Buying Art Keeps the Rain Away

Tonight is the First Friday Artwalk. Stop in Photo Works for the Port City Show to see (and buy) some great photography of your favorite city.

dinner

King of the Roll

Portland's Green Councilors Profiled

The PressHerald takes a look at the three Green Party members on the City Council.

[Councilman Marshall rebuts]

"Many people mistakenly believe that the Greens are left of the Democrat Party, said Steven Scharf, president of the Portland Taxpayers Association and an activist in the Republican Party. But Scharf said the Greens are fiscally conservative. He noted that on the Finance Committee, Anton was a strong advocate this year for a budget with no tax increase.

He said the Greens have accomplished more in a three-year period than most city politicians have in recent history, in part because they work hard, show a willingness to compromise and have realistic goals.

'Their ideas are not so far off the wall they can't be done,' he said."

Tasers Coming ... Maybe

The new police chief want to test the use of Tasers here. Can't wait? Get your own in the color you want.

"City Manager Joseph Gray said Tuesday that he wants a City Council committee to complete its review of Tasers before the city's police department begins a trial period of equipping officers with them.

Gray, who said he strongly supports Chief James Craig's plan for a trial run, gave the go-ahead based on a number of conditions the chief proposed. But 'when I told him that he was clear to go ahead it was my understanding that the Public Safety Committee had formally voted to approve it,' Gray said in the statement.

The committee had discussed the plan but is not scheduled to vote on it until July 14. That vote could be either a communication to the full council or a recommendation." - Portland Press Herald

Concepts for Franklin Street

The Franklin Reclamation Authority:

"The Franklin Street Redesign Committee and project consultants have developed three possible concepts for the future Franklin Street. These concepts are still being refined, and the Committee is open to mixing and matching different elements from each one. Phase two of the redesign project will examine and analyze these possibilities in greater detail."

Port City Show - Opening Reception

Artists reception this Saturday 4-7 p.m. at Portland Photo Works, 142 High St., Portland.

35 Photographers, 1 City.
PortCityShow.com
June 20 - July 31

Your tax bill, circa 1954

The Way Life Used to Be has dug up a Portland tax bulletin from 1954.

Press Herald Finally Sold

As they themselves report, the long process of purchasing the Press Herald, including its real estate, other papers and websites, is done. Much of the downtown real estate will be sold off, including the 390 Congress St. building.

Good luck to the new owner!

"An investment group led by Bangor native Richard L. Connor purchased the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Monday, vowing 'a business strategy' that will 'further strengthen' the newspaper.

The sale caps a 15-month effort by the debt-laden Seattle Times Co. to sell its media holdings in Maine. The purchase by Connor's group, MaineToday Media Inc., includes the Kennebec Journal in Augusta and the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, the MaineToday Web sites and niche print publications. Together they employ roughly 500 people."

Going Down

The demolition of buildings behind 645 Congress.