October 29, 2009

Pat Eltman, Director Office of Tourism, Officer Gayle Petty, and Barbara M. Whitten, President, Greater Portland Convention and Visitors Bureau at the Marriott Opening

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 314)

In mid-October Officer Gayle Petty took up her new responsibilities as Lead Officer for Sector One (includes the Hill, Kennedy Park and East Bayside).  The initiative was introduced by Chief James Craig to enable officers to work closely with communities in the city and to enhance policing and response by police.

According to Officer Petty yesterday afternoon, the program is working.  She is receiving numerous calls and emails that were listed on this blog on October 13th.  She’s receiving some “very helpful information” from cell phone calls and her email address as well that was made public on MHN.   So, once again her cell phone number is:  650-8770 and her email address is:  gaylep@portlandmaine.gov.  Please keep this information handy, should you need it.

Officer Petty said there has been a “rash of criminal activity” in the past several weeks.  She divides the criminal activity into two classes.  First, there are the drug driven crimes which result in residential burglary and stealing;  laptop computers are targeted here. Entry into homes is often through unlocked doors.  The other crimes are motor vehicle burglaries.  Electronic equiment such as IPods and GPS equipment left visible are the targets here.  Visible valuable items are an invitation to criminals – so cover valuable items up, said Officer Petty.  “And please keep your doors locked as well”, she added.

The Atlantic Street and Morning Street areas of the Hill have been especially hard-hit by criminals, Officer Petty said.

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By Carol McCracken  (Post # 313)

Ara Aftandilian, an investor, Greg A. Mitchell, Director of Ec. Development, and Mayor Jill Duson visiting at yesterday's reception

Mayor Jill Duson welcomed the Residence Inn by Marriott to the east end of Portland in an opening celebration yesterday afternoon.  In her welcoming remarks, the Mayor said:  “This opening is a significant achievement, not just for the Marriott but for the city as a whole as it brings us one step closer to realizing our vision for a revitalized and reimagined Eastern Waterfront.  This Inn will serve as a cornerstone for the development of the Eastern Waterfront, as it provides the area with future retail space and creates more pedestrian traffic on the East side of Franklin Arterial.”

“In these economic times, tonight’s opening is a good news story,” she said.

According to one Marriott official, the concept for a residence inn came about in 1983 and the concept has been growing ever since.  The Portland Marriott is the 602nd to be built and the first one to be built in Portland.  Shortly thereafter Mayor Duson cut the ribbon.  That tradition was followed by another tradition in which Marriott officials dropped the front door key into a bucket never to be used again; that symbolizes that the front door of the Marriott is always open – 24/7.

Around 200 attended the function which included community members, business leaders, city leaders as well as 8 members of the hotel’s management from Kansas, where the corporate headquarters are located.  This hotel is located at 145 Fore Street.

Management said they’ve been extremely pleased with the occupancy rate since July when it opened:  when asked why so successful so soon, Dick Merkan, an executive vice president said: 
“Because of the name Marriott on the buiding!”

That says it all.

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