Whats new with Palmer, he lies about everything just like the No side on the gay marraige

As Bug's Bunny would say - "What a buffoon"

Was the dig at Question 1 necessary. It removed all credibility from the statement.

CoronaDrinker: You said: "Whats new with Palmer, he lies about everything just like the No side on the gay marraige."

Vote No on Question #1!!! :-)

JD2008: May I ask who you refer to at 5:44 PM Think I know, but could you clarify?!

I would like to know what the "Vision for the City" is. If it means cleaning up or getting rid of the methadone clinics I am in. If it means changing the face of Bangor from a welfare hub to a productive city again I am in again. But don't expect much. Palmer is an idiot. This is the same guy that is so "girthy" he can not find a shirt with enough material in it to tuck into his pants, but has no problem telling the fire department to many firemen are out of shape and they should work on that.

Vote NO on 1.

Thank you for copying me chersully. Palmer is well known to be a lier but we all vote him back in. How stupid do you all look

Obama style politics alive and well in little Bangor, Maine!

Alright Dr. Gratwick! You just earned my vote and I'll cast it first thing in the morning! I am so happy to see some real leadership coming from a City Council member. I certain hope that others on the council can follow your lead here and support this effort to bring greater transparancy to this issue - as a taxpayer and citizen who works to stay informed about city related issues, I'm perplexed by this decision and am really wondering where this push for 'a new vision' came from. It makes me wonder whose vision we're now pursuing, and more importantly, what that vision is.

I'll bet someone on the council would like to be Mayor. Any guesses? Initial's G.P.?

commonsensepeople: Mr Palmer is the mayor of Bangor now.....don't you know that??

I've always felt that Dr. Gratwick is a fine choice for our city council. He treats every issue that comes before the council very thoughtfully, whether he agrees with the position or not. The citizens of Bangor are well served by him, and I'll be voting for him again next Tuesday.

Chersully knows best, i mean come on a grandma that is gay lol

So is this about gays, Question 1 and Obama?

So far no mention of the waterfront, arena, Hollywood Slots, Bass Park, BIA, Folk Festival, etc.

Everyone get your minds off the gays and Obama for a few minutes and talk Bangor!

One down, two to go, ( Gerry Palmer and Pat Blanchette ), before this city can start to grow. Time to flush the toilet that is known as Bangor City Hall.

Horsepucky, I have never heard any of the allegations you speak about regarding Dr.Gratwick, and if they are accurate, that is indeed a curious matter. However, the conclusions that I have drawn come from my observations of how he has handled himself in the Council meetings that I have observed myself, both in person and on the TV. I have drawn my conclusion of how he has performed as a Councilor by watching him perform as a Councilor.

As for allegations of who he "pals around with", if he isn't breaking any laws, I don't much care. Especially given that I have seen him perform quite well representing the City of Bangor so far. Lot's of people were against Wal-Mart. I don't agree, and that's OK. I like how Dr.Gratwick gives each issue his attention, whether he agrees or not.

(The Historical Building thing is comical, I'll grant you.)

I hope the focus and directions also leads to the offices of the Director Community and Economic Development as well. Just like an under performing firm sometimes not just the CEO and but upper level staff need to be revitalized as well.

Great example is Downtown Bangor and the water front which has been talked about and "programmed" over and over again as the savior of the city for over 30 years but no leadership from the City just mostly showing up at ribbon cuttings after the fact, high jacking the glory. Federal grants given to the cit as well are not leadership but hanging around waiting for for the next media opportunity to show the fed grant money exchange.

Hat's off to bosox21fan - your right on - The only transparency here is that politics' and policy meetings are held regularly between Gratwick & D'ricco at the bar @ The Sea Dog..ricts1 writes - I've always felt that Dr. Gratwick is a fine choice for our city council. He treats every issue that comes before the council very thoughtfully = The problem with this aged City Council including Pat Blanchett is they have been in office tooooo looooong .. they are NOT representing the voters that put them there - They are running their own agenda..Just take a minute and drive though downtown Bangor..75% of the store fronts are closed...Absolutely Zero Growth or development on the water front - $150,000 spent on studies for a new arena..still not a clue for direction there - The hiring of Police Chief Gastia _what a joke there - and a popuatlation of 33,000 people & we need a payroll of 85 police..Geeze..They say Mr. Barrett's job was to oversee 800 employee's...HaHahHa..just look at Public Works..They like putting orange barrels out and disrupt all corners of the city and never really finishing any of them in a timely fashion..Christ they been over 2 weeks just to pave the post office parking lot..Any Paving Company in business would be out of business if they acted as irresponsible as Bangor Public Works.Never in the last 20 years have any deptment in the city had a an over budget and the extra money been given back to the citizens of Bangor or carried over to the next fiscal year..Anyways..I haven't seen anything to get excited about with "Bangor's New Vision" - Bangor needs new people - Please VOTE YES ON QUESTIONS 1 THRU 7 - VOTE NO ON THE BOND ISSUE -

VOTE OUT -- GRATWICK --- VOTE OUT D'ERRICO --- VOTE OUT PAT BLANCHETT --- GOOD RIDDENS ED BARRETT

The bangor city "Downtown Design Guidelines" (http://www.bangormaine.gov/pdf/Full_task_force_report.pdf) plans call for downtown buildings to be built with a modern architecture (see new court building): "Care shall be taken to avoid nostalgic reproductions..." "Design shall not mimic, diminish or obscure the existing historic fabric" "Buildings shall represent the era in which they are designed and may include modern use of quality construction materials."

I think it is obvious what Geoffrey meant with the "Historic Building" question was that if a historic building (e.g. Masonic Temple) burns down, is it OK to build a reproduction or another building with a historic style.

thinkaboutit....way to go...I am with you all the way....

vote YES on 1

So how much money went missing?

Does anyone see what's going on here? Blanchette, Wheeler, Palmer and others have been seen on weekend mornings having secret discussions at places like your local Tim Horton's, trying to find ways to cause hate and discontent to those who have been successful and long standing employees of the City and whom they feel are "in their way." Ed was first to be taken out and will not be the last. Those idiots who voted Ed out need to be sanctioned and dismissed. What is the recourse to us citizens firing councilors on the spot. I want to sign right now. Gratwick is a hero for bringing this out to light. Those fools can't even say what "direction" we're going, which is looking like hell. Those who now hold management positions within the city and are long tenured, better hope the lynch mob presided by a blooming idiot Mayor likes the way you pucker up on their backsides.

This is the usual riff between a group of non-professional egomaniacs, and a professional public administrator. The dissenting councilor is correct: who in their right mind would become the new Manager under this council? Further, unless competent future council candidates step forward, this council situation augers down into typical small time politics. Whatever happened to my great city?

Want ad planned for City Manager position in Bangor!

Wanted new City Manager who shares the City Council's vision for the City.

(Don't worry that the City Council hasn't set a vision as yet, you will know it when you see it.)

Send letter of interest and resume to Mayor Gerry Palmer, he will know what to to with it.

So a group of temporary employees (the council) get together and decide that the city needs to go in a different direction. Part of that new direction is to "retire" the current city manager. The other part of the new direction must have been discussed in executive session as it is a secret that the voters aren't worthy enough to be enlightened.

Then one councilor (Mr. Gratwick) questions the "forced retirement" and he is branded subversive. Two other councilors (Blanchette and Wheeler) threaten one of their own with 'repercussions" if he leaked anything from their secret meeting. I guess the "strong will of the council" should not be questioned.

Mr. Barrett's plan to stay until April is admirable. But it makes it appear that this decision was mutual. Mr. Palmer and Mrs. Blanchette's comments lead me to believe that the majority of the council want Mr. Barrett out. So Ed, why play with them - just leave. If you were doing such a poor job they should fire you. If you want to retire it doesn't take a council foot in the butt to do so. Ed - man up and walk out.

I am going to look into the possibility of a referendum vote for 2010. First, reducing the size of the council from nine to six members. Why does a population of 32,000 need nine councilors? Second, a referendum to elect a mayor to run the city of Bangor. It least with an elected official we will find out what direction he/she would like the city to go before they take office.

As for this election - I have already voted. It now appears that I may have wasted a vote or two on the members of the city's secret society.

I interpret the guidelines for posting as proscriptive against the use of profanity. Perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but my Grandmother used to say, "If you cant make your point without cussin', you probably don't have much of a point."

And I have to wonder how many of those with the catty negative comments here posted have actually volunteered in any capacity for the city, the library, the schools...have ever served on a board or committee. It's easy to cast anonymous stones at others whilst sitting at a PC. The test of a good citizen is to get out into the public forum, to talk with and listen to others, and to volunteer your time to make things better.

Well said Pokeyboy.

Great 4:05 post as usual mainejeff! It's always easier to focus on rhetoric and other distractions than it is on genuine issues whether they be city, state or federal.

pjramsay writes - As for this election - I have already voted. It now appears that I may have wasted a vote or two on the members of the city's secret society. - I have tried my darnest to inform the people of Bangor that it's time we took the city back - Just look at where Bangor is today - All of the councilor's have been there nearly 2 terms - By casting your vote for any existing council member is paramount to Re-electing GEORGE BUSH - Why should we vote for TABOR ll - The city has been in control of all the financial decisions and have been wasting our tax dollars continuously - example - why did Bangor contribute $75,000 of tax payer money to the FESTIVAL & still we're short $130,000 - Why should Bangor Taxpayers have to foot the bill for overtime Police - overtime Public Works - Just exactly what did Bangor Taxpayers get for the TWO STUDIES (cost $150,000) for a new auditorium - Why is it that at every city project Public Works has two people working and 6 standing around - Now that Sen. Collins has successfully changed the road weight limit on 95 - there shouldn't be a need to spend $1,000,000 to put a curve in the road for big trucks at the old Ceramic Shop at Cedar Street - The wasteful spending & poor Management of our elected officials - especially in a recession - is aggrieous - inflammatory & an insult to the Taxpayers of Bangor - Like pjamsay said - Ed - man up and walk out - On a final note - Why in 20+ years was there never a budget from any dept that over estimated their annual budget and the savings from any dept carried over to the next budget year - The reason is simple - Use it up or you won't get extra next year - Great job Ed Barrett - The only thing you managed well over the last 20 years was keeping your job -

BobByn - Define "Obama style."

mainejeff - Right on!!!!

There's a lot of queer things happening right now

Just let King Eddie go and take his throne with him. HOpe the door doesn't hit him on the way out.

Ed Barrett was a good City Manager. He will surely be missed after he leaves.

Big Ed hope the door does not hit you where the good ol lord split you !!! And Fat Jeff down at central fire better look for a new job your meal ticket just cashed OUT.

Hey Bangorean, now you have your own City Council issue to worry about - how about I tell you how you should do things on your side of the river ??? LOL.

Kudo's Dr. Gratwick! Bangor citizens will support you! Honesty & Integrity you have and no one will ever take that away from you.

Well, if all these people you folks voted into office are poor operators, get them OUT of office...you are to blame for the vote! Once these guys are IN office, and do a poor job, vote them out...simple as that. Even if they make bad decisions as a council person. You complain so much, but you also hold the power to stop the tenure of dynasties, too.

Plus, everyone has a definite need to know as public information, what are behind the reasons for the decisions made? You cannot withhold information on public meetings, Gratwick - it's against the law to do this...bring out the reasons for the voting to terminate the contract of Ed Barrett.

Dr. Gratwick isn't one of the "long-term" Councilors. This may be his second term currently, I can't remember (and I don't have the time just now to look it up) but he isn't one who has been "in there" as long as most of the others.

I hope he gets re-elected, and I hope that the others behave regarding letting we, the taxpayers of bangor, know how this all went down.

Doctors shouldn't mix politics with patients. Do one job or the other... it takes too much focus off the people who need you most and it's not fair to jeopardize or ignore the health of your patients. Just my opinion.

On 10/30/09 at 4:06 PM, Amazed wrote: "Doctors shouldn't mix politics with patients. Do one job or the other... it takes too much focus off the people who need you most and it's not fair to jeopardize or ignore the health of your patients. Just my opinion. "

I kinda doubt Dr.Gratwick (or many other Doctors) are focusing on patients after hours. He is a specialist, not an emergency physician, and only keeps office hours, so I don't believe there is any issue for Dr.Gratwicks patients, or for those of us in the city of Bangor.

Wow chersully think again buddy im not mainer72. My god your stupid

ricts1 4:42 PM~ I like Dr. G, but I personally know the story, as I was a patient. He's not the first one to be in this situation... we have others who have tried their hand with politics and their patients do suffer because of it. It truly isn't a good mix. Sounds like he may be the only level headed individual on the city council though!! I have to give him credit for that... perhaps that's his calling.

What? Doctors should mix politics with patients??? How about: Chuckleheads shouldn't mix mindless thoughts with online postings?

Bangorian: Good comment.

Santini: If you reread the article, it is Gratwick who is questioning why Mr Barrett is being dismissed!

And what is it with a "few" of these posters that don't have any grammar skills,etc. Your, instead of you're......etc. Very apparent.... same ones over and over.....and they are the ones who call others stupid,etc. What a riot....

Chersully if you dont like some comments i suggest you quit posting AKa karenlite. We know you are karenlite too. Vote Yes on #1

Pokeyboy, I am with you, profanity should not be used here. However, this is a great forum for people to remain anonymous. I want to hear from the people that have information that they know the public should know but is being kept secret so the good-ole-boys network can protect each other. In secrecy there is no accountability. Until we can elect people that can tell the truth and that don't have personal agendas this site is a great asset!