills and leadership skills as well.   For adults, there is a guest crew program.  These guests work alongside the professional crew to learn the art of sailing a tall ship.  The Virginia sails year-round and goes south in the winter.

The Virginia is owned and operated by the Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation, based in Norfolk.  For more, please call (757) 622-7400 or visit www.SchoonerVirginia.org