Portland city attorney Gary Wood issued a press release last night with the city's official response to the vote by Peaks Island residents that they wish to secede from the city of Portland and form their own community.
Interestingly, the press release included all of the changes made by city officials in the drafting of the response, which may offer clues to the city's possible response when the matter moves to the Legislature.
Among the deleted passages: "Peaks voters should be aware that in upcoming negotiations over the cost of secession and other issues, we have a duty to the rest of the city to negotiate and, if necessary, lobby in Augusta for the best terms for Portland's businesses and residents."
Another deleted portion suggests that the city will lobby in Augusta to outright oppose a secession bill in the Legislature.
The entire text of the release is below.
PRESS RELEASE/FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE