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.
A conversation with Maine gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler
When independent candidate for governor Eliot Cutler came by Knox Mill in Camden recently he said, “If the rest of Maine could be like Belfast to Rockland and Portland we’d be in great shape.” In the middle of explaining why (in a nutshell, the thriving coastal economy doesn’t reflect what’s happening inland)… Read more
Teens use Belfast businesses as canvas for political graffiti
BELFAST — Two local teens are each facing 10 charges of criminal mischief after police identified them as responsible for political graffiti that appeared on the walls of local businesses between 10 and 11 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 7. The teenagers, both 17-year-old students at Belfast Area High School, aren't being identified by Belfast Police due to age, according to Sergeant John Gibbs of the Belfast Police Department.
"… Read more
Motorist injured after brush with utility pole in Frankfort
FRANKFORT - A local woman was reportedly “shook up,” but not seriously injured, after her car went off the road and hit a utility pole Sunday night around 10 p.m.
According to firefighters at the scene, she had been traveling south on Town House Road when her Chevrolet Impala went off the shoulder of the road.
The car came to rest several hundred yards north of the intersection with Swanville Road with its front end squarely touching a utility pole.
Knox County deed transfers
ROCKLAND — The following deed transfers were recorded at the Knox County Registry of Deeds Aug. 8 - Sept. 5.
Appleton
First NA to Chelsea A. Allen.
Rockland Savings Bank FSB to Nicholas A. Trull.
Walter G. Esancy to Melanie N. Esancy.
Stanley K. Millay to Shawna M. Garnett.
Nancy B. Callahan to William A. Wormelle.
First NA to William A. Wormelle.
Mildred Stevens William Memorial to Alvin M. Edwards.
Belfast prepares to borrow money for first time since 1992
BELFAST - For over 20 years, the city has kept enough money in reserve to pay salaries, bills and other expenses during the gap between the end of the fiscal year and the arrival of the first tax receipts in October. But this year City Manager Joe Slocum said the margins may be tight enough to warrant taking a loan.
The City Council recently approved taking a tax anticipation note (commonly known as a TAN), and on Sept. 16 is expected to review bids from banks. The amount would be up… Read more
Belfast District Court closed cases
BELFAST — The following cases were closed in Belfast District Court July 9 – Aug. 28.
Nicholas G. Adams, 20, of Frankfort, failure to register a vehicle in Frankfort June 27, $100 fine.
Michael T. Aiguier, 39, of Frankfort, operating while license suspended or revoked in Swanville May 31, 30 days in jail, license suspended for one year and $1,000 fine.
Mark Beaulieu, 42, of Waterville, theft by receiving stolen property in Palermo May 29, $250 fine.
Anson Bell, 57, of… Read more
Last-minute entries make one contest in Belfast Council races
BELFAST - 2014 was shaping up to be another year of uncontested City Council races. But a pair of last-minute entrants from Ward 5 have changed that. John Arrison and Kassie Merrill both submitted papers last Friday, the final day of the nomination period for local elections.
Wards 1 and 2, also on the November ballot. Each seat has one official… Read more
Rockland District Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Rockland District Court Aug. 2-25.
Douglas C. Anderson, 18, of Port Clyde, operating a vehicle without a license (beyond condition/restriction) in Rockland June 21, $400 fine; minor consuming liquor in Rockland June 21, $200 fine.
Damien Ball, 19, of Owls Head, possession of marijuana up to 1.25 oz in Warren June 20, $350 fine.
Sydni Barnham, 26, of Warren, assault in Rockport July 3, $750 fine.
Brian Bennett, 34, of… Read more
Knox County Superior Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Knox County Superior Court Aug. 2-25.
David G. Ames, 46, of Cushing, operating under the influence in Owls Head Dec. 20, 2013, 60 days in jail, license suspended for 150 days and $500 fine; aggravated criminal mischief in Owls Head Dec. 20, 2013, three years in jail with all but 60 days suspended and two years of probation; reckless conduct in Owls Head Dec. 20, 2013, three years in jail with all but 60 days suspended and two years of… Read more
Back-to-back crashes tie up emergency crews in Belfast
BELFAST - A pair of motor vehicle accidents Wednesday afternoon kept local emergency crews busy. Police said there were no life-threatening injuries despite damage to the vehicles that suggested it could have been worse.
Swan Lake Avenue
A driver with three children in the back seat was stopped on Swan Lake Avenue when her car was rear ended by a distracted driver and pushed into oncoming traffic where it collided with a third vehicle.
According to police… Read more
Before the throngs, Searsport’s new principal stands out in the crowd
SEARSPORT - The Searsport District High School/Middle School has had a string of dynamic principals in recent years, and Kent Hoffman, who signed on at the beginning of August seems likely to continue the trend. Early reports from staff members were that there was something different about him, though no one could say exactly what.
After a school board meeting last week, some of the directors crowded around the tall man in the green corduroy jacket. Hoffman mostly listened… Read more
Elections 2014: A conversation with gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud
OWLS HEAD — In political contests, multi-term incumbents are often derided as “career politicians,” but U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud doesn’t shy away from his long tenure in government. If anything, he’s made it central in his campaign. Speaking to donors at a home on a picturesque peninsula, he touted his experience, contrasting it with what he saw as the shortcomings of his opponents.
In particular, he compared his quiet… Read more
Little Caesars looks to expand into Belfast
DETROIT, Mich. — Little Caesars, the restaurant chain that turned a pint-sized plutocrat repeating the word “pizza” into one of the more memorable ad campaigns of the 1980s, is looking to open shop in Belfast, according to a representative.
Speaking from the company’s world headquarters in Detroit, Dan Ducharme, director of franchise development, said Little Caesars Pizza has branches in most large cities… Read more
Belfast to revisit contentious Seaview Terrace storm water question
BELFAST - On Tuesday, the City Council is scheduled to hold a work session on “various drainage issues in Belfast.” Behind the innocuous name, the meeting is bit of vindication Seaview Terrace resident Laurie Allen has had in a long time.
For over two years, Allen has been battling with the city over responsibility for a heavily-used storm water outlet behind her home. For most of that time city officials have ignored her, having reached a decision earlier that whatever problems exist… Read more
Cardboard boat challenge a unique competition
BELFAST — Not to be outdone by their more serious rowing counterparts, participants in this year's Cardboard Boat competition Aug. 16 battled intermittent showers and uncooperative creations to bring in a joyful, if not dry, completion.
The rules for participants are simple: the entire boat must be created using corrugated cardboard. Any thickness is permitted as long as it's corrugated. Single-part, water-soluble glue is allowed between cardboard layers, but that is the only type of… Read more
Fifth Annual Harbor Fest draws crowds rain or shine
BELFAST — As summer in the Midcoast winds to an end, so too do the many summer events that have become ubiquitous with the region's summer season.
Last weekend brought the fifth annual Harbor Fest, a multi-day event sponsored by the Belfast Rotary with something for everyone.
Events included the Come Boating Regatta, where… Read more
Belfast Police Department beat
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Aug. 15-22 An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Aug. 10 (late entry)
Clara S. Thompson, 24, of Swanville, was issued a summons for operating without a license on High Street.
Aug. 15
Brian D. Carrara, 24, of Waldo, was issued a summons for speeding 69 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Michael J. Unda, 50, of Camden, was… Read more
Waldo County Sheriff’s beat: Speeding, violating conditions of release, sticker violations
BELFAST — The Waldo County Sheriff's Department reported the following activity Aug. 12-22. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Aug. 7 (late entry)
Glenn Johnson, 34, of Union, was issued a summons for violating a protective order.
Aug. 10 (late entry)
Deputy Jonathan Shaw responded to the scene of a two vehicle accident on Detroit Road in Troy where the operator of a vehicle traveling on the road came quickly upon a second… Read more
People at the Union Fair
UNION — As the Union Fair continues, we take a look at some of the people who make it happen. Two such people are Keith Deschambeault and Sean Toomey. They operate Acadian Seaplanes out of Rangeley. The two offer helicopter rides at the fair with their Robinson R44 helicopter. The chopper can accommodate three passengers plus the pilot.
“We offer rides at a few of the fairs over the summer,” explained Keith, who owns the business. “We also own a seaplane. I’ve flown all over Maine,… Read more
Belfast’s ‘Muck’ eyed as potential youth fishing site
BELFAST - If it weren’t for the giant, toxic goldfish and the tangle of growth at the bottom of the lake, The Muck could be a decent place for kids to fish. That was the conclusion state Game Warden Chris Dyer reached recently.
“The biggest thing I get asked by people is where can I take a kid to catch a fish,” he said. “And Swan Lake dam isn’t my answer. It’s not safe. I don’t like it.”
The… Read more
‘Doing doors’ with Maine Senate candidate Jonathan Fulford
BELFAST - Off a stretch of rural road in Belfast, state Senate candidate Jonathan Fulford disappeared behind a double-wide trailer. Ten minutes later he returned to an SUV driven by a Democratic Party volunteer. The man he’d been talking to had claimed not to trust any government.
“I gotta put him as undecided,” Fulford said. “But I had a very good conversation with him.”
His driver, a twenty-something Knox County Democrat named Jacob, asked if he should head off longer… Read more
Lee looks back on four terms with Belfast Council
BELFAST - Two years ago, City Councilor Roger Lee tried to recruit a candidate to run in his place but found no takers. Given the demands of the job, he said, he wasn’t totally surprised.
“Most people wouldn’t put up with how busy my life has been,” he said. “I think that’s why a lot of people don’t run.”
Lee had already served three terms, and ultimately ran… Read more
Rockland Garden Army marches for community’s stomach
ROCKLAND – Behind the Youthlinks Center on Broadway, the dedicated 8-12 grade soldiers of the Student Garden Army have turned a field into a garden. On Saturday, Aug. 16, they showed off their hard work to members of the community.
“We’ve been seeing a need in the community to educate people about food and nutrition,” said Program Manager Hannah Magnusson.
The Grassroots Garden at Youthlinks is operated in association with RSU 13. Students visit during classes and gardening is… Read more
Belfast police beat: Operating under the influence, operating after suspension
BELFAST — The Belfast Police Department reported the following activity Aug. 7-15. An arrest or summons does not imply guilt.
Aug. 7
Jesse L. Fuller, 32, of Belfast, was issued a summons for an inspection sticker violation.
Byrlynn Ellis, 35, of Belfast, was arrested for disorderly conduct, violating conditions of release and refusing to submit to arrest or detention.
Willis E. Knowles, 43, of Dover Foxcroft, was issued a summons for speeding 60 mph… Read more
Out of sight: Hurley’s newest mural is ambitious and well hidden
BELFAST - It's hard to imagine David Hurley being intimidated by a request to paint a mural.
In downtown Belfast, his depictions of cats poised in windowsills and doorways are seemingly everywhere. Outside Alexia’s Pizza, Hurley painted owner Ted Rakis sharing a slice of pizza with an alien. Inside the restaurant, he completed another artist’s unfinished a mural of Spartan soldier by turning his upraised shield into a pizza being pummeled by a meteor shower of… Read more
As deadline nears, Belfast Council and school board races wide open
BELFAST - Nomination papers for a total of five seats on the City Council and RSU 20 board of directors are due by the end of the month. As of Friday, only one candidate had officially thrown his hat in the ring.
Low turnout at this stage is fairly common. A 25-signature minimum to get on the ballot for City Council means incumbents and would-be candidates can wait until the last minute, and often they do.
Blueberry processing resumes at former Coastal Farms facility
BELFAST - Blueberry juice.
On Tuesday, telltale beads of the stuff trickled from under a garage door into the parking lot next to the Coastal Farms and Foods building on Route 1. Nearer to the entrance, forklift wheels had smeared the juice into a gray hatch. Across the parking lot, a tower of pristine wooden pallets stood near a tractor trailer with Newfoundland/Labrador plates.
CFF went out of business in May. But as of Monday, the blueberry processing line was up and running… Read more
Knox County Superior Court closed cases
ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Knox County Superior Court July 22 through Aug. 6.
Summer N. Ali Ariza, 32, of Rockland, probation violation in Rockland July 26, 2011, 90 days in jail, probation partially revoked and continued; unlawful possession of a scheduled drug in Cushing June 4, 90 days in jail and $400 fine.
Roy A. Allen, 46, of Rockland, probation violation in Rockland March 20, 2012, 30 days in jail, probation partially revoked and continued.
Philip… Read more
Rockland votes against repealing pay-per-bag, hears update on harbor pollution, limits downtown building height
ROCKLAND – During public comment at the Aug. 11 Rockland City Council meeting, several members of the public called for the council to vote against repealing pay-per-bag so that the issue could come to referendum and be decided by the voters, as a recent petition that drew more than 700 signatures requested.
The council voted unanimously against repealing pay-per-bag. They will place a referendum vote on the November ballot at their meeting in… Read more
Deed Transfers, Knox County
ROCKLAND — The following deed transfers were recorded at the Knox County Registry of Deeds July 25-Aug. 6.
Camden
George S. McKiernan to Elizabeth J. Boogusch.
Carl P. Ripaldi to Carl P. Ripaldi TR.
Corey J. O'Dristcoll to Karen Wagner.
Hilary B. Harwood to Daniel Vartabedian.
Karen Wagner to Seth Meyer.
Francis J. Ohara Sr. to Amy B. Fernald.
… Read more