UPDATE: This story has been updated to include comments from Harold Pachios.
The City of Portland’s Committee on Sustainability and Transportation will hear an informational presentation Thursday evening regarding a proposal to rename Marginal Way in honor of former Democratic U.S. Senator from Maine George Mitchell.
Thursday’s presentation will be given by Portland-based attorney Harold Pachios, who served as White House Press Secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson, and was former chairman of the Maine Democratic Party as well as the Democratic nominee in Maine’s First Congressional District in 1980.
Pachios told the Maine Wire that he will be giving the presentation on behalf of a prominent Portland lawyer who initially proposed the idea of changing the street name to him months ago, but who is unable to attend Thursday’s Committee meeting.
Pachios, who is a good personal friend of the former U.S. Senator, will be speaking to Mitchell’s long legacy of public service, with an emphasis on the Mitchell Institute’s scholarship fund that awards financial support to high schoolers across Maine who are planning to attend college.
Marginal Way is home to Portland’s largest homeless encampment — as of Wednesday, approximately 100 tents are pitched on the Marginal Way Park and Ride, most of which sit on State of Maine property next to Interstate 295.
Marginal Way business owners directly across from the encampment, which has continued to grow at a rapid pace in recent months, have pleaded with city and state officials for months to address their safety and health concerns.
Local business owners have reported finding weapons — such as a “zombie slasher” machete and a loaded shotgun — discarded hypodermic needles, and human feces on their property.
The encampment is set to be cleared out by the city’s Encampment Crisis Response Team on Nov. 1.
Pachios’ presentation will be heard by Committee Chair and City Councilor Andrew Zarro, and City Councilors Roberto Rodriguez and Victoria Pelletier..
The Committee meeting is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in room 24 at Portland City Hall.
No public comment will be taken on the presentation.
Good grief! Pachios and Mitchell have been Dem buddies for years so why wouldn’t he give him a tribute that is symbolic of a failed Democratic policy? It’s what they do.
It’s also perfect timing for Mitchell’s name to resurface. He could take another shot at being the Middle East Envoy since his assignment by B. Hussein O. went so well back in 2009-11.
Right on brand for a Demon-Rat
Just another friend of Epstein and no one cares if he was named by the victims.
They should just name it Democrat Way.
So are the people of Portland ready to stop the destruction of their city yet, or will they let the carnage continue until the city and Maine govt. , run by democrat/Marxists totally destroy a once vibrant healthy city of business, employment,and tourism, and let them over run and overwhelm Portland with people who illegally broke our laws , and most have no desire to assimilate to our way of life ? Will you vote for more of the same ? Will you watch your city turn into Los Angeles? My bet is a sad yes….
But. But why not just call it Millsville, in honor of our Governess, who supposts such things.?
Steller idea, give credit where credit is due. The Janet Mills vision of the future for all Mainers.
Why haven’t anyone asked why taxpayers are supposed to support young people who refuse to work to support themselves and than be able to rent a room, apartment etc? The majority of these “poor pitiful homeless” are young people that are perfectly capable of working to earn their keep and make their own way . They choose not to get a job, they in turn have chosen to remain living on a street corner. There are more than enough job openings here in Maine, everywhere you go people are hiring. Get off your dead ass and GET A JOB.