Lang’s 50% 0FF Express You pay $12.50 for Chinese Restaurant
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
VOL. 3 NO. 17
a $25.00 Voucher
PORTLAND, ME
PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER
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Landlords face streamlined dumping fines 24 hours or $100, city tightens its rules on sidewalk dumping BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Portland property owners will now be financially responsible for household items left on sidewalks and streets in front of their buildings after the city council voted unanimously Wednesday night to amend the city’s garbage, waste and junk disposal ordinances. Property owner who fail to remove items including mattresses, sofas and chairs will now be assessed a minimum $100 fee if they fail to take action within 24 hours of being notified by the city. The new ruling ramps up the time frame of the previous system, under which property owners were given three notices to remove trash before a fine was assessed. “Something that would take at least a week now has the potential to take 24 hours. I think this is a more appropriate, Marshall streamlined approach,” said City Councilor Dave Marshall, whose district include Parkside and the West End. Marshall said the mandate for a swifter response should help to combat any perception among residents that such dumping is acceptable. “Once you get one piece outside, unless see DUMPING page 8
This couch in front of 21 Pleasant St. prompted a notice from the Portland Solid Waste Management Program, warning the property owners that they have 24 hours to remove the discarded furniture. The notice was dated Feb. 24. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)
USM president featured speaker at forum on Egyptian revolution BY CASEY CONLEY THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
With the world watching pro-democracy demonstrations in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, an event next week at University of Southern Maine will examine how the successful revolution in Egypt has shaped events across the region. The forum, called “Egypt Now,” will include panelists from USM, Bowdoin College and Maine College of Art, who will speak about the role of young people in these revolutions and also explore how Serbian youth were an example Botman for demonstrators in Egypt. USM President Selma Botman, who has a Ph.D.
Portland mayor signs U.S. pledge for civility
in History and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University, will be the featured speaker for the event, to be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1 at the Woodbury Campus Center amphitheater in Portland. It is free and open to the public. “A university is an ideal site for the discussion of issues and the exchange of ideas. We invite the entire USM community and our community neighbors to join us in a robust discussion of the momentous events transforming the Middle East,” said Botman in a statement to the Daily Sun. USM officials yesterday also announced plans to host Nawaal el Saadi, a well-known Egyptian author and feminist, over two days in mid-March. Organizers say the “Egypt Now” forum is intended to offer students and community
BY DAVID CARKHUFF AND CASEY CONLEY THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Portland Mayor Nicholas Mavodones has signed a pledge to lead with civility. Mavodones signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Civility Accord — a response to the national debate that ensued after the January Tucson shooting in which six people were killed and 13 injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The Jan. 8 shooting rampage prompted discussion about the role that heated political rhetoric may have played in the tragedy.
SHANIA TWIN featuring Donna Huber Saturday Feb. 26 • Doors open at 6:00 show starts at 7:00 call today to reserve your tickets. Tickets $20 per person Call Kim 772-2500 • Italian Heritage Center • 40 Westland Ave. Portland
Mavodones
see CIVILITY page 3
see EGYPT page 3
Brooks, Collins discuss state of the unions See Opinion on page 4
Birder tour See Events Calendar, page 13