Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition Announces Statewide
Conference, "Maine Neighborhoods: Building Strong Communities"
October 10, 2003
For more information, contact: Carol R. Schiller, President,
Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition (GPNC), phone: 207-772-3243,
e-mail:Ê GPNC@Maine.RR.Com
The Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition is organizing
its first annual conference designed to give residents, neighborhood
associations, businesses, and policy-makers information on
how to maintain and build strong Maine communities.
The conference, "MAINE NEIGHBORHOODS: BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES,"
will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, December
10, at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland. Registration
is $35 per person, payable by November 19. After November
19 the cost is $50. A limited number of scholarships are available
for those who need assistance. Details, including printer-friendly
brochures, are available at www.livinginportland.org (click
Conference Brochure.PDF, Registration Form.PDF), or by calling
(207) 774-9891. This conference has been approved for 5 real
estate continuing education credits.Ê
The Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition includes representation
from neighborhood associations throughout the Greater Portland
region. Carol R. Schiller, founder and president, notes that,
"Residents play a dynamic role in shaping our cities and towns.
The Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition is providing
a forum for all people to communicate, educate, and collaborate
on common issues."
The purpose of the conference is to empower residents as
well as neighborhood leaders in their communities. Topics
to be addressed will include smart growth, community art,
leadership, waterfront neighborhoods, community policing,
downtown revitalization, open spaces, and a discussion on
taxes and how they impact Maine neighborhoods. Among the presenters
are Congressman Tom Allen, Governor John Baldacci (invited),
and David Soule, former executive director of the Boston Metropolitan
Area Planning Council. The conference also will feature Portland's
kick-off of its neighborhood-based planning program, and presentation
of the Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition Neighborhood
Awards for outstanding contributions to the communities of
Greater Portland.
"The conference is an opportunity to strengthen communication
with other Maine communities, and to enhance local government's
important partnership with neighborhoods," said Charles Enders,
GPNC vice president.
In addition, the Greater Portland Neighborhoods Coalition
is hosting a monthly brown bag lunch series to share ideas
and concerns, starting November 7, 12 noon to 1 p.m., at the
Greater Portland Council of Governments (fourth floor), 68
Marginal Way, Portland, Maine.
Sponsors of the "MAINE NEIGHBORHOODS: BUILDING STRONG COMMUNITIES
conference include: ALC Development Corp., the City of Portland;
Coastal Enterprises, Inc.; Fannie Mae; Greater Portland Council
of Governments; Maine Community Foundation; Oakhurst Dairy;
Peoples Heritage Bank; the University of Southern Maine; and
designer Ryan Kavanaugh.
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