There's more to the story regarding tar sands in Maine
Written by Nicole d'Entremont
Editor,
It is amazing to read the number of disingenuous comments (Legislative Committee re Tar Sands Moratorium) that John Quinn, executive director of the New England Petroleum Council, can manage to roll into one statement.
It is true that the City of Portland did not pass a ban on the purchase of fuel that would come from refineries processing tar sands. What Mr. Quinn failed to mention is that a much more specific and stronger recommendation has just passed committee that would ban tar sands coming into Portland harbor or piped alongside Sebago Lake. This stronger language will be voted upon by the full City Council in the days ahead.
It is true that the U.S. State Department findings re tar sands shipment did make the assessment that tar sands is similar in character to conventional crude. But what Mr. Quinn did not add was that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found the State Department's analysis deficient in several major areas and has suggested a return to the drawing board on the issue. Also, Mr. Quinn did not note that over one million citizen statements critical of the State Department report have been filed.
Recently the Obama Administration has announced that judgment on the Keystone XL pipeline will be delayed until the fall of this year and possibly into 2015 due to the necessity for further study. In this regard, the Maine Legislative Committee is in step with the national sentiment by asking for additional information from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection concerning risks associated with transporting tar sands. I see these delays as incremental victories giving us all more time to educate ourselves about tar sands and its dangers to our local health and the health of the planet.
Sincerely,
Nicole d'Entremont
Peaks Island
Maine
It is amazing to read the number of disingenuous comments (Legislative Committee re Tar Sands Moratorium) that John Quinn, executive director of the New England Petroleum Council, can manage to roll into one statement.
It is true that the City of Portland did not pass a ban on the purchase of fuel that would come from refineries processing tar sands. What Mr. Quinn failed to mention is that a much more specific and stronger recommendation has just passed committee that would ban tar sands coming into Portland harbor or piped alongside Sebago Lake. This stronger language will be voted upon by the full City Council in the days ahead.
It is true that the U.S. State Department findings re tar sands shipment did make the assessment that tar sands is similar in character to conventional crude. But what Mr. Quinn did not add was that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found the State Department's analysis deficient in several major areas and has suggested a return to the drawing board on the issue. Also, Mr. Quinn did not note that over one million citizen statements critical of the State Department report have been filed.
Recently the Obama Administration has announced that judgment on the Keystone XL pipeline will be delayed until the fall of this year and possibly into 2015 due to the necessity for further study. In this regard, the Maine Legislative Committee is in step with the national sentiment by asking for additional information from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection concerning risks associated with transporting tar sands. I see these delays as incremental victories giving us all more time to educate ourselves about tar sands and its dangers to our local health and the health of the planet.
Sincerely,
Nicole d'Entremont
Peaks Island
Maine
Last Updated on Thursday, 16 May 2013 20:24
Hits: 7
Valuable, historic Park Street window cap stolen from restaurant
Written by Tony Taylor
Editor,
A historic Greek revival duplex at 127-129 Park St. in Portland has recently lost some of its defining exterior detail to theft. The house is one of two extant in the city that feature richly carved and scrolled window head trims, a creative modification of Greek-inspired detail possibly unique to Portland. The other house remaining house with this detail is at 8 Sherbrooke St. on Munjoy Hill. The Park Street window caps had been taken down for paint removal, and one was temporarily displayed on the wall of the upstairs dining room of Bintliff's Cafe on Portland Street. According to Bintliff's owner Joe Catoggio, he took the piece down for cleaning recently. It was sitting on the floor leaning against a counter when a familiar customer noticed it and asked if they were going to throw it out. Employees thought the man was joking, but he suddenly left, scooping up the massive pine piece and shouldering it as he hurried out. He hasn't returned since.
The loss of this trim, estimated value $2,000, is a severe setback to property owner Steve Whittier, who is trying to bring the Park Street property into compliance with Portland's Historic Preservation ordinance. FMI please contact Steve Whittier (879-6081) or Joe Catoggio (774-0005).
Tony Taylor
(author of Worcester's Architectural Neighborhoods (1976), Fitchburg Building Traditions (1985), etc.)
Buxton
A historic Greek revival duplex at 127-129 Park St. in Portland has recently lost some of its defining exterior detail to theft. The house is one of two extant in the city that feature richly carved and scrolled window head trims, a creative modification of Greek-inspired detail possibly unique to Portland. The other house remaining house with this detail is at 8 Sherbrooke St. on Munjoy Hill. The Park Street window caps had been taken down for paint removal, and one was temporarily displayed on the wall of the upstairs dining room of Bintliff's Cafe on Portland Street. According to Bintliff's owner Joe Catoggio, he took the piece down for cleaning recently. It was sitting on the floor leaning against a counter when a familiar customer noticed it and asked if they were going to throw it out. Employees thought the man was joking, but he suddenly left, scooping up the massive pine piece and shouldering it as he hurried out. He hasn't returned since.
The loss of this trim, estimated value $2,000, is a severe setback to property owner Steve Whittier, who is trying to bring the Park Street property into compliance with Portland's Historic Preservation ordinance. FMI please contact Steve Whittier (879-6081) or Joe Catoggio (774-0005).
Tony Taylor
(author of Worcester's Architectural Neighborhoods (1976), Fitchburg Building Traditions (1985), etc.)
Buxton
Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 21:10
Hits: 13
Bill identifies 'worst of the worst chemicals in children's products'
Written by Briana Hailey
Editor,
At some point we have to say enough — enough to polluting our planet and causing our climate to change and enough to polluting our own bodies. Practically everything we buy is manufactured in some faraway factory using a host of synthetic chemicals. What's scary is that we're only now beginning to scratch the surface of the impact of these chemicals on our bodies. What is scarier is that these chemicals, like BPA, phthalates, and parabens are lurking in kid's products right on the store shelves. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to shop for products for their kids that won't affect their physical and mental development.
Fortunately, this isn't an issue that has fallen on deaf ears in Augusta. LD 1181 would make sure that Maine is identifying the worst of the worst chemicals in children's products, and help make a plan to start phasing them out of kids products. This is the least we can do to ensure that children in Maine are growing up in healthy environments and aren't unwittingly being exposed to dangerous chemicals. I hope my legislators will support this bill and protect the health of Maine's children.
Sincerely,
Briana Hailey
Portland
At some point we have to say enough — enough to polluting our planet and causing our climate to change and enough to polluting our own bodies. Practically everything we buy is manufactured in some faraway factory using a host of synthetic chemicals. What's scary is that we're only now beginning to scratch the surface of the impact of these chemicals on our bodies. What is scarier is that these chemicals, like BPA, phthalates, and parabens are lurking in kid's products right on the store shelves. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for a parent to shop for products for their kids that won't affect their physical and mental development.
Fortunately, this isn't an issue that has fallen on deaf ears in Augusta. LD 1181 would make sure that Maine is identifying the worst of the worst chemicals in children's products, and help make a plan to start phasing them out of kids products. This is the least we can do to ensure that children in Maine are growing up in healthy environments and aren't unwittingly being exposed to dangerous chemicals. I hope my legislators will support this bill and protect the health of Maine's children.
Sincerely,
Briana Hailey
Portland
Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 21:09
Hits: 22
Perhaps restaurant failed for reasons other than abortion protests
Written by Janice Rockwell
Editor,
This is in response to the article by David Carkhuff about and quoting Mike Fink in your paper on May 7 ("Congress Street restaurant owner says he won't renew lease amid abortion protests," May 7). I do not think that the words of Mr. Fink are worthy of being quoted in the newspaper, much less in an article with three inches of front page headlines!
I won't call him stupid, as he has been quoted (not once, but three times) as calling the protesters whom he disagrees with. Perhaps he is just vocabulary challenged.
Does freedom of the press allow people to call others stupid? Surely, if the statements were true, this would be the height of impropriety. However, since they are obviously not true, it is apparently acceptable to print libelous lies.
To someone who knows nothing about Mr. Fink or his restaurant except what I have read in your paper, it would appear that perhaps the protesters have nothing to do with the demise of his restaurant. Was he simply looking to find a scapegoat to blame for his business failure?
Janice Rockwell
West Newfield
This is in response to the article by David Carkhuff about and quoting Mike Fink in your paper on May 7 ("Congress Street restaurant owner says he won't renew lease amid abortion protests," May 7). I do not think that the words of Mr. Fink are worthy of being quoted in the newspaper, much less in an article with three inches of front page headlines!
I won't call him stupid, as he has been quoted (not once, but three times) as calling the protesters whom he disagrees with. Perhaps he is just vocabulary challenged.
Does freedom of the press allow people to call others stupid? Surely, if the statements were true, this would be the height of impropriety. However, since they are obviously not true, it is apparently acceptable to print libelous lies.
To someone who knows nothing about Mr. Fink or his restaurant except what I have read in your paper, it would appear that perhaps the protesters have nothing to do with the demise of his restaurant. Was he simply looking to find a scapegoat to blame for his business failure?
Janice Rockwell
West Newfield
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 22:58
Hits: 15
Assistance needed for Calif. student's state report
Written by David Gothrow
Editor,
My name is David Gothrow and I am 10 years old. My fifth-grade teacher assigned my class a project to learn more about the states in the United States of America. I live in California but I chose to do my report on the state of Maine because that is where my grandfather was born and raised. My report is due on May 29, 2013. I was hoping to get some help from the people of Maine.
Could you please send me information or interesting facts about your beautiful state that I could share with my classmates? Please send the information to:
David Gothrow
C/O Arboga Elementary School
1686 Broadway
Arboga, CA 95961
Thank You,
David Gothrow
Arboga, Calif.
My name is David Gothrow and I am 10 years old. My fifth-grade teacher assigned my class a project to learn more about the states in the United States of America. I live in California but I chose to do my report on the state of Maine because that is where my grandfather was born and raised. My report is due on May 29, 2013. I was hoping to get some help from the people of Maine.
Could you please send me information or interesting facts about your beautiful state that I could share with my classmates? Please send the information to:
David Gothrow
C/O Arboga Elementary School
1686 Broadway
Arboga, CA 95961
Thank You,
David Gothrow
Arboga, Calif.
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 22:58
Hits: 10