Page 21 - Deqa Dhalac News Today

Deqa Dhalac was formally seated Monday as the top elected leader of Maine's fourth largest city.

Dhalac was first elected to the South Portland City Council three years ago, but has long worked in community-building roles: as an activist, social worker, and currently, as the family engagement and cultural responsiveness specialist for the Maine Department of Education.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine official who is believed to be the first Muslim elected to the South Portland City Council is now the city's mayor. Deqa Dhalac was scheduled to become mayor of the state's fourth-largest city on Monday.

South Portland breaks ground on new middle school Construction has started on the state-funded school, which is expected to be completed in 2023. Share Future students of the new middle school in South Portland from Skillin Elementary School at the groundbreaking ceremony on June 3. They are accompanied by Michael Johanning, architect for WBRC. The school is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023.  Catherine Bart photo SOUTH PORTLAND — After 15 years of organizing and planning, constr...

Simone Grimes named chief financial officer at Acadia Insurance Simone Grimes Simone Grimes has been appointed chief financial officer of Acadia Insurance in Westbrook. She succeeds Charlie Hamblen, who will retire later this year. Grimes has diverse senior leadership experience in the worlds of finance and insurance, previously working at PricewaterhouseCoopers, then as a regional vice president at a national insurance carrier and most recently serving as the deputy chief operating officer and...

Sea Bags, a designer and manufacturer of bags, totes and accessories made from recycled sail cloth, hired Ashley Rochus as retail store manager in Portland. Skowhegan Savings hired Greg Legier as vice president and commercial lender in Portland. Legier most recently served as a regional vice president and commercial loan officer for Franklin Savings Bank in New Hampshire. Dentons Bingham Greenebaum, a law firm in Portland, hired Andrew Helman as a partner in its restructuring, insolvency and...

Greater Portland immigrant leaders welcome end of so-called Muslim travel ban Panelists describe former President Donald Trumps action as racist, fomenting hatred, and a measure that tarnished Americas reputation as a beacon of light for those fleeing violence and persecution. Share Immigrant leaders from Greater Portland met virtually Wednesday night to celebrate the end of former President Donald Trump’s ban on travel from several primarily Muslim countries, expressing hope that the Biden ...

Local leaders discuss racial justice efforts The panelists spoke on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, hosted by Greater Portland Council of Governments. Share Deqa Dhalac was a panelist with other local leaders on Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year. She discussed the formation of South Portland Human Rights Commission as well as other ways she has supported Black, Indigenous, People of Color in the community.   Derek Davis/Staff Photographer   Margaret Brownlee, vice-chair for the South Portla...

Three councilors sworn in and new mayor elected Mayor Misha Pride outlined city goals for South Portland and discussed challenges the city faces in 2021. Courtesy photo City of South Portland SOUTH PORTLAND — Mayor Misha Pride, three councilors and two new board of education members were sworn in during inauguration ceremonies on Dec. 7. Jocelyn Leighton, newly elected city councilor for District 1, District 2 Councilor Kate Lewis and District 5 Councilor Deqa Dhalac were sworn in before th...