January 2010

Geoff West

Wind energy is a hot topc right now, said Geoff West. He should know. West is the environmental coordinator in Maine for one of the hottest companies in the field right now – FirstWind. Geoff and MHN were looking at the flurry of recent newspaper clips on the subject from both national and local papers. Geoff and MHN were sitting in the conference room of the offices in the Old Port to which his company had just moved from another smaller Old Port location.

FirstWind is a Massachusetts-based company that expanded its offices to Portland to become its New England headquarters. There are three wind power farms in Maine and two in New York State that this branch office overseas. FirstWind has just sucessfully passed through the permitting process and if all goes well, Maine will have another wind farm by FirstWind – this one in Oakfield, Maine – in Aroostook County. According to West, the permit was approved last week for 51 megawatts there. Opponents of the project have 30 days to appeal it. West said that those “opposed to visual aspects of the projects, usually find other issues, such as sound or noise, to try and stop the project.”

While there is plenty of public criticism of Maine’s permitting process, West would only say that, “It is a rigorous and thorough process here in Maine.” Texas which is a leader in the land wind dturbine movement has no local permitting process. Of off-shore wind development, West says that the development of the necessary technoloogy is ten years out. It’s too early to tell what all the impacts of offshore development would be.”

Prior to his recent move to the Hill, West lived in south Florida. Previous to that, he worked in wind development in the mid-west and in Texas. Originally from West Virginia this guy, with his youthful movie star good looks lives with his two young ( one is 4 months old) children and his working attorney wife.

(Editor’s Note: It is suggested that readers of this on-line news service, read the front page article in todays “Portland Press Herald” by Tex Turkel, “Backers of wind power decry claims of conflict.” It involves Kurt Adams, head of the Portland office of FirstWind and his relationship with Gov. Baldacci.)

“This is my kind of event!” says Hill resident, Wolf. He’s a Siberian Husky”By Carol McCracken (Post # 379)

The 2nd Annual Downtown Showdown is coming to Monument Square this Saturday, January 30th. It begins at 5:00 PM. The event is sponsored by Sunday River and Sugarloaf with support from the City of Portland. The two resorts will build a two-story take off and 30-foot long staircase with the new feature of a cannon rail for skier and snowboarders to slide down. According to a press release issued by the City, the Downtown Showdown is an invitation-only competition including twelve skiers and twelve snowboarders from industry teams, shop and academics, who will be competing for cash and prizes. For more information about the event, visit www.thedowntownshowdown.com

Furthermore, set-up for the Downtown Showdown will begin today, Thursday, at Monument Square. Tomorrow, Friday, starting at 9:00 a.m. the structure for the event will be built and at approximately 1:00 pm., snow will be added.

The Downtown Showdown is a precursor for the 2nd Annual Portland WinteRush. Last year, WinteRush, “Maine’s coolest outdoor festival”, was held in Lilncoln Park in downtown Portland. “We wanted to try a different venue and Deering Oak Park has ice skating, natural hills and space for cross-country skiing,” said Nicole Clegg, city spokesperson. So, this year the event has been moved to Deering Oaks Park. For more information, please visit www.portlandwinterush.com
(Editor’s Note: MHN is having problems placing captions under photographs which is clear from the above photo. Please be patient while the problem is fixed!)

Dan Haley, Jr.

Last October, George McKay, Captain of the RawFaith, sailed into Portland Harbor to find refuge from almost 6 ft. high seas and to repair the damage to his 118 ft. ship. He had been on his way to Salem, Massachusetts. Since that time, the RawFaith has been berthed at Portland Yacht Services at the bottom of the Hill. Captain McKay told this and much more to the Portland Harbor Commission yesterday afternoon. He was invited to the meeting to give the Commission an “overview” of the status of his family-built 3 masted ship, RawFaith.

Captain McKay said it was not his intention to remain at the exposed “PYS” location where he currently is located. That’s because of the exposure to storms at this location. The Captain said that Monday night’s storm tossed water up over his topsides and onto the decks of the seven year old RawFaith – the storm was that severe. Phin Sprague, Jr., owner of PYS told the Commissioners that he was “satisfied personally that the boat will not move. It’s tied to land.”

In the meantime, Captain McKay has discussed the possibility of docking the RawFaith at Roger Hale’s Sturdivan Wharf. According to Sprague, Sturdivan Wharf is “the calmest place in the Harbor.” However, before that move can be made, Capain McKay needs to secure liability insurance for anyone who boards his RawFaith. Dan Haley, retired from Haley Insurance Co. located on the Hill and a commissioner had some practical suggestions for the Captain on how to approach the subject with insurance companies.

The Captain’s ultimate goal is to sail to Brazil to have the bottom of the ship copper plated. In the meantime, he plans to take wheelchair bound patients and their families sailing this summer in Casco Bay.

Meantime, Sprague who has frequently come to the aid of sailors and their boats said, “I’d prefer to see RawFaith find another berth, but it won’t be moved on my watch. I can’t see a better alternative.”

By Carol McCracken (Post # 377)

Portland foodies may be interested to learn that last year the number of organic foods and beverages launched declined from the 2008 figures. Last year’s decline was nearly 30% over 2008; the poor economcy was the reason given for the downturn. This news was reported yesterday in the daily online Sustainable Food News publication.

The article also went on to say that small companies that often introduce many products just haven’t introduced as many products because of the downturn in the economy. Also, some product lines are simply so full that no more products can be added.

There was an exception to the decline, however. Products with “ethical and environmental” claims actually rose 17% last year over 2008. Food packaging with environmentally friendly packaging saw an increase last year over 2008; from 3 percent to 9 percent last year as well.

The Sustainable Food News is a daily newsletter distributed to the food industry all over the country. It’s publisher is Hill resident, Dan McGovern, who was profiled last year herein. The profile appeared on December 7th as post # 345.