Maine (WGME) -- The signs of spring and summer keep coming The iconic Pier French Fries and Bills Pizza opened for the season on Friday in Old Orchard Beach This is Pier Fries’ 93rd year in business and for Bill's Pizza The hours for the first few weeks will be just Friday They say once Mother Nature decides to cooperate more If you're a frequent visitor to Old Orchard Beach in the summertime You've got to spend some time enjoying the ocean air and feeling the heat from the sprawling beach Grabbing a slice of pizza and a box of fries is an annual tradition that people simply cannot pass up enjoying some thrills at Palace Playland or catching some music and comedy That's where you'll find something missing this year in OOB For the last three and a half decades, visitors to Old Orchard Beach could count on one consistent entertainment option. The witty, crass and hilarious show known as Yo! Adrian at The Pier At the end of the 2024 season, Yo! Adrian announced that it would be his last spending summers in New England He's officially retired from performing on The Pier leaving a huge void in familiar entertainment for return visitors to the area As it often goes with entertainers, when they retire, they don't actually retire. Yo! Adrian continues to do his show in Key West. Despite being "retired", he is still making people smile and laugh at Rick's Bar Key West five nights per week Adrian's decision to retire from performing in Old Orchard Beach was a simple one He resides in Key West the majority of the year and just wanted to remain closer to home Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton While plenty of people will visit Old Orchard Beach this summer, there's going to be something missing for the first time in more than 35 years\nRead More If you're a frequent visitor to Old Orchard Beach in the summertime For the last three and a half decades, visitors to Old Orchard Beach could count on one consistent entertainment option. The witty, crass and hilarious show known as Yo! Adrian at The Pier At the end of the 2024 season, Yo! Adrian announced that it would be his last spending summers in New England As it often goes with entertainers, when they retire, they don't actually retire. Yo! Adrian continues to do his show in Key West. Despite being "retired", he is still making people smile and laugh at Rick's Bar Key West five nights per week - Total score: 51.6- Affordability rank: #45- Weather rank: #72- Safety rank: #103- Economy rank: #115- Education & health rank: #129- Quality of life rank: #18 Pensacola offers residents great proximity to some world-renowned beaches stands as on of the first European settlement in the New World Downtown Pensacola features block after block lined with shops Canada's Prime Minister singled out Maine's Old Orchard Beach this week when talking about how tariffs on his country could affect the U.S Justin Trudeau accused President Trump of launching an unnecessary trade war aimed at damaging the Canadian economy Speaking to reporters on Tuesday — the day the 25% tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S kicked in — Trudeau pledged that the country's government will take all steps necessary to protect its citizens and economy But Trudeau also said Canadians will respond in their own ways We're going to choose to not go on vacation in Florida or Old Orchard Beach or wherever." also predicted that Canadians will avoid buying American products we are probably going to keep booing the American anthem," he said referring to the recent trend during cross-border hockey games and other athletic events We are booing a policy that is designed to hurt us Old Orchard has long been a popular vacation destination for some Canadians. According to the Maine Office of Tourism Canadians accounted for 7% of all visitors to the state last year And data from three years ago indicate that the typical Canadian tourist reported staying more than four nights There's an intersection in Old Orchard Beach It's a crazy intersection where 5 roads converge Godan Draskovic who lives near that intersection in Old Orchard Beach told WMTW Imagine being a tourist and trying to figure that intersection out I'm getting off I-195 and taking a right and it's a piece of cake But coming back through there and taking a left from Old Orchard Beach Road is a real bear READ MORE: Two New Rides Coming to Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, Maine Yes! According to WMTW the Maine Department of Transportation classifies that intersection as a "high crash" location with 27 crashes over three years between 2019 and 2021 It's because the problems start at the Route 1 exits from 1-195 in Saco Both of those off-ramps to Route 1 are major crash areas also Town officials in both Old Orchard Beach and Saco know that the intersection needs attention and they are trying to make it safer. They are looking at traffic lights and a rotary (or roundabout) at the Halfway Intersection but it's expensive with a $16 million price tag Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka There's an intersection in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, that not just tourists get tripped up on.\nRead More Godan Draskovic who lives near that intersection in Old Orchard Beach told WMTW READ MORE: Two New Rides Coming to Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, Maine Yes! According to WMTW by Stephanie Grindley OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME) – Businesses in Old Orchard Beach could be facing fewer Canadian tourists this summer We're going to choose not to go on vacation in Florida or Old Orchard Beach or wherever,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said "We've been in the business for 57 years,” Royal Anchor Resort General Manager Mike Williams said “We've had Canadian guests who have been coming for almost that long." At the Royal Anchor Resort in Old Orchard Beach Williams says many of their Canadian guests will book a year out The Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce says roughly 40 percent of the town's tourists come from Canada but any tourism-driven business in the state of Maine is going to feel it," Williams said The Royal Anchor has asked all their Canadian guests to keep their vacation plans It's a very short season," Williams said Lisa’s Pizza Manager John Murray says it's pizza over politics "We make a pizza that's got pepperoni And that's probably our biggest seller with the Canadians," Murray said He says Canadians will again migrate south this summer "We've got seven miles of beautiful beach Does Canada have any type of beach up there I think it's going to be a good season provided the weather is there," Murray said The Chamber of Commerce adds that OOB has a long-standing relationship with Canadian visitors and they’re hoping to welcome them back with open arms this summer by Brad Rogers OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME) -- Summer cancellations from Canadians keep adding up in coastal communities Canadian leaders are encouraging their countrymen not to vacation in Old Orchard Beach or anywhere in the U.S angered by President Donald Trump’s tariff policies many businesses in Old Orchard Beach are still closed for winter This community relies on the warmer months and the spring Canadians heading south for the summer means big business for Old Orchard Beach it's absolutely half the business," Ocean Park Sub & Grocery and Cottage Designs Owner Lisa Kidd said Early indications are this won't be a normal summer for sure," Crest Motel Co-Owner Sean Nickless said Nickless and his family own two beachside hotels in Old Orchard Beach Twenty-to-25 percent of their guests are Canadians At many other local hotels and campgrounds "It's pretty clear that there's some public unrest," Nickless said "They don't agree with kind of the U.S.'s world view at the moment They're just not behind this administration The Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce is now trying to attract families from New England and other parts of the U.S "We're looking at different strategies as we continue to market Old Orchard Beach in new ways," Kim Howard of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce said She says it will be sad if her Canadian customers and friends choose not to vacation there and she wants them to know this community supports them "It isn't everyone in this country that is feeling this animosity at all,” Kidd said we just feel empathy for what's happening." She says she'll know by June if the Canadians choose to vacation there or not but we're concerned because the Canadians I think I have 60 percent Canadians in the early months and then in September." "Some of them say that they're not coming back at least for this Presidential term," Nickless said "We are ready to welcome our Canadian visitors whenever they are ready to come back," Howard said It doesn't help that the Canadian dollar is the lowest it’s been in 10 years with the exchange rate below 70 cents to the U.S It was as high as 80 cents on the dollar during the pandemic when Canadians were unable to vacation in the U.S Severe storms are possible in Maine this afternoon Damaging winds and hail are the biggest threats by Ariana St Pierre Maine (WGME) -- Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has ruled a trooper was justified he shot and killed a man in Old Orchard Beach in July 2024 Maine State Police said 38-year-old Christopher Harriman of Limerick was shot and killed by Trooper Ryan Phillips in Landry's Shop N’ Save parking lot on July 9 after troopers responded to a report that Harriman was in a black Escalade and making suicidal threats and threats to others at the Kennebunk rest area on the Maine Turnpike Harriman led them on chase before allegedly pointing a firearm out the window towards officers He was later found in Landry's Shop N’ Save parking lot in Old Orchard Beach Maine State Police said officers tried to negotiate with Harriman and convince him to surrender as he stood outside his vehicle police said Harriman reached in his vehicle He was then shot and killed by Trooper Phillips The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Harriman died from a single gunshot wound to the upper right side of his back Harriman threatened officers and was openly hostile towards them Trooper Phillips reasonably believed Harriman was posing an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death when he shot him “All facts and circumstances point to the conclusion that Trooper Phillips reasonably believed he was acting in self-defense and defense of others at the time he used deadly force,” Frey said in a report Harriman had a criminal record dating back to 2004 by Anna Coon SACO (WGME) -- Several intersections in Saco and Old Orchard Beach are getting some attention for being considered "high crash locations." the public got a chance to weigh in on the problem and possible improvements things that don't get reported,” Old Orchard Beach resident David Pelton said “So there's the actual accidents and the near accidents and I think all of that really combines to needing some change in that intersection” The Maine DOT reports 37 crashes between 2021 and 2023 at the "Halfway Intersection" in Old Orchard Beach locals say constant traffic is moving too fast “It's called ‘Disfunction Junction’ by the locals,” Pelton said That’s one of the "problem areas" identified in a study by the Maine DOT The three entities are looking to make the roads safer along the I-195 and Ocean Park corridor “I think you kind of can see that there are some concerns so that’s really what the study looks to long-term alleviate,” Saco Planning Director Emily Cole-Prescott said The study also calls for adding a traffic light at that five-road intersection in Old Orchard Beach and building a roundabout in Saco connecting I-195 and Ocean Park Road adds crosswalks and bike paths and reconfigures the traffic flow “We feel the operations of the corridor will be better where there's back-to-back signals,” Don Ettinger of Gorrill Palmer Engineering said While most of the public expressed their support for the project at Monday's meeting some leaders in Saco aren't on board with part of the plan that would require local drivers to go get off the highway drive to the roundabout and then into Saco instead of going right from the highway to Ocean Park Road “To force that traffic to be rerouted down to the base of the spur it's not going to do anything to alleviate the traffic,” Saco City Councilor Joe Gunn said Saco's mayor and Gunn say they want to make sure there's room for that intersection layout to be changed before the project moves forward There's a years-long road ahead before things potentially break ground including securing funding for the estimated $15.9 million project Maine (WGME)- Business owners in Old Orchard Beach are expressed their thoughts over the potential impact of tariffs on foreign goods announced by the Trump administration who has owned Corner's Surf Company for 11 years Laughlin noted that many brand-name products come from China and while the effects may not be immediate "A lot of the brand stuff comes out of China our sunglasses going to go up to $500 $400 nobody's going to be buying them," he said "The stores are 12,000 ft plus so it's a lot of stuff and now it's going to be what 2/3 times the price," he said "Their closest ocean would be Nova Scotia Do they want to drive 9 1/2 hours or 4 1/2 hours with their family?" he said also expects tourists to return and enjoy their time in Old Orchard Beach "People are excited for summertime—they're excited for vacation and I think a lot of people don't want to put that into the perspective of their time of enjoyment," Carney said While some stores in Old Orchard Beach are already open many others are preparing to open for the season closer to Memorial Day weekend Maine (WGME) – Police are warning Mainers to lock their cars after multiple break-ins around Old Orchard Beach Police are asking people to check their security cameras between 4 a.m They say there were "numerous" car break-ins around town the vehicle wasn't locked and items inside were stolen If you recognize the person in the photo above please call the Old Orchard Beach Police Department at (207) 934-4911 and ask to speak with Detective Ryan Larose Is there anything that screams Maine summer more than Old Orchard Beach A little bit of everything is represented there—from aggressively dressed tourists to arcades However, Old Orchard Beach should really be known for the iconic spud that engulfs us all with its salty flavor and perfect crunch. Yes, I’m talking about Pier French Fries—the spot that’s been putting smiles on sunburnt faces for generations And those studly spuds are about to be available for the first time in 2025 Folks, now it’s officially time to get ready for summer. Hallelujah—the fries are returning. And they’re not alone, because along with Pier French Fries, the legendary Bill’s Pizza will be firing up the ovens for the season on May 2 as well Pier French Fries bought Bill’s back in 2022 to ensure the pizza joint continues to satisfy the masses of beach bums and hungry folks that will hit OOB this year Both Pier French Fries and Bill’s Pizza have been serving up delicious food for generations while Bill’s Pizza got its start in 1949 The two shops are among the most iconic spots not just in Old Orchard For more information about both of these incredible Maine institutions I highly suggest heading there early in the season to grab your slice I know I’ll be stopping in frequently to get my French fry fix READ MORE: Maine's Old Orchard Beach Highlighted in Vintage Footage with at least the first few weeks operating Friday through Sunday Expect seven-day service to follow soon after Friday, May 2, marks the first day in 2025 you can grab the legendary Pier French Fries and Bill’s Pizza.\nRead More However, Old Orchard Beach should really be known for the iconic spud that engulfs us all with its salty flavor and perfect crunch. Yes, I’m talking about Pier French Fries—the spot that’s been putting smiles on sunburnt faces for generations Greetings to all from OOB and two of the greatest Folks, now it’s officially time to get ready for summer. Hallelujah—the fries are returning. And they’re not alone, because along with Pier French Fries, the legendary Bill’s Pizza will be firing up the ovens for the season on May 2 as well READ MORE: Maine's Old Orchard Beach Highlighted in Vintage Footage - Location: Town in Michigan\r\n- Population: 65,870 Property values and median incomes have increased over the past year largely thanks to the city's manufacturing industry The Twelve Oaks Mall and Suburban Collection Showplace offer a lot of opportunities for shopping and entertainment You may find it difficult to believe that a beach seven miles long could be considered "hidden" especially considering that Ocean Park Beach is an extension of Old Orchard Beach generations of families have been returning to Ocean Park for a variety of reasons including the fact that the beach portion of the small village has remained pristine and not overrun with tourism The village of Ocean Park was established nearly 150 years ago by Free Will Baptists with rules and traditions that remain intact today One of those rules is that Ocean Park remains alcohol-free Ocean Park also bills itself as a spiritual healing destination offering community options like a garden and pergola for self-reflection and meditating Whether it was strategic planning or just dumb luck Ocean Park was constructed in a way that limits tourism and beach traffic Many of the roads in the village are narrow and there are very few public parking spaces available families have called Ocean Park their summer home for generations with very little turnover in real estate or rentals Gallery Credit: Erik Owens Neighboring one of the busiest summer destinations in the state, you've probably driven by one of the best 'hidden' beaches in Maine and didn't know it\nRead More The village of Ocean Park was established nearly 150 years ago by Free Will Baptists - Total score: 38.75\r\n- Entertainment and recreation: #39\r\n- Nightlife and parties: #27\r\n- Costs: #157 Come to Portland, Maine, where the lobsters are cheap, the views are spectacular, and the locals are friendly. Visit the Old Port district for a variety of interesting shops, restaurants, and bars. Don't forget to hit up the Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth Old Orchard Beach is one of Maine's most popular beaches they couldn't find one nice thing to say Visit Portland boasts of Maine's beautiful Old Orchard Beach The seaside community boasts a diverse and large population of up to 75,000 in the summer as it hosts vacationers from all over the United States but primarily from New England and the mid-Atlantic states Canada and Europe looking to enjoy our miles-long stretch of fine beach clean ocean water and all the attractions that both Old Orchard Beach and the surrounding City of Portland have to offer not according to these 10 terrible reviews from Tripadvisor contributors I think my favorite criticism of this review is that of the 'angry husbands' I'm glad mriveraocasio will be having his cup of tea elsewhere "The most unfriendly and greedy town in the state." Wow I don't know where this reviewer is from but I'd bet money it's greedier and probably way more unfriendly based on who this person is I get that maybe the reservation was messed up and that can throw you off and put you in a bad mood But to say that the town doesn't welcome guests is a bit much Sometimes I simply don't know what people expect with a swelling of thousands in the summertime It's no Ogunquit and it's not the East End Beach You still might want to have cash ready though.. According to Niche Old Orchard Beach got a B- based on violent and property crime rates "I've never smelled so much weed." Obviously The people here didn't come from Walmart I would pick out a few things I didn't like Old Orchard Beach is one of Maine's most popular beaches. But for these 10 visitors, they couldn't find one nice thing to say.\nRead More Visit Portland boasts of Maine's beautiful Old Orchard Beach According to Niche by Allyson LaPierre, WGME OLD ORCHARD BEACH— A citizen initiative for rent control in two local mobile home parks has been overwhelmingly approved by voters. The ordinance will limit rent increases at Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village mobile home parks to no more than five percent per year, except under special circumstances. The measure was passed by 71 percent of voters. However, some are still concerned about what the future holds. “I’m a little concerned about what’s going to happen,” said Jamie Napier, a resident of Old Orchard Village. “How is this going to work? How is it going to recoup?” The ordinance comes after the two parks were sold earlier this year to Follett USA, and rent increases followed almost immediately after the sale. Some residents are worried about rising costs, particularly those on fixed incomes. “We thought the ordinance would protect us because we didn’t know what the next rent increase would be,” said Napier. “Given what’s happening across the country, we felt it was best to protect ourselves.” Follett USA opposed the rent control initiative, urging voters to reject the measure. In a September interview, Follett USA President Erik Rollain argued that rent control could lead to legal challenges. “Rent control creates an adversarial relationship between property owners, tenants, and the city,” Rollain said. Despite this opposition, residents of Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village celebrated the approval of the rent control measure. “This is a great victory, not just for us but for the people of Maine,” said Val Philbrick, a resident of Old Orchard Village. Still, some residents remain anxious, as rising costs continue to affect their communities. The rent control ordinance won’t take effect until 26 days after the vote. “I wish I could jump up and down and say ‘yay,’ but I’m concerned,” said Karen Kitronis, a mobile home resident. “I’m worried.” Residents like Napier, who said 80 percent of the residents at Atlantic Village are retirees on fixed incomes, fear the impact of future rent hikes. “It’s the last affordable place for them, so it’s a little scary,” Napier said. For now, residents are hopeful but determined to continue pushing for rent control protections. CBS13 and FOX23's annual Shred-A-Thon is Friday 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at our studios at 81 Northport Drive in Portland. Voters pass rent stabilization for mobile home parks in Old Orchard Beachby WGME Staff OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME) -- The vote for rent control for mobile home parks in Old Orchard Beach has passed with 71 percent of voters approving it It was up to voters to decide on whether to enact a specific kind of rent control for mobile home parks This allows for up to a 5 percent rent increase Anything more than that would have to go through an approval process The town council passed a citizen initiative from residents in two mobile home parks who say they need to protect themselves from predatory landlords People living in Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village in Old Orchard Beach say they are dealing with the biggest increase they're ever seen Maine (WGME) -- A 70-year-old man was found dead after fire at a home in Old Orchard Beach on Sunday Old Orchard Beach police and fire departments responded to 9 Usen Lane on Sunday for a reported cardiac event Officials say 70-year-old John Chadbourne was found dead in the living room and a fire had occurred inside the home The cause and circumstances of the fire remain under investigation No other information has been released at this time Voters in Old Orchard Beach have overwhelmingly approved a rent control measure for mobile home owners The referendum caps annual lot rent increases for residents at 5% The measure also details a process for residents to dispute proposed rent increases through a town arbitrator Real estate investment company Follett USA, which bought Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village in August, campaigned against the measure. The company registered with the Maine Ethics Commission as "the Committee to Protect Old Orchard Beach Affordable Housing." Reports show more than $17,700 was spent on the opposition campaign And it argued that the rent controls would be too expensive to implement The measure suggests that residents would have to pay administrative fees to cover the costs which Follett described as a "tax" on affordable housing in signage placed around town Atlantic Village resident Linda Cole said she and her neighbors wanted more protections against drastic rent increases under a new park owner And she said they offered a simple message to voters: "That we have lived here for a while There's a lot of senior citizens who live here on fixed incomes And that a large corporation had bought the park for a very large amount of money And we were afraid that they were going to kind of price us right out of our own homes." Housing advocates in Maine say they may pursue additional protections for mobile home residents next year which could including local or statewide rent control measures or more tools to help residents purchase their parks So far, only the residents of the Linnhaven Mobile Home Center in Brunswick have successfully formed a cooperative and purchased their park under a relatively new Maine "opportunity to purchase" law Tourism season is on the horizon for many of Maine's vibrant summer communities. That includes Old Orchard Beach which typically uses April and some of May to awaken from its winter slumber When people do begin to pile into Old Orchard Beach this spring and summer they'll be welcomed by some familiar restaurants that they've come to know and love Including one new restaurant with some international flare According to Saco Bay News Old Orchard Beach has added some additional international flavor to their restaurant offerings El Dorado Colombian Food has opened at 5 Ocean Park Road along the corridor headed towards Saco the restaurant specializes in traditional Colombian dishes including steak arepas Colombian fried rice and the mouth-wateringly delicious chicharons El Dorado officially opened their doors last month in preparation for what they hope will be a busy summer season International markets are growing in popularity in Maine They're perfect for home cooks to find very specific ingredients or those that prefer a more concise selection to choose from El Dorado Colombian Food will scratch that itch for people who may initially visit for some delicious food and may walk out the door with some additional Colombian items like snacks You can check out El Dorado's menu here Gallery Credit: Lori Voornas Hungry visitors to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, will find a brand new Colombian restaurant offering traditional dishes this summer\nRead More Tourism season is on the horizon for many of Maine's vibrant summer communities. That includes Old Orchard Beach According to Saco Bay News El Dorado Colombian Food will scratch that itch for people who may initially visit for some delicious food and may walk out the door with some additional Colombian items like snacks You can check out El Dorado's menu here I'm guarantee you have all heard that Maine has a longer coastline than California It's practically the first thing any Mainer tells someone "From Away." what's equally amazing is the lack of coastline that's considered a beach Maine is known for having a beautiful but rocky coastline it is nice have a sandy beach close by to enjoy According to Trip Savvy, Maine has just 70 miles of beaches That means beach space takes up just 2% of the state's entire coastline Fortunately for those who live in Southern Maine the majority of it seems to be in Cumberland and York Counties Old Orchard Beach is a vast space that curves beautifully along the cove While the beach itself can get overlooked due to all the other bells and whistles of the town, it's constantly being named on best beach lists, both locally and nationally It can also be packed to the gills on a beautiful summer day READ NOW: 30 Bands That Rocked Maine's Old Orchard Beach Ballpark Old Orchard is also one of Maine's best nostalgia destinations. Every time I drive into the town, I think of all the rounds of mini golf I've played, and all the orders of Pier French Fries I have devoured there's a nice seven-mile beach to walk and work off those calories the next time you are hanging out on Old Orchard Beach remember that it's the longest one we have in the state Just watch out for all those banana hammocks The Southern Maine hotspot is a favorite among both locals and tourists of all ages. But did you know that Old Orchard Beach is also Maine's longest beach?\nRead More According to Trip Savvy, Maine has just 70 miles of beaches While the beach itself can get overlooked due to all the other bells and whistles of the town, it's constantly being named on best beach lists, both locally and nationally READ NOW: 30 Bands That Rocked Maine's Old Orchard Beach Ballpark Old Orchard is also one of Maine's best nostalgia destinations. Every time I drive into the town, I think of all the rounds of mini golf I've played, and all the orders of Pier French Fries I have devoured OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME)-- Leaders in Old Orchard Beach will take up a proposed rent control ordinance for mobile home parks on Tuesday night Residents of one community gathered enough signatures to potentially put it on the ballot this November I want it to be okay for everybody," said Karen Kitonis The mobile home parks Old Orchard Village and Atlantic Village were sold to FollettUSA this year after an attempted counteroffer from residents failed "My biggest concern was all of the people who are on fixed incomes—in their 80s—who live here and where would they go if they got priced out?" said Kitonis who was involved with the effort to create a co-op So Val Philbrick came up with a way to ensure their housing costs would stay affordable by mirroring a mobile home park rent control ordinance in California "It was thoroughly vetted before they enacted it These people out there know what they're doing," said Philbrick the company's founder said they were "disappointed" to learn about the proposal recently He adding that they try to keep rent increases "very reasonable," typically between 40 and 60 dollars per year "So I'm not sure why they're so against it," said Kitonis "I don't see why this owner would have any problem with this ordinance I think it's tailor-made for him," Philbrick said But FollettUSA President Erik Rollain says this is all happening very quickly "There's a lot of things that need to be considered," said Erik Rollain "We haven't been given the opportunity to prove ourselves and show that we really are who we say we're going to be," Rollain said FollettUSA went on to ask residents if they'd "consider asking the town council to delay taking action" until they could "work together to reach agreements" "without resorting to a rent control ordinance." "Not that we would have agreed to it—but I'm just saying it was too late," Philbrick said Philbrick believes there's no stopping this issue now that it's been public notice about the meeting and it's in the town council agenda "Rent control creates an adversarial relationship property owners and the city," said Rollain The company says the proposed ordinance is confusing and complicated and could expose the town to litigation "I think it's just a scare tactic but unfortunately it's having an effect on a lot of these people in the park," Philbrick said Rollain says there's a lot they don't understand about the proposal and there could be unforeseen costs with the properties that require resources "It's having the ability to be able to cover your expenses and to make a fair return and be able to reinvest those dollars back into the community," Rollain said The company wants to share ideas for a controlled and planned rent schedule and the possibility of constructing long-term leases they're prepared to offer a hardship rental assistance program to qualified residents "We are not in the business of displacing people from their homes," Rollain said I want everybody to have a roof over their heads [and] stay in their house," Kitonis said Maine (WGME) -- It was a busy Labor Day weekend across the state and in Old Orchard Beach as families squeezed in one last vacation before kids head back to school July and August were as busy as ever in Old Orchard Beach This summer in Maine had plenty of sunshine and lots of ways to enjoy all the state has to offer It's why families keep coming back year after year and her husband Jim plan to stay here at least another two weeks "We come up every summer for 8 to 12 weeks," Helen Brooks said "It gets quiet pretty quickly after like August 15th it's kind of nice just to enjoy it without too much of the crowd going on," Jim Brooks said The Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce says the town had more than 500 J-1 international students who kept restaurants because it's about the only way we can do it," Mokarzel said Even though Monday is the last day for Palace Playland and other amusement parks Old Orchard Beach and other beachfront communities are still open for business "Every weekend in September is already booked I'm fully booked on the weekends already He says there are three good reasons for tourists to visit Maine this fall: "It's less crowded some families may squeeze in another weekend on the beach it's a really good option for people that want to come up for the day and even beyond from Boston," Kim Howard of the Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce said We see a lot of solo travelers or young couples that are coming through," Gabe Kidd "We get people coming through for the foliage." From the fall colors to the fall cruise ship season there is always something to look forward to in Maine