Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Zumba prostitution scandal winding down

Just five of 68 cases that won Kennebunk unwelcome attention remain on the docket.

By David Sharp
The Associated Press

http://www.pressherald.com/news/_Zumba__prostitution_scandal_down_to_final_five_cases.html

PORTLAND — The prostitution scandal centered on a Zumba studio in Kennebunk that shocked the sensibilities of residents and generated international headlines is rapidly drawing to a close.

The final five cases are awaiting resolution and that could happen in coming weeks, either with pleas or trials. After that, no further prosecutions are anticipated because judges ruled that the woman at the heart of the scandal, Alexis Wright, cannot be forced to testify.

“Based on the rulings that the court has made in the last two trials regarding the testimony of Alexis Wright, we won’t be proceeding with any other charges,” said Justina McGettigan, deputy district attorney in York County.

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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Upcoming Elections Ballot questions

http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming.html
November 5, 2013 – Referendum Election
Referendum Elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Direct Initiatives of Legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), Bond Issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments. Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.

Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election

Treasurer’s Statement for Bond Issues - .pdf

Treasurer’s Statement for Bond Issues - .doc

Ballot questions

Question 1: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $14,000,000 bond issue to provide funds for the State's share of maintenance, repair, capital improvement, modernization and energy efficiency projects for Maine Army National Guard readiness centers and support facilities and the purchase of land for training and to draw down federal matching funds?

Question 2: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $15,500,000 bond issue to enhance educational and employment opportunities for Maine citizens and students by updating and improving existing laboratory and classroom facilities of the University of Maine System statewide?

Question 3: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $100,000,000 bond issue for reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation and transit, to be used to match an estimated $154,000,000 in federal and other funds?

Question 4: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $4,500,000 bond issue to provide funds for a public-private partnership for a building project for a new science facility at the Maine Maritime Academy to be matched by other funds?

Question 5: Bond Issue

Do you favor a $15,500,000 bond issue to upgrade buildings, classrooms and laboratories on the 7 campuses of the Maine Community College System in order to increase capacity to serve more students through expanded programs in health care, precision machining, information technology, criminal justice and other key programs?

Thumbs up, thumbs down

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131024-OPINION-310240370

Thumbs down to RSU 21 officials for voting to hold the vote on $74 million in proposed renovations to three of the district's schools in January. While we understand the concerns that costs for the projects will rise the longer the district waits, given the fact that a building plan has been in discussion for at least three years (and the Master Facilities Plan was released two years ago) we find it hard to understand the need to hold the vote in January. If there was a need to vote as soon as possible to save money, wouldn't it have made more sense for officials to have the plan ready for a vote this November, to ensure the greatest number of voters weighed in on a project with tremendous potential impact to all three towns? With all three town clerks and board of selectmen urging the board against the January vote, we're concerned district officials have already created some distrust in the community that must be overcome for the project to succeed. We do take heart at Superintendent Andrew Dolloff's announcement that a committee is being formed to help educate the public on the upcoming vote. This is a project that will require a great deal of very detailed information to be shared so voters fully understand what is at stake.

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Get out the vote

Residents can now request and fill out an application for an absentee ballot through their town clerk's office.

Absentee ballots will be available 30 days before the January referendum and can be mailed to an absentee voter at their request.

For more information, or to fill out an application for an absentee ballot, visit your town clerk's office or call 985-2102, ext. 1306 for Kennebunk residents; 967-4243, ext. 110 for Kennebunkport residents; or 985-4201 for Arundel residents.

Residents to vote on RSU 21 school renovations in January

By Jennifer Feals

jfeals@seacoastonline.com

October 21, 2013 10:12 PM

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131021-NEWS-131029957

KENNEBUNK, Maine – Voters will have their say in January on the proposed $74.8 million plans to renovate Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Mildred L. Day School.

The RSU 21 Board of Directors, during a meeting Monday night, set the referendum date for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, after accepting the three projects as proposed — $53.5 million for Kennebunk High School, $9.9 million for Kennebunkport Consolidated School and $11.3 for Mildred L. Day School.

Approximately 20 residents, town and school officials and town clerks attended Monday's meeting, with a number speaking out against holding the referendum vote in January, raising concerns that residents may go away for the winter or may find it difficult to reach the polls due to weather or other circumstances.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Citizens weigh in on renovations

Proposed school projects discussed at public forum

By Alex Acquisto

Staff Writer

http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-10-11/Front_Page/Citizens_weigh_in_on_renovations.html

KENNEBUNK — What many might have expected to be a contentious and bristly forum on Monday night in Alexander Economos Auditorium was, in fact, not.

Regional School Board member Tim Hussey presented renovation plans for Mildred L. Day School, Consolidated School and Kennebunk High School — a project that would cost approximately $75 million —and then he and other district administration vetted comments and questions from the audience.

Most people who spoke voiced their support, some even encouraging the board to take the measure to a vote in November, before the tentatively-set referendum date in January.

Regional School Unit 21 Superintendent Andrew Dolloff, middle, responds to a question posed by Kennebunk resident Ed Karytko at the public forum Monday evening. The purpose of the forum was to educate the public and to field questions and comments pertaining to the proposed $75 million construction project for Mildred L. Day school, Consolidated School, and Kennebunk High School. (Alex Acquisto photo) “It has been an extremely diligent process to get us to this point,” Regional School Unit 21 Chairman Kevin Knight said at the beginning of the forum.

Hussey, Knight, Superintendent Andrew Dolloff, principals of each of the three schools, along with Harriman Architect + Design contractor Dan Cecil, were present to answer the public’s questions.

“This is an opportunity to provide the school board with additional perspectives as we move forward,” said Knight. “We are not looking to engage in any sort of debate, but we will try to answer all questions to the best of our abilities,” Knight said. “We want to be respectful of each other.”

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Passionate RSU debate

By Jennifer Feals

jfeals@seacoastonline.com

October 10, 2013 2:00 AM

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131010-NEWS-310100347

KENNEBUNK — More than 300 residents filled the auditorium at Kennebunk High School to standing room only Monday to share their thoughts on the proposed $74.8 million renovations to KHS, Mildred L. Day School and Kennebunkport Consolidated School.

During the two-and-a-half hour public hearing before the RSU 21 Board of Directors, residents spoke passionately about the need to renovate the buildings to meet the needs and growth of students and faculty, and most im

"I was on the verge of being ashamed," Kennebunk resident Zeb Andrews said of a tour of Kennebunk High School. "If anybody from outside of our community came into this school and got the tour that I got, I would certainly be embarrassed. Ask for a tour. It's eye-opening."

A number of residents also passionately argued for and against the RSU 21 Board of Directors' potential plans to put the renovation projects before voters on a January ballot. While the board has not made a final decision on when the projects will go to vote, some on Monday said taking the projects to a January vote "is disingenuous to voters," while others said it's time to move forward.

"This is Maine. Even the people who want to come out and vote in January may have a hard time getting to the polls. We have blizzards, we have ice storms, we lose electricity, all kinds of issues that happen in January," said April Dufoe, town clerk in Kennebunkport, adding that many of the town's registered voters go away for the winter and may not be aware of a January election.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Public Forum on Construction Possibilities: Monday, October 7 @ 7:00 p.m.

Information regarding the plan for the renovation/construction projects at Kennebunk High School, Mildred L. Day School, and Kennebunkport Consolidated School.

Please attend a Public Forum on Construction Possibilities

Monday, October 7 @ 7:00 p.m.
Economos Auditorium, Kennebunk High School

RSU Board Considers Construction Possibilities

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Homemade butter takes prize as world's best

Kate’s Butter deal in peril

By Kate Irish Collins kcollins@keepmecurrent.com

http://www.keepmecurrent.com/sun_chronicle/news/kate-s-butter-deal-in-peril/article_ca0ad7e0-2707-11e3-81e9-001a4bcf887a.html

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – A fragile détente reached with Kate’s Homemade Butter neighbors and Old Orchard Beach officials, which seemed likely last Wednesday, now appears at risk.

While not thrilled at the prospect of having to wait several more months before Kate’s Homemade Butter is able to move out of its Arbutus Avenue facility, neighbors said last week they wouldn’t press the town to revoke the creamery’s license as long as no further commercial activity took place after Feb. 1.

Dan Patry, the founder of Kate’s Butter, went several rounds with the town’s Administrative Board last week before he seemed to capitulate and agree to give up a variance that allows him to operate a business in a residential section of town, if the Town Council would allow him to continue to operate until his new butter plant in Arundel is ready to move into.

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Help wanted: officials say KHS not meeting students' needs

By Jennifer Feals

jfeals@seacoastonline.com

October 03, 2013 2:00 AM

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131003-NEWS-310030361

KENNEBUNK — From its façade on Fletcher Street, Kennebunk High School appears to be a distinctive New England school.

But looking a little closer, administrators say paints a different picture, one that doesn't match the school's academic successes and goals.

"Our school looks so good from Fletcher Street. It's a beautiful building and we don't want to lose that façade. But the building doesn't support our programs. Our programs are outstanding and I think they would be even above that if we had a facility that meets our needs," said Principal Sue Cressey.

"I don't think the majority of the community understands how bad it is in here because it does look so good when they drive by. I think they would be appalled. Our community values its youth and when you walk through this building, you don't sense that."