The Olsen situation heats up
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Portland Issues
The controversy over former Marine Resources director Norman Olsen continues to swirl. I look forward to hearing more from DMR acting chief Patrick Keliher about an ongoing study of the department’s effectiveness. In the meantime, the Lewiston Sun-Journal’s Political Pulse blog has an update about Olsen’s meetings with Gov. LePage and video from WCSH of LePage’s response.
Carmona pursues Marine Resources data
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Portland Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CARMONA PROCEEDS ON INFORMATION REGARDING TROUBLED DEPARTMENT
Portland, MAINE (July 25, 2011) – Today, Ralph Carmona, will receive and review a contract outlining an all-agency review of the Maine Department of Marine Resources. He intends to discuss with the department’s acting commissioner, Patrick Keliher, documents requested and issues related to the contract’s agreement as they relate to Portland’s future.
Of particular concern are the contractual understandings of the study that will focus on the department’s dual mission to protect and preserve Portland’s coastal ecosystem and the harvesting and growth of Portland’s fishing industry.
Under the Maine Freedom of Information Act, Carmona has also requested any documents related to the Department study thus far, which directly or indirectly, affect future commitments to Portland on re-establishing a Maine-based ground fishing industry. It is a concern Carmona has shared with, and will seek guidance from, the Maine Council of Resources, key elected officials, business and policy leaders.
July 25, 2011
Honorable Patrick Keliher
Acting Commissioner
Department of Marine Resources
Augusta, Maine
(via email: patrick.keliher@maine.gov)Subject: Maine Freedom of Information Act Request
Dear Acting Commissioner Keliher:
Many thanks for agreeing to provide the contract agreement regarding an all-agency review of the Department of Marine Resources.
Under the Maine Freedom of Information Act, I am also requesting any documents to date that have been discussed or provided as they relate to the department with regards to the future of the ground fishing industry and Portland.
Also, I would very much like to discuss with you your thoughts on where you see the study going and share concerns on the minds of many Portlanders regarding recent allegations aimed at our Governor with respect to the collaborative port efforts with the City of Portland.
I can be reached at 207-518-9177. My cell is: 207-420-5916.
Sincerely,
Ralph
Carmona: Let’s see what Olsen said
Filed under: Articles about Ralph Carmona, Portland Issues
Bill Nemitz: Frustrated with captain, marine chief bails (Bill Nemitz)
Norman Olsen’s statement on his resignation
CARMONA SEEKS OLSEN REVIEW OF DEPARTMENT OF MAINE RESOURCES
Portland, MAINE (July 24, 2011) – On Monday, Ralph Carmona, candidate for mayor of Portland, will request a copy of an all-agency review of Department of Marine Resources conducted by Norman Olsen, former commissioner of the Department of Marine Resources (DMR).
“In his astonishing words,” Carmona said that “former Commissioner Olsen claims that his ‘investigations uncover the fact that your supposedly well-run program doesn’t exist.’ In his resignation statement, Olsen has emphasized the need for ‘the publication of the review, as required by law, and reject the attempt, already under way, at a cover-up. I am confident that the report will reinforce my own findings that the Department is in need of major overhaul.’ ”
What the report will show, according to Olsen, is the influence of “a tiny fraction of industry members seeking to protect their state-granted monopolies over a public resource – perhaps 150 out of some 12,000 marine resource license holders.” This is why Olsen resigned, alleging that the LePage administration is “more interested in pacifying special interests than in responsibly managing Maine’s marine resources for the benefit of the entire state.”
A member of the Maine Natural Resources Council, Carmona will request that the organization do likewise and will ask key Maine legislators to also make that request and explore the possibility of scheduling a public hearing. Under the Maine Freedom of Information Act, as a citizen, Carmona will also make that request to acting commissioner of the DMR, Patrick Keliher.
As a citizen publicly committed to Portland’s economic development, Carmona indicated that equally as damaging is Olsen’s allegation that the Governor wants “no further collaboration with the City of Portland to develop measures to return our ground fish boats to Maine.”
“I hope the Governor, directly, not through his underlings, acts to put this allegation aside. Because it this does not make policy, economic, business or common sense and smacks of a political payback mindset,” Carmona concluded. “The people of Portland and Maine need to see the Governor exhibit a public show of faith. This is not about special political interests – it is about what is in the public interest, which is best served by a strong cooperative relationship between city and state.”
Ralph Carmona summary:
· Member, Munjoy Hill Neighborhood Organization Board of Directors
· Vice Chair of the Portland Democratic City Committee
· Advisor on the Portland Police Department’s Community Police Advisory Board
· President of the Portland League of United Latin American Citizens.
He is a certified Portland History Docent and has taught a course on “Portland’s Future Politics and Policies” at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine.
Carmona has 40 years of community, professional and business experience on public policy and politics at all levels of government. He has served as an executive in the private and public sector. He has a doctoral degree in political science and has been an adjunct professor for over 20 years at numerous colleges and universities. Carmona is also a member of the Portland NAACP, Portland Trail, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maine Historical Society, Friends of Eastern Promenade and the Maine Audubon Society.
A member of the Portland NAACP, he and his wife, Vana, are members of the
Portland Trails, Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Maine Natural Resources Council, Maine Historical Society and Friends of Eastern Promenade.
DONATE
Carmona for Mayor
P.O. Box 15111
Portland, ME 04112-
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