PRSRT STD Postal Customer U.S. Postage PAID Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 Permit No. 62 Portland, ME The Cape Cour erECRWSS Volume 31 Number 9 An Independent Not-for-Profi t Newspaper June 20 - July 3, 2018 Serving Cape Elizabeth Since 1988 capecourier.com Congrats to the Class of 2018! Photo by Joanne Lee Photo by Joanne Lee Graduating seniors returned to their elementary and middle schools on June 8 to walk Smiles all around from CEHS Class of 2018 graduates during the June 10 ceremo- through the halls in their caps and gowns, see their former teachers and greet students who ny at Fort Williams Park. The community congratulates them and wishes them well will one day walk the same path. Max Altznauer in front fi st pumps kindergartners who in their future endeavors. Facing the camera are left to right: Ryan Collins, Oliver watch in awe as the graduating class walks by. Kraft, Jack Glanville, with Erika Miller in front. Cape Elizabeth election results Council hears discussion on pay/display By Kevin St. Jarre parking system at Fort Williams Park at the elephant in the room and how to opti- By Kevin St. Jarre mize revenue at Fort Williams Park.” Bob Hanson, a resident of Ivie Road, rose At the June 11 Cape Elizabeth Town to tell the council that Maine is one of the Council meeting, a resident from Highview most heavily taxed states, while Cape Eliza- Road rose to say that he’d like to see reve- beth is one of the most taxed municipalities, nue ideas with regard to Fort Williams park, to the extent that he said, “When my kids looking to optimize current revenue, and to are done with school, I’m probably going introduce new fees for people entering the to have to leave the state.” As the previous park. He said that his recent observation speaker did, Hanson pointed out that he be- over “a couple weekends” revealed that “90 lieves there are revenue opportunities going percent of license plates” on cars entering untapped. He addressed previous objec- Fort Williams Park were from out of state. tions, which he called “red herrings,” raised He said that based on the estimate that when the topic of fees at Fort Williams Park somewhere between 350,000 and 500,000 has come up in the past. First, that the funds cars per year enter the park, “at $10 a pop, raised at the park do not automatically go that’s $3.5 million to $5 million or so in rev- into the town’s general fund, but he said that enue, sitting on the table.” solutions could be found for that issue. He He went on to say, “It’s time to look at this. You’re asking us to sign up for a 6.6 -see PARKING page 13 percent tax increase, it’s time for us to look Photo by Kevin St. Jarre School budget approved, wins 60 Voters line up to cast their votes in the 2018 Maine Primary Election on June 12 percent of votes a majority, the ranked choice voting sys- By Kevin St. Jarre thought the proposed budget was too high. In the Democratic Primary, Cape Demo- tem will kick in. Among all the Demo- That sentiment, that the budget needed crats selected Anne Carney as their candi- crats running in the primary, the one with Cape Elizabeth voters approved of the trimming, was a majority one among those date for a seat in the Maine State House for the fewest fi rst-choice votes will be elimi- $25.4 million school budget adopted by the who voted on June 12, but they chose to sup- District 30, which includes most of Cape nated, which appears to be Donna Dion of Town Council for fi scal 2019, with the un- port the schools anyway. In a non-binding Elizabeth. Carney won the primary with Biddeford. Those who selected her as their derstanding that the impact on local prop- advisory question, 1,685 voters indicated 1,387 votes compared to opponent Mary fi rst choice also indicated who their second erty taxes would likely include an increase they believed the budget was too high; 1,453 Ann Lynch’s 774. She will face Republican choices would be, and those choices will of at least 6 percent. said it was acceptable and 478 said it was Charles Peter Rich in the general election. be added to the remaining candidates tal- The school budget question passed with too low. This reveals that 202 of the voters In Maine’s fi rst-ever ranked choice vot- lies. If no candidate reaches the threshold at 2,219 votes in favor and 1,483 opposed. who felt the budget is too high did not vote ing, Adam Cote was the fi rst choice of that point, the candidate with the next few- Both sides of the issue have been vocal, with in opposition of the budget. Cape’s Democrats for the gubernatorial est fi rst-choice votes will be eliminated, and backers bringing signs to a Town Council Interim Superintendent of Schools How- nomination with 927 votes, beating Janet meeting in support of the school budget, ard Colter said he was “thrilled” at the result, Mills in this round, who received 699 and with opponents lining the entry road to “…and extremely appreciative of the voters’ fi rst-choice votes. Statewide, since neither -see ELECTION page 13 the polling place with signs indicating they support for our schools.” Democrat garnered enough votes to earn Page 2 • The Cape Courier LETTERS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS/NEWS June 20 - July 3, 2018 of wonderful, leaving me feeling like a win- The Cape Courier Why Cape Thoughtful and ner, nonetheless. P.O. Box 6242 Elizabeth needs an engaged community Anne Carney has earned this victory, and Cape Elizabeth Maine 04107 I encourage all of you to vote for Anne in the 207-838-2180 Ombudsman Thanks to all those who turned out to fall. She will make a great legislator for Cape www.capecourier.com vote in the June 12 party primaries, and on Elizabeth. Residents of Cape Elizabeth are busy the school budget and ranked choice voting. Thank you again, Cape Elizabeth; the people and assume that our elected coun- Cape Elizabeth’s high voter turnout speaks to silver lining for me will be a summer time OUR MISSION STATEMENT how thoughtful and engaged our community fi lled with family and friends. I hope yours is Th e mission of Th e Cape Courier is to foster cilors, board and specialized staff members carry out their respective duties diligently is. I was honored to be one of two passion- fi lled with the same. a sense of community by presenting news ate female Democratic candidates eager to specifi c and unique to Cape Elizabeth and most importantly correctly. and its residents, and, whenever possible, While these posts and boards have main- represent our town in the Maine Legislature, Mary Ann Lynch to promote volunteerism within our ly good people; why therefore are the cor- and our race was truly a ‘win-win’ for the community. rect and just decisions not always forthcom- town. Fire-Rescue Annual BOARD OF DIRECTORS ing? Simply stated boards and councilors As a candidate, I’ve had the opportunity to Roger Bishop, comprise voluntary members without the speak with so many of you about your deep- Appreciation Night Debbie Butterworth, est concerns and highest priorities for our Bob Dodd, Jerry Harkavy, Martha Kelley, in-depth knowledge of the subject matters On April 28, the Cape Elizabeth Fire- appertaining to the legal and ordinances state and country. Thank you for welcoming Rescue Department hosted its annual Appre- Bill Springer, Beth Webster me into your homes and for your thought- Publisher: Tara Simopoulos over which they are presiding. The town ciation Night to honor the accomplishments staff such as the town manager, code en- fulness. I’m honored to be Cape Elizabeth’s of its personnel over the past year. During [email protected] Democratic nominee for House District 30 in Editor: Marta Girouard forcement offi cer or the town planner act the event, several awards were issued to the as the advisors. I can assure you that as a the November 2018 general election, and I’m department members, including individual [email protected] so grateful for your continued support. Community Reporter: Kevin St. Jarre former board member the advisors opinion years of service and The John J. Civile Award [email protected] always goes a long way in infl uencing and (Chief’s Award). The Chief’s Award recog- Anne Carney Advertising Manager: Tara Simopoulos defi ning the decisions and thereby that is nizes a person in the Department that pro- (Display and classifi ed ads) the problem! vides a signifi cant contribution of time and [email protected]/207-939-9766 It is an unfortunate part of human nature Thank you, Cape energy to the Department. This year’s award Bookkeeper: that familiarity often aff ects impartiality was issued to Jordan Stewart. Here are the [email protected] and that group behavior many times over- Elizabeth awards presented for years of service: Proofreaders: rides concerns. Once these boards vote on a I am writing to thank all the wonderful William Jordan, Jr., 50 Years Chuck Rzeszutko , Ginny Blackwood decision right or wrong the costs to appeal Cape voters who I have met with over the last Dan Harriman, 30 Years Webmaster: Wendy Derzawiec them is extremely expensive both for the six months. Although I came up short, it was Captain John Norton, 30 Years Photo fi nishing: Ann Kaplan concerned party and the town.