Baseball talks continue

A dispute in Gorham about organizing youth ballgames appears to be moving closer to a settlement this week.

At issue are roles the Gorham Recreation Department and Gorham Youth Baseball and Softball Association, a volunteers’ group, would play in organizing this season’s games for Cal Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth Softball.

A charter is required from the league headquarters in New Jersey. Last year, the charter was issued to the volunteers’ group while Gorham Recreation Department handled registrations of players.

Representatives of the Recreation Department and the volunteers’ group met with Town Manager David Cole on Feb. 25 and again on Monday in resolution efforts.

“We have had several constructive meetings with members of the GYBSA board to discuss various issues,” Cole said in an email to the American Journal on Tuesday, “and I expect those discussions to continue.”

A message to parents posted on the volunteers’ website on Tuesday read, “You do not have to register just yet. Baseball and softball will be played in Gorham in 2015. Please be patient while we work through these discussions.”

Badeau’s death saddens Gorham

Marcel “Marc” Raymond Badeau, 53, of Gorham died on Feb. 2,7 and a Mass of Christian burial was held March 3 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.

Badeau, a certified public accountant, founded Operation Tribute that collected and distributed thousands of Christmas gifts to military children, whose parents were deployed from several states. He also was a board member of the Gorham Economic Development Corp., which promotes business in Gorham.

“Marc was a much valued member of the board who contributed a great deal to further business relations in town,” David Galbraith, Gorham zoning administrator, said in a statement. “Marc will be greatly missed both personally and professionally by me and everyone who was fortunate to know or serve with him.”

According to his obituary, Badeau is survived by his wife, Margo; a son, Jason; and a daughter, Crystal Badeau and husband Dan Moore of Brunswick.

He was a parishioner at St. Anne’s, 4th-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Portland Kiwanis, president of the former Gorham Kiwanis, and board member of Gorham Food Pantry.

Woman’s club to hear Faatz

Linda Faatz of Gorham will speak when Gorham Woman’s Club meets on Thursday, March 12, at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St. Faatz will speak at 1 p.m. about house plants.

Refreshments will be served at 12:30 p.m. Members and guests are welcome. “Please join us to see what we what we are about,” JoAnn Means, club spokeswoman, said in the meeting announcement.

Gorham students on UMF dean’s list

The University of Maine at Farmington has announced that several Gorham students have been named to its dean’s list for the fall semester.

They are: Katherine Bennett, Celeste Carpenter, Kaitlin Flanders, Conor Kirby, Jennifer Pinkelman, Marissa Rush, Maeghan Sloat, Mariah Sloat, Patricia Smith, Emily Thompson, Melissa Walls, and Colleen Ward.

Gorham landmark available

The town of Gorham is accepting proposals to purchase and renovate the town-owned historic McLellan/Sampson House at 77 South St.

The complete request for proposal package including description, deadlines and contact information is available by visiting www.gorham-me.org and under news and announcements click on RFP McLellan-Sampson House

Whitcomb chef award winner

Andrew Whitcomb, a Gorham native, recently was named one of Star Chef’s rising stars in New York in the sustainability category. Whitcomb is a chef at Colonie Restaurant in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from Gorham High School in 2004.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Feb. 26 that the U.S. public debt was $18,149,752,816,959.60.

Marc Badeau