Frustrated Peaks council feels marooned on island
Citing city resistance to their advice, members are stepping down and the board may dissolve.
By Tom Bell tbell@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
PORTLAND - The Peaks Island Council is losing members and could cease to exist before the end of this year.
Three of the advisory board's seven members have announced that they will quit as of Nov. 2. Three others have decided not to run for re-election. And the board's chairman is contemplating quitting.
Council members say they are frustrated that they have been unable to persuade Portland officials to provide adequate public safety on the island and lower the costs of ferry transportation and parking.
The biggest obstacle appears to be the political structure itself, said Lynne Richard, a council member who will not seek another term.
Created three years ago after the island's failed attempt to secede from Portland, the Peaks Island Council was seen as way to give islanders a stronger voice in city government.
Although the island council is advisory, Richard said, the City Council doesn't listen to any of its advice.
Despite the hard work of its members, the council has been unable to accomplish much of anything, she said. "The structure is not going to work," Richard said.
In addition to Richard, council members Suellen Roberts and Thomas Bohan said they will not run for re-election Nov. 2. Council members Judy Piawlock, Marjorie Phyfe and Rob Tiffany have announced they will resign even though their terms won't end this year.
Portland's election rules require that the City Clerk's Office be notified of a resignation 120 days before an election. Because the three council members missed that deadline, there will be only three open seats on the ballot Nov. 2, for the members whose terms will expire.
If the council's chairman, Michael Richards, decides to resign, the council won't have a quorum after Nov. 2 to hold meetings or appoint people to fill the empty seats. Richards said Wednesday that he will decide in the next week or two what he will do.
The City Council has given the island council a little power -- the ability to decide how to spend money from a fund set aside for Portland's islands. The island council requested $361,000 this year, with nearly half to be spent on the Casco Bay Lines ferry service.
The City Council has given the island council $50,000 in the past. This fiscal year, it cut the allocation to $30,000.
The island doesn't need an elected board to figure out how to spend such a meager sum of money, Richards said. "A little old lady can do that on her own," he said.
Richards is also upset with the City Council's decision to reduce police coverage on the island from two full-time officers to one. The City Council replaced one of the police officers with a firefighter who is trained in emergency medical response.
City Councilor Kevin Donoghue, whose district includes Peaks Island, said the City Council has addressed several problems on the island, despite a recession that has reduced city revenues and forced layoffs of city workers.
He said the City Council helped to establish a taxi service on the island, provided a shared-use car parked in the garage at the Casco Bay Lines terminal, and arranged free on-street parking for island residents on Thames and Hancock streets.
Donoghue said the council decided recently to give Peaks residents a $20 monthly discount to park at the Ocean Gateway garage. And emergency medical services on the island have been improved, he said.
If the island council ceases to exist, Donoghue said, he will continue to represent the interests of Peaks Island. He would recommend that the City Council use the island's special fund to provide discounted monthly ferry passes for island residents.
Richards said the city should consider adopting a different political body for the island. Freeport's Bustins Island, for example, is governed by a village corporation.
The island pays taxes to support Freeport's school costs, but much of the tax revenue is returned to the island, and property owners decide how to spend the money. The island also makes it own land-use decisions.
Staff Writer Tom Bell can be contacted at 791-6369 or at:
tbell@pressherald.com
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37 COMMENTS
sam said...
Portland's revenues are down and police coverage and other services are being cut everywhere. Peak's Island is no different from the rest of the city no matter how hard they try to pretend they are special and should be more privileged. Their little "council" has no more basis in governing than any other neighborhood committee and they have been treated appropriately by the City Council. If Peak's little faux governing group were given more power and authority then each and every neighborhood committee would have equal rights to that same power and authority. That would be a governing nightmare. The folks from Peak's should just stop whining and live with governmental budget cuts like everyone else has to.
July 22, 2010 at 6:19 AM Report abuse
said...
They did not want Portlands help,so tufff it out now
July 22, 2010 at 6:22 AM Report abuse
Fred said...
Maine's Ferry Services are already subsidized by taxpayers. Peak's island residents trying to get rates lowered for themselves is like one little town along the Turnpike insisting that it's residents should get lower Turnpike rates because there aren't better ways to commute to and from their town. The correct response from the Peak's Island residents to the rest of us for their subsidized transportation should be to say "thank you" not to demand even more of a free handout on our dime.
July 22, 2010 at 6:26 AM Report abuse
John said...
If you think the ferry is too expensive, then don't live on an island. Problem solved.
July 22, 2010 at 6:34 AM Report abuse
BillPoster10 said...
They choose to remain on the island in these economical times. Suffer, it is your own doing! I am from away and pay the same taxes as my neighbor that is living in the same home he was born in a very long time ago. Should I be subsidized for being from the lower 47 states? I think not!
July 22, 2010 at 6:37 AM Report abuse
sayyes269 said...
Many of the classmates who i grew up with, no longer live on the "islands" because of greed. They were chased off the islands from high income folks. So these same people who chased all the true locals away can have a nice serving of "suck it up" and abide by the city council.
July 22, 2010 at 6:45 AM Report abuse
said...
Do not disband. Any person or group who has Kevin Donaghue as their representative ought to have 2 or 3 back-ups.
July 22, 2010 at 6:50 AM Report abuse
Najib said...
sayyes269- You don't make any sense at all. Did these rich people force islanders to sell their property and probably at a good price? Or maybe herded the islanders into the bay with all of their nasty guns? Did you think that maybe we don't want your kind on the mainland with a lot of the other refugees? Live where you choose and suffer the bad with the good.
July 22, 2010 at 7:09 AM Report abuse
jake007 said...
For any concerns about improving the quality of life on Peaks,call Ethan Strimling He desires to be your first offical mayor. Let him lead the way!
July 22, 2010 at 7:10 AM Report abuse
CEMan said...
The city LOVES the tax money they get and then the give s*&t back. Typical for Portland. Take Take Take and give little or nothing in return.
July 22, 2010 at 7:42 AM Report abuse
Mosby said...
I understand your views, but consider this: Peaks Islanders pay toward 50% of the city's bus costs. Islanders asked the city pay 2.5% of the boat costs, and the city said no, be happy with .6%! Peaks Islanders pay for hundreds of parking spaces in the new garage, but the city made a deal with the garage owners that they wouldn't let islanders use them! Peaks islanders asked the city for 2 full-time cops, so a lone cop could have back-up in 5 minutes, like they have in Portland. The city said no, we'll reduce your cops instead, so back-up will there in be 45 minutes. Islanders voted for independence from the city, but the city said no, try the island council first. Islanders tried it, but it clearly doesn't work for islanders - it works only for the city, to avoid Peaks' independence and let the city keep the islanders' tax money without providing needed services. Islander have asked the city for independence or equal treatment, and the city has said no to both.
July 22, 2010 at 7:47 AM Report abuse
said...
Peak's Island, and the rest of the Casco Bay islands. is not part of the Maine Ferry Service, which itself is part of the Maine DOT. They probably do have some state subsidies, but not as much, hence the rates are higher.
July 22, 2010 at 7:48 AM Report abuse
homeboy said...
I know what it feels like to be as second class citizen in Portland---I live in North Deering! Keep on treating the islanders like lepers, and you can be rest assured that there will be another secession effort!
July 22, 2010 at 8:18 AM Report abuse
Jamal said...
They bought the tickets, I say let 'em crash!!!!
July 22, 2010 at 8:32 AM Report abuse
Fred said...
The Island ferry service may not be part of DOT but the $5.5 million federal grant they recently got wasn't exactly chump change either. They get government subsidies in many ways, especially to pay for equipment.
July 22, 2010 at 8:32 AM Report abuse
COMMON_CENTS said...
Corporate Democrats like SAM, always support participatory democracy and 'listening' to the people; but when push comes to shove and 'street art' takes precedence over an Island's public safety; "more power and authority then each and every neighborhood committee would have equal rights to that same power and authority. THAT WOULD BE A GOVERNING NIGHTMARE" This exactly the kind of government the CUTLERCRAT'S like SAM & BIDDY would give Maine....'we share your pain, but we're spending money on OUR agenda, not your's!
July 22, 2010 at 9:06 AM Report abuse
said...
They want to live on the "rock";then suck it up.No one has forced people to live on Peaks.You don't like it,MOVE.
July 22, 2010 at 9:15 AM Report abuse
Island resident said...
My favorite part is: "The City Council has given the island council a little power -- the ability to decide how to spend money from a fund set aside for Portland's islands." IE, Peaks Island gets to decide how to spend the budget for ALL of the islands. If the Peaks Island Council feels powerless, how do you think the other city islands feel???
July 22, 2010 at 9:24 AM Report abuse
Bob of Pumpkin Nob said...
Round up the militia! Time to secede by force if necessary! Live free or die! Don't tread on me!
July 22, 2010 at 9:41 AM Report abuse
Obowser said...
Let them eat croissants.
July 22, 2010 at 9:49 AM Report abuse
Arlene Logan Candelmo said...
If they can't do this, how are they supposed to convince Portland that they are capable of being their own town? I lived on Long Island for 11 years. When they suceeded from Portland they had a group of very dedicated people who went over and above to see that they got what they needed even they had to do it themselves. They still work very hard to accomplish what they need. Peaks will have to have a much more dedicated group of supporters if they ever want to be their own town. This just proves that they are not ready for that yet.
July 22, 2010 at 9:54 AM Report abuse
Weasle said...
Peaks will not seceed because the costs associated with running the island by itself will send taxes thru the roof. The costs are not only for ferry service, police and fire but for schools, public works, trash removal and everything else associated with a city. How would secession help with the costs of the ferry? As for the mainlanders...at least you can dump that over priced fire boat and the request for a new Ritz Carlton for the 3 fire fighters to live in.
July 22, 2010 at 10:07 AM Report abuse
Paul Portland said...
The only thing I'd add to Common_Cents is that the kleptocrats at the state and local level make sure their friends and family get the contracts, grants and regulatory favors.
July 22, 2010 at 10:21 AM Report abuse
said...
To the people of Peaks Island: you didn't seriously think the CITY was going to keep the promise/compromise they made to defeat the secession vote did you??? Thank your foolish neighbors, who fell for it, for that. Yup you were fooled, won't be the first or last time!!! secession, secession!!!!
July 22, 2010 at 11:15 AM Report abuse
said...
Arlene, honey, It's secede not suceeded....If you can't spell or know the meaning of a word, don't pontificate your stupidity!
July 22, 2010 at 11:20 AM Report abuse
said...
apparently none of you remember that peaks actually wanted to secede and form their own INDEPENDENT government. How easily one forgets. The CITY pulled all kids of stuff to get them to stay and to defeat that vote, including promising them the sky and 'partnership'. Well the city seldom keep their word once they "win". let that be a lesson. secession secession secession!!!
July 22, 2010 at 11:21 AM Report abuse
said...
We can start the revolution by burning an effigy of Ethan Strimling! Islanders, train your guns to the West and let them hear our thunder!
July 22, 2010 at 11:25 AM Report abuse
said...
Islander should be mad. They have been treated like 2nd class citizens again. They should be mad at those islanders who worked to defeat secession, FOR the City of Portland---traitors
July 22, 2010 at 11:31 AM Report abuse
7199 said...
Meanwhile, the island's Public Works Department continues to buy all its diesel fuel at the local island fuel stop--at highly inflated prices. Additionally, those islanders favored by those in charge at the transfer station enjoy afterhours dumping at no cost to the individual. the money wasted by the DPW on Peaks would easily fund another cop for 24 hour coverage.
July 22, 2010 at 11:56 AM Report abuse
sayyes269 said...
Hey Najib, wal-mart has a "Thick-Skin" sale today. I suggest you go buy some if your poor little feelings were hurt.
July 22, 2010 at 12:07 PM Report abuse
said...
I will bet that this stems from the Islanders finding out about the parking garage building i$$ue$ a few year$ back...remember?
July 22, 2010 at 1:38 PM Report abuse
said...
As a resident of Portland I would like to wish the people of Peak's Island a not so fond farewell. I have to pay for parking if I choose to visit any of the islands in Casco Bay. I pay taxes just like you do and get the services that the city feels I desserve. I don't have a pot of money to spend as I see fit. (Except for the money my wife and I earn) Stop Whining! Secede if you wish, and then you can start paying for your own parking.
July 22, 2010 at 2:47 PM Report abuse
American Citizen said...
Sam.......Well said.
July 22, 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse
said...
Who in hell is this ANONYMOUS???? I don't care what news article is printed, he/she has something to say about it, not only a couple of times but almost a novel. He.she must be a welfare case as most people don't that must time to sit and write.
July 22, 2010 at 5:09 PM Report abuse
WhatsINaName said...
no neighborhood gets back in services what they contribute! It is just with Peaks one is easier to measure it. Cause you are paying the salaries of "Green Sustainability" employees and boatloads of other nonsense....step across the line to falmouth, grey, buxom, westbrook and your taxes immediately go down...are the services worse in those other towns? of course not....government is inefficient with featherbedding staff, unbusiness like logic & union pensions. Remember when Portland city stopped the Salvation Army from providing the Wheels On Meals program just because the SA didn't believe in gay marraige?and then had to spend more money for an alternative supplier!!!.....whether it is city/state or federal - - if you think big government is good...you will learn to regret it....ask the millions that have fled the socialist countries...the Peaks issue is just one set of libs fighting another for their share of the handouts...
July 22, 2010 at 6:36 PM Report abuse
jack nicholson said...
Well I warned Michael Richards what was going o happen. Your reap what you sow.
July 22, 2010 at 9:20 PM Report abuse
Content islander said...
The Peaks Islanders who wish to live on a self-governing island have some to choose from and I encourage them to move to one of them. Many, and perhaps most of us Peaks Islanders are very happy here. Unfortunately, the malcontents get the press and give us all a bad name. We are not all whiners.
July 22, 2010 at 11:55 PM Report abuse