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Let's talk about fairness
To the Editor:
"Fairness." We hear that word a lot these days, whether it's the economy, politics, or our society. Everyone seems to like the concept, regardless of their personal interpretation.
To me, "fairness" means several things. It means honoring the will of the voters; paying one's own way, and not taking advantage of others. It also means you don't change the game rules in midplay.
Case in point — the Mobil Station property on Main Street. The Mobil Station lot was purchased after the June 2010 election, when Kennebunk voters gave the town $400,000 to purchase the property, clean it up, and sell it. To sell it — not keep it.
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Great letter Naran. Let's get a petition to get the powers that be to acknowledge the will of the people and sell that piece of land.
Thank you, Al. I appreciate the kind words.
I have watched as the downtown business community, and now the market vendors, have worked to undermine the voters' will, in trying to persuade the town administration and board to keep the Mobil Station property.
Like many other Kennebunk residents, I am tired of funding other people's wants, at the expense of the common taxpayer. It's time for some tax relief, and for the town to keep its promises.
We don't need an expensive new town park on Main St., and we don't need any expensive new town parking lots in Lower Village. Enough is enough.
Anyone who wishes to send the board and town manager their own thoughts, can do so at the following addresses. Please ask for confirmation that your email was received, and thank you.
Kennebunk Board of Selectmen
selectmen@kennebunkmaine.us
Town Manager Barry Tibbetts
btibbetts@kennebunkmaine.us
Naran wrote:
Some Port Road residents have been asking for sidewalks in that area, for decades. There are a lot of cyclists and pedestrians who use that road, since it's the main drag between the Lower Village/Port and downtown Kennebunk.
Traffic moves at a good clip on Portland Road, and some portions are more narrow than others. Unlike the unnecessary sidewalks on Thompson Road, I believe the Port Road sidewalks will get a lot of use.
I think we can agree that there are many similarities between Port Road and Western Avenue. Both lead to/from Lower Village and are quite busy with vehicular traffic. In the immediate Lower Village area there is considerable pedestrian traffic and sidewalks exist already. Going out of the Village beyond Kennebooks on Port Road my observation is that pedestrian traffic is almost non-existent. Beyond All Day Breakfast on Western Avenue (where existing sidewalks end), foot/jogging/cycling traffic is reasonably heavy in the tourist season as Western Avenue runs parallel to the beach and forms a convenient loop for the beach folks via Beach Ave./Boothby Road/Sea Road. Former Town Manager Rick Erb told some Western Avenue residents that sidewalks would be coming soon. That was over 20 years ago, if memory serves. I am not advocating for sidewalks on Western Avenue but to install them complete with curbs that may be powder after the snowplow season on Port Road is a complete waste, IMO.
You may be right, FLNext. One or two of Maine's winters will tell the tale on the curbing. The same ones were used in WK center, and on the sidewalks on Thompson Road, so we'll have plenty of test subjects.
I can tell you that Port Road residents petitioned town hall for the sidewalks, on an official basis. That had to be at least 15 years ago, if not longer.
I agree that a sidewalk on the outer portions of Western Avenue would make a lot of sense. It would certainly make more sense than the sidewalks out on Thompson Road, which are hardly ever used.
Today's Kennebunk Economic Tidbit
I recently spoke to someone who does property inspections for a bank. These are pre-foreclosure inspections, where the person visits the home once a month, makes sure the property is in good shape, and takes photos of the exterior (not the interior).. These inspections start when a homeowner is at least three months in arrears on their mortgage.
The person I spoke with said that presently, they do about 100 inspections per month in Kennebunk, and that's just one bank -- out of many that hold mortgages in this town.
The financial handwriting is already on the wall, for many Kennebunk residents, and here comes winter - along with more gargantuan spending items on the November warrant.
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ps - (by way of contrast, the person said they do about two inspections per month in Kennebunkport, and from what they understand, there are very, very few homes in pre-foreclosure in Kport. The mill rate in Kport is about 1/3 the Kennebunk mill rate).
11:57 PM
Alleged johns may be called in Kennebunk prostitution case
The lawyer for the man facing trial threatens to subpoena everyone involved in the case.
By Ann S. Kim akim@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
The lawyer for the Thomaston man accused of promoting prostitution... in Kennebunk says he plans to call the alleged customers to testify at trial.
....snip
According to a police affidavit, searches of Alexis Wright's Zumba studios and her home in Wells turned up meticulous client records and hours of video recordings of sexual acts she performed.
....defense lawyers have said the list is extensive and includes prominent figures.
Interesting - Strong's attorney, Dan Lilley, states that the client list is long, and "includes prominent figures." If the records, including the client lists, are sealed (until November, at last report), how does he know this?
In the meantime, there have got to be a number of very nervous people in Kennebunk right now -- many of those foolish enough to consort with this woman must be in serious Regret Mode.
I found that interesting too, Naran. A part of the "discovery" process I assume where all the evidence against the defendant must be provided to him. Sure puts Lilley in a powerful position.
Initially there was talk of tax evasion, or the use of the videos to blackmail past clients as the reason it was "sealed." Seems obvious to me, and most I talk to, it was sealed to protect "The Client List."
Rumors are rampant in my circle of acquaintances as to who's on the list. I'm sure some in town would just as soon the names be released so as to clear their name. Then there are the others!
charlie
The Arundel withdrawal committee and the RSU 21 committee have sent a signed withdrawal plan/agreement to the Commissioner of Education and are awaiting his approval.
The commissioner had indicated to another community working on a plan that a November vote may still be possible. Fingers crossed.
That is great news, Jon, and thank you for the update. Please keep us posted.
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Kennebunk Selectmen to Recite Pledge at Meetings
At the last selectmens' meeting, the board voted to start every meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. This is laudable, and I congratulate them for the decision. They will be setting a good example for their constituents and the younger members of our community.
Thank you!
Court extends seal on records in Kennebunk-Thomaston prostitution probe
By Stephen Betts, BDN Staff
Posted Aug. 20, 2012, at 3:01 p.m.
KENNEBUNK, Maine — The affidavits filed by police to obtain search warrants ... have been sealed for another few months.
Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee of the Kennebunk Police Department said the affidavits will now be sealed until the end of November. Originally...documents were to be kept confidential until August or September.
Burpee said investigators sought the extension so that information would not be released that could adversely affect the investigation.
Boy, they must be onto something really, really big. Can't wait to see what it is!
charlie
Probably using the extra time to figure out how to effectivley scrub the client list.
My previous was of course facetious, Ugenetoo, It's all about the 'client list'. The names I hear bandied about run the range of locals. A veritable Peyton Place so to speak. Should these people be shielded from revelation? Absolutely not! Who's the judge who sealed this? There are some judges who live locally. Protecting their friends? Are we allowed to know the judges name?
charlie
Updated: 7:18 PM
Accused tries to get Kennebunk prostitution case dismissed
By Ann S. Kim akim@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
The lawyer... of... man accused of ...Kennebunk prostitution operation...asking a judge to dismiss the case.
....snip
In his motion to dismiss...Lilley... said prosecutors have failed to comply with the rules of discovery. Lilley wrote that all discovery should have been provided ... by Aug. 10.
....snip
Police have called in the suspected customers, confronted them with the allegations and shown them incriminating footage of sex acts, according to one local criminal defense attorney.
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Lilley is playing hardball, and hoping the DA and the "prominent figures" are prepared to blink.
I hope the Kennebunk PD and the York County DA prove Strong, Wright and Lilley 1000% wrong, inaccurate, and false.
Nemitz on the Kennebunk prostitution bust http://www.pressherald.com/news/slow-motion-court-case-has-lots-of-peopl...
I heard him on the Ken and Mike show on WGAN earlier too,
charlie
He's tired of bashing the Governor, so he's exercising his mudraker muscles in another direction.
Information on the Arundel withdrawal from RSU 21.
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Withdrawal agreement goes to state
Education commissioner has 90 days to review
By Samantha Stephens
yccs@seacoastonline.com
August 23, 2012 2:00 AM
ARUNDEL — ....the agreement was signed Monday night and.... sent ...to Stephen Bowen, education commissioner for the state of Maine, through fax, e-mail and regular mail.
The next step in the withdrawal process is the review from Bowen, who can return the agreement back to the committee for corrections or changes, before a town meeting will be held in Arundel to set a time and date for the official withdrawal vote.
I think Nemitz is hoping LePage was a customer or at least she donated to his campaign .
According to Dan Lilley there are 178 clients "...to include clergymen, doctors, lawyers and police officers...." From the York County Coast Star, 8/25/12.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120825-NEWS-208250315
charlie
Lilley is playing hardball, and counting on the johns to pressure the DA to drop the charges against Strong. His plan may backfire, however. Time will tell.
Lawyer to argue for dismissal of Kennebunk prostitution case
The lawyer for Mark Strong Sr. says prosecutors haven't provided him with documents and other evidence as required under the rules of discovery.
By Ann S. Kim akim@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
ALFRED —....snip
A hearing .... scheduled for Sept. 14 in York County Superior Court. Strong...was charged last month with promotion of prostitution, a misdemeanor.
In his motion to dismiss, Daniel Lilley...said he should have received documents and other evidence from prosecutors by Aug. 10 but has not. He has also questioned how his client could be charged with promotion of prostitution when no one has been charged with prostitution.
Business owners start petition to keep Mobil lot open
By Jennifer Feals
jfeals@seacoastonline.com
August 30, 2012 2:00 AM
KENNEBUNK — A group of downtown businesses is looking to give residents another say on the future of the former Mobil lot...
A handful of business owners along Main Street have started a citizens' petition to ask the voters at the November election if the town should "retain 51 Main Street," known as the Mobil lot, "for town use."
....snip
The petition needs to reach 400 citizen signatures to be turned into the town by Sept. 6... petition will then be presented by the merchants to the Board of Selectmen during its Tuesday, Sept. 11, meeting.
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As I've stated previously, if the downtown merchants and the farmer's market supporters want to keep the Mobil Station property, they should band together, raise the money, and buy it from the town at fair market value. Any residents who wish to keep the lot open could also chip in their own funds, toward that effort.
The businesses, the farmers market, and certain residents are the ones getting the benefit from keeping the lot open -- so, they should be willing to fund the cost themselves. That's what an exercise of personal responsibility would dictate.
Instead, they want the town to keep it, and have you, the residents, pay the bills on their behalf, for their personal benefit.
In the past, the Kennebunk Selectmen have expressed a unified intention to sell the Mobil Station property, and to honor the wishes of the voters, who entrusted them with that clearly stated duty.
So, if the petition from the downtown businesses goes to the Selectmen, it will be interesting to see which board members hold to their principles, and which ones bow to pressure from a minority faction pushing to further burden the town's residents with additional taxes.
Thank you.
Finally!!!!!
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Park Street School Apartments open this weekend
August 30, 2012 2:00 AM
KENNEBUNK — Residents will be moving into Avesta Housing's Park Street School Apartments over Labor Day weekend.
Eight of the 30 senior apartments, classified as affordable housing ....still available, said Matt Peters of Avesta Housing.
....snip
... apartments... one- and two-bedroom units,... for residents age 62 or older, or... disabled. ...building includes ... laundry room, community room ...kitchen, hair salon, community gardens, and on-site parking.
Rent...$637 to $765 for a one-bedroom...$765 to $918 for a two-bedroom.
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This is great news for Kennebunk seniors, who need safe, excellent, affordable housing in town. I am confident that like the Cousens Street affordable housing project, Avesta has done a great job with this one.
It's also a handy reminder of what happens when the town tries to keep a property, instead of selling it. If the town hadn't wasted five years trying to keep Park St. School, the seniors moving in this weekend could have been living there for three, or even four years.
Instead, Kennebunk residents lost at least $200K, if not more, in lost taxes; the engineering and architecture fees, legal costs, repeated elections, years of insurance and utilities, and all the other expenses associated with the town's failed efforts to keep the Park St. building.
I sincerely hope that is not the result of the Mobil Station property discussion.
Thank you.
What Does a Town Property Really Cost?
The town paid $300K for the Mobil Station property. However, that figure does not include the money we have spent for legal fees, insurance, landscaping, fencing, signage, town staff time, upkeep, plowing, and lost property taxes for the two years the town has owned the property.
If we looked at all those figures, it would not surprise me if the town has spent MORE than $400K on the Mobil Station property since 2009.
Whenever someone looks at the town buying and owning a property, there is far more to the equation than just the initial purchase cost. We saw this with Park St. School. Collectively, the town spent a lot of money on that building, between the purchase cost, and then four+ years of legal fees, engineering and architectural plans, insurance, maintenance, heating, upkeep, landscaping, elections, lost tax revenues, and town staff time.
Adding up all those costs, it wouldn't surprise me if the town spent as much (or more) than what it received for the eventual sale of Park St. school to Avesta Housing.
That is why I always question the numbers on expensive projects like the failed community centers, the town's former proposals for Park Street School, and the school district's grandiose plans for a performing arts center. The reason, is because the true price for such projects has to be weighed in the total cost to pay the bills - all the bills - long-term. Plus the lost tax revenues, if the property is removed from the rolls.
It's all very well to say "Let's do this, that or the other," but someone has to pay the bills for that wishful dream. It's only fair the general public is fully informed as to the real cost for any such proposal, long before any votes.
It's important that the real, complete, long-term cost for the Mobil Station lot be calculated, and fully disclosed, prior to any referendums asking the towns' residents to keep the property.
Thank you.
Several more articles on the Zumba studio controversy.
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Landlord Became Suspicious Shortly After Wright Rented Studio
Strong Denies involvement - But Police Say Videos/Skype Show Otherwise
http://www.pressherald.com/news/Special-assignement-for-judge-Kennebunk-...
Should have happened a long time ago.
charlie
It seems to me the PD, the York County DA and the courts are being very careful with this case, and the investigation. That's a good thing, due to the number of potential lawsuits if this situation isn't handled correctly.
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Some Port Road residents have been asking for sidewalks in that area, for decades. There are a lot of cyclists and pedestrians who use that road, since it's the main drag between the Lower Village/Port and downtown Kennebunk.
Traffic moves at a good clip on Portland Road, and some portions are more narrow than others. Unlike the unnecessary sidewalks on Thompson Road, I believe the Port Road sidewalks will get a lot of use.
However, the state should have paid for the road work, since Port Road is actually Route 35. That is never going to happen. About 8 years ago, our town manager pushed for town meeting to appropriate $250Kin local funding for surveying and preliminary work, since he alleged that expenditure would "entice" DOT to do the actual work.* Didn't happen.
As for the concrete curbing, I suppose we common taxpayers should be glad we're not paying for granite, like we've seen in the downtown and other areas of the municipality.
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* (the first bid for $250K got shot down at town meeting. Subsequently, a lesser amount was appropriated. However, the state has never done any work with regard to the sidewalks, nor the paving, from what I know).