Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

August 7, 2010

Local Dispatches

From staff and news services

PORTLAND

Victim says he thinks Taser was used on him in attack

Police are investigating an attack in the West End on Thursday night that may have involved a Taser.

A man reported that he was walking at Pine and West streets when he was attacked from behind. The man said he heard what sounded like an electric stun gun and felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck, police said.

The man turned and was punched in the face. As he ran away east on Pine Street, he heard what sounded like a gunshot, police said.

Police are looking for three white men, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 2 inches tall, in their early 20s. All were wearing white T-shirts.

A fourth suspect was described as a black man in his early 20s, 5 feet 9 inches tall and 165 pounds, wearing jeans and a blue shirt, police said.

Police ask that anyone who has information call 874-8596.

Chairman to resign, spelling the end of Peaks Island council

Michael Richards, chairman of the Peaks Island Council, has announced that he will resign as of Nov. 1. His decision means the council will effectively dissolve, because four of its seven members have announced that they will quit as of Nov. 1. Three others have decided not to run for re-election.

Even if three people run for the three open seats, the council will not have enough members for a quorum.

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 cost of ferry transportation and parking.

Created three years ago after the island's failed attempt to secede from Portland, the advisory board was seen as way to give islanders a stronger voice in city government.

Richards announced his decision in his "View from the Chair" column in the August issue of the Island Times. He said the council has been a strong advocate for the island but the city has refused to make any meaningful changes to make the island more affordable. He said Peaks Islanders must try something else, such as creating a village corporation or making another attempt to secede from Portland.

Island residents will receive parking subsidy from city

Portland announced Friday that it is offering its island residents a $20 monthly parking subsidy at the Ocean Gateway garage.

As many as 100 year-round island residents will be eligible for the program, which will begin Sept. 1 and run until June 30. The idea came from the Peaks Island Council, in response to the need for more mainland parking for islanders.

To be eligible, an island resident will have to present a copy of his or her driver's license, showing an island address, to the parking garage's manager at 167 Fore St. If the address is a post office box, a voter registration will be required.

Island residents who already park in the garage are eligible for the subsidy and must present the same identification.

To continue after June 30, the program will have to go through the city's budget process.

For more information, call the city's parking division at 874-8444.

Block party will shut down portion of Baxter Boulevard

Part of Baxter Boulevard will be closed to traffic Sunday for a block party hosted by the Back Cove Neighborhood Association.

The boulevard will be closed from Vannah Avenue to Payson Park to allow people at the event to enjoy the stretch of street without cars whizzing by.

Residents are invited to bring picnics for themselves and bring food to share with their neighbors. The party will begin at noon and end at 3 p.m.

(Continued on page 2)

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