Bill Nemitz: as newspapers cut back on
local news, disinformation spreads
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Bill Nemitz speaking at the GPCOG Annual Summit |
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The news: Former Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz, the featured speaker at the GPCOG Annual Summit, spoke about the impact of the decline of local newspapers on communities. Without local news, the public doesn't get a shared understanding of the facts, he said. The result: a political environment in which misinformation and conspiracy theories spread.
"If nobody is out there telling the community what's actually happening, I guarantee someone or some group will step into that void with their own special version of what's really going on... In one minute, you are a hard-working municipal official desperately searching for road salt. The next: you're the kingpin in a kickback scheme that inevitably traces back to China."
Why this matters: Cities and towns in our region are increasingly using their own communication channels to keep the public informed and to clamp down on disinformation.
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General Assembly approves
$5 million budget, elects new leaders
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Windham Town Councilor Jarod Maxfield elected GPCOG President |
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The General Assembly on May 26 approved a fiscal year 2023 agency budget of $5 million. The budget supports the priorities for the coming year, including:
- Attracting federal, state, and private resources to the region.
- Continuing to deliver high-quality member services.
- Expanding transportation and housing choices throughout the region for everyone.
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Doing our part in meeting the goals of Maine Won’t Wait.
- Supporting internal diversity, equity, and inclusion improvement.
The General Assembly also approved the slate of GPCOG Officers and Executive Committee members for fiscal year 2023:
Jarrod Maxfield, Chair, Windham Town Council - President
Mary Fernandes, Chair, Casco Select Board – First Vice President
John Hawley, Naples Town Manager – Second Vice President
Jerre Bryant, Westbrook City Administrator
Krista Chappell, Gray Town Councilor
Mark Dion, Portland City Councilor
Kate Lewis, South Portland City Councilor
Carmen Lone, Chair, Bridgton Select Board
Matthew Sturgis, Cape Elizabeth Town Manager
Nat Tupper, Yarmouth Town Manager
Sue Witonis, Cumberland County Commissioner
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Guy Mpoyi honored for community leadership |
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Guy Mpoyi, winner of Community Leadership award |
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GPCOG has awarded the 2022 Community Leadership award to Guy Mpoyi for his work as an advocate for equitable and accessible transportation for all. Building on his experiences as an immigrant, Guy created the Bus Ambassadors Program, which enables immigrants and refugees to access transportation resources and to navigate our transportation system.
Now with Cumberland County funding and the help of 10 volunteer Bus Ambassadors, the program teaches asylum seekers how to use buses and to plan their trips to access grocery stores, healthcare services and appointments with federal immigration officials.
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Bridgton and Cumberland win recognition |
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Bridgton officials Georgiann Fleck (left), Linda LaCroix (center) and Victoria Hill
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The news: The Town of Bridgton received the 2022 Invest in Yourself Award for investing more than $30 million over the past five years to transform its downtown. Projects that are part of this transformation include: reconstructing its Lower Main Street, making streetscape improvements, improving neighborhood side streets and drainage systems, and extending and upgrading its wastewater collection and treatment system.
Additionally, the Town of Cumberland received the 2022 Good Neighbor Award for helping the Town of Falmouth during the pandemic. In late 2020 the Town of Falmouth closed its town offices due to COVID-19 related vacancies. The Town of Cumberland stepped in, handling all of Falmouth's motor vehicle registrations and licensing collections for a couple weeks while Falmouth's staff recovered from COVID or returned from quarantine.
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What Works! Cities and towns celebrate success |
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The news: Officials from Bridgton, Gray, Windham and Portland celebrate success stories in less than one minute, a popular segment every year at the GPCOG Annual Summit.
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Gorham-Westbrook-Portland Rapid Transit study
is focus of June 23 webinar
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The news: Join Transportation Planner Ericka Amador at 10 a.m. on June 23 for a presentation about rapid transit and why the Gorham-Westbrook-Portland corridor was chosen for the study. Ericka will also provide a study overview, timeline, and next steps.
What this matters: The study is a critical step toward implementing a rapid transit system along the corridor.
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Apply to be a host site for
AmeriCorps Resilience Corps program
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The news: We're seeking applications for Host Sites for our 2022-2023 AmeriCorps Resilience Corps Program. The Resilience Corps aims to support our local government agencies, nonprofits, and regional initiatives in advancing resilience in the greater Portland region. Our third cohort of Resilience Corps Members will serve between October 2022 and September 2023. The application deadline is July 1.
Why this matters: By becoming a Host Site, your team gets a dedicated boost to capacity with an engaged, capable, and talented full-time Resilience Corps Member. To learn more, contact Resilience Program Manager, Julia Breul at jbreul@gpcog.org.
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The news: We're updating our region’s Long Range Transportation Plan and need help from the people who live, work and play in Greater Portland. Take our survey to tell us about your transportation priorities and where improvements need to be made. Your ideas will guide the plan's development.
Anyone who takes the survey will be eligible for a $100 gift card for groceries. Just be sure to include your email at the end of the survey.
Why this matters: We need lots of public input to create a great plan.
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Volunteers needed to make National Governors' Association meeting in Portland a success |
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The news: The National Governors’ Association’s annual meeting is happening in Portland from July 13 to July 15. There are various volunteer roles available within the hotels as well as at Ocean Gateway and Ft. Williams Park. Check out this website to select the volunteer opportunities you’d like from the various days/times.
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Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG)
970 Baxter Boulevard
Suite 201
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-774-9891
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