A political first date, gone horribly wrong
Even hindsight hazy on oil spill anniversary
Business woman takes the cake, by making her own ice cream
See Bob Higgins on page 4
See Curtis Robinson’s column on page 5
See the story in Locavore, page 6
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011
VOL. 3 NO. 54
PORTLAND, ME
PORTLAND’S DAILY NEWSPAPER
699-5801
FREE
Graffiti clash brings both sides to forum BY MATT DODGE THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Tonight, both supporters and opponents of “unsanctioned public art” will continue their debate as Portland considers an ordinance which would penalize both “writers” and property owners who fail to promptly remove graffiti. Presented by Space Gallery and
“I would never buy any artwork from any gallery that sold any art inspired by graffiti work.” — Jay York, Portland property owner The Portland Arts and Cultural Alliance (PACA), the event was spurred by an impromptu conversation between local photographer and property owner Jay York and city
arts group president Andy Graham, also a local businessman. “We were at [an] event at Bayside Bowl when the topic came up and became very passionate. PACA was
starting to outline our new season of Creative Conversations so this seemed like a relevant issue,” said Jess Lauren Lipton of city arts group Creative Portland and an artist with the Sylvia Kania Gallery. There has been no shortage of input from the community on the issue, with a municipal graffiti task see GRAFFITI page 9
Marijuana advocate tries full-court press As Portland legislator campaigns to legalize pot, activist tests courts BY DAVID CARKHUFF THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
Michael J. Dee of Windham, shown here in Portland on Friday, continues battling marijuana laws, fighting in the courtrooms. While taking on the issue from a judicial standpoint, he supports legislation in Maine to legalize marijuana, which is sponsored by Rep. Diane Russell, D-Portland. (DAVID CARKHUFF PHOTO)
On Wednesday, when Rep. Diane Russell kicks off her campaign to legalize marijuana in Maine, Michael J. Dee of Windham will keep an eye on the legislation, but don’t expect him to lay down his protest signs. The courtroom, not the state house, is where it’s at, Dee believes. An activist who has toted signs to the United Nations and has filed legal briefs in courthouses across Maine, Dee has become a thorn in the side of the Maine judiciary. see POT page 3
For Deering lacrosse, it’s like father, like son BY JEFF PETERSON SPECIAL TO THE PORTLAND DAILY SUN
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree for Bob and Adam Rothbart. Bob Rothbart is entering his sixth season as the head coach of the Deering High School boys lacrosse team. During the offseason, he started looking for a new assistant coach. The search ended with Rothbart hiring someone he had a lot in common with. Not only did his new hire know a lot about lacrosse, but for about 18 years, they shared the same address. “At first I was a little nervous about my son being my assistant coach,” admitted the elder Rothbart. “I didn’t want him taking advantage of me just because
“We always have something to talk about and we’re really a lot closer. Plus, I think we respect each other a lot more and I don’t think I am the idiot dad anymore.” — Bob Rothbart, head coach of Deering High boys’ lacrosse, on his son, Adam I was his dad.” Adam was a little nervous as well. “I really wanted to coach with him,” said the younger Rothbart, “But I didn’t want us to argue like we did my whole life.”
According to Bob and Adam Rothbart, they had about as close as you could get to a normal father/ son relationship from birth to college, but what has happened since then, neither of them could have predicted. Not only do they spend two hours a day, six days a week together at Deering practices, but several more hours planning and preparing their team for the season. “It’s been good for our relationship,” said the head coach. “We always have something to talk about and we’re really a lot closer. Plus, I think we respect each other a lot more and I don’t think I am the idiot dad anymore.” see COACHES page 16