April 2010

By Carol McCracken (Post # 450)

In what is considered a victory for Maine consumers, Superior Court Chief Humphrey recently ruled in favor of the state insurance superintendent’s decision to deny an increase of almost 20 percent for its individual policyholders.

Last year, the superintendent of insurance approved an increase of 10.9 percent rather than the almost 20 percent requested by the insurance giant. Anthem sued, claiming they were being treated differently than their competitors. The hearing was held last month.

Still outstanding is another rate increase request by Anthem of almost 23 percent for some individuals for the coming year.

Please visit post # 420, dated March 24th for more details.

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By Carol McCracken (Post # 449)

The Finance Committee met last night in a workshop to discuss the proposed budget presented to it for its consideration by the city council. No public comment was taken. A final vote on the budget will take place by the Committee on Tuesday; then it will be forwarded to the full City Council for approval.

The budget for the Portland public library was crafted with the intention of closing three of the cities five branch libraries according to its director, Stephen Podgajny. They are the East End, the West End and Riverton branches. That allowed for a savings in the library budget of about $350,000. Councilor John Anton who is also on the Finance Committee has suggested in the past that if the three branches are in fact, closed, the city should realize some of those savings. Last night Councilor Anton asked city manager, Joe Gray to work with library director, Podgajny to come up with some additional savings from its proposed budget for 2011 which begins July 1st.

Meanwhile, the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organizatiaon, wrote a letter dated April 16 to city councilors and the Board of Trustees of the public library expressing their “disappoinotment and disapproval of the decision to close” the branch libraries. The letter signed bhy two officers of the MHNO said in part: “The libraries are an integral part of the schools – removing them is not budget surgery but rather educational amputation.”

The East End Community School Public Library is comprised of books and materials from the public system as well as its own school materials. According to one East End Community School staff member recently, the library space would automatically revert back to the school’s own (not open to the public) library.

Carol Dayn, EEOC principal, recently announced her resignation from that post with no comment.

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Guy Hernandez, new co-owner of the Hilltop Coffee Shop

Last week the popular Hilltop Coffee Shop on the Hill was sold. Hill residents Stella and Guy Hernandez purchased the successful business from Luke McFadyden and his business partner, Jeremy House. The couple also owns Bar Lola an upscale restaurant near the Hilltop.

Hernandez pledges not to make any immediate changes to the popular gathering spot. The sale of coffee will continue to be the priority at the shop. That’s what the community appears to want he said at an interview earlier today at the Bar Lola. One exception to that, however, is that soon patrons of the shop will have access to the internet via WI-FI. Asked if that addition would change the friendly atmosphere there, Hernandez said he wants the “culture” to remain just the same as it currently is. “It’s no different from reading a book,” he said.

Mary-Beth Mills is a part-time employee there. “This will be a very efficient takeover. I’m looking forward to the change. I like change.” Another employee, Carrie Earls, said that her former employer, Luke McFadyen, told her immediately of the change in ownership. He told us they were great people who wanted us to stay here.

Hernandez said they’ve known about the availablity of this property since last year. “We saw this as a business opportunity to grow. There’s a lot of potential here.”

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By Carol McCracken (Post # 447)

Portland has hired its first-ever sustainability coordinator who will assume his new responsibilities on May 10. Ian Houseal will be responsible for developing policies, projects and operations within the city for environmental sustainability, energy conversation and efficiency and climate change initiatives, said a press release issued by the city. His position is financed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Currently, Houseal serves as special assistant to the city administrator of Lewiston. He has been charged with developing sustainability policies, providing support to a citizen committee to develop a plan for the city to reduce its fossil fuel usage, conducted energy audits of municipal buildings, etc.

A Bates graduate, Ian earned his Master of Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and Master of Architecture from the North Carolina State University of Raleigh. He lives in Portland with his wife.

“The EECBG grant is welcome news for the city as it allows us to move our sustanibility efforts forward,” stated city manager Gray. “Ian brings with him a wealth of experience and an understanding of how to engage both employees and the public in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage. As the city looks to the future, it is clear that as a community we need to embrace sustainable practices that ensure a healthy community, economy and environment.”

Houseal’s salary is $50,000 annually. It comes out of the $684,700 received from EECBG last year which is intended to help reduce the city’s energy consumption and carbon footprint by implementing energy conservation measures and focusing attention on the city’s energy reduction goals according to the city’s press release issued by Nicole Clegg.

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