Our smiling governor, with his smart Moxie tie and glib argument that income tax cuts will return more money to a town than is lost by ending revenue sharing, cannot mask the truth. Revenue sharing holds the line on municipal property tax increases: Everybody in a town benefits. Income tax cuts give a few dollars […]
Portland Forecaster
City-wide news from The Forecaster.
Posted inCoastal Journal, Forecaster Opinion, Northern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Short Relief: Everybody, including the governor, ought to have a legal aide
On Feb. 26, attorneys for the governor and attorney general squared off in the Maine Supreme Judicial Court over the issue of the attorney general’s ability to control the governor’s legal representation in two politically charged cases. One case is about the governor’s ability to remove able-bodied young people from Medicaid/Mainecare. In that case, a […]
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Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland leaders fire back at LePage claims of aid mismanagement
PORTLAND — City Democrats and social services leaders came out swinging Friday morning, saying a recent state audit claiming the city mismanages its General Assistance program is part of a “coordinated attack” by Maine’s Republican governor and his administration. State Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, led a news conference outside the city’s Oxford Street Shelter, where […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland police seek robbery suspect with bad bite
PORTLAND — Police are looking for a woman they said was unsuccessful in an attempt to steal cigarettes from the 7-Eleven store at 27 Washington Ave. early Wednesday morning. Lt. James Sweatt said the woman asked a store clerk for a carton of cigarettes, then tried to spray him with pepper spray, before biting him […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Scarborough man arrested for Portland burglary
PORTLAND — A Scarborough man was being held Thursday on $25,000 cash bail at Cumberland County Jail, facing burglary and drug charges after his arrest Tuesday by city police. Lt. James Sweatt said Shane Cook, 23, whose home address was not released, was charged with Class C burglary and Class B theft in connection with […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland Co. rezoning gets Planning Board endorsement
PORTLAND — Zoning revisions to allow development of The Portland Co. complex at 58 Fore St. are headed to the City Council with a unanimous recommendation from the city Planning Board. The recommendation came after a two-hour hearing and meeting Tuesday in City Hall, where it was also learned the property has been nominated for […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland panel still debating fate of former Reed School
PORTLAND — The vacant and unused Thomas B. Reed School will have to continue waiting for a new purpose. Christine Grimando, senior planner for the city, said a task force looking at ways to reuse the building is still evaluating potential uses of the building. But she added “several themes have emerged from the public […]
Posted inNorthern Forecaster, Portland Forecaster, The Forecaster
Mackworth Island access to be limited in March
FALMOUTH — The causeway to Mackworth Island will be closed for repairs on weekends throughout March, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Maine Department of Transportation found the wooden bridge on the causeway was in need of repairs last year, and March weekends were chosen for the closings to minimize […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, The Forecaster
State audit accuses Portland of financial mismanagement
PORTLAND — Despite audit findings that the city General Assistance program violates state regulations in several ways, Mayor Michael Brennan on Monday defended its administration and operations. “I am confident the city has run GA in accordance with state law and with practices endorsed by this and previous administrations,” Brennan said in a City Council […]
Posted inPortland Forecaster, Southern Forecaster, The Forecaster
Portland's aging communications system an expensive, high priority
PORTLAND — While the existing city communications system is still “solid,” according to Police Chief Michael Sauschuck, the time has come for something new. “We know we have a system that has reached its end of life,” Sauschuck said Monday about the network that handles more than 66,000 emergency calls annually and communications between city […]