The Peaks Island Council discussed the future of the Island and its relation to Portland last night amid uncertainity on many counts. The PIC was formed as an advisory body to the Portland City Council and as an alternative to its failed secession effort. Its task is to advise Portland of the unique needs of this Island community – needs it says are different from communities on the Portland mainland. Soon the PIC will be dissolving because none of the current seven council members will be returning to office; they’ve resigned or will not be up for re-election – largely because they believe that Portland has been unresponsive to their unique needs.

Under brief discussion last night was the concept of a “village.” In this scenario, Portland would collect the taxes and then based upon a prearranged formula, return a certain percentage to Peaks for the Village to disburse for the responsibilities it has previously agreed to administer. It could be public safety. Or something else. A specific step the PIC decided upon was for each councilor to interview someone from another village to determine the good, the bad and the ugly of that form of government.

Councilor Rob Tiffany asked the $64,000 question: “Why would Portland agree to this Village idea?” A question for which no councilor had an answer. Chair Michael Richards emailed the city on September 3rd, requesting a meeting between Portland and the PIC to discuss the future. As Richards emphasized, not much time has elapsed since that inquiry. Still Tiffany’s unanswered question hung over the workshop. Why?

The PIC meets again on Sepember 22nd.

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Providiance, a 121 ft. Fishing Boat at Deak's Wharf

Portland will be the site of a Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water Access at the Spring Street Holiday Inn. The conference runs from Monday, September 27 through Thursday, Sepember 30th.

The event will include a walking tour of the Portland waterfront on Tuesday, September, 28th and end with an address by US Representative Chellie Pingree on Thursday, September 30th. She will charge working waterfront advocates with creating a national strategy for protecting and enhancing access for fishing, boating and marine industries.

The tone of the conference and the charge for those attending is to identify a national strategy for working waterways and waterfronts. Dr. Larry Robinson, deputy admnistrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and US Senator Susan Collins will be responsible for setting that tone. Robinson, who is familiar with working waterfronts throughout the southeastern US, helps guide policy and program direction for NOAA’s conservation protection and resource management priorities, according to a press release issued yesterday by the Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium. Furthermore, representatives from 21 states will present local and regional solutions for addressing water access challenges.

Other topics to be discussed during the symposium include the effects of natural and human-disasters on commercial fishing access along the Gulf Coast, integrating smart growth elements into waterfront planning and waterfront diversification.

For more information, please contact Catherine Schmitt, 207 – 581-1434, catherine.schmitt@umit.maine.edu

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Bobby Lipps, Painting a Fence at the new Lucid Stage

For the hard to dispose of old electronic equipment, there is relief on the way! On Saturday, September 11 there is a disposal/recycling drive for such equipment. Just bring them to the Portland Exposition Building, 239 Park Avenue, Portland between 9 am – 1 pm on Saturday. There is no charge to dispose of items. The drive is sponsored by the Maine Red Claws.

Examples of items that will be collecting during the drive include: household elecdtronics, computers and peripherals, batteries, cell phones, game consoles, etc. Items that cannot be accepted include: appliances and white goods (ovens, washer/dryers, etc.) freon bearing items, fluorsecent bulbs, and mercury bearing items.

“It seems like technology changes constantly and I am sure we all have old cell phones, VCRS and outdated computers that can be difficult and expensive to dispose of and end up piling up at home,” said Maine Red Claws president and general manager, Jon Jennings. Proceeds will benefit charity.

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An Indignant Joe Fournier Seeks Justice!

Early this morning, the popular Rosemont Market & Bakery was broken into and robbed. The door windows for both the adjoining Hilltop Coffee Shop and the Rosemont were smashed and had to be replaced with plywood. $200. was stolen from the Rosement. The extent of the damage at the Hilltop is not known at this time, although it’s believed it also was robbed.

Joe Fournier, the indignant produce buyer for the Rosemont chain of organic stores, said this afternoon: “This robbery was an assault on the heart of this community.” He cited other businesses in the area which make it a close knit community. The break-ins were discovered by a delivery man for both businesses. He called the police who are conducting an investigation of the robbery. “We don’t know much at this time,” admitted Fournier.

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The atmosphere on the waterfront today was relaxed. The calm before the storm. Everything that could be done to protect the waterfront from the threatening Hurrican Earl had been done. But there is another reason for relaxed atmosphere: Earl has been downgraded enough to be less of a threat than he was yesterday at the same time.

For Hamilton Marine the past several days have been a boon to their marine supply business. Peter Ayers, store manager, said business has increased by 6 times during the past two days. That includes more bumpers, dock lines, chafe guards and moving pendants, said Ayers. He did not know yet how todays sales stood up over last years. He said that the Portland store keeps a heavier stock than other stores because they receive daily truck loads from Searspot.

The Explorer of Seas, with 3,114 passengers, was scheduled to come in tomorrow. However, it arrived today to avoid Earl. (See above photo.) This luxury ship carries the most passengers of the cruise ships berthing in Portland this year. It has a unique partnership with The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science because it provides the schol state-of-the-art laboratory space to conduct oceanographic and atmospheric research. Voyager-class ships like the Explorer are the third largest passenger ships in the world. A record setting seventy-three ships carrying 75,731 passengers are expected to call to port this season, according to a press release issued by Nicole Clegg, last month.

Crews at Portland Yacht Services were tired from the rush of getting boats out of the water over the past several days. Phin Sprague, Jr., of PYS expects however that about 2/3 of the boats brought out of the water will be back in the water next week. He said: “Earl has petered out. It’s wonderful to be in Maine. We’re at the end of the line.” Sprague bought 3,000 ft. of lobster trap line to tie things down from next door Hamilton Marine.

Willie Lewis who has a 26 ft. sailboat at PYS moved his boat to a mooring not far from the dock. “There is no worse feeling than to see a boat out there on a mooring getting beaten up. It’s better to be overprepared.”

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Marcia Gendron, New Principal at EECS & Gloria Aponte-Clarke Pose at EECS

Yesterday afternoon about 200 very warm people attended the third annual Ice Cream Social at East End Community School, 195 North Street on the Hill. It was a back to school event hosted by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.

“This is a back to school event. It’s time for parents and childen to come back to school after the summer off. Children and their parents can meet their teachers and get reacquainted with school,” said Gloria Aponte-Clarke. She and her husband George have two children at EECS. Gloria is a vice president of the PTO, the hosting organization.

School starts on Tuesday, September 7 for graders 1 through 5th. On September 9th, it starts for those in kindergarden at East End Community School.

Marcia Gendron, the new principal of EECS was present as well, greeting parents and students. Formerly, she was the principal at Reiche Community School, Portland. She served as the Reiche assistant principal and principal since 2000. She holds a Master of Science degree from St. Joseph’s College in school leadership.

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The owners of Portland Yacht Services and the boat owners docked there are taking Hurrican Earl seriously. All of the boats there are being hauled out of the water in order to avoid damage to boats from Earl’s strong winds and high waves.

PYS staff started hauling boats out of the water yesterday afternoon and continued until into the early evening. They were back at it at 6 am this morning. All told they hauled out about 40 boats by early afternoon today. They had to wait for the tide to come in before resuming work this afternoon. They expect to haul out another 20 or so boats this afternoon.

Aschanti IV, from the Cayman Islands, was docked at PYS earlier this summer (Pls. see post # 514, dated July 6th.) for repairs. An 115 ft. stay sail schooner, she’s back in Portland for more repairs. Her first mate said today that she plans on going out to sea for the duration of the storm rather than sit it out tied up to a dock.

As the sign indicates, Earl is being tracked carefully by PYS staff. Earl is expected to hit Maine east of Portland; perhaps around Eastport. Staff expects the weather in Portland to take a downturn tomorrow around 3 pm.

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OPENING NEXT MONTH!

The news that the foodie world has been waiting for came this afternoon from Lee Farrington: Figa restaurant will be opening on October 22nd. Farrington has been entangled in a water rights dispute that has repeatedly delayed the opening of this much anticipated restaurant.

The “Big Dig” as Farrington calls it will start on September 20th on Congress Street – in front of Figa. That’s when a new water line will be installed. One car lane in front of Figa will be closed for three days while the work is done.

Farrington bought the building in 2008 and began work on it in March of 2009. In the intervening time, she has remodled her home, got a dog Pom-Poo, became engaged and is trying to start a family with her partner.

Farrington and Christy Comeau-Pierce were making plans for an upcoming benefit for the people of Haiti this afternoon at Figa. The concert is to be held on Friday, October 1, at 7 pm at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray Street. It’s a musical evening with soprano Christy and special musical guests. Farrington will be providing refreshments. Tickets are $30 and students’ tickets are $15. Tickets are through www.porttix.com or phone 207 842-0800.

Comeau-Pierce will be a server at Figa. The two worked together previously at Uffa!

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Museum director, Allison Tevsh Zittel with board president, Brian Durham

A recent change in leadershiip at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum together with the intent to move from its current location at 58 Fore Street has boosted hope for the future of the “two-footers” and its supporters.

The new Museum Director is Allison Tevsh Zittel. Until earlier this summer Zittel served as an assistant to the former director, who left on August 4th. Meanwhile, Brian Durham, president of the board, is sharing leadership roles with Zittel. On June 26th, Durham was one of two volunteers elected to the Board. Durham said this afternoon at the Museum: “The board needed to be more closely aligned with the membership and the volunteers. Now, the vast majority of board members are active volunteers. Volunteers have a vested interest in the organization. The board will be taking actions supported by the members and volunteers. Those of us who were involved in the transition think that is the best for the organization.”

Durham, a retired attorney for the US Coast Guard, said there are three priorities as of today. The first priority is to look for a new location since factors supporting their remaining at 58 Fore Street are not favorable. Jeff Monroe, a former city official and head of the relocation committee sent out letters of interest to communities in the area. Portland and six other communities have shown interest so far. Soon, RFP’s will go out as well to narrow down the interested parties.

The second priority is the 3rd annual holiday Polar Express which is the Museum’s major fundraiser. Zittel has assumed that responsibility since the departure of the former director in August. The third priority is improved communications between the community and the Museum employees and volunteers. That is expected to be improved by the regular publication of the museum newsletter – “Two Foot Flyer,” and internet communication with the museum staff.

September 19th marks the 17th anniversary of the arrival of the “two-footers” in Portland. Formerly, it had been known as the Edaville Railroad, South Carver, MA. It was also known as the Cranberry Line because it became a major tourist attraction on a cranberry plantation belonging to Ellis D. Atwood, a principal in the Ocean Spray Cranberry business and the individual remembered for saving many of the two-footers from total destruction following World War II.

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Hill resident, Jim Lobley, of the Finance Department

Sixteen proposals were received this afternoon at city hall for the $42,500 commission offered by the city for the successful application for public seating on the Bayside Trail. The RFP was issued in early July by the Portland Public Art Committee (“PPAC”).

Jim Lobley, of the city’s finance department, said the next several days will be spent going over the sixteen proposals to be certain each conforms to the requirements laid out in the RFP. When that is finished, the conforming proposals will be posted on the city’s website. It appeared that less than l/3 of the proposals were from the Portland area. Lobley said he received 72 requests for the proposal package, many of the requests coming from California.

Two of the RFP goals are to “enhance the Bayside Trail with high-quality, appealing, durable, public seating that enchances the trail experience and create objects of art that function as public seating. The 13 page RFP says the public seating must be built to last at least 25 years and that the $42,500 commission (or “budget”) covers all costs including design fee, cost of materials and fabrication, engineering, insurance, shipping and installation of the work itself.

Some of the timelines established by the RFP calls for notification of artist/designer selection in October; installlation in May of 2011 and a public ceremony on June 4, 2011 which is also National Trails Day.

Please see Post # 550 posted herein, dated August 18th for more information.

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