Nov. 5, 2013 Elections: Municipal and state referendums, ordinance changes, candidates
Voters go to the polls Nov. 5 to consider five statewide ballot questions, and various individual municipal warrant articles. Following are election previews and recent issue stories for Knox and Waldo counties, as well as a rundown of the bond issues voters across the state are being asked to decide.
View a list of polling places and town contacts here: Knox County, Waldo County
As polls close election night, results will be posted on PenBayPilot.com as they are reported for Knox and Waldo counties. Stay tuned.
Making way for an evolving maritime economy on Rockland’s waterfront
ROCKLAND — At one time, large rambling fish processing plants filled the Rockland waterfront. Inside, workers, hair tucked under nets, cut and processed cod, sardines and red fish for commercial markets. Today, that landscape has disappeared, with one of the last vestiges demolished this week. In its place will rise a new building that reflects the current economy, which includes the business of servicing recreational and commercial boats.
This week, … Read more
Ending the fear and intimidation of domestic violence
ROCKLAND - Meg Klingelhofer, Hannah Ives and Amber Wotton, all of New Hope for Women, appeared as guests at the radio station WRFR with Chris Wolf to talk about their organization and its endeavors to help victims of domestic violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Maine.
Waldo County Sheriff’s beat
BELFAST — The Waldo County Sheriff's Office reported the following activity Oct. 2 – 14. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Oct. 2
Colby Stevens, 19, of Hampden, was issued summonses for sale and use of drug paraphernalia on Route 1 in Searsport, possession of a usable amount of marijuana up to 1.25 oz and illegal transportation of drugs by a minor.
Oct. 3
Jeremy C. Handley, 28, of Unity, was arrested for theft, burglary and… Read more
Knox County Superior Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Knox County Superior Court Sept. 24 – Oct. 1.
Jeffrey P. Callahan, 22, of Rockland, probation violation in Warren Oct. 28, 2013, six months in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Michael Carver, 35, of Owls Head, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs in Rockland Jan. 11, 2013, five years in prison with all but one year suspended, two years of probation and $400 fine.
Aimee C. Faulkingham, 31, of Cushing, unlawful… Read more
Waldo County Superior Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Waldo County Superior Court Sept. 19 – Oct.2.
Ryan Drake, 35, of Troy, stalking (serious inconvenience/emotional distress) in Unity June 15, 2013, 364 days in jail with all but 88 days suspended and one year of probation.
Kellie A. Howie, 19, of Swanville, unlawful possession of a scheduled drug in Belfast July 30, seven days in jail and $400 fine; unlawful possession of hydrocodone in Belfast July 30, dismissed.
David Martinez,… Read more
Belfast’s scavenger hunt and block party
BELFAST — If you happened to be downtown Saturday, Oct. 11, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., you may have heard the sound of music, or even seen the people hula-hooping and dancing in the courtyard off of Beaver Street.
Captain Obvious offered their vocals as a siren's song to locals, hoping to help draw a crowd.
"We're wearing our Captain Obvious uniforms under our fleece," joked one of the band members.
This year was the first "block party," an event born from a desire to draw… Read more
Rockland District Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Rockland District Court Aug. 25 - Sept. 5.
Daniel P. Barnes, 26, of Rockland, failing to make an oral or written report of an accident in Owls Head April 2, 2013, five days in jail; violating conditions of release in Owls Head April 2, 2013, dismissed.
Noah Barnes, 42, of Rockland, failure to register a vehicle in Rockport July 25, $100 fine.
Cote A. Baughman, 26, of… Read more
Belfast approves deal to install solar panels on fire station
BELFAST – Last week, the City Council approved a deal with ReVision Energy to install a 180-panel, 45.9 kilowatt solar energy system on the roof of the Belfast Fire Station. According to projections by ReVision Energy the city would save money over the life of the system. It would also almost certainly use less electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Rockland Community Sailing hosts “Show Up and Sail” Regatta
ROCKLAND — As the sun and clouds battled to determine the days weather, junior varsity sailing teams took to the power of the wind to push them to victory through the choppy waters at the “Show Up and Sail” Regatta hosted by Rockland Community Sailing, at The Apprentice Shop, in the Rockland Harbor Sunday, Oct. 5.
Onlookers — including parents, coaches, and fellow team members — positioned on a nearby floating dock, watched the complicated racing with excitement and enthusiasm.
Runners from 77 schools converge on Belfast for Festival of Champions
BELFAST — Runners from 72 Maine high schools, as well as from five high schools across Rhode Island, Vermont, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, descended on Belfast — namely, Troy Howard Middle School — for this year’s Maine Cross Country Festival of Champions meet Saturday, Oct. 4.
The event kicked off at 11 a.m. and saw almost 2,000 racers run the 5,000-meter course, which is the same length that will be used for the Eastern Maine Regional and Maine State Championship meets. … Read more
Deed transfers, Knox County
ROCKLAND — The following deed transfers were recorded in Knox County Superior Court Sept. 23-Oct. 2.
Appleton
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and United States of America HUD to Wells Fargo NA.
Margaret H. Kennedy to Edward R. and Patricia A. Kennedy.
Beatrice T. Bettis to Jonah Haggett.
Beatrice and Frederick Graney to Beatrice T. Bettis.
Bernard Bettis Jr. and Lois Bettis to Beatrice T. Bettis.
Timothy and Cheryl Bettis… Read more
Rails up: Belfast clears route for new hiking, biking trail
BELFAST - Workers pulled up much of the old track from a two-mile section of the former Belfast & Moosehead Lake Railroad corridor last week, clearing the way for a new a pedestrian and biking trail.
The “Passy Rail Trail,” as it is known, will not be finished until the spring, but the city is making some temporary improvements that will allow hikers and cross-country skiers to travel the unadorned rail bed.
The trail follows the former Belfast-to-Burnham rail line north… Read more
Verso to close Bucksport paper mill in December; more than 500 to lose jobs
BUCKSPORT - Verso Paper Corp. announced Wednesday that it would close its Bucksport mill at the end of the year, laying off more than 500 workers.
Verso Chief Executive Officer Dave Patterson said the Bucksport mill had not been profitable for a number of years, “in spite of our employees’ dedicated efforts to make it so.”
Waldo County deed transfers
BELFAST — The following deed transfers were recorded in the Waldo County Registry of Deeds Sept. 16-29.
Belfast
Helen L. and Earl W. Moody to Wells Farrgo Bank NA.
Janet P. Collins to Meryl S. and Julia D. Grant.
Brian F. Murphy and Toula Vlahou to Barbara L. Powell.
Robert C. Provan to Jay E. Mason.
David M. Graham to Jude P. and Audrey Berry.
Belmont
J&P Apparel INC. to… Read more
In historically-underground recovery scene, a new Belfast group wants to be noticed
BELFAST – Pat Kaplan wants to bring the problem of drug and alcohol addiction out in the open.
How much out in the open?
“I can picture a sign, ‘Our town Belfast: a recovery community,’” she said.
If that slogan suggests a city populated by addicts, it also plays to a point that Kaplan and others in a new consortium of social service groups, health care organizations and law enforcement agencies working under the banner of … Read more
Knox County Superior Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Knox County Superior Court Aug. 25 - Sept. 15.
Roy A. Allen, 46, of Rockland, probation violation in Rockland March 20, 2012, 60 days in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Tony Bartlett, 23, of Washington, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Washington Dec. 24, 2012, 30 days in jail and $1,044 restitution; violating conditions of release in Washington Dec. 24, 2012, 30 days in jail.
Robert Beerman, 34, of… Read more
Waldo County Sheriff’s beat
BELFAST — The Waldo County Sheriff's Department reported the following activity Sept. 15-27. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Sept. 3 (late entry)
Heather Dunphy, 27, of Liberty, was issued a summons for negotiating a worthless instrument at Liberty General stemming from an incident June 16.
Sept. 11 (late entries)
Leonard E. Maker Jr., 43, of… Read more
Belfast Police Department beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Sept. 17-25. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Sept. 17
Jonathan E. Ward, 36, of Belfast, was issued a summons for violating conditions of release.
Sept. 18
Mildred E. Savage, 67, of Swanville, was issued a summons for an inspection sticker violation.
Jeffrey E. Lovejoy, 39, of Northport,… Read more
Ward 5 candidate withdraws from Belfast’s only contested Council race
BELFAST - The lone contested City Council race recently became a one-candidate affair. Kassie Merrill withdrew her name earlier this week, leaving John Arrison as the sole candidate running in Ward 5. Current Ward 5 Councilor Nancy Hamilton is serving out her second term and not seeking re-election.
Contacted on Friday, Merrill declined to comment on her decision to drop her first bid for city office. Merrill and… Read more
Does Belfast love its trees too much?
BELFAST - In front of 81 Pearl Street, there’s an unremarkable horse chestnut tree.
According to Raymond Hall, who once lived there, it was planted his son to replace a “monster” oak cut down during a sweep for Dutch Elm disease. This was probably 40 years ago. The city had… Read more
Waldo County divorces
BELFAST — The following divorces were recently granted in Waldo County Superior Court.
Tammie D. Marr, of Lincolnville, and Jonathan D. Marr, of South Thomaston, were married Nov. 27, 2010, in Lincolnville and divorced July 10.
Jaqueline E. Johnson, of Lincolnville, and Glenn K. Johnson, of West Rockport, were married Sept. 5, 2010, in Saint George and divorced May 28.
Casey Martin Ard, of Montville, and Joshua A. Ard, of Belfast, were married Oct. 10, 2009, in Montville… Read more
Waldo County Superior Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Waldo County Superior Court Aug. 25-Sept. 18.
Cierra Cassidy, 22, of Belfast, robbery in Swanville July 1, 2012, three years in prison with all but 90 days suspended, two years of probation and $167 restitution.
Michael E. Ellis Jr., 28, of Stockton Springs, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Stockton Springs July 16, 2013, dismissed; theft by deception Stockton Springs July 16, 2013, dismissed.
Joseph McCusker, 58, of… Read more
Knox County deed transfers
ROCKLAND — The following deed transfers were recently recorded in the Knox County Registry of Deeds.
Camden
Michael E. Griffiths to Michael E. Griffiths.
David C. Hague to Robert J. Barro.
Robert J. Barro to David C. Hague.
Eileen M. Maguire to Joseph L. Hamlin.
Candice M. Bray to Alleson Bixler.
Friendship
Paul J. DIckerman to Nelson J. Dickerman.
Norman P. Benner to Gary H. Benner.
Gary H. Benner… Read more
Waldo County deed transfers
Belfast — The following deed transfers were recorded at the Waldo County Registry of Deeds Sept. 1-15.
Belfast
Dorothy G. Stover to Dorothy Stover Trust.
Daniel R. and Linda B. Drinkwater to Ernest C. and Elizabeth R. Cooper.
Laura L. and Michael Gray to Gail M. and Paul R. Newhouse.
Daniel J. and Samuel Ladd Samuel G. Ladd.
Samuel and Daniel J. Ladd to Daniel J. Ladd.
Samuel and Daniel J. Ladd to Annette Williams.
… Read moreBurnham plant may soon manufacture Lincoln Logs
BURNHAM - Inside Pride Sports manufacturing plant, thousands of wooden dowels rolled off an internal assembly line. Dowels are the basic unit of Pride Sports’ wood products and most were milled into golf tees and cigar tips as usual. But a handful emerged as smaller dowels with distinctively spaced notches: Lincoln Logs.
On Wednesday executives of the Tennessee-based company announced that they are close to finalizing a deal with K’NEX, maker of the nearly 100-year-old homestead… Read more
Final public hearing Wednesday night on proposed in-town zoning changes in Belfast
BELFAST - The City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday night on a slate of proposed zoning changes that would apply to all properties inside the bypass. The hearing, to be held at the Belfast Boathouse is scheduled to be the last in a series of hearings by city officials dating back to June.
The Council will have the option to adopt the amended ordinances at the end of the meeting, however on Tuesday night at least at least one councilor voiced reservations about taking action… Read more
Waldo County legislator charged with indecent conduct after alleged sexual encounter
FREEDOM — Democratic House Rep. Brian Jones of Freedom was arrested Monday night after a state trooper found him in a sexual encounter with a woman in her van at a Park-and-Ride in West Gardiner.
State police spokesman Stephen McCausland said Trooper Lee Vanadestine noticed Jones and the woman in the van during a routine check of the parking lot… Read more
Knox County divorces
ROCKLAND — The following divorces were recently granted in Knox County Superior Court.
Jessica E. Gagnon, of Windham, and Shawn L. Simmons, of Rockland, were married July 21, 2009, in Thomaston and divorced July 9.
Jillian K. Davis, of Hope, and Stephen M. Rose, of St. Peters, Australia, were married Feb. 25, 2012, in Lincolnville and divorced May 21.
Heather N. Halsey, of Washington, and Charles E. Foley, of Poland, were married June 24, 2006, in Washington, Tenn., and… Read more
Belfast Police beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Sept. 4-15. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Sept. 4
Joyce A. Christie, 62, of Belfast, was arrested for theft at Grove Cemetery and desecration and defacement.
Justin W. Olsen, 31, of Belfast, was arrested for elver fishing by a resident without a license with a single device and elver harvesting during the closed season.
Sept. 5
Natalie C. Bowden… Read more
Dirt, foundation, men working ... a new building on Belfast’s Starrett Drive
BELFAST - What’s being built next to Dunkin Donuts on Starrett Drive?
It’s sort of a trick question.
Over the past month, the construction site between the coffee-and-donut franchise and VIP/O’Reilly Auto Parts has gone from a hole in the ground to a tidy, compact foundation sprouting utility feeds.
When all is said and done, there… Read more