Sept. 1, 1993

D&G Machine Products Inc. has expanded its workforce from 50 to 70 since its move this year to a 55,000-square-foot new home in Westbrook’s Five-Star Industrial Park. “We’ll be hiring 10 or 15 more in the near future,” said David Gushee of Gorham, president and majority stockholder. The company expects sales of close to $10 million this year, two-thirds of that to customers outside Maine. D&G held a two-part celebration in August, marking its 25th anniversary and also its move to Westbrook.

Westbrook aldermen voted 5-2 Monday against rezoning land of William Gowen, Al Hawkes and Paul Cormier at Duck Pond Corner. The defeated proposal would have changed their three parcels from Limited Business Highway to Business Highway zoning. The vote surprised many, including some aldermen, since it was approved 4-2 on its first reading Aug. 16.

Jean Jessen was named acting city assessor Monday by Westbrook Mayor Fred Wescott. She will be paid an extra $75 a week in addition to her regular pay as assessor’s assistant. The city is advertising for a successor to James Jessen, her husband, who has taken a job as assessor for Casco and New Gloucester.

Rose Anna Labbe, “a perky little lady” who for decades was a welcome walking visitor almost every day to downtown Westbrook, will be 100 years old tomorrow. She was born Rose Anna Bibeau in Westbrook Sept. 2, 1893, and lived in Westbrook for the next 95 years prior to moving to Woodford Parking Nursing Care Center in Portland. About 35 friends and family members came to the home to help her celebrate.

Sierra’s is a new Gorham restaurant at 2 School St. that specializes in Mexican food and deli items. The manager is Steve Youmans, and there is takeout service.

David and Sandra Maroon recently moved from Westbrook into their newly constructed home on Deering Road in Gorham. David works in the credit field and Sandra is retail sales.

The Maine Sabers semi-pro football team will play the Maine Warriors, from Lewiston, Sept. 4 at Olmsted Field, Westbrook High School. Half the gate proceeds, after expenses, will go to the Amanda Watts Fund, to help the family of the Westbrook 9-year-old stricken with an inoperable brain tumor. Amanda and her family will take part in the ceremonial pre-game coin toss.

Sept. 3, 2003
A Westbrook City Council vote last week to reject Paul McCarthy as the new police chief sparked what some are calling a “grassroots” movement to urge councilors who voted against him to change their minds. “It’s just phenomenal what’s happening,” said Peggy Cote of the many residents wearing buttons with McCarthy’s picture and a slogan, “I back Mac,” that referred to the acting police chief by his nickname. Supporters are planning to pack the Sept. 8 council meeting to urge the three councilors who voted against McCarthy – Bruce Chuluda, John O’Hara and Elmer Welch – to reconsider. The issue prompted so many letters to the editor that the American Journal gave up the space normally used for an editorial “to let our readers talk.”

Gorham fire investigators believe faulty wiring was the cause of a fire in a six-unit Gray Road apartment building early Saturday night that left 16 people homeless. Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said the initial call came in at 7:10 p.m. for a fire at 771 Gray Road. The fire was knocked down by 7:0 p.m., he said, with the Windham and Westbrook department helping out.

The family of Paul and Dianne LeConte celebrated his birthday with a gathering at the couple’s home on Louise Street, Westbrook, on Aug. 27. Paul, a former city councilor, was surprised with a flag and a pole that was installed at the party. Donna Waite, a neighbor, brought Paul cookies in appreciation of his kindness to neighborhood children. Paul didn’t reveal his age to the American Journal, but he graduated from Westbrook High School in 1952.

Joan Martell of Westbrook has a small, circular patch of dirt in her front lawn where a dwarf statue stood for 25 years – until a few weeks ago. Martell discovered it was missing when she went out to mow the grass in front of her Austin Street home. “It blew my mind because I’d figured, who would want it,” she said. She was surprised to learn that a Scarborough couple had a small cement version of Sneezy the “Snow White” dwarf stolen from their home in May. Martell is making an appeal to whoever took in to bring back the dwarf, which had been in the family for 45 years.

This is an undated view looking down Mechanic Street to Main Street. The large building in the center is 901 Main St. with Lawrence B. Seavey’s garage and used car dealership occupying the first floor. Armory Apartments now occupies 901 Main St. The small building on the right is 908 Main St., at the corner of Mechanic Street. This building was occupied by Lawrence B. Seavey’s Auto Parts and Tire Store and later by Cyr’s Beauty Shop. It was demolished during Urban Renewal and is now a parking lot. To see more historical photos and artifacts, visit the Westbrook Historical Society at the Fred C. Wescott Building, 426 Bridge St. It is open Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, and the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m., September-June. Inquiries can be emailed to [email protected]. The website is www.westbrookhistoricalsociety.org.