2016 Election: How Gorham Voted

Gorham voters largely reflected Maine voters as a whole Tuesday by preferring Hillary Clinton as president; choosing Chellie Pingress as its representative in the U.S. House of Representatives; and supporting the legalization of marijuana, an increase in the minimum wage, and the adoption of ranked-choice voting. 

The one area Gorham voters differed from statewide voters is on the expansion of background checks to private sales: About 56% of Gorham voters voted 'Yes' on Question 3 to expand the background checks, but Maine voters overall rejected Question 3.

Q1

Q3 

Q4

Q5

Images are from the Portland Press Herald.

- John C.L. Morgan

2016 Autumn Chess Open

The North Gorham Chess Club will be hosting its inaugural Autumn Open Saturday, November 12 at the United Church of Christ at North Gorham. The tournament, which will be held in the church's Alexander Cairn Community Room, will be from 10a-12p. 

There is no cost to participate in the event, and players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Each player is guaranteed to play in at least three, 20-minute unrated games.

To participate, players can pre-register for the event by e-mailing me at jclmorgan26@gmail.com or complete on-site registration between 9:30a-10a on the morning of the event.

- John C.L. Morgan

North Gorham Library to Host Westbrook Author

Westbrook author Eleanor Phillips Brackbill will be speaking at the North Gorham Public Library Thursday, October 27 at 7pm. The event is free and open to all.

Brackbill is the author of The Queen of Heartbreak Trail: The Life and Times of Harriet Smith Pullen, Pioneering Woman. In 1897, Harriet Smith Pullen landed in Skagway, Alaska, from Washington State, in the midst of the Klondike Gold Rush, broke and alone. Her enterprising attitude and gregarious nature would make her an Alaska legend.

For more information about the book, click here.

- John C.L. Morgan

NoGo Sunrise: October 14

6:55a

2016 Election: A Look at State House #27 Race

AJ:

In the race for Maine House District 27, Democrat Andrew McLean, the incumbent, is being challenged for the seat by Republican James Means. Both are from Gorham. The district represents part of Gorham and part of Scarborough.

- John C.L. Morgan

Gorham Historical Society Gains New Leadership

AJ:

Following passionate pleas Monday [September 26] to preserve the Gorham Historical Society, members averted a potential collapse of the group. The historical society, plagued in recent months by lack of filled leadership positions and dwindling meeting attendance, rallied when a large turnout backed continuing the organization. Then membership elected a new slate of officers. They chose Suzanne Phillips, a School Committee member and former town councilor, as president. “I am looking forward to helping the historical society have more of a presence in the community,” Phillips said Wednesday. “We have wonderful members and lots of great ideas.” The society’s assets include archives housed in a town-owned building at 28 School St., and a White Rock farm bequeathed to the society several years ago. Disbanding the society would likely have led to legal issues.

- John C.L. Morgan

Maine DoT Repairs Babb's Bridge

AJ:

After years of patchwork repairs to damage from vandalism and car accidents, the Maine Department of Transportation is making major renovations to the historic Babb’s Bridge in South Windham. The repairs, which started Sept. 19 and are expected to continue through the end of October, have completely closed the bridge, which connects Covered Bridge Road in Windham to Hurricane Road in Gorham. Doten Construction, the contractor for the project, will be replacing the bridge’s wooden roof and sides, which have seen extensive damage caused by vandalism. The budget for the project is $89,000, according to Ted Talbot, spokersman for the department.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: Babb's Bridge Among Five Best Watering Holes in Maine (August 22, 2016)  

Neighbors Raise Funds for Congolese Family Reunited in North Gorham

The crowdfunding site established to help the family with living expenses while they adjust to the United States is here.

- John C.L. Morgan

Committee Sends Comprehensive Plan to Town Council

AJ:

Following a sparsely attended public hearing, Gorham’s Comprehensive Plan Committee Tuesday recommended that the Town Council adopt the town’s updated version of the plan as amended by the committee. The committee voted 7-0 (Jon Smith and Doug Carter absent) that the Town Council adopt the town’s updated version of the plan with the committee’s proposed changes. “I anticipate it will go to public hearing with the Town Council most likely on Sept. 6,” Town Manager David Cole said before Tuesday’s committee meeting. The town’s Comprehensive Plan was approved in 1993 and amended in 1994. The proposed updated version with the committee’s multiple recommendations in red letters is posted on the town’s web site www.gorham-me.org.

- John C.L. Morgan