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Postal Patron PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 PAID Permit No. 62 Portland, ME The Cape Cour erECRWSS Volume 24 Number 11 An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper Aug. 3 - Aug. 16, 2011 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 capecourier.com Plans for bigger, safer, more functional library take shape By Patricia McCarthy Part of Thomas Memorial Library dates to 1849, and the building’s list of defi cien- cies has grown along with the years. It’s gotten to the point where the facility’s drawbacks are cutting into its attractiveness to users, according to consultants who pre- pared a report two years ago to assess the library and determine how well it’s meeting the community’s needs. “The amalgamation of buildings that to- gether make up the Thomas Memorial Li- brary, while quaint and in some ways charm- ing, are extremely ineffi cient both physically and functionally,” concluded the consultants from Wisconsin-based Himmel & Wilson. in their 2009 report. “The areas housing the library’s primary collections of books and other materials are, at best, marginally inac- cessible. In a community with a median age that is 10 years higher than the national aver- age, library patrons are confronted with the prospect of climbing stairs or using an out- Rendering by Casaccio Architects/Art & Design Studios dated and often inoperable lift system.” A view of what a new Thomas Memorial Library might look like. The facing view is along Scott Dyer Road, and the side view would be the main Those fi ndings led a town committee ap- entrance (where the existing entrance is). The architects and library and town offi cials say fi guring costs is the next phase of the project. pointed to study the library to conclude that the time for adding onto the library has passed and a review of the library building emerged • Evidence of water damage and signs • Substandard ceiling heights in public ar- and the best way to bring it into the 21st cen- as a top priority. The top-to-bottom assess- that foundation walls may be structurally eas of the basement tury is with a “clean slate” approach. ment by Himmel & Wilson found some glar- unsound or contain mold (Mold remediation • Floors that are inadequate for the weight The path that led to that decision began ing problems, including: work has since been done.) of the library’s fully loaded stacks four years ago as town offi cials worked on • An “extremely ineffi cient” heating sys- • Failure to meet access standards for the an update of Cape Elizabeth’s master plan, tem and inadequate ventilation disabled See LIBRARY, page 13 Cape to lose $198K in education funding for 2012-2013 school year By Wendy Keeler Townsend said the last week of July. “The The revamped formula removes a provi- he signed the bill, called “An Act to Restore Cape Elizabeth will lose an estimated board hasn’t met to discuss this, because sion that ties state reimbursement for school Equity in Education Funding.” $198,000 in state education aid for the school is closed and we have been in the personnel benefi ts to the labor market index. “This is a victory for parents, students, 2012-2013 school year under a school- middle of the transition from Interim Su- LD 1274 also adds a provision allowing for and teachers in parts of our state like Wash- funding bill that Gov. Paul LePage signed perintendent Ken Murphy to Superinten- a 10-percent increase in the staffi ng ratio ington County that have felt a negative into law in early July. dent Meredith Nadeau, but this certainly for school districts with fewer than 1,200 impact for several years because of their The law, which changes the formula that will be a topic of discussion at our Aug. 23 students. Under the new law, districts with smaller school districts. The system is not allocates state education aid, will shift $6.3 business meeting.” high numbers of students who qualify for fair, and we are attempting to make it more million in funds. Some rural school districts The new law, LD 1274, sponsored by free or reduced-price lunches, but whose equitable for everyone.” will benefi t from the new formula, which Republican Sen. President Kevin Raye, families pay high property taxes, will get State Sen. Cynthia Dill, D, who repre- will take a toll on many suburban and urban who represents Washington County, chang- more money. sents District 7, which covers all of Cape districts. es three components of the funding formula “This law will begin to correct an error Elizabeth and South Portland and a small “It’s incredibly disappointing to lose that known as “Essential Programs and Servic- in our educational funding formula and will kind of funding,” School Board Chair Mary es,” that went into effect in 2004. benefi t our rural areas,” LePage said when See FUNDING, page 3 House District 121 Nancy E. Thompson Kimberly J. Monaghan-Derrig Age: 52 Age: 52 candidates answer Political party affi liation: Republican Political party affi liation: Democrat Education: Paralegal program, Bent- Education: Masters in Public Policy questions from ley College; attended Boston College; & Management, Muskie School of Pub- The Cape Courier graduated from Katharine Gibbs; Win- lic Service, University of Maine, 2012; chester (Mass.) High School, 1976 bachelor’s degree in journalism/communi- Questions were emailed Job/occupation: Insurance agent cations, University of Maine, 1982; B.A. to both candidates who are program in ballet/dance, Boston Conser- Kimberly J. Political Experience: None vatory of Music, 1977-78; Cape Elizabeth Monaghan-Derrig running for the state House seat Nancy E. Thompson High School, 1976 Why are you running for this seat? vacated by current state Sen. The time is right for me to run for this Job/occupation: Communications and Cynthia Dill: Republican Nancy Aug. 16 special election seat to represent Cape Elizabeth in Au- marketing professional. Thompson and Democrat Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. gusta. My family and business obliga- Political experience: School Board, Kim Monaghan-Derrig. The at the Cape Elizabeth High School tions, along with my nonprofi t commit- elected 2010, Policy & Legislative Liai- cafeteria (not gymnasium) ments, are in line with me being able to son Subcommittees; 2009 Town Council candidates were asked to keep Absentee/early voting devote the necessary time to be a member candidate; staff manager, Congressman their answers to no more than through Aug. 15 at Town Hall: of the Legislature. I have an interest and Tom Andrews; campaign offi ce manager, 700 words (including questions). 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and passion in education, quality access to Andrews for Congress; staff aide, Maine 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays Here are their responses: See THOMPSON, page 18 See MONAGHAN-DERRIG, page 18 Page 2 • The Cape Courier LETTERS/THANK YOUs Aug. 3 - Aug. 16, 2011 The Cape Courier goes The Cape Courier Monaghan-Derrig ‘passionate about our town’ P.O. Box 6242 and can stand up against ‘reckless’ GOP agenda to fun (and scary!) heights Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 207-767-5023 Right now, our state faces a serious risk. and conviction to stand up to LePage, the capecourier.com Governor LePage and the newly elected Republicans and their reckless agenda. Republican majority are pushing a radical This past legislative session, Democrats OUR MISSION STATEMENT agenda that puts the future of our state in and hundreds of Mainers packed the state The mission of The Cape Courier is to foster jeopardy, which is why it is so important that house week after week fi ghting against one a sense of community by presenting news Cape Elizabeth vote for Kim Monaghan- extreme Republican proposal after the oth- specifi c and unique to Cape Elizabeth and its residents, and, whenever possible, to promote Derrig as the next state representative in the er. If it wasn’t the environment, it was an volunteerism within our community. special election on Tuesday, Aug. 16. attack on workers. If it wasn’t our school Kim Monaghan-Derrig has deep roots in funding, it was an attempt to roll back child BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cape Elizabeth. She grew up here, went to labor laws. Trish Brigham, Debbie Butterworth, school here and raised her family here. She We cannot risk sending someone to Au- Bob Dodd, Sheila Mayberry, Gene Miliard, Bill Springer, Beth Webster values a strong economy, a clean environ- gusta that will align themselves with Le- ment, and excellent Cape schools. Page’s radical Republican agenda. Please Publisher: Patricia McCarthy She is passionate about our town and is vote for Kim Monaghan-Derrig. [email protected] committed to making Maine a better place. Rebecca Millett Photo by Greg Altznauer Editor: Patricia McCarthy Most importantly, she has the personality Jamie Wagner (Letters, general news) The Cape Courier made its way to Cedar [email protected] Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, in School/Community Editor: Wendy Keeler Former state rep knows what job takes, believes July. The rollercoaster riders are back row, (Business, Neighbors, schools, religion, sports) from left: Max Altznauer and Issac Monroe- [email protected] Thompson has ‘compassion and energy’ for it Gipson, and front row, from left: Sammi Advertising Manager: Colleen Taintor Altznauer and Kia Hewins. (Display ads): [email protected] As a former state representative, I am de- one who can build consensus and safeguard lighted to endorse Nancy Thompson in the that Cape Elizabeth gets the funding it de- Bookkeeper: Dorothy Stack Aug. 16 special election.