Pen Air recognized for serving biathlon visitors
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Pen Air was recognized during Presque Isle City Council’s March 7 meeting for its “critical role in servicing visitors for the 2014 World Champion Junior Biathlon event,” with a signed proclamation presented by Councilor Craig Green to mark the occasion.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PEN AIR was recognized March 7 by Presque Isle’s City Council for the company’s efforts in serving visitors who flew into the city to attend biathlon events held in February at the Nordic Heritage Center. A proclamation was read at the monthly meeting recognizing the company’s service to the community. Pictured from left are: Councilor Craig Green and Murphy Forner, Pen Air’s vice president of services.
Accepting the award on behalf of the company was Murphy Forner, vice president of services.
Councilors unanimously approved the resolution, “hereby proclaiming our appreciation to Pen Air for the critical role it played in providing air service for the 2014 World Champion Junior Biathlon event,” held in February at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle. The biathlon drew international attention as athletes from all around the world converged on the city for a week’s worth of competition.
Forner announced at the meeting that a boarding agreement had been reached that will enable Pen Air customers to have access to other major airlines.
“Pen Air has signed a contract with Sabre that will allow us to do boarding passes with four other carriers: Alaska, Delta, United and U.S. Air — effective this June,” said Forner.
In other business, councilors:
• Tabled discussion of adopting a newly proposed Chapter 16A — Shoreland Zoning until the May 5 meeting;
• Approved a special permit for music, dancing and entertainment for Wintergreen Arts Center, 149 State St., and for VFW Post 2599, 6 State Rd.;
• Approved City Council minutes for the regular meetings held on March 3, 17 and 24 and the workshop meeting of Feb. 13;
• Approved 2014 warrants 8-12, totaling $1,790,428.15;
• Approved list of election workers, as presented;
• Approved the construction over-limit permit by the Maine Department of Transportation;
• Authorized an abatement of 2011 personal property taxes in the amount of $3,405 against Video Monitoring Services of America, LP;
• Directed Northern Maine Regional Airport Manager Scott Wardwell to send a letter to the United States Department of Transportation on behalf of the Presque Isle City Council for Option 2 for a two-year contract with Pen Air for essential air service;
• Approved an employment license to Lois Dickson, dba Tempo Employment Services, 40 North St.;
• Approved a pawnbroker license for Benjamin L. LeBlanc, dba Ben’s Trading Post, 719 Main St.;
• Approved a taxi cab service license for Lori Hodsdon, dba Town Taxi, 7 Northern Ave., Caribou; and for Marty Clayton, dba Aroostook Cab Company, 456 Tabor Rd., Washburn;
• Approved a pool room license for Xian Ping Cao, dba My Tai, Inc., 449 Main St.;
• Approved a bowling alley license for Northern Lanes, Inc., 510 Main St.;
• Appointed Marie E. Faggiole to the Presque Isle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners;
• Appointed Peter Charette to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Hank King, term to expire Dec. 31;
• Accepted title to 59 Elm St. and 69 North St., by quitclaim deed, subject to the city attorney’s being able to issue title insurance for each, in return for relieving Pension Guaranty Corporation for the 2013 and 2014 real estate taxes;
• Authorized City Manager Jim Bennett send a letter to MDOT regarding the State, Dyer, Parsons and Mechanic streets intersection, as drafted; as well as one drafted for the intersection of Parsons and Main streets and Fort Road;
• Tabled discussion of revising the Building Committee for the proposed Community Center; and
• Tabled discussion of winter sidewalk maintenance in the downtown.
Council will hold its next regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 5, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate. For more information, call 760-2720.
