Cruise Ship Ballot Question Recount Moves Forward
Portia Judson Honored, Reward for Illegal Deer Death on MDI, Comprehensive Plan Event, and other briefs
Each week, we compile press releases and our own briefs that have been sent in to us or are follow-ups to earlier stories, and we send it to you as one story. This is this week’s compilation!
CRUISE SHIP RECOUNT SIGNATURES
BAR HARBOR—On Thursday, November 14, Bar Harbor Town Clerk Liz Graves set to work verifying the 100 signatures calling for a recount on the cruise ship disembarkation limit repeal of the 1,000-passenger daily cap.
The ballot measure (Article 4) on November 5 failed by 63 votes or less than 2 percent. Of the 3,489 votes cast, 1,713 voted in favor of the repeal and 1,776 voted in favor of keeping the ordinance as is.
Kevin DesVeaux collected the 100-plus signatures on Wednesday, turning the petition in to Graves before 4 p.m. He said that Graves has certified 100 of the signatures, moving that recount forward. Graves would not verify that to the Bar Harbor Story until the town’s news flash was released. A pdf notice of a recount was circulating at 2:35 p.m. on social media, on Thursday, which is below.
The recount will occur on November 23 at 9 a.m. at the Bar Harbor Municipal Building.
If that repeal had passed, the town council would have put forward a different proposal limiting cruise ships.
The 1,000 limit was approved by voters in 2022 (Article 3) as part of a citizens’ petition and referendum. That had passed 1,780 to 1,273, a difference of 507 votes or 16%.
DesVeaux owns the West Street Cafe and has said that his restaurant’s revenue has decreased by hundreds of thousands of dollars this season. He links that to the decreased amount of cruise ships that visited Bar Harbor this year.
Since the 1,000-limits were approved by voters in 2022, Bar Harbor has had multiple lawsuits about the enforcement of the limits and their legality. A group of local businesses has appealed a federal court decision upholding those rules.
It is not the first time in recent history that the town has had a recount about a local issue. Back in 2020, the town had a recount of a zoning change that allowed multifamily development without planning board review. It had passed 989 to 972. The recount upheld that result but the numbers changed to 992 in favor, 973 against.
Another article that year about shared accommodations had passed by just four votes. According to a Mount Desert Islander brief at the time, “an error was discovered and the report was updated to a 14-vote margin, 941-927. The recount results were 942-930.” Arthur Grief and Donna Karlson had requested the recounts, which took 3.5 hours, involved 21 election clerks, and cost $2,100.
REWARD FOR INFORMATION ON DEER KILLED ON MDI
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Operation Game Thief, working with the Maine Warden Service, is offering up to a $4,000 reward regarding two deer that were illegally shot at night on Mount Desert Island. Anyone with any information regarding these two deer is encouraged to call 1-800-ALERT-US.
The first deer was killed on the night of October 5, or the early morning hours of October 6 when a large buck was shot and killed at night in the town of Mount Desert which is located on Mount Desert Island. The deer was shot and left to rot and discovered on the morning October 6 when a concerned citizen noticed it dead in a small field and called the Warden Service.
The second deer, another large buck, was shot during the early morning hours of November 6 in the town of Tremont which is also located on Mount Desert Island. Similar to the first deer, this buck was killed illegally at night. The individual(s) who shot the deer cut off the deer’s head and left the remainder of the animal to rot.
Mount Desert Island has long been closed to hunting and hunting at night is both illegal and dangerous.
Maine Operation Game Thief is offering $2,000 for each of the deer that were illegally killed, or $4,000 for both deer, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for killing these deer. Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents should please call 1-800-ALERT-US with any information.
PORTIA JUDSON HONORED WITH AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY NURSES
BAR HARBOR—Portia Judson, RN was recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses at Mount Desert Island Hospital. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day. This is the first DAISY Award that MDI Hospital has presented.
The nomination submitted read, “While descending the Giant Slide Trail in Acadia National Park Search and Rescue was called, eventually I was able to walk out to the trailhead, and my daughter drove me directly to the ER at MDI Hospital. I was promptly taken in and escorted to treatment room where I first met Portia. She got me settled, checked me out and began to calm my nerves. She took my vitals, cleaned my wounds, and began a more thorough evaluation with the help of Gordon Murphy. They made a great team. After my CT scans, I returned to the treatment area where Portia talked me through their assessment (thankfully no fractures but a mean gash in my head). Eventually I got nine staples in my head then the long wait for CT scan results. Portia hung in with us all this time. Got me laughing finished cleaning all my wounds and put on dressings where necessary. She was always calm, patient, informative and thorough, just what one would wish for when you have the frightening experience of visiting an emergency room. Eventually we got the results of the scan, and I was cleared for discharge. Before we left Portia gave us a great recommendation for a pizza joint that was still open. It was delicious I will ever be grateful for the care and support I received from Portia. She did MDI Hospital and the island proud. Thank you, Portia.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, CEO and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at MDI Hospital are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 4,600 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nurses Advancing Health Equity, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, Medical Mission Grants their new Health Equity Grant program. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org
THE FUTURE VISION OF BAR HARBOR
Informational Session with Q&A on the Bar Harbor 2035 Comprehensive Plan
November 20, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Come and learn about Bar Harbor’s new Comprehensive Plan that will guide our community for the next 10+ years!
BAR HARBOR — The Bar Harbor Planning Department will introduce the future vision of Bar Harbor, also referred to as the Bar Harbor 2035 Comprehensive Plan. This is an opportunity to better understand the Plan that will guide the Town’s decisions about future changes for the next 10+ years. This Plan will likely be voted on in 2025 to decide whether or not it should be adopted.
Following a presentation providing an overview of the Plan, the town staff will hold a questions and answer session to provide further clarity.
The event will take place at the Municipal Building in the Town Council Chambers on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Free pizza will be provided. There will also be a Zoom participation option which can be accessed on the Town’s website. The event will also be streamed and recorded on Town Hall Streams.
“The Comprehensive Plan is critical to our community’s approach to change. The Plan sets a vision and shapes where we are collectively going as a community. The Plan sets the tone for future changes to the Land Use Ordinance because, most importantly, land use changes need to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan,” says Michele Gagnon, Planning Director. “We want to improve accessibility and transparency, and that involves doing some things differently. We want to make this Plan feel less overwhelming and more accessible, meaningful, and clear.”
You can visit the Town’s Comprehensive Planning Committee webpage to view the event flyer among more event details on https://www.barharbormaine.gov/517/Comprehensive-Planning-Committee .
The Bar Harbor 2035 Comprehensive Plan and accompanying documents can all be found separately here: https://www.barharbormaine.gov/501/Comprehensive-Plan
Stuffed Animal Sleepover Story Time
Drop off on Friday, November 15
Pick up your stuffed animal and hear about it's adventures on Saturday, November 16th at 10:30 a.m.!
Wouldn’t it be fun to spend the night in the library? Stuffed animals are invited to a sleepover. Kids and parents can drop off a stuffed animal anytime on Friday before we close at 5. The stuffed animals will spend the night in the library and then we’ll all get back together on Saturday morning at 10:30 to see pictures from the sleepover, read a story, and make something fun.
Parents, if you’re child would like to bring a stuffed animal to participate in this event, please ask them to choose their second or third favorite, since it will be staying overnight in the library. Kids who aren’t ready to leave a toy overnight are still welcome to participate. We have a number of stuffed animals here who will be up for adoption.
If you have any questions about this program, please contact Abby (amorrow@jesuplibrary.org).
SPAGHETTI DINNER FUNDRAISER!
Ski Chalet Film Festival at the Criterion
BAR HARBOR—Embrace the winter spirit and join us this weekend at The 1932 Criterion Theatre for Ski Chalet Weekend! We’re transforming our historic theatre into a cozy chalet getaway, complete with Aperol spritzes, boozy hot cocoa, and a weekend of awe-inspiring ski films.
Event Lineup:
Friday, November 15 - Beyond the Fantasy by Teton Gravity Research
Doors open 5:00 p.m. | Show at 6:00 p.m.
Witness athletes turn dreams into reality with mind-bending feats of creativity and skill. From stunning mountain landscapes to heart-stopping stunts, this film is a tribute to our collective love for life on snow.
Saturday, November 16 - Calm Beneath Castles by Matchstick Productions
Doors open 5:00 p.m. | Show at 6:00 p.m.
Explore the soul of skiing with a deep dive into the connection between skiers and nature. Calm Beneath Castles follows the world’s best as they push boundaries in breathtaking mountain locations, with cinematography that captures both serenity and adrenaline.
Sunday, November 17 - Warren Miller’s 75
Doors open 6:00 p.m. | Show at 7:00 p.m.
Celebrate 75 years of Warren Miller’s legacy with this milestone film! From early ski films that shaped the genre to modern-day athletes and breathtaking stories, this film is the ultimate celebration of the snowsports world.
Exciting Giveaways
Each night, we’ll be raffling off fantastic prizes, including swag, a 3-month MDI YMCA family membership, and 4 Volta climbing day passes—just for our Ski Chalet guests!
Warm up with us, win some amazing prizes, and enjoy the spectacular landscapes and high-energy moments that bring our community together for the winter season.
Tickets are available now—don’t miss this perfect kickoff to ski season. Get yours today and get ready to cozy up for a weekend of film, friends, and adventure!
YWCA COMMUNITY DINNER
BAR HARBOR—The MDI YWCA’s annual community Thanksgiving dinner is Monday, November 25 at 5 PM. It's free and everyone is welcome! Join the YW for dinner, community, and music by April Cough McGuire. Call 207-288-5008 or email office@ywcamdi.org to RSVP.
YMCA OPEN HOUSE
Isle Au Haut Welcomes Broadband with First Subsea Telecom Cable
Axiom Technologies partners with Pioneer Consulting and SubCom to bring Broadband to Isle Au Haut
ISLE AU HAUT—Isle Au Haut installed its first subsea telecommunications cable earlier this week, bringing the long-term vision of access to universal broadband internet to this unbridged year-round island community for the very first time. The 10km submarine cable now connects Isle au Haut to Stonington on Deer Isle, which has terrestrial connections to the mainland.
At the behest of the State of Maine, Axiom Technologies spearheaded the project and will provide services via the now-installed cable. Axiom commissioned Pioneer Consulting to provide key advice and connect the project to pivotal resources. Funding for this project came in the form of a $1.2M grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the State of Maine as part of a larger $28M grant being administered by the Maine Connectivity Authority and intended to support broadband expansion into underserved, and especially rural, communities.
“Like municipal power and introduction of telecommunications before it, access to high-speed internet is a transformational project for Isle au Haut,” said Mark Ouellette, President and CEO of Axiom. “Broadband is a critical link for sustainable communities. It can support local businesses, attract year-round residents, encourage remote workers to settle on the Island, and enhance the cultural and economic life of the whole community. Axiom is proud to be at the center of this critical project.”
“Subsea cables are ideal for communities like Isle Au Haut who wish to build a future-proof system and also avoid large microwave towers that disrupt natural vistas near Acadia National Park,” said Gavin Tully, Managing Partner at Pioneer Consulting. “It's a winning solution for everyone, and Pioneer is proud to help bring broadband infrastructure to rural communities. Unlike most of our long-haul, international projects, Isle au Haut has given us the opportunity to work directly with the end-users, the people themselves, who will benefit from this broadband service.”
Newington NH-based SubCom was chosen to supply the critical link of the subsea cable. Due to the variable and sometimes rocky nature of the Maine seabed, SubCom offered its state-of-the-art SL17 Special Application (SPA) fiber optic cable to ensure long-term survivability. “SubCom is very pleased to supply the cable for this vital project,” said David Coughlan, CEO of SubCom. “Connecting communities is what we’re all about. And as a New England company, it's a special opportunity to take part in connecting a place we know and love so well.”
CHASING SHADOWS
Author Talk: Chasing Shadows - Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark
Thursday, November 21 at 7 p.m.
BAR HARBOR—Science writer Ret Talbot will read from and discuss the book he co-authored with shark biologist Greg Skomal about the resurgence in the white shark population in the western North Atlantic. "Chasing Shadows: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark" frames the specie's return to New England as a conservation success story but acknowledges it is one with significant implications for coastal communities, public safety officials and those who recreate in the same environment where the sharks are once again hunting. Talbot will talk about what it means to restore an apex predator to an ecosystem and what our response says about us and our relationship with wildness. Scientific illustrator Karen Talbot, who created the maps and illustrations in the book, will also be present with her large painting of "White Shark Mueller," the shark profiled in chapter one of the book. She will be happy to add an original illustration of a white shark to the title page of any book purchased at the event.
Ret Talbot is an award-winning freelance journalist and author who covers ocean issues at the intersection of science and sustainability. His work can be found in publications such as National Geographic, Discover, Mongabay, Yale Environment 360, and others. As a science writer, he has embedded with marine scientists around the world, including places like Papua New Guinea, Sulawesi, and Belize, and he frequently works closely with scientists to bring compelling stories about science and wildlife to a general audience. He lives on the coast of Maine with his wife, scientific illustrator Karen Talbot.
Copies of "Chasing Shadows: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Great White Shark"will be for sale courtesy of Sherman’s Maine Coast Bookshop. All sales the evening of the event benefit the Jesup.
Register to attend in-person or online here: https://www.jesuplibrary.org/events/tablot
2024 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign Continues with York County Hiring Event November 22
Over 250 employers and resource providers are participating in this year's campaign
MAINE—Maine's annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign, a statewide effort with the goal of at least 100 employers hiring at least 100 veterans and military family members during a 100-day period, is continuing on November 22! The campaign is holding the last in-person hiring fair of this year’s campaign from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 22 at York County Community College.
There will be over 40 employers and resource providers at the event, which is open to all job seekers!
The campaign kicked off with a hiring event at the Augusta Civic Center August 15, a hiring event at the University of Presque Isle September 26, and most recently a hiring event at Poland Spring Conference Center October 17.
The Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign provides support for employers to expand the hiring of veterans through a network of state and federal agencies, resources and nonprofits, education on military language and culture, recruiting and hiring assistance, and recognition for the hiring and advancement of veterans and military family members.
During the 2023 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign, 237 veterans and military family members were hired.
The campaign has connected more than 1,800 employers with over 2,000 veteran-hires since its inception in 2015 and has been recognized as a best practice by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA).
Veterans Representatives are also available year-round to help veterans with their careers, including through connection to job fairs, training, employers of interest, veteran services, and more! If interested, visit https://docareers.me/2023-hire-a-vet-program/ or email MaineHireAVet.DOL@maine.gov
Anyone seeking assistance in job search and training are encouraged to contact their closest Maine CareerCenter, which can be found online at https://www.mainecareercenter.gov/locations/. Veterans Representatives and Career Counselors are available at each location.
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