Portland partners refine the art of fixing a clock
Written by David Carkhuff
The intersection of art and business in Portland can be found in a 12-foot black clock located on the edge of Monument Square.
Maine College of Art students have waged a "stealth" effort to adorn the broken clock with illustrations, all without identifying the artists. The idea emerged from the business community, as Portland Rotary sought a creative way to raise money for the clock's
repair.
"I can't tell you how many years I'd walked past that clock in Monument Square, and it's become invisible, so we thought, 'Let's repair this clock, raise money to do it. How do we make something that's invisible become visible?' And that's where Maine College of Art comes in," said Portland Rotary President Cyrus Hagge, during a press conference Monday.
The budget to remove, repair and reinstall the clock is $17,500, as well as $5,000 to repair the base and foundation, Hagge said. An additional $3,500 will be set aside in a maintenance fund, an endowment to be overseen by Portland Downtown District, he said.
To date, $19,000 has been raised for the clock's repair, including $5,000 from the city for the base and foundation, toward the $22,500 in repair costs, Hagge said. An auction of clock-face designs by MECA students will raise money for the endowment, Hagge explained.
Peter Rimkunas, MECA student and Illustration major, used his clock-face art to depict a spaceship hovering above the Time and Temperature building. The illustration, if viewed from the proper angle, could overlay the actual building's skyline silhouette.
For an initiative first considered a "stealth" art project that was "completely subliminal," initial reaction was skepticism, Rimkunas said. But the initiative grew on him, until Rimkunas found multiple layers of intrigue in his illustration.
"It was funny, it was creepy because you were looking through an old clock at a new clock," and the spaceship in the illustration could stir a viewer's imagination, he said.
"Little kids would see that and be like, 'Oh, cool,'" he said.
Scott Nash, chairman of MECA's Illustration Department, said he jumped at the opportunity when Rotary approached the college.
"This project, which we call Reface the Clock, was to a great degree inspired by an initiative at the College of Art, called Artists at Work, through which we introduce our students and create substantive collaborations and relationships with businesses and organizations throughout the city, throughout Maine and hopefully throughout the world," Nash said.
"The fact that Rotary asked us to do it left us with an opportunity, we thought of it as a great way to come up with unconventional ways of using illustration, and I think we've actually come up with a new form, which we are calling urban illustration. It's not urban art, it's not graffiti, it's illustration that exists within the city. ..." he added.
The art form features "implied narratives" with a beginning, middle and end, Nash said. He and his wife, Nancy, created the existing motif on the clock, an image of a horse bursting through the clock face. In this case, the beginning and end were literal, he joked.
The 1975 reproduction of an antique street clock fell into disrepair, with maintenance costs hampering its upkeep, officials explained. Portland Downtown District requested that the clock face be removed to avoid public confusion, Hagge noted.
The clock was built by Electric Time Co. (http://www.electrictime.com), a firm still in business. Hagge said the company agreed to replace the clock's inner working, complete with GPS controller and back-lighted LED illumination.
"They still make this clock, and they're the folks who are going to rebuild the clock," he said.
Last spring, 14 pieces by seven juniors and seven freshmen were selected out of the contributions of 42 illustration students.
Maine College of Art students have waged a "stealth" effort to adorn the broken clock with illustrations, all without identifying the artists. The idea emerged from the business community, as Portland Rotary sought a creative way to raise money for the clock's
repair."I can't tell you how many years I'd walked past that clock in Monument Square, and it's become invisible, so we thought, 'Let's repair this clock, raise money to do it. How do we make something that's invisible become visible?' And that's where Maine College of Art comes in," said Portland Rotary President Cyrus Hagge, during a press conference Monday.
The budget to remove, repair and reinstall the clock is $17,500, as well as $5,000 to repair the base and foundation, Hagge said. An additional $3,500 will be set aside in a maintenance fund, an endowment to be overseen by Portland Downtown District, he said.
To date, $19,000 has been raised for the clock's repair, including $5,000 from the city for the base and foundation, toward the $22,500 in repair costs, Hagge said. An auction of clock-face designs by MECA students will raise money for the endowment, Hagge explained.
Peter Rimkunas, MECA student and Illustration major, used his clock-face art to depict a spaceship hovering above the Time and Temperature building. The illustration, if viewed from the proper angle, could overlay the actual building's skyline silhouette.
For an initiative first considered a "stealth" art project that was "completely subliminal," initial reaction was skepticism, Rimkunas said. But the initiative grew on him, until Rimkunas found multiple layers of intrigue in his illustration.
"It was funny, it was creepy because you were looking through an old clock at a new clock," and the spaceship in the illustration could stir a viewer's imagination, he said.
"Little kids would see that and be like, 'Oh, cool,'" he said.
Scott Nash, chairman of MECA's Illustration Department, said he jumped at the opportunity when Rotary approached the college.
"This project, which we call Reface the Clock, was to a great degree inspired by an initiative at the College of Art, called Artists at Work, through which we introduce our students and create substantive collaborations and relationships with businesses and organizations throughout the city, throughout Maine and hopefully throughout the world," Nash said.
"The fact that Rotary asked us to do it left us with an opportunity, we thought of it as a great way to come up with unconventional ways of using illustration, and I think we've actually come up with a new form, which we are calling urban illustration. It's not urban art, it's not graffiti, it's illustration that exists within the city. ..." he added.
The art form features "implied narratives" with a beginning, middle and end, Nash said. He and his wife, Nancy, created the existing motif on the clock, an image of a horse bursting through the clock face. In this case, the beginning and end were literal, he joked.
The 1975 reproduction of an antique street clock fell into disrepair, with maintenance costs hampering its upkeep, officials explained. Portland Downtown District requested that the clock face be removed to avoid public confusion, Hagge noted.
The clock was built by Electric Time Co. (http://www.electrictime.com), a firm still in business. Hagge said the company agreed to replace the clock's inner working, complete with GPS controller and back-lighted LED illumination.
"They still make this clock, and they're the folks who are going to rebuild the clock," he said.
Last spring, 14 pieces by seven juniors and seven freshmen were selected out of the contributions of 42 illustration students.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 03:16
Hits: 186
'Spice' emerges as new danger drug in Maine
Written by Marge Niblock
At 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, a young man was found lying facedown on Commercial Street, with abrasions on his hands. When emergency responders revived him, he told them he'd taken some "Spice" prior to his collapse.
"Spice," law enforcement officials report, is the next wave of dangerous synthetic mixtures — reminiscent of "bath salts," the extremely toxic substances rapidly and widely abused in Maine and ultimately outlawed by the Maine Legislature.
"Spice" appears to appeal to young people, law enforcement officials noted.
Portland Police Senior Lead Officer Dan Knight, whose area of patrol covers Bayside and also the Old Port, said, "It's a regular thing," when asked if he's had contact with young people under the influence of these chemicals. Knight said he became aware of the situation last fall. "They acted high," he said of "Spice" users.
He said the packages he saw smelled like cloves, and stated, "People are really messed up on it, like they're intoxicated or using drugs."
Portland Police Department's two school resource officers were asked if they'd had much contact with these products. Officer Coreena Behnke works at Portland High School, and she said she's aware that students are smoking it, but she's never caught anyone with it.
Officer Steve Black, Deering High School Resource Officer, said that he received a call from an officer who found a Deering student who was "out of it," because the student smoked some of the product. An officer at the department's front desk said she'd recently taken a call from a very concerned mother, who stated that her son and his friends were smoking the contents of these packages and they were then acting like something was very wrong with them.
Sgt. Kevin Cashman of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said his agency has had "infrequent contact" with the substances. "We might find it in conjunction with other drugs," he said.
Cashman said the agency fielded calls with other outside agencies in Cumberland County regarding their investigations, and most of the people involved were juveniles. Cashman said, "We're actively keeping up with emerging trends with synthetic cannabinoids, and this is accomplished by keeping in touch with our law enforcement partners in the state, and national agencies as well."
Two specific cannabinoids were made illegal in Maine in July 2012. They come under Schedule Z in the section on drugs of the state legal code.
The chemical components are constantly being changed, as purveyors seek to avoid prosecution, officials note.
This is a growing problem in Portland, but it's also a major problem all over the country.
"Spice" mixtures are labeled "not for human consumption" and come in packets bearing numerous names, including K2, Yucatan Fire, Moon Rocks and Orgazmo. Dried, shredded plant materials are the basic ingredients, but they are laced with chemical additives that produce psychoactive or mind-altering effects, law enforcement officials explain. These synthetic cannabinoids are being sold in head shops to young people who remove the packets' contents and then either smoke, ingest or snort the substances, and are also readily available for purchase over the Internet, according to substance-abuse experts.
The use of "Spice" among young people is second only to marijuana, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The users are under the misperception that the products are "natural" and therefore harmless, the institute reports. The chemicals in "Spice" are not easily detected in standard drug tests, which make their use popular with those on probation or parole, the institute reports on its website (http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/emerging-drugs). People are endangering themselves by placing unknown chemicals and toxins into their bodies, the insitute warns.
Negative effects that may be experienced by users include extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Poison control centers have reported symptoms such as rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, raised blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the heart. Withdrawal and addiction symptoms may be effects experienced by regular users.
President Barack Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law. Many of the ingredients in "Spice" products and "bath salts" were added to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Moody Air Force Base in Georgia issued a notice to members to make them aware that it is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to be caught "using, distributing or possessing" these substances. Dishonorable discharge and/or confinement can be a consequence of violating this law.
A head shop in Portland featured hundreds of glass pipes for smoking marijuana and hashish but didn't have any "Spice" packets visible on the shelves; however, when the salesperson was asked whether the shop stocked any, she quickly pulled out several packets of Orgazmo from underneath the counter.
Orgazmo is a brand that is specifically mentioned in a North Dakota lawsuit, where they are referred to as "street drug alternatives, intended for use as recreational drugs." The Attorney General of North Dakota is pursuing sellers because the items are "misbranded or mislabeled" under the North Dakota Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The packages have no information containing the place of business, manufacturer, packer or distributor of these products. The suit contends that dire health consequences may be experienced because a user having an adverse reaction cannot relay to medical personnel exactly what it is they have taken, which is critical information in determining medical treatment. There is no way to counteract the drug that was taken without the knowledge of what it is. Only the symptoms can be treated, the suit notes.
In Portland, Andrea, who described herself as a young homeless woman in her early twenties, confirmed that "Spice" is making the rounds locally. Asked whether she'd ever used "Spice," she said she'd had some for the first time the prior evening.
"I ran into a wall because I thought someone was chasing me," Andrea said, who preferred not to give her full name.
Andrea said the effects lasted for two hours. When asked if she would use "Spice" again, she replied, "Hell, no! I'm just going to keep smoking marijuana."
"Spice," law enforcement officials report, is the next wave of dangerous synthetic mixtures — reminiscent of "bath salts," the extremely toxic substances rapidly and widely abused in Maine and ultimately outlawed by the Maine Legislature.
"Spice" appears to appeal to young people, law enforcement officials noted.
Portland Police Senior Lead Officer Dan Knight, whose area of patrol covers Bayside and also the Old Port, said, "It's a regular thing," when asked if he's had contact with young people under the influence of these chemicals. Knight said he became aware of the situation last fall. "They acted high," he said of "Spice" users.
He said the packages he saw smelled like cloves, and stated, "People are really messed up on it, like they're intoxicated or using drugs."
Portland Police Department's two school resource officers were asked if they'd had much contact with these products. Officer Coreena Behnke works at Portland High School, and she said she's aware that students are smoking it, but she's never caught anyone with it.
Officer Steve Black, Deering High School Resource Officer, said that he received a call from an officer who found a Deering student who was "out of it," because the student smoked some of the product. An officer at the department's front desk said she'd recently taken a call from a very concerned mother, who stated that her son and his friends were smoking the contents of these packages and they were then acting like something was very wrong with them.
Sgt. Kevin Cashman of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency said his agency has had "infrequent contact" with the substances. "We might find it in conjunction with other drugs," he said.
Cashman said the agency fielded calls with other outside agencies in Cumberland County regarding their investigations, and most of the people involved were juveniles. Cashman said, "We're actively keeping up with emerging trends with synthetic cannabinoids, and this is accomplished by keeping in touch with our law enforcement partners in the state, and national agencies as well."
Two specific cannabinoids were made illegal in Maine in July 2012. They come under Schedule Z in the section on drugs of the state legal code.
The chemical components are constantly being changed, as purveyors seek to avoid prosecution, officials note.
This is a growing problem in Portland, but it's also a major problem all over the country.
"Spice" mixtures are labeled "not for human consumption" and come in packets bearing numerous names, including K2, Yucatan Fire, Moon Rocks and Orgazmo. Dried, shredded plant materials are the basic ingredients, but they are laced with chemical additives that produce psychoactive or mind-altering effects, law enforcement officials explain. These synthetic cannabinoids are being sold in head shops to young people who remove the packets' contents and then either smoke, ingest or snort the substances, and are also readily available for purchase over the Internet, according to substance-abuse experts.
The use of "Spice" among young people is second only to marijuana, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The users are under the misperception that the products are "natural" and therefore harmless, the institute reports. The chemicals in "Spice" are not easily detected in standard drug tests, which make their use popular with those on probation or parole, the institute reports on its website (http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/emerging-drugs). People are endangering themselves by placing unknown chemicals and toxins into their bodies, the insitute warns.
Negative effects that may be experienced by users include extreme anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Poison control centers have reported symptoms such as rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, raised blood pressure and reduced blood supply to the heart. Withdrawal and addiction symptoms may be effects experienced by regular users.
President Barack Obama signed the Synthetic Drug Abuse Prevention Act of 2012 into law. Many of the ingredients in "Spice" products and "bath salts" were added to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
Moody Air Force Base in Georgia issued a notice to members to make them aware that it is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to be caught "using, distributing or possessing" these substances. Dishonorable discharge and/or confinement can be a consequence of violating this law.
A head shop in Portland featured hundreds of glass pipes for smoking marijuana and hashish but didn't have any "Spice" packets visible on the shelves; however, when the salesperson was asked whether the shop stocked any, she quickly pulled out several packets of Orgazmo from underneath the counter.
Orgazmo is a brand that is specifically mentioned in a North Dakota lawsuit, where they are referred to as "street drug alternatives, intended for use as recreational drugs." The Attorney General of North Dakota is pursuing sellers because the items are "misbranded or mislabeled" under the North Dakota Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
The packages have no information containing the place of business, manufacturer, packer or distributor of these products. The suit contends that dire health consequences may be experienced because a user having an adverse reaction cannot relay to medical personnel exactly what it is they have taken, which is critical information in determining medical treatment. There is no way to counteract the drug that was taken without the knowledge of what it is. Only the symptoms can be treated, the suit notes.
In Portland, Andrea, who described herself as a young homeless woman in her early twenties, confirmed that "Spice" is making the rounds locally. Asked whether she'd ever used "Spice," she said she'd had some for the first time the prior evening.
"I ran into a wall because I thought someone was chasing me," Andrea said, who preferred not to give her full name.
Andrea said the effects lasted for two hours. When asked if she would use "Spice" again, she replied, "Hell, no! I'm just going to keep smoking marijuana."
Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 03:17
Hits: 1118
Brown, Welch honored by police department
Written by Marge Niblock
When Portland Police Officer Jessica Brown arrested a woman for assault, disorderly conduct and cruelty to animals in June 2011, it's what she did next that illustrated her extra level of concern.
Brown had been called to an apartment in the Woodford Street area regarding a disturbance involving a young woman who was out of control.
As Brown tried to talk to the woman and calm her down, the woman, who had been screaming and directing profanities toward the officer, escalated the conflict further and pushed Brown, stated she was going to leave, and suddenly kicked a kitten across the room. At that point she was arrested.
After taking the woman to the jail, Officer Brown went back to the apartment, took the kitten, and brought it to the animal shelter, to be sure it would receive proper care.
This story was used to illustrate Brown's "big heart," when Brown received the Officer of the Year award at a ceremony on Saturday. Brown also was named Officer of the Month in December 2012.
At the Holiday Inn by the Bay, the Portland Police Department's seventh annual awards ceremony breakfast featured awards to officers in the form of commendations for bravery and heroism, commendatory letters, distinguished unit citations, and commendations of merit. Awards to citizens were also given, for aiding the department in various ways.
In his opening remarks, Chief Michael Sauschuck said, "I couldn't be prouder to be a member of the Portland Police Department. . . . They show up every single day and put their lives on the line."
Sauschuck used the words "reliability" and "consistency" when speaking about Brown, and stated Brown "enjoys respect among her peers." He also said, "She continues to follow up with victims."
Brown joined the force in 1999, after serving at the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for three years as a corrections officer. She has a degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine, and works in the Deering area, assigned to the patrol division.
In 2010, Brown was given a commendation for coaxing a suicidal woman away from a ledge at the Maine Medical Center parking garage. Her file also contains many letters of appreciation from citizens and local organizations, and she also received two Awards of Merit and Unit Commendations.
The Chief quoted from a letter from a Portland resident, which stated, "I sleep better at night knowing she's keeping me safe."
The Civilian Employee of the Year award was presented to Mary-Ellen Welch, Midtown Community Policing Center Coordinator, who heads what is probably the busiest of the six centers in Portland. The warmth and knowledge she exudes are important characteristics she brings to her job, which she does in a very engaging manner, officials noted.
Chief Sauschuck said, "Welch can be described as knowing everyone; she is a highly visible, go-to person, described as fearless and amazing by colleagues."
The area served by Midtown is a challenging one. The Preble Street Resource Center is a bit farther up Portland Street; Homeless Health is next door; and the other neighbor abutting the office is Bayside Neurorehabilitation Services.
Many of those walking by are headed toward an AA center a block away, and there are always problems posed by passersby who may be shouting or cursing on numerous occasions, officials said. That's when Welch throws the glass door open and uses her "mother voice" to remind people of their manners.
Welch has a baseball bat next to her desk, which one of the sergeants had given her a couple of years ago. He'd said, "Just in case. ... You never know." A few weeks ago Welch had occasion to use that bat along with her "mother voice."
A problem maker known to her had antagonized a man a few blocks away and then hurled a racial epithet at him. The insulted man took off after the person who had affronted him and the first man ran right into Welch's office, looking for asylum. But the man chasing him came right in after him and threw him across Officer Dan Knight's desk. When they refused to stop fighting, Welch pushed her emergency buzzer, to alert police, since she was alone at the time. Then she grabbed the bat, went right up to them, and shouted at them to stop, making sure they saw her waving the bat and leaving no doubt that she knew how to use it. They ran outside and had a lot of explaining to do to the arriving police.
Welch has held this position for four years and she loves her job, which she said is a perfect "fit" for. Her background as a Department of Health and Human Services caseworker with Child Protective Services makes many of those on the street familiar to her. Welch is able to connect with all kinds of people and offer help to them. Anyone coming into the office is treated with dignity and respect, officials said.
Senior Lead Officer Dan Knight shares the Midtown office with Welch. He is more aware than anyone what an asset Welch is to the neighborhood and the department. Knight's opinion of the award was, "I think it's well deserved!"
Welch is very involved with the Bayside Neighborhood Association, attending their monthly Steering Committee meetings, their Neighborhood Watch, and helping out at their summer block party.
On Wednesday mornings, Welch volunteers to take care of preschool children for a couple of hours while their mothers attend "Tools for Life" classes at a free Salvation Army program offered to women living in the service area. The Salvation Army works in conjunction with the Family Shelter and General Assistance for this project.
Welch's welcoming personality is imbued in the feeling of the cheerful office. There are books for children and adults that are available for people to take, which they needn't return. Children walking home from junior high school know that they can stop in, have a little chat, and leave with a healthy treat. Welch's office is a hub in the heart of the peninsula.
Many of Portland's detectives have sought Welch's help when trying to locate people they've been looking for, and she's never let them down. She's also been helpful to the State Police regarding a murder investigation and recently received a letter from the U.S. Marshals Service thanking her for help she'd given to them.
Welch says of her job, "The things we see in here, you couldn't make this stuff up."
Brown had been called to an apartment in the Woodford Street area regarding a disturbance involving a young woman who was out of control.
As Brown tried to talk to the woman and calm her down, the woman, who had been screaming and directing profanities toward the officer, escalated the conflict further and pushed Brown, stated she was going to leave, and suddenly kicked a kitten across the room. At that point she was arrested.
After taking the woman to the jail, Officer Brown went back to the apartment, took the kitten, and brought it to the animal shelter, to be sure it would receive proper care.
This story was used to illustrate Brown's "big heart," when Brown received the Officer of the Year award at a ceremony on Saturday. Brown also was named Officer of the Month in December 2012.
At the Holiday Inn by the Bay, the Portland Police Department's seventh annual awards ceremony breakfast featured awards to officers in the form of commendations for bravery and heroism, commendatory letters, distinguished unit citations, and commendations of merit. Awards to citizens were also given, for aiding the department in various ways.
In his opening remarks, Chief Michael Sauschuck said, "I couldn't be prouder to be a member of the Portland Police Department. . . . They show up every single day and put their lives on the line."
Sauschuck used the words "reliability" and "consistency" when speaking about Brown, and stated Brown "enjoys respect among her peers." He also said, "She continues to follow up with victims."
Brown joined the force in 1999, after serving at the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office for three years as a corrections officer. She has a degree in criminology from the University of Southern Maine, and works in the Deering area, assigned to the patrol division.
In 2010, Brown was given a commendation for coaxing a suicidal woman away from a ledge at the Maine Medical Center parking garage. Her file also contains many letters of appreciation from citizens and local organizations, and she also received two Awards of Merit and Unit Commendations.
The Chief quoted from a letter from a Portland resident, which stated, "I sleep better at night knowing she's keeping me safe."
The Civilian Employee of the Year award was presented to Mary-Ellen Welch, Midtown Community Policing Center Coordinator, who heads what is probably the busiest of the six centers in Portland. The warmth and knowledge she exudes are important characteristics she brings to her job, which she does in a very engaging manner, officials noted.
Chief Sauschuck said, "Welch can be described as knowing everyone; she is a highly visible, go-to person, described as fearless and amazing by colleagues."
The area served by Midtown is a challenging one. The Preble Street Resource Center is a bit farther up Portland Street; Homeless Health is next door; and the other neighbor abutting the office is Bayside Neurorehabilitation Services.
Many of those walking by are headed toward an AA center a block away, and there are always problems posed by passersby who may be shouting or cursing on numerous occasions, officials said. That's when Welch throws the glass door open and uses her "mother voice" to remind people of their manners.
Welch has a baseball bat next to her desk, which one of the sergeants had given her a couple of years ago. He'd said, "Just in case. ... You never know." A few weeks ago Welch had occasion to use that bat along with her "mother voice."
A problem maker known to her had antagonized a man a few blocks away and then hurled a racial epithet at him. The insulted man took off after the person who had affronted him and the first man ran right into Welch's office, looking for asylum. But the man chasing him came right in after him and threw him across Officer Dan Knight's desk. When they refused to stop fighting, Welch pushed her emergency buzzer, to alert police, since she was alone at the time. Then she grabbed the bat, went right up to them, and shouted at them to stop, making sure they saw her waving the bat and leaving no doubt that she knew how to use it. They ran outside and had a lot of explaining to do to the arriving police.
Welch has held this position for four years and she loves her job, which she said is a perfect "fit" for. Her background as a Department of Health and Human Services caseworker with Child Protective Services makes many of those on the street familiar to her. Welch is able to connect with all kinds of people and offer help to them. Anyone coming into the office is treated with dignity and respect, officials said.
Senior Lead Officer Dan Knight shares the Midtown office with Welch. He is more aware than anyone what an asset Welch is to the neighborhood and the department. Knight's opinion of the award was, "I think it's well deserved!"
Welch is very involved with the Bayside Neighborhood Association, attending their monthly Steering Committee meetings, their Neighborhood Watch, and helping out at their summer block party.
On Wednesday mornings, Welch volunteers to take care of preschool children for a couple of hours while their mothers attend "Tools for Life" classes at a free Salvation Army program offered to women living in the service area. The Salvation Army works in conjunction with the Family Shelter and General Assistance for this project.
Welch's welcoming personality is imbued in the feeling of the cheerful office. There are books for children and adults that are available for people to take, which they needn't return. Children walking home from junior high school know that they can stop in, have a little chat, and leave with a healthy treat. Welch's office is a hub in the heart of the peninsula.
Many of Portland's detectives have sought Welch's help when trying to locate people they've been looking for, and she's never let them down. She's also been helpful to the State Police regarding a murder investigation and recently received a letter from the U.S. Marshals Service thanking her for help she'd given to them.
Welch says of her job, "The things we see in here, you couldn't make this stuff up."
Last Updated on Tuesday, 05 February 2013 03:18
Hits: 172
Warm, windy weather to give way to more cold
Written by David Carkhuff
A wind storm that swept through Maine on Thursday brought gusts of over 50 miles per hour and knocked out power to more than 94,000 homes and businesses in Central Maine Power Company's service area, the company reported.
The wind gusts kept emergency responders busy, as tree limbs and wires were buffeted by the winds, part of a weather system that ushered in warm temperatures.
"Generally we saw wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour across the area," said Eric Sinsabaugh, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
On Matinicus Rock island near Rockland, a 74 mph gust was recorded, Sinsabaugh said.
By 4:30 p.m. Thursday, CMP crews had restored service to more than 70,000 homes and businesses, while an estimated 22,000 customer accounts remained without service. The number of outages peaked at more than 44,000 at midday. Central Maine Power Company reported 11,384 homes and businesses remain without power as of 9 p.m. Thursday.
On Thursday, Portland tied its record high temperature for the day of 54 degrees, also set in 1988. On Wednesday, a record high temperature of 52 degrees was set in Portland, breaking the old daily record of 49 degrees set in 1959, the National Weather Service reported.
Don't expect record highs in the immediate forecast, Sinsabaugh said.
"We're back to the deep freeze for a while," he said.
"No relief in sight for a while."
Mid-January's freezing temperatures that gave way to this week's milder conditions will return.
"We're going to be back down to the single numbers at night and only in the 20s and near 30 during the day," Sinsabaugh said.
The wind gusts kept emergency responders busy, as tree limbs and wires were buffeted by the winds, part of a weather system that ushered in warm temperatures.
"Generally we saw wind gusts of 40 to 60 miles per hour across the area," said Eric Sinsabaugh, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
On Matinicus Rock island near Rockland, a 74 mph gust was recorded, Sinsabaugh said.
By 4:30 p.m. Thursday, CMP crews had restored service to more than 70,000 homes and businesses, while an estimated 22,000 customer accounts remained without service. The number of outages peaked at more than 44,000 at midday. Central Maine Power Company reported 11,384 homes and businesses remain without power as of 9 p.m. Thursday.
On Thursday, Portland tied its record high temperature for the day of 54 degrees, also set in 1988. On Wednesday, a record high temperature of 52 degrees was set in Portland, breaking the old daily record of 49 degrees set in 1959, the National Weather Service reported.
Don't expect record highs in the immediate forecast, Sinsabaugh said.
"We're back to the deep freeze for a while," he said.
"No relief in sight for a while."
Mid-January's freezing temperatures that gave way to this week's milder conditions will return.
"We're going to be back down to the single numbers at night and only in the 20s and near 30 during the day," Sinsabaugh said.
Last Updated on Friday, 01 February 2013 01:51
Hits: 139
Alfond wary of liquor-price reductions
Written by David Carkhuff
Democratic leaders said they want to hear from substance-abuse experts and others before sizing up a proposal from Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations to lower liquor prices in Maine.
“There’s been some early outcry from the substance abuse community,” said House Speaker Mark Eves during a weekly media conference call Wednesday.
“There are consequences when we do lower prices, people are very price sensitive, and we need to make sure we listen to the substance abuse community,” Eves said.
Saying they’re dubious of the proposal, which was presented to the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday, Democratic lawmakers said the proposal seemed out of step with the legislature’s focus on jobs and the economy.
“There are 50,000 Mainers who are unemployed right now, our economy was worst in the nation by some measures in 2011,” said House Majority Leader Seth Berry, questioning the LePage administration’s priorities. “That’s where we need to be focusing our time.”
Senate President Justin Alfond said a liquor-pricing proposal should assure that “everyone is on an equal playing field going forward,” but he also questioned the “health consequences” and other factors if the state drops the cost of alcohol. Alfond, of Portland, wondered how far reaching the change would be.
Gerry Reid, director of Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, told the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee that Maine is losing an estimated $30 million of hard alcohol sales a year, mostly to New Hampshire, where prices are more competitive.
But Alfond questioned the likelihood that people in large swaths of Maine actually drive to New Hampshire to buy liquor.
“We’re talking about a sliver of our state, the most southern part of our state who might drive over and buy alcohol in New Hampshire,” he said.
Other Democrats seek skeptical as well. Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, while not part of Wednesday’s conference call, urged caution before tinkering with liquor prices.
“Before we make a final decision, we must review all the options to ensure we procure the best value for Maine people,” Russell said.
Russell also reacted to a letter from Maine Beverage Co. to legislators in which the state’s liquor contractor offered to help Maine counter cheaper liquor prices in New Hampshire. The company also offered money to help Maine pay back hospitals and provide revenue sharing to communities in return for a continued contractual partnership.
“The idea that a company is essentially attempting to bribe the state in order to continue a contract is absolutely unacceptable to me,” Russell said. “When we make a decision, it should be in the best interest of the people of Maine, now and for the term of the contract. Period.”
This week’s conference call — an outreach effort of the state’s Democratic leadership — also touched on the ongoing review of budget proposals in Augusta.
In his weekly radio address, Maine Gov. Paul LePage defended one of his most controversial budget proposals — a move to temporarily eliminate revenue sharing to communities during the 2014-2015 biennium.
LePage accused the Maine Municipal Association of “self-serving” distortion of his proposal and said the actual numbers don’t point to crippling cuts.
“MMA claims that municipalities will lose $284 million over the next two years. What they don’t tell you is in previous years revenue sharing has never been fully funded dating back to my predecessor. While I would like to share more money with towns and cities, we simply do not have it,” LePage said. “In an effort to provide Mainers with an accurate picture of the impact to community budgets we’ve done an analysis. For example, the City of Portland’s budget last year was $291 million. Reducing all of its revenue sharing funding based on past practices amounts to $6 million. This equals 2 percent of the overall city budget.”
Yet in the Democratic leadership’s midweek media conference call, Alfond said LePage’s revenue-sharing proposal faces skepticism from legislators of both parties.
“As far as revenue sharing goes, that is one of many things that Democrats and Republicans are very concerned about,” Alfond said.
Alfond pointed to “almost universal agreement that the governor’s biennial budget is a tough starting point.” And while procedurally, the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is busy getting reports on a 2013 supplemental budget, “clearly everyone is digesting the biennial budget, and all aspects of the biennial budget,” he said.
Berry said the revenue-sharing suspension would shift cost of municipal programs onto the middle class because “it’s the middle class who invest the vast majority of their income in their homes.”
Eves said, “I don’t remember the last time there was such widespread agreement about how bad a proposal was. It’s just one of those issues that everybody is coalescing around.”
“There’s been some early outcry from the substance abuse community,” said House Speaker Mark Eves during a weekly media conference call Wednesday.
“There are consequences when we do lower prices, people are very price sensitive, and we need to make sure we listen to the substance abuse community,” Eves said.
Saying they’re dubious of the proposal, which was presented to the Legislature’s Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Monday, Democratic lawmakers said the proposal seemed out of step with the legislature’s focus on jobs and the economy.
“There are 50,000 Mainers who are unemployed right now, our economy was worst in the nation by some measures in 2011,” said House Majority Leader Seth Berry, questioning the LePage administration’s priorities. “That’s where we need to be focusing our time.”
Senate President Justin Alfond said a liquor-pricing proposal should assure that “everyone is on an equal playing field going forward,” but he also questioned the “health consequences” and other factors if the state drops the cost of alcohol. Alfond, of Portland, wondered how far reaching the change would be.
Gerry Reid, director of Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, told the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee that Maine is losing an estimated $30 million of hard alcohol sales a year, mostly to New Hampshire, where prices are more competitive.
But Alfond questioned the likelihood that people in large swaths of Maine actually drive to New Hampshire to buy liquor.
“We’re talking about a sliver of our state, the most southern part of our state who might drive over and buy alcohol in New Hampshire,” he said.
Other Democrats seek skeptical as well. Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland, while not part of Wednesday’s conference call, urged caution before tinkering with liquor prices.
“Before we make a final decision, we must review all the options to ensure we procure the best value for Maine people,” Russell said.
Russell also reacted to a letter from Maine Beverage Co. to legislators in which the state’s liquor contractor offered to help Maine counter cheaper liquor prices in New Hampshire. The company also offered money to help Maine pay back hospitals and provide revenue sharing to communities in return for a continued contractual partnership.
“The idea that a company is essentially attempting to bribe the state in order to continue a contract is absolutely unacceptable to me,” Russell said. “When we make a decision, it should be in the best interest of the people of Maine, now and for the term of the contract. Period.”
This week’s conference call — an outreach effort of the state’s Democratic leadership — also touched on the ongoing review of budget proposals in Augusta.
In his weekly radio address, Maine Gov. Paul LePage defended one of his most controversial budget proposals — a move to temporarily eliminate revenue sharing to communities during the 2014-2015 biennium.
LePage accused the Maine Municipal Association of “self-serving” distortion of his proposal and said the actual numbers don’t point to crippling cuts.
“MMA claims that municipalities will lose $284 million over the next two years. What they don’t tell you is in previous years revenue sharing has never been fully funded dating back to my predecessor. While I would like to share more money with towns and cities, we simply do not have it,” LePage said. “In an effort to provide Mainers with an accurate picture of the impact to community budgets we’ve done an analysis. For example, the City of Portland’s budget last year was $291 million. Reducing all of its revenue sharing funding based on past practices amounts to $6 million. This equals 2 percent of the overall city budget.”
Yet in the Democratic leadership’s midweek media conference call, Alfond said LePage’s revenue-sharing proposal faces skepticism from legislators of both parties.
“As far as revenue sharing goes, that is one of many things that Democrats and Republicans are very concerned about,” Alfond said.
Alfond pointed to “almost universal agreement that the governor’s biennial budget is a tough starting point.” And while procedurally, the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is busy getting reports on a 2013 supplemental budget, “clearly everyone is digesting the biennial budget, and all aspects of the biennial budget,” he said.
Berry said the revenue-sharing suspension would shift cost of municipal programs onto the middle class because “it’s the middle class who invest the vast majority of their income in their homes.”
Eves said, “I don’t remember the last time there was such widespread agreement about how bad a proposal was. It’s just one of those issues that everybody is coalescing around.”
Last Updated on Wednesday, 30 January 2013 23:13
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