ROCKLAND, Maine — A disagreement over whether Rockland should continue to try to change its port designation boiled over during Monday night’s City Council meeting when a member of the harbor management commission accused the harbor master of lying.
Rockland’s mayor, however, said the commission member stepped over the line with her comments.
At issue was a meeting held Feb. 10 in Rockland between a representative of U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, two members of a cruise ship committee and the harbor master. The meeting was held to continue the pursuit of Rockland’s port designation being changed to allow for passengers on foreign passenger vessels to clear customs in Rockland.
Cruise ships were a hotly debated topic in 2010 when Rockland’s Harbor Management Commission voiced concerns about allowing what it called “megacruise ships” to use Rockland Harbor.
At the March 5 council meeting, Louise MacLellan-Ruf, a member of the harbor commission, which is appointed by the council to advise it on harbor matters, criticized what she said was a lack of communication by the city about its pursuit of the revised port designation.
She maintained that the harbor master had misled the commission by telling it that a meeting with Pingree aide Jim Pineau was going to be held when it had already been held.
“Because of his [harbor master] own agenda, the harbor commission was left out of the loop,” MacLellan-Ruf said.
She said he and others were putting their interests above that of the overall community.
“At the least this was shady behavior. At most it was downright unethical behavior,” she said.
Harbor Master Ed Glaser stood up at the meeting and said he did not know how to respond when someone accuses him, in a public forum, of lying.
On Tuesday, Glaser said he disagreed with MacLellan-Ruf’s statements.
He said after the Feb. 10 meeting with Pingree’s aide, he wrote a summary of the meeting and presented it to the City Council at its next meeting the week after. He said he then informed the harbor commission later that week that a meeting had been held on the port designation issue.
MacLellan-Ruf, however, said not only did the harbor master mislead the commission, but also that the minutes of the last commission meeting, which were compiled by a secretary who was at the meeting, were inaccurate in quoting the harbor master as saying the Pingree aide meeting had been held.
Glaser said even well-intentioned people can hear things differently but that MacLellan-Ruf’s comments were out of line. He said she had not previously voiced her concern to him about being misled before the council meeting.
Rockland Mayor Brian Harden agreed with Glaser saying the commission member’s comments overstepped the line of acceptable behavior. Harden said he wished he had acted to stop her from making what he said was a personal attack.
Harden said he is willing to have the City Council attend a harbor management commission meeting but that he was not planning to invite the harbor panel to a council meeting to discuss the port designation issue.
The City Council voted unanimously in January 2009 to seek the change in port designations. Later that year, Rockland Harbor was visited by the largest cruise ship ever to stop in the harbor when the 962-foot Jewel of the Seas arrived in October with nearly 2,500 passengers and a crew of 760.
In 2010, the city debated the issue of allowing larger cruise ships to make port stops in Rockland.
“We want to be clear that we are not saying no to cruise ships; we are just requesting that the council take a careful and thoughtful look at the reality of the impact on our small town,” the commission stated in early 2010 in a report to the council.
The commission’s report stated that Bar Harbor and Portland have had a host of issues with the megacruise ships such as diesel engines from the ships that spew exhaust equivalent to 10,000 cars, sewer discharges that could harm the lobster industry, increased crime and people avoiding downtown when the ships are in port.
The commission had recommended a larger per passenger fee for the larger cruise ships than what ultimately was approved by the council. Local businesses and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce had urged the council to not hike the rates from $1 per passenger to $6. The commission had recommended an $8 per passenger fee.
Mayor Brian Harden disputed that people were left out of the loop intentionally on the recent meeting between local officials and the congressional aide. He said that getting the port designation changed is a lengthy, slow process that had been in the works since 2009.
He said the issue of port designation is separate from the issue of larger cruise ships.
Harden said the council has to listen to the entire community not just people who make the most noise.
Rockland Harbor has been visited for several years by smaller cruise ships.
The American Cruise Lines’ newest ship the Independence will make stops in Rockland this summer and early fall with up to 150 passengers per visit.
On Sept. 28, the 593-foot Regatta from the Oceanic Cruise fleet, that can carry 684 passengers, will stop in Rockland Harbor.
“We want to be clear that we are not saying no to cruise ships; we are just requesting that the council take a careful and thoughtful look at the reality of the impact on our small town,” the commission stated in early 2010 in a report to the council.
the reality is about 1000 tourists with money to burn will flood the town for a few hours at a time and look around, eat at local restaurants, buy souvenirs, and then get back on board and go away. how is this a problem?
Money to burn ….. Ha, over medicated cheapskates…. They spend very little …. Ask the shopkeepers if you want some facts. …..
I smell an ulterior agenda. Overreaction and sharp accusations for no reason. It kinda smells like a moldy old teabag. Hard to say for certain.
Bar Harbor welcomes about 100 cruise ships in Summer/Fall. Sure helps the small businesses in the MDI area
I live in the area and have worked in Bar Harbor. I am unaware of the increase in crime that cruise ship passengers and crew members have been perpetrating while in Bar Harbor for the day. Apparently according to some people in Rockland that is a major concern. Except in reality it appears to be a non-issue.
Increased crime in Portland when a cruise ship is in port? Sounds like the old scare that Casinos Now tried and got caught with egg on their faces! Tell you what Rockland dont even try to have those great cruise ships stop there. Portland will always take them and the dollars they generate.
Narrow minds that make narrow minded choices that effect the working man is what has kept Maine far far down on places to open a business and always will as long as transplants from away are allowed to sit on boards that make these choices.
Right … A bunch stumbling geezers and over medicated wallets and purses., bring ’em on.
The commission’s report stated that Bar Harbor and Portland have had a
host of issues with the megacruise ships such as diesel engines from the
ships that spew exhaust equivalent to 10,000 cars, sewer discharges
that could harm the lobster industry, increased crime and people
avoiding downtown when the ships are in port.
My guess is the increased crime is due to the increase in potential victims, not criminals leaving the ship to commit crimes. But don’t let the truth stand in the way of your illusion.
I can remember when the only cruise ship that came to Bar Harbor was the Queen Elizabeth Two. In all the years since I have never heard of one incident in which ships sewage was dumped into Frenchman Bay. I have heard of lobstermen getting lines cut by ships propellers.
These people in Rockland seem to be creating imaginary problems in Bar Harbor and Portland as a way to give support to the opposition they have with cruise ship visits in their own area.
I agree with you
Welcome cruise ships and Bye Bye The Real Maine!
”
The Real Maine ”
Time to come out of your bubble, the real maine was lost years ago…
Louise MacLellan-Ruf made serious accusations at this meeting. These accusations should not be shoved aside as Mayor Harden has done. They should be investigated. I do not think that this commission member would have gotten up and spoken for nothing. As I heard her say she tried to speak to the council members and but for one, was ignored. She also said that Ed Glaser the Harbor Master deliberately mislead the commission. One also has to wonder on what authority did the head of the chamber of commerce meet with officials Pengree etc. These are quite serious accusations. Watching the council over time it seems to me that much too much is hidden from public view.
Louise was not speaking on behalf of the harbor commission, she is not the chair. She also missed many chances to sit in on the meetings she said she was left out of.
Whether or not the Chamber of Commerce meets with Representative Pingree is not something that has to be approved by Louise or the Harbor Commission. If she wants to influence Chamber Business , she should join. They are a friendly bunch .
Airing dirty laundry in public comment session (knowing that it will be televised and rebroadcast) was a mistake. The Harbormaster serves at the direction of the City Manager, not Louise Maclellan-Ruf. Lately department heads have been disparaged in this public comment time ,on television. Unsubstantiated remarks are taken as fact by viewers and that is not fair.
Louise Maclellan Ruf said quite clearly that she was speaking for herself. The question is who gave the Chamber the authority to negotiate with the cruise line on behalf of the City of Rockland. That is a question that deserves an answer.
Speaking out publicly of her experience which she most competently did is not as you would characterize it ‘airing dirty laundry’. I certainly do not see it as ‘unsubstantiated’ and nothing in your post supports it as such. I would like to see your evidence that she did in fact miss meetings and what was discussed at those meetings. Don’t these meetings have minutes ? I do not know her but she did not appear to me to be a woman who does not do her homework. It seems to me that it is you who is muddying these waters. Now I would say that that is not fair and I would wonder at your motives.
And why is this public questioning occurring? And why should it not? When objections are made appropriately and within the confines of City Hall, and go unaddressed, when City representatives fail to remember that they represent all residents, there is no option but to take concerns public. And that option, to speak openly as a citizen, is a right and privilege, and, in this intance, by someone who will take an oath as to the veracity of her statements.
I would add, too, that everyone serves at the discretion of the public.
If you serve on any Board and some members decide to take an action in which other members remain unaware, that is a problem.
Usegoodsense, You make a very good point. If one takes the time to ask shopkeepers , schooner captains, gallery owners, the fishermen, and town residents in Rockland how they feel about cruise ships, you will get an overwhelming reply that they are BAD for business! Statistics show that passengers from mega ships buy trinkets and not much of them. They eat on board not at local restaurants. Their influence will cheapen Rockland and push out the good restaurants and year round businesses that Rockland has. If you doubt my words, visit Bar Harbor and notice that most shops sell the same junk and that most shops are closed during the “off season.” Rockland has a vibrant downtown which is open year round and to keep it that way, they should limit the size and number of cruise ships. This is just what the Harbor Management Commission advised. Why weren’t they included in the meeting with Chellie Pingree’s office? It seems to me that some good honest talk is called for and this is just what Ms. Ruf delivered! Rather than complaining that her comments were a “personal attack” perhaps Rockland’s mayor should take a good look at what is happening under his watch.
In 2010, approximately 3 million people visited Acadia National Park. 175,000 were from cruise ships. Of those two groups, whom do you think has a larger impact on the composition of downtown stores in Bar Harbor? Additionally those 175,000 passengers paid approximately $700,000 directly to the town for road & sidewalk maintenance and infrastructure costs. Other than purchases of lodging, meals & souvenirs, what have the other 2.8 million visitors contributed directly to the town? And by the way, the “pollution equal to 10,000 diesel cars” is data from a 25 year old report and does not consider current technological advances and the new EPA low sulfur fuel requirements that have vastly reduced emissions.
I don’t know about you, but eating fresh local Maine lobsters that have been bathing in the cruise ships discharge and “gray water” is not too appealing to me. Anyone will tell you all that waste they throw overboard out at sea washes ashore. Yuck.
Again, get your facts straight. talk to Rockland’s wastewater treatment director who will tell you that what the cruise ship diposes of several miles out is cleaner than what we dispose of right into our own harbor.
We are talking FLOATING CITIES with over 3,000 people on board! This is a tremendous amount of waste. I suggest you chat with a fisherman who will tell you that the waste will move towards shore and into the fishing grounds. Gray water also includes waste from the many medications this huge number of people use and literally urinate. This issue is a great deal more complicated that you have been lead to believe. Waste water is not a good mix for Maine’s fresh local lobster. YUCK!
Look at my previous comment and consider 3000 people on a cruise ship vs 20,000 people in Rockland (daily population growth due to our being a county seat) and remember that what we dump in the harbor is dirtier than what the cruise ships do. Now tell me about gross!
Get your head out of the sand. Bar Harbor businesses have always closed in the winter. Eat there when a cruise ship is in port and you will have a hard time being serviced. Yes, they do buy trinkets, but they also do excursions, visit local sights and enjoy the area. Not at all bad for business. Of course if you didn’t like it, stay on VH where everything stays open all year round.
If you enjoy crowded streets, tourists who are interested in predominantly buying trinkets, and a seasonal downtown, Bar Harbor sounds like a perfect place for you.
Glaser used to be owner and captain of the Issac Evans Schooner that made headlines 20 years ago when it capsized in Penobscot Bay with its passengers on board.
Rockland has to be my favorite city in Maine and has set the benchmarks for organizing events
like the North Atlantic Blues Festival that I wish other cities would adopt. Bangor has done so
to a limited degree.
I suspect this pack them in Cruise Ship mentality will destroy the city and would hope
Joe Steinberg and his crew can balance the city landscape not driven by corporate greed.
I suggest you choose a better spokesperson the Joe Stienberger, his elitist attitude and slick NY lawyer persona make locals want to puke. Regardless of the message if it’s from his lips, many are opposed. Rockland, like so many other communities struggles to balance revenue with costs, what say the downtown merchants, you know the people that employ citizens and pay taxes to the City? Of course Steinbergeer and his group of “we moved to Maine to leave this life” want to sit back and enjoy life in the slow lane, while sipping Lattes and managing their trust funds, while those who’ve lived there forever struggle to pay their taxes and feed their families.
I am sorry. Are we talking about the same person?
The person I am talking about started a company in Rockland
some kind of language institute that attracted students from around the country.
The last news I heard about Joe on the whisper stream was his dad won a Nobel prize for his physics research see http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1988/steinberger-autobio.html
Joe’s brother Ned is famous for inventing a new electric guitar and created a
manufacturing company. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steinberger
Now I know every town has its dueling banjos poster child like in the movie Deliverance
but I am hoping your name is not without significance, eh?
You probably have problems with former Rockland cop Paul Benjamin and his business partner Jaimie Issacson who have made a success out of the North Atlantic Blues festival?
Now I hear you loud and clear about the taxes and putting food in our mouths.
That is why the word insurrection was created . A non verbal way to communicate directly and effectively with the local moonbats and the hacks in Augusta and Washington.
I got your back covered on that issue.
Yes we are and maybe he impresses you as you sound quite pompous.
Your reply to msfreeh was right on.
What’s Joe Steinberger got to do with saving Rockland. Some of these transplant are not as special as they think. Personally I don’t think he adds that much. Must be your pal. We were all stupid here until the wealthy moved here.
There is a constituency in coastal Maine that opposes any and all opportunities for economic growth. Sears Island couldn’t be developed because of eel grass. Mack Point can’t have an LP tank because it’s too visible. Washington County can’t have an LNG port because of whales. Fish farming in Blue Hill Bay is undesirable due to fish waste. Now Rockland shouldn’t host large cruise vessels because of diesel fumes (and increased crime?). Perhaps this constituency should let us all know exactly what sort of economic activity, besides B&B’s, it will accept. The sooner the better because Maine’s economy continues to suffer and Maine kids continue to leave in droves.
your observations about a constituency against development may have some validity, however that is not the issue here….. in fact your post further obfuscates the problem with the Rockland
city council..
Empty Barrels always make the most noise, too many people coming to Rockland has NEVER been a problem in my 57 years here (especially when they all come on the same boat). Louise Rockland Harbor is big enough for every interest .
this is not about how many people do or do not come to Rockland, but do not let any facts get in the way of your opinion..
Some, or all, of that “constituency,” as you damn them, worked hard to prevent the closing of the sardine processing plant, for example.
Some, or all, of that “constituency,” (as well as those “Maine kids,” you mention), have suffered very real, direct, negative health effects from pollutants and toxins.
One gets the distinct impression that if a company offered to pay Rockland to bring in a nuclear waste site, the response would be, “Bring it on. We need the business.”
Correction: Washington County will never get an LNG terminal as long as the ships have to traverse Canadian waters and need Canadian permission to enter Cobscook Bay. It competes with the facility in St. John, NB.
Although some Mainers might oppose it, the fact is, without Canadian approval (can you say “That’ll never happen”?) any question of any terminal on Cobscook Bay is moot.
Maybe those two have to define what “had a meeting” or “will have a meeting” mean……. the Mayor should overstep the line of acceptable behavior himself, put his foot down, and tell them all they are on a time out and each have go to the corner (himself included). Bet they can’t even do that without fighting about it………………………..foolishness………..besides, when that big LPG tanker comes in the Penobscot bay for off-loading propane in Searsport…..TSA will probably shut down all Penobscot Bay traffic anyway……………hmmmm……better check on that one.
Small town politics and minds. If you disagree with someone you are lying or unethical. Same old, same old.
some of you know I like to march to the beat of my own drum.
So I want to give the Rockland Commission and City Council a paradiddle… LOL
look up the word……..
All this trash talk is irrelevant , wink, nod , know what I mean?
http://farsight.org/demo/Demo2008/RV_Demo_2008_Page1.html
http://www.heatisonline.org
It is my understanding that the chamber of commerce and the representative from Cruise Maine are representing special interest groups. I do not think it is appropriate that they meet as representatives of the Rockland public with Chellie Pingress’s office when, in fact, they are representing their own special interests.
Where are you getting your information from Vinalhavener? Your understanding of the situation is completely incorrect. If you’re going to make accusations, please familiarize yourself with Rockland’s comprehensive plan which states in Chapter 14 that the city will make necessary improvements to the waterfront to support broad marine uses and to partner with the chamber of commerce in developing business with the cruise industry. The comprehensive plan was adopted in 2002 after six years of public process. Additionally, the council passed a resolve in 2010 supporting the port status change when they passed a harbor policy without limitations.
This may be the case, but from talking with shop owners on Main Street and with other groups that use the harbor, there are many people who do not want Rockland to be just another cruise ship town or to have the harbor crowded with mega-sized cruise ships. Perhaps this is an issue that the City Council needs to revisit.
Vinalhavener, you can talk to any number of people who think any number of things. Does this make the information factual or accurate? Rockland’s Main Street is a great mix of retail and other businesses. Of course, some won’t benefit from this initiative. Does that negate it’s value? Do we have a Robin Hood form of government, ie “All for one and one for all.”? Where is the crowding in the harbor of which you speak? And what makes you think anyone wants to spoil Rockland’s character? As for the city council, they just addressed this issue two years ago in passing a Harbor Management Policy. Maybe if you lived in Rockland, you would know that.
The sad reality is that if Rockland becomes a cruise ship town it will no longer have the great mix of retail and other businesses you mention. How do I know this? Do a little traveling in Key West, Bar Harbor, Alaska, Caribbean, ….. pick any cruise ship town and you will find the SAME thing.. trinket shops, crowded streets, fast food, and basically cheap tourism. I think Rockland and its residents deserve more than that. The cruise industry is out for itself. Do some research and you will discover that what I am telling you is true. Cruise ships are bad for business. They bleed a town dry.
Don’t worry, Rockland will never become a Cruise Destination, yes I am sure ships will come here, only because Bar Harbor may have ships in that particular day. Then they will go to Bar Harbor the next day. Knowing a little about Rockland Harbor, its not deep enough to be filled with “Mega” cruise ships. Rockland doesn’t have Acadia National Park right next door. Rockland will never have the 100 ships a year Bar Harbor does. If it has 4 or 5 a year I don’t see how that will hurt businesses or the area. What is wrong with Cheap tourism, not every one in the United States can take a family out a long, large, expensive vacation to Alaska or Europe. Some of us common folk have to do the cheap tourism stuff.
The cruise ship industry is always looking for new harbors and they like to play one harbor off of another to get what they want. The next step will be to ask Rockland tax payers to fund expensive infrastructure in the harbor, costing locals more $$$. In return, Rockland residents will get cheap seasonal shops, fewer destination tourists, a harbor and coastal area with higher level of pollution, a harbor less conducive for the working waterfront, etc …. When you subtract the hidden expenses and impact on quality of life, the $$$ just aren’t there. Rockland can still be a great destination for people of all economic levels, just without the gigantic ships and the crowds that come with them. What makes you think they will shop in Rockland, anyways? Most of them jump on out of state buses and head off on “excursion trips.”
Wow, Vinahavener. Since you know the outcome of what will happen in Rockland so well, I’m glad you are using your psychic abilities for good. It’s a shame that you think so little of the people of Rockland and State of Maine that we are incapable of managing our own outcome. Better you just tell us what to do since you seem to know everything.
RealRocklander, Please take a good look at Bar Harbor, Key West, Bermuda, and innumerable small towns around the world and you will see time and again the impact the cruise ship industry has on small communities! I do not need a crystal ball to recognize what is right in front of my face. What surprises me is that you seem to think Rockland’s experience will be different than the hundreds of ports before us. Get REAL!
I can’t speak to Key West or Bermuda as I’ve never been but I can tell you that the state of Bar Harbor is not due to cruise ships coming to port. Look at the numbers. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, in 2010 some 3 million people visited Acadia and Bar Harbor and only around 175,000 of those were from cruise ships. Who has had the greater impact? The 175,000 people coming off cruise ships or the 2.8 million people driving their cars to the area? Talk about pollution! Rockland will never draw those types of numbers either from cars or cruise ships because we don’t have a very popular National Park in our backyard. Also, it seems that the cruise ships that have come have been here in October after the throngs of summer people have gone away. Wouldn’t this be a great time to have an influx of some additional money in town? The argument that cruise people don’t go to restaurants is false! Yes, their meals are included but they are in town during the day and need to eat lunch. In speaking with the waitstaff at Brass Compass Cafe, they stated they had one of their best tip days of the summer. So maybe Lily Bistro didn’t see a swell of business that day but just because one business didn’t see an increase is that any reason to deny another business from seeing that increase?
RealRocklander, Should the rest of Rockland have to put up with crowds of tourists so that a few restaurants can have a good tip day? It is also important to remember that certain galleries and shops have found that the mega-cruise ships are not a good match for their businesses and CLOSE on the days when the mega-sized ships are in town. Is this fair to them?
After the research that I have done, I am convinced that the mega-sized ships will hurt Rockland’s businesses. It seems to me that for the most part people agree that the small cruise ships work in Rockland. Why not promote these boutique cruise ships and limit the size of cruise ships allowed into the harbor? The harbor master has reported repeatedly that Rockland should not plan on a large mega-ship business. Perhaps we should build on his predictions and make the most of the smaller boutique type ships which have worked well in Rockland over the years. If mega-sized ships are not really slated for Rockland harbor, as Ed Glaser says, what are we arguing about? Let’s work with the City Council to pass an ordinance which builds on Ed’s prediction and makes Rockland the go to place for pleasure cruisers and boutique cruise ships. This is where we will get the greatest “bang for our bucks” and my guess is the tips will be pretty good, too!
Vinalhavener I appreciate your thoughtful observations and contributions to these comments. I also appreciate your genuine interest in what is truly in the best interests for the City of Rockland.
Anecdotal information can be very valuable and I would say that the character of Rockland that you speak of is in the eye of the beholder. You say that this was addressed 2 years ago. What was addressed and what were the conclusions then. What does that have to do with Ruf’s comments.
You are saying a lot of nothing. It does not take a Rockland resident to see this.
The article states that the Council passed a resolution in favor of the port status change. Ruf accused Glaser of pushing his own agenda. Clearly, Glaser was operating under the direction of the City. Maybe you should practice what your name preaches.
Yes, the article does say that a resolution was passed 2 years ago. That is not what Ruf was speaking to. If Glaser was in fact meeting along with the Chamber members and Pingree’s staff
under Mayor Harden’s direction then he should clearly say so. I do not see that in his interview by Betts. I do see that Glaser says that he did not mislead Ruf. If this is true than surely he can provide the documents to refute her charge.
A search on the City of Rockland website for “cruise ships” will give the more comprehensive picture of discussions and decisions.
This is very interesting information, Pointaway. It does sound like Rockland’s cruise ship policy is a work in progress: “The policy will undergo an annual review “to ensure that they meet the needs of the residents of Rockland and to ensure that the stated goals remain appropriate.” Rockland’s cruise ship policy will have a long term impact on the future of the town. What kind of town and harbor does Rockland want in 20 years? Is a working waterfront part of the picture? If Rockland wants to remain a town with a unique character that is appealing to destination tourists as well as young families and retirees, the cruise ship question is one that needs to be very carefully considered.
It is best to examine all the documented material within the City of Rockland records for a comprehensive understanding of the cruise ship issue.
Where there’s smoke there’s likely a little fire. I think he got fairly tagged.
The report skews what actually occurred. (And Ruf is not a “Rockland official.”
View the facts on http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/20910702 It’s early on, during the public comment period. Compare and contrast.
—-
In my opinion it was completely inappropriate for Mayor Harden to call Ruf’s comments unacceptable
behavior. It was not unacceptable or inappropriate. I also wonder that council member Elizabeth Dickerson’s ONLY (interest) question to Ruf was ‘who are you speaking for?’.
Reading this article again I see that Betts writes of interviews with Mayor Harden and Harbor Master Glaser. The author makes no mention what he learned from speaking to Ruf.
As is apparent from many posts this is an issue that deserves a more complete investigation.
—-