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Augusta's Problem Bar Closes

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 19:12:25 PST

Club OTR, a bar in downtown Augusta, has found a new owner. Thanks to the bar’s troubled past, many are wondering if the old way of doing business will continue.

The Record was the first news outlet to break the story about the reckless behavior at the bar. As a follow-up to a story about drunkenness in the state capital, The Record learned that the bar with the worst reputation for rowdiness was Club OTR. Fights between drunken bar patrons spilled out into a nearby public parking lot after hours, and young women passed out in taxis on their way to the hospital to be treated for acute alcohol poisoning.

Portland's Fishy Deal

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:02:52 PST

Portland has changed a great deal since the days when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow looked out from his home on Fore Street, down to the docks that lined the Fore River. The young poet would see majestic sailing ships and stevedores, busy chandlers and barrel-makers. In Longfellow’s day, the most imposing buildings in town were the tall-spired churches, or perhaps the monumental Custom House.

Today, much of the working waterfront is gone, replaced by trendy boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Where Longfellow’s house once stood, at 161 Fore Street, there is now a vacant lot, and across the street, a parking garage. A five-minute stroll to the west, and one reaches the part of Fore Street where nightclubs and bars crowd one another competing for customers, and one or two stores cater to a trade too vile to mention.

A Struggle for the Soul of Maine

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:56:49 PST

The most recent edition of the Family Research Council newsletter Washington Watch makes the claim that “the Tea Party movement needs some salt and light.”

The newsletter warns against the efforts of some leaders within the movement to emphasize only economic issues and to omit any discussion of abortion and same sex "marriage." Support for so-called social issues is strong among Tea Party members; and the newsletter reports that the loudest cheers at a national Tea Party rally were reserved for a speaker who challenged the Obama administration’s support for abortion.

Sangerville Fights Red Tape in Battle Against "Gentlemen's Club"

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:39:11 PST

The fact that the small town of Sangerville is nicknamed “The Town of Two Knights” adds a dash of irony to the continuing battle over a proposed “Gentlemen’s Club.” The town was home to the inventor Sir Hiram Maxim and the much more wealthy, but less fortunate, Sir Harry Oakes. If anyone in Maine could ever lay claim to the title of “Gentleman” it was certainly Sangerville’s own Sir Hiram or Sir Harry. In contrast, Stephen Cardelli's proposal for a club for indecent "dancing" is enough to put the town’s reputation into temporary eclipse.

Owner of "Gentlemen's Club" is No Gentleman

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:23:51 PST

Webster’s Complete and Unabridged Dictionary defines a gentleman as “A man of keen sense of honor and chivalry, a man who shows courtesy and consideration for the feelings of others.” This definition certainly does not apply to the owner of the proposed “Gentleman’s Club” in Sangerville. Exploiting women for profit is not chivalrous, of course, but Cardelli has even more frightening skeletons in his closet.

LePage Win Sends Shock Waves Through Augusta

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:23:12 PST

The unexpected win by Waterville mayor Paul LePage is sending shock waves throughout the political establishment in Augusta. As late as Election Day, the consensus among Republican voters was that the election was going to go to Augusta insider Peter Mills, or to the multi-millionaire businessman Les Otten, who spent two million dollars on his own campaign.

New Casinos Seek Voter Approval

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 10:39:27 PST

Hollywood Slot’s $693 million dollar revenue last year was an attractive proposal for many – an offer they couldn't refuse. But breaking into the casino racket isn’t an easy matter. 2009 saw the Maine Legislature wrangling over many proposals and counter-proposals for new gambling efforts, including the use of competitive bids to establish a casino run by one of the tribes.

Maine Voters Feared Reprisal by Same Sex Marriage Activists

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:52:03 PST

When the voters of Maine defeated same sex marriage last year, the 53 percent to 47 percent win was smaller than might have been expected. Supporters of traditional marriage were faced with a juggernaut of liberal opposition which included a majority of Maine legislators, well-funded gay rights organizations, the press, the Governor, and even the Attorney General.

Nor did advocates of same sex marriage limit themselves to a fair election contest, fought out on a level playing field. The supporters of traditional marriage were often faced with intimidation; and the extent of the intimidation is still not generally known by the public. But a lawsuit against the Maine Ethics Commission is revealing that underhanded methods of intimidation are often used by the advocates of same sex marriage.

Old Port Bars Claim Another Young Life

Thu, 27 May 2010 08:56:55 PST

Before it became a trendy tourist destination, Portland's Old Port was a working waterfront with shipyards and factories. When the Old Port was renovated in the 70s, abandoned factories and dilapidated warehouses were replaced by boutiques, restaurants, and more than a score of bars. By day, the cobblestone streets of the Old Port are filled with tourists and the mood is bright and cheerful. After dark, a different story unfolds - a story of violence, crime, and untimely death, all fueled by the liquor trade.

Mother of Crash Victim Sues Bars

Fri, 21 May 2010 08:25:35 PST

In January 2008, Kenneth C. Brassard and Paul Hinerman decided to go bar-hopping in Waterville. Brassard, whose license had been suspended due to a prior DUI conviction, borrowed a truck from his girl friend, and Hinerman rode along.

They drove to three bars that evening, Mainely Brews & Tavern, the Midnight Blues Club, and The Chez Paree. After leaving the Midnight Blues Club, the pair drove to The Chez Paree, where the bartender served each of them at least one "Cocaine Lady," a powerful mixed drink.

Steep Rise in Gambling Addiction at Hollywood Slots

Thu, 13 May 2010 16:28:48 PST

The latest statistics from Hollywood Slots in Bangor show a shocking rise in the number of addicted gamblers. Up until now the media have been reporting that there are “about 100 problem gamblers” on a Self-Exclusion list maintained by the facility in Bangor. The figure is based on statements made by a Gambling Control Board member one year ago.

A different picture has emerged in recent days. In April, the General Manager of the facility, John Osborne, stated there are 167 names on a self-exclusion list maintained by Hollywood Slots. Since problem gamblers by definition find it difficult to stop gambling, the actual number of addicted gamblers still gambling at Hollywood is significantly under-reported. As a result, there is no accurate measure of the extent of problem gambling at the casino.

National Day of Prayer - "God's Convenant is Unbroken"

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:30:14 PST

The National Day of Prayer off to a rainy and chilly start Thursday in Augusta as a group of about forty hardy souls met to pray beneath a meeting tent in Capital Park, next to the Blaine House. As the event got under way, the change in weather was astonishing, as a brisk wind chased away the clouds to reveal a bright spring sun.

No Marijuana Dispensary for Bangor!

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:32:52 PST

Bangor may soon be added to the growing list of communities in Maine which are enacting moratoriums on medical marijuana dispensaries. On Tuesday, Bangor's City Council Infrastructure Committee, which governs land use in the city, voted to send a medical marijuana moratorium to the full City Council for a vote on Monday, May 10th.

Wall of Fame, or Hall of Shame?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:21:09 PST

Not content with the $691 million in slots revenue earned in 2009, Hollywood Slots is always eager to increase its share of the loot. The advertising of the behemoth on Main Street, has been to date, much like its glitzy decor - brassy and uninspired. The brightest idea to come along in recent weeks is the use of promotional credits to lure in new customers, an idea which was rubber-stamped by the Gambling Control Board at its last session.

Maine Leads Nation in Defending Marriage

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:59:57 PST

A story is brewing locally that promises to have repercussions nationwide. The indefinite postponement of the Maine LGBT Civil Rights March, originally planned for Memorial Day, is leading some observers to speculate that the series of defeats sustained by the same sex marriage movement in Maine will have major implications for the movement nationwide. One gay rights pundit has pointed out that if the movement failed in Maine, it would stall across the nation. Recent events in the state far go beyond his direst predictions.

691 Million Dollars Spent at Hollywood Slots in 2009

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:57:57 PST

A report filed by the Maine Gambling Control Board with the Governor in February shows that gamblers at Hollywood Slots in Bangor spent the astronomical sum of $691 million dollars in 2009. The figure shows a 10% increase over gross revenue reported by Hollywood Slots in 2008. Not all the money went to Hollywood Slots. The report shows that a substantial portion of the money collected was returned to gamblers in the form of pay-outs at the slots, while the remainder was divided among various parties.

City Council Trades Votes for Lives

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:20:07 PST

Bible-based predictions about social trends often come true, but rarely as quickly as in the case of Club OTR, a bar in downtown Augusta which has justifiably earned a very bad reputation. In a press release issued during the first week of January, the Christian Civic League predicted that Club OTR would again become a source of trouble despite assurances to the contrary by its owner and the Augusta City Council. True to our prediction, the bar has relapsed into its old ways.

The Record was the first media outlet to call attention to the serious nature of the trouble at the bar. In a story published on New Year's Eve, The Record reported that young people flock to Club OTR where the liquor is so plentiful and cheap, that they often pass out on the way home, or wind up in emergency rooms to be treated for alcohol poisoning. In addition, fights are a common sight in a nearby parking lot after young men pour out of the bar at closing time.

Ailing Pro-Life Advocate Holds Vigil in the Cold

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:58:51 PST

Scott Michaud tears up while speaking of one of his greatest triumphs through God. Michaud, whose single-minded mission is to “end child killing,” happened to be at the local Wal-Mart last November. A little girl came running over to him. “She came up to me in the grocery department,” Michaud recalled, “and she said, ‘my mom wants to say something to you.’ The mother said, ‘never stop, because you saved my granddaughter.’

“Now I can never stop. There is no greater joy, there is nothing I can do that can bring greater joy. Nothing, nothing, nothing. I’m going to be an emotional wreck because of that.”

MHRC Transgendered Schoolboy 'Rights' Press Release

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:50:15 PST

The Christian Civic League of Maine has issued the following press release in response to the Maine Human Rights Commission issuance of transgendered schoolchildren ‘rights’ proposed guidelines:

The Christian Civic League of Maine is appalled by the latest outrage by radical homosexual activists. Gay activists have disclosed new state guidelines requiring schools to allow young children to have access to facilities of the opposite sex. Under the proposed guidelines, boys who self-identify as female will have access to girls' sports teams and cheerleading squads, girls' bathrooms, and girls' locker rooms.

The Christian Civic League of Maine calls on all Maine parents to attend these upcoming public meetings and voice their strong opposition to the proposed 'guidelines.' Further, the League calls on all citizens to protect their vulnerable children from the homosexual lobby and their enablers in Augusta by contacting their state legislators and stating their firm opposition to these proposed Maine Human Rights Commission 'guidelines.'

From a Dungeon to the State Capital

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:33:10 PST

In March 2006, following the referendum which approved Governor Baldacci's sexual orientation law, The Record made a startling prediction. The Record predicted that the immoral behavior associated with the homosexual rights movement would someday prove to be its ownfall.

It goes beyond the bounds of decency to describe what happened in the basement of the house on Henry Street. That is better left to newspapers and television, and the headlines which even at this very moment are making their way around the globe. Suffice it to say that the advocate of homosexual 'marriage' referred to the scene of his crime as "The Dungeon."