Naming options to raise funds
for new community center
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
STEVE RICHARD, chair of the fund-raising committee for the proposed Community Center, requested Presque Isle city councilors’ approval of a program that would allow naming options to be used as a way to raise funds for the new facility. Pictured from left at the March 4 meeting are: Council Chair Emily Smith; Councilors Randy Smith, Craig Green and Dick Engels; City Manager Jim Bennett; and Richard.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City Council granted permission to the Community Center Fund-Raising Committee to proceed with the concept of a naming rights program during its regularly-scheduled March 4 meeting.
“It’s helpful to allow naming opportunities, whether it be the building, a room inside or whatever. TAMC had naming opportunities several years ago that brought added income to their core project. We’d like naming opportunities as we go into the fund-raising campaign,” said Steve Richard, co-chair of the fund-raising committee.
“The committee would come back (to council) with a list and the prices for you to approve,” said City Manager Jim Bennett. “Tonight they just want a ‘yes, we like the idea,’ or a ‘no, it’s terrible.’”
Council Chair Emily Smith said she liked the idea. Councilor Craig Green questioned the possibility of using the current Rec Center’s name in some form at the new facility.
“The William B. Haskell name on the current center is significant because he founded — was the first rec director. It’s historical in nature. We should keep it in some way as part of the project,” said Green.
“Absolutely, we’ll keep that under consideration,” said Richard.
Bennett said this could also allow people to prevent names from being used.
“People have also paid to keep a site from being named something else,” said Bennett.
Councilor Bruce Sargent suggested a monument could be built outside the new center in honor of Haskell.
“There is a deep, emotional attachment to the name/man. There may be people who’d rather not see the new building built if it’s not named for him in some way,” said Bennett, noting the community and staff are welcome to come up with options to honor Haskell’s memory.
Councilors unanimously approved Richard to pursue naming options as a way to raise funds for the proposed Community Center.
In other business, councilors:
• Approved special permits for music, dancing and entertainment for the Presque Isle Country Club, 35 Parkhurst Siding Rd., and Star City Coffee, 483 Main St.;
• Held its first public hearing on amending Chapter 52 — Ordinance of Commercial Displays of Nudity, with a second hearing slated for April 1;
• Approved the consent agenda;
• Approved the application by Maine Public Service for the replacement of utility poles on Mechanic Street with the condition that the poles on Mechanic Street from the five-way intersection to the Industrial Street intersection be relocated to the back side of the sidewalk away from the curb;
• Authorized an agreement for services for Gary Friedmann & Associates of Bar Harbor as the fund-raising consultant for the Community Center;
• Appointed Beverly A. Labbe as the registrar;
• Authorized an abatement of 2010 personal property taxes in the amount of $65.80 and 2011 personal property taxes in the amount of $56.40 against Jason Jackson Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a Jackson Wireless in accordance with the city’s settlement agreement with the taxpayer;
• Appointed Mark Jones as a trustee of the Presque Isle Water District;
• Supported the combining of the Presque Isle Sewer District and the Presque Isle Water District into a single utilities district;
• Approved the contract for dispatch services with the towns of Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill as presented; and
• Directed the city manager and staff to present back to the City Council suggested steps to change processes, procedures and related ordinances in order to streamline project approvals, particularly commercial projects. Further, the recommendations shall not compromise any of the original goals that supported the initial adoption of the policies.
Council’s next regularly-scheduled meeting will take place at Monday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2785 or visit www.presqueisle.govoffice2.com. Council sessions are televised on Time Warner cable Channel 16.
