Great Success and one more meeting to seal the deal

Please forward to all Durham, Freeport, and Pownal voters


May 17, 2012

Dear PORT champions,

Thank you to all who have tirelessly and boldly attended meetings, talked to counselors and school board members, and been the citizen voice for the PORT and its teens. For those of you unaware, the PORT is facing a $20K funding gap for the upcoming school year, and closure of the center was imminent. Today, I am happy to be able to report out on the fruits of our labor.



After a tremendous showing of support for the PORT at the public hearing for the Town of Freeport’s operational budget, we have identified $15K in funding. LL Bean has stepped up once again, and committed $10K to the PORT on top of the $3K they already annually contribute. Furthermore, Counselor Sara Gideon made a motion to add $5K to the Town of Freeport’s budget to support the PORT teen center at last night’s budget workshop. A non-binding concensus poll of the counselors shows broad support, and the the Town is writing the $5K into the operational budget that will be officially voted on tonight. If you are interested, the Budget Adoption occurs tonight, 5/17/12, at 7pm at the Freeport Town Hall.



Now we have one more exciting meeting to make this budget push a slam dunk and completely close our $20K funding gap- your vote will literally count:

We have already approached the RSU5 school board to stand with the Town of Freeport, LL Bean, and countless other private and business donors by financially supporting the PORT. The board voted against allocating money for the PORT teen center.



Now, on Wednesday, May 23rd at 6:30pm at the FHS cafeteria, we can override the school board’s decision with a simple majority vote from citizens in attendance. Your vote literally, directly, and immediately counts.



Here is the School Board meeting procedure to add funds for the PORT teen center:

1. We need every possible PORT supporter to attend the May 23rd meeting. Registered Durham, Pownal, and Freeport voters will be issued a voting card. Bring proof of residency.

2. The board will work through various budget items. At the appropriate budget item, the PORT will have a pre-determined representative make a motion to add $5K to the school board budget for the PORT.

3. The school board will take a vote of citizens in attendance. A majority vote means the money will be added to the budget and our $20K gap will be sealed.



We need to fill the room one more time. It’s that simple.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,





Evan Kumagae, PORT Coordinator



FMI, contact Evan: (207) 865-6171 or horvathe@rsu5.org