PRSRT STD Postal Patron U.S. Postage PAID Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Permit No. 62 Portland, ME ECRWSS The Cape Cour er Volume 25 Number 9 An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper June 27 - July 17, 2012 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 capecourier.com Diplomas lined up, ready to be handed out to this year’s graduating class. Fittingly, sun shines on Class of 2012 for graduation By Wendy Keeler Cape Elizabeth High School Principal Jeff Shedd must have put in an order to the weather gods for June 10, the day of Cape Elizabeth High School’s Class of 2012 graduation ceremony at Fort Williams. The weather that day, fair with temperatures in the 70s, seemed to exemplify the sunny character that Shedd brought to light in his Photos by Noah Whittenburg graduation address. Cape Elizabeth High School graduates applaud after valedictorian Ethan DiNinno gives his address. More graduation photos on pages 4-5. “We all have heard and read that it is the soft skills – having the right attitude, the with the phrase ‘plays well with others.’ Shedd enumerated the fruits of class mem- playoffs, class members shone just as bright- ability to communicate with others, the abil- Class of 2012, I salute you and congratulate bers’ cooperative spirit. This school year, in ly in other places, even the blacktop. ity to work together as part of a team – which you for that trait,” Shedd told the graduating addition to winning the Northern New Eng- “It was in the fall, in the stands, in the park- employers so desire and they too often do seniors. “It’s a trait that will take you far and land Science Bowl, the North Shore Science ing lot with the tailgate gatherings where the not fi nd in new employees. It is those skills has made your class so fun to get to know League, and state titles in speech and mock summed up in many elementary report cards and work with.” trial, and competing their way to regional —see GRADS, page 4 Council sets library vote wording, hearing on automatic citizen votes By Bob Dodd million. The hearing is set for 7 p.m. July 9 at Town Hall. deleted. The wording for the Nov. 6 referendum on the proposed Councilors revised the original proposed referendum “A library is a cultural center by defi nition,” said Sher- new library project has been fi nalized. Registered voters in wording to clarify anticipated questions and concerns re- man. He felt including it in the title might be confusing and Cape Elizabeth will have the opportunity to vote yes or no garding the library. a deterrent to support from the voters. on the question: The project was originally referred to in the wording as Town Manager Mike McGovern explained that the title of “Shall the Town of Cape Elizabeth borrow up to $6.0 mil- the “new Thomas Memorial Library and Cultural Center.” Cultural Center came as a result of initial public feedback on lion to fund a new Thomas Memorial Library and accept pri- Councilor Frank Governali questioned the cost of the project the library project. He agreed that the term was confusing. vate donations to assist with the project?” and the need for a cultural center to be attached to the new “We are really only talking about programming and meet- At its June 11 meeting, the Town Council also scheduled library. ing space within the library,” McGovern explained. a public hearing on the related issue of making citizen votes Council chair Sara Lennon asked if the title Cultural Cen- mandatory on most single capital expenditures exceeding $1 ter was needed. Councilor David Sherman asked that it be —see COUNCIL, page 18 Voters decisively pass school budget; Hasson to return to Cape as principal; choose Millett, Summers, Dill Two more school administrators hired By Patricia McCarthy ney, R-Springvale. Courtney, the state Sen- By Wendy Keeler land, Hasson spent more than 20 years at Cape Elizabeth voters approved a $21.8 ate majority leader, won by a narrow margin While Cape Elizabeth students enjoy time Pond Cove, where she taught grades 1 and million school budget and Democrats picked district-wide and will face incumbent Rep. off this summer, three new school adminis- 2, served as the school’s fi rst teacher lead- Rebecca Millett as their nominee for state Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, this fall. trators will be doing their homework to pre- er, and was a 2003 state fi nalist for Maine Senate District 7 during the June 12 prima- The school budget passed easily, 1,323 to pare for the new school year after they arrive Teacher of the Year. On July 1, Hasson will ry. 518. In a non-binding advisory question, 950 on July 1. move into the offi ce that Principal Tom Eis- Voters also backed state Sen. Cynthia said they found the budget acceptable, 603 Two of the hires – Douglas Perley, who meier has held for the past 17 years. Dill, D-Cape Elizabeth, and Secretary of said it was too much and 192 said it was too will become the middle school’s next assis- She is delighted about her return. State Charlie Summers, as the Republican low. tant principal after serving in the same post “I’m over the moon, completely over the and Democratic nominees, respectively, for Millett, a former member of the Cape at Paul School in Wakefi eld, N.H., and in- moon,” said Hasson who left Pond Cove in the U.S. Senate. Both also won statewide. Elizabeth School Board, carried the town coming technology coordinator Erik Kramer, 2005 to become principal of the Peaks and The only race where Cape voters failed to 737-214 over Bryan Kaenrath for the Demo- who has held the same position in Topsham Cliff Island elementary schools before tak- back an overall winner was in the Republi- cratic nomination for state Senate District 7. – will be new to town. ing the helm at the Hall School in 2007. “I can primary for the U.S. House in District Millett also won overall in the district, which But Kelly Hasson, Pond Cove School’s have been very happy in Portland. It’s been 1. In that race, Cape GOP voters sided with next principal, is no stranger to Capers. Cur- Patrick Calder against state Sen. Jon Court- —see ELECTION, page 2 rently principal at the Hall School in Port- —see ADMINISTRATORS, page 18 Page 2 • The Cape Courier LETTERS/THANK YOUs June 27 - July 17, 2012 Eberle praises all involved The Cape Courier P.O. Box 6242 in joint-effort, expanded career fair Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 207-838-2180 The second annual South Portland High School-South Port- capecourier.com land/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber Career Fair was a great success! Building on a fantastic fi rst year, this year’s OUR MISSION STATEMENT fair expanded from sophomores only to sophomores and ju- The mission of The Cape Courier is to foster niors – half of the high school population. Also expanded was a sense of community by presenting news the number and type of businesses, to include a wider range of specifi c and unique to Cape Elizabeth and its professions. residents, and, whenever possible, to promote volunteerism within our community. The reviews from students and businesses alike have been overwhelmingly positive. Students were grateful to have the op- BOARD OF DIRECTORS portunity to think about future careers and talk with business Elizabeth Brogan, Debbie Butterworth, professionals. Businesses appreciated the opportunity to meet Bob Dodd, Sheila Mayberry, their future employees and discuss career tracks. Bill Springer, Beth Webster As a follow-up, all students wrote at least one thank-you let- Publisher: Patricia McCarthy ter, using formal business block-style format in their English [email protected] classes. An extra bonus for students was receiving responses Editor: Patricia McCarthy back from some businesses. The networking, collaborating, and (Letters, general news) exchanging of information made this a real-world learning expe- [email protected] rience, creating long-lasting connections. School/Community Editor: Wendy Keeler In addition to the almost 50 businesses that participated, spe- (Business, Neighbors, schools, religion, sports) cial thanks go to major sponsors, Marriott at Sable Oaks and Saco [email protected] and Biddeford Savings Institution. High school faculty, staff, and Members of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber Advertising Manager: Trish Brigham students, and Recreation Center employees all pitched in to help. and South Portland School Department at this year’s Career Fair: Lau- (Display ads): [email protected] On behalf of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Community rie Inness, an executive with Inn By The Sea; State Rep. Jane Eberle, Bookkeeper: Dorothy Stack Chamber and the South Portland School Department, I would like to who also works as director of business partnerships for South Portland [email protected] say to everyone who helped this all come together - job well done! schools; Sheree Inman, a South Portland High School Career Prep teacher; and Ed Palmer, general manager of the Marriott Sable Oaks. Proofreaders: Suzanne Higgins, Phyllis Jane Eberle Locke, Anita Samuelsen, Sheila Zimmerman Copy Manager: Diane Brakeley Concerned resident: Education about safety State Senate candidate Webmaster: Wendy Derzawiec along Shore Road Path is imperative Millett thanks voters, Photo fi nishing: Megan McConagha I have just returned from a visit to the when allowing folks to share a pathway with wishes opponent well Grizzly Adams Impersonator: Jeff Hewett waterfront of Chicago, where bikers, walk- all sorts of means of transportation. Technology Services: Katie Held ers with dogs and strollers, joggers, runners, I am still very concerned that we need Now that I am through the primary, I For general information & classifi ed ads: street performers and Segway group tours all to educate the public to assure the safety would like to offer my sincere thanks to [email protected]/207-838-2180 share a path.