Council takes step to fill empty seat

Cape Elizabeth councilors are expected to ask Gov. Paul LePage to declare a vacancy in House District 121 when councilors meet June 13.

Town Manager Michael McGovern said the request is the first step to hold a special election for the seat left open by the resignation of Sen. Cynthia Dill.

McGovern said if the seat is declared vacant, a special election could be held Nov. 8 to fill the year left on the two-year term.

Dill resigned the seat this month after her election to the Maine Senate District 7 seat left vacant by the resignation of former Sen. Lawrence Bliss.

According to Article IV of the Maine Constitution, vacant House seats “may” be filled, as opposed to the constitutional requirement a vacant Senate seat “shall” be filled. In both cases, a governor must declare the seat vacant before an election is scheduled. House District 121 covers most of Cape Elizabeth.

Finalists named in president search

A search committee to find a replacement for Southern Maine Community College President Dr. James Ortiz has forwarded the names of three candidates to Maine Community College System President John Fitzsimmons.

They include Dr. Janet M. Sortor, who currently is the college vice president and dean of academic affairs. Joining Sortor on the list are Dr. Brad J. Stewart, vice president and provost at Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Md., and Dr. Ronald G. Cantor, associate vice president and dean at Mohawk Valley Community College in Rome and Utica, N.Y.

Community college system Spokesman Helen Pelletier said Fitzsimmons hopes to present his nomination to the board of trustees June 22. The three candidates were selected from 49 applicants by a search committee comprised of faculty, staff, students and community members.

Dennis King, a member of the board of trustees and president/CEO of Spring Harbor Hospital, was chairman of the selection committee. Ortiz will retire in July after 10 years at the college.

Law bans texting while driving

The Legislature on Monday enacted a law that bans texting while driving.

The bill, LD 736 “An Act to Prohibit Texting While Driving,” was sponsored by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Cumberland County). It imposes a fine of at least $1,000 for anyone caught texting while operating a motor vehicle. 

“Studies have shown that texting while driving decreases response time as much as drinking,” Diamond said in a news release. “Maine has had several high-profile accidents in the last year involving texting and it has become a real problem. This is one new law that will actually have a quick and positive result.” 

Rep. Paulette Beaudoin (D-Biddeford), a co-sponsor of the measure, said she is “thrilled” it was passed by the Legislature.

“I am very happy that this bill passed; it has been a long time coming,” she said in a news release. “Many lives will now be saved because of this bill.” 

The bill now goes to Gov. Paul LePage for his signature. 

Maine joins more than 30 states that have banned texting while driving. 

.Two named to planning board

The South Portland Planning Board gained two new members with council approval Monday of  Rob Schrieber and Paul McKee on May 16.

Schrieber serves District 1, which spans the northern tip of the city from Willard Square to Bug Light with a portion of Ferry Village.

Schrieber returns to the seat he held from 2004 to 2010. He was board chairman in 2006 and 2007, and his current term expires April 1, 2013. 

McKee serves District 5, comprised of the western section of the city from Main Street to boundaries with Scarborough, Westbrook and Portland. He is a real estate agent with Keller Williams and has lived in the city for 17 years.

McKee fills a seat vacated by the resignation of Carol Thorne. His term expires April 1, 2014.

Towns plan for Memorial Day 

Cape Elizabeth: 

Parade assembles at 8:15 a.m. on Fowler Road.

Parade begins at 9 a.m. at Fowler and Old Ocean House Road. Route is along Ocean House Road to Scott Dyer Road and the War Veterans Memorial.

Parade marshal is World War II veteran Dexter Hunneman.

South Portland:

Parade forms at 9:30 a.m. at SMCC parking lot near Broadway.

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. and passes from SMCC along Broadway to Ocean Street past city hall. 

After the parade, a short ceremony will be held at the monument at American Legion Square at Cottage Avenue and Ocean Street.

A ceremonial wreath laying will be held at noon at the public boat launch at Bug Light Park.

South Portland High School Principal Jeanne Crocker announced she will leave the school June 28. She cited potential changes to state employee retirement benefits, “especially health insurance,” as reasons for her departure.

Crocker, the principal for 28 years, will take a new job with the Maine Principals Association and oversee professional development for K-12 principals in Maine.