Thu, Mar 11, 2010

Portland News

Trader Joe's pursues former Wild Oats space on Marginal Way in Portland

PORTLAND — Documents filed with the Federal Trade Commission indicate Trader Joe's has agreed to lease the former Wild Oats grocery store space on Marginal Way. According to the FTC, the Monrovia, Calif.-based grocery store chain has worked out a lease agreement with Whole Foods Market.

Portland Planning Board likes proposal for Old Port hotel

PORTLAND — A plan for a mixed-use development at the former Jordan's Meats property on India Street was fast-tracked Tuesday, when the Planning Board decided only minor changes are needed before the proposal goes to a public hearing in April.  Developers said they want to begin construction this spring with the goal of finishing in 2011 – a schedule compressed by Sebago Brewing Co.'s desire to include a 180-seat restaurant in the project.

Risky business: Les Otten and the rise and fall of American Skiing Co.

Editor’s note: This examination of gubernatorial candidate Leslie B. Otten’s role in American Skiing Co. by the non-profit Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting is the first in a series examining the claims and records of some of the leading candidates for governor. If you Google “American Skiing Co.” and “Otten,” you get 4,700 “hits.” That's because Leslie B. Otten’s claim to fame was his attempt to turn that company into the national’s largest and most successful owner of ski resorts, starting with Sunday River in western Maine.

State grants help local towns, businesses harness energy

AUGUSTA — Installation of solar hot water heaters and the conversion of landfill gas to electricity are among the projects funded by nearly $635,000 in grants awarded last week by Efficiency Maine, the conservation arm of the Public Utilities Commission. More than $220,000 worth of grants were awarded to businesses and municipalities in Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Freeport, Brunswick and Bath. The city of Bath and Portland-based ecomaine received funding to study converting landfill gas into electricity.

Portland agencies, councilors question grant methodology

PORTLAND — The City Council on Monday ordered another review of grant funding recommendations for social service providers, despite objections that doing so would further muddy what some believe is an already a flawed process. The council voted 6-2 for a committee to explore percentage allocations for the top-scoring social services applicants vying for Community Development Block Grant funds. The order followed a three-hour public hearing where several unsuccessful service providers questioned the scoring used to determine which applicants would receive money.

City Hall art wall

Residents speak out against music cuts proposed in Portland school budget

PORTLAND — Dozens of parents, residents, teachers and students on Monday asked the School Committee to reconsider proposed budget cuts in school music and special education. Monday night's public hearing, attended by more than 100 people at the Fred. P. Hall Elementary School, was the first opportunity for the public to weigh in on Superintendent James C. Morse Sr.'s $89.3 million budget proposal for next year.

Added state funding could reduce cuts, tax impact of Portland school budget

PORTLAND — The School Department could receive $1.3 million more in state education funding than originally anticipated. Last week, Gov. John Baldacci announced that with state revenues exceeding expectations, he would allocate an additional $20 million in general purpose aid to local school districts.

Job market re-entry: Portland Adult Education graduates 1st WorkReady class

PORTLAND — Out of work for more than a year, Beth Treadwell decided to polish her resume and job skills through a new program being offered by Portland Adult Education. On Friday, March 5, the 46-year-old South Portland resident was one of 16 graduates of PAE's WorkReady program, which was funded through a nearly $4,500 grant from Coastal Counties Workforce.  Gail Senese, co-director of PAE, said the first-ever graduating class would always have a special place in her heart. "I feel like our babies are ready to take flight," Senese said.

Balance sought to protect working waterfront during Portland Harbor rezoning

PORTLAND — About 100 people turned out Tuesday night to hear a panel of marine industry and tourism experts discuss the competing needs facing the heart of Portland's waterfront. The panel discussion is the first of two meetings scheduled for this week, as the Planning Board considers changes to zoning for the Central Waterfront, including relaxing prohibitions on non-marine related uses on wharves. The current zoning was for the most part adopted in 1993.

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