"Our" Portland had some demonstrations and protests some weeks ago, mostly targeting the Police Dept. Brunswick has had one or two of its own.
Now comes word that "The Big Little City by the Sea" is trying to climb back up the PR ladder, in hopes of who knows what. The one thing it is showing in common with its doppelganger on the left coast is a tendency to let protesters take over whatever they want to takeover, and ensure that sworn "Peace Officers" don't do anything to prevent them from interfering in the conduct of city business and property, or in taxpaying residents accessing the services they need.
You can find the entire article here: https://www.pressherald.com/2020/07/25/city-hall-encampment-gathers-donations-persists-into-4th-night/
Additionally, here's a letter issued by Portland City Government to its employees, indicating that it is deferring to the rights of the "encampment" to prevent employee and citizen to City Hall and its services.
==================================================
City Hall Staff,
As
the encampment outside our City Hall workspace continues to grow, we
are concerned it has become an unsafe place for us to ask you to come in
to work. Given
that we continue to be in the midst of a pandemic, we feel the
activities and behaviors right outside our offices are not safe from a
public health standpoint.
Following
our Leadership Conference Call this morning with City Manager Jon
Jennings, we have come to the decision that we are going to ask that all
City Hall
employees please return to working remotely from home, and that you
return to City Hall only for absolutely essential work that cannot be
completed remotely. This decision is due to our need to make sure we are
providing you with a level of workplace safety
which you need and deserve as employees.
Each
Department Director with offices in City Hall will work with you this
afternoon to make a plan on what business must continue to take place
here in the building,
and who will do it. All other City Hall employees should plan on going
home and working remotely, as you were during the initial months of the
pandemic. Fortunately, we know most employees are already set up to work
remotely from home, so we hope that we will
be able to keep our work moving along for as long as this current
situation is in place. If you are not set up to work remotely from home,
and/or are unable to work from home, we will authorize Paid
Administrative Leave. For those of you who must come in due
to work that must be done physically here in City Hall, please come in
to perform that work only, and leave as soon as you are able. Any and
all vacation and other leaves (including unpaid furlough days) that have
already been scheduled for this week should
continue to be taken.
If
you must come in to work, it is imperative that you only use the
Chestnut Street entrance. It is also very important that you do not
allow anyone in the building
who may ask or insist. There will be an increased Police presence to
insure the safety of employees who need to enter and exit the building.
In addition, if you should be working in City Hall and notice something
that makes you concerned for your safety -
either inside or outside of the building - please call the
non-emergency number at Dispatch which is 874-8575 and report it. If you
must come to City Hall for work, you may park on the streets alongside
City Hall. John Peverada is notifying his staff to not
enforce parking regulations during this period so that you may park
close to the building if you must come in.
Public
Buildings & Facilities staff will continue to be present working in
City Hall, so there will be staff present during regular business hours
to make sure
that our building is secure, and that anything that needs to be
addressed will get attention.
We
sincerely appreciate everyone coming in to work during this time, and
we look forward to being able to welcome everyone back soon, when we can
better insure
the safety of all who work here. Please watch your City email for any
notices regarding a safe return to work date.
If you have any questions, please let us know. Be safe everyone.
Director of Human Resources
Human Resources Department
389 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
phone: (207)874-8624
fax: (207)874-8937
tty: (207)874-8936
