Kittery Supports Obama, King and Gay Marriage

Editor's note: Welcome to "Across the River," which offers stories and news from Kittery, Maine. Each Thursday, Portsmouth Patch will present a story about this community along with a short list of upcoming events and happenings around town. All Portsmouth Patch stories about Kittery, Maine will also be posted in our new "Across the River" topic page that can be accessed by clicking on the News section of the tool bar any time.

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Kittery voters overwhelmingly chose President Barack Obama, newly-elected U.S. Sen. Angus King and supported Question 1 to reinstate gay marriage when they went to the polls on Tuesday.

According to official election results compiled by the Kittery Town Clerk's office, Kittery voters supported President Obama with 3,443 ballots. More than 1,800 Kittery voters supported Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

Kittery voters also gave King the nod to be their next U.S. Senator with 2,913 votes. Republican candidate Charles E. Summers finished second with 1,183 votes.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, also received strong support from Kittery voters, who cast 3,544 ballots for her over Republican candidate Jonathan T.E. Courtney, who garnered 1,563 votes.

One of the most significant issues facing Kittery voters was Question 1, a citizen initiative that sough to reinstate same-sex marriage after it had been repealed in 2010. Like many other communities in York County, Kittery voters also voted in favor of the initiative. The final tally was 3,573, yes, 1,705, no, with 123 blank votes.

Kittery's complete election results can be viewed on the town's web site.

Meetings:

Kittery Parks Commission, Kittery Town Hall, Thursday, Nov. 8, 5:30 p.m.

Kittery Planning Board, Kittery Town Hall, Nov. 8, 6 p.m.

Kittery Town Hall closed, Friday, Nov. 9. and Monday, Nov. 12 in honor of Veterans Day.

Kittery Town Council, Kittery Town Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

Events:

Great Gatsby Party, Friday, Nov. 9, Kittery Community Center at Frisbee Commons, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Holiday Craft Fair, St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Saturday, Nov. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

KTP bicycle rides: Every Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m., Kittery Trading Post guides will lead bicyclists on a coastal ride in town and newcomers are welcome.

Want to contribute to "Across the River?" Kittery, Maine residents are free to contribute photos, news and any other items of interest they want to share directly to the site or they can sign up as bloggers by e-mailing robert.cook@portsmouth-nh.patch.com.

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