Presque Isle tensions end tenure of manager
12/30/09 | 93 comments

Presque Isle tensions end tenure of manager


Friction with City Council spurs decision not to renew
By Jen Lynds
BDN Staff

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — When a city councilor began wearing a gun to council meetings, City Manager Tom Stevens knew his problems were more complicated than ever.

Stevens, who is serving out the last weeks of a one-year renewal of what previously were multiyear contracts as city manager of Presque Isle, told the Bangor Daily News recently that his last years in his position were fraught with meetings of questionable legality among councilors, interference by councilors in the manager’s work, and contention about public safety at council meetings prompted by one councilor carrying a firearm.

Councilors have said the decision not to renew Stevens’ contract, ending his 17-year tenure, was made because city officials wanted “to take the city into the 21st century” by looking for a creative way to bring more innovation, jobs, businesses and other advancements to the area.

But documents obtained by the Bangor Daily News under the state’s Freedom of Access law indicate there were other frictions between the manager and the council leading up to the decision that he not be rehired.

Stevens, 54, said during an interview last month that he believes those work-related frictions influenced the council’s decision.

Councilors who spoke to the BDN denied that was the case.

Last fall, Presque Isle city councilors, who at the time included Walt Elish, Ed Nickerson, Don Gardner, Calvin Hall, Jennifer Trombley, Mel Hovey and Ron McPherson, opted to relinquish the past practice of renewing the contract of Stevens for multiple years. Instead, Stevens was given a one-year contract and told by councilors to begin seeking employment elsewhere.

During an interview with the BDN in October, Nickerson said councilors told Stevens they wanted to bring more innovation and jobs to the area and several years earlier had presented him with their suggestions about what they wanted to see and how to do it.

Councilors contend that Stevens failed to take adequate action on those suggestions, according to Nickerson.

The BDN requested the list as part of the FOA investigation, but no list was submitted.

City Solicitor Hugo Olore Jr. said the list may have been given to Stevens during an executive session held by the council, making it unavailable to the public.

Stevens denies that he was ever given such a list.

Nickerson, now the council chairman who took over from Elish in January 2009, in an interview this month stood by his statement that the council opted not to renew the manager’s contract because the council wanted to move the city forward with a new manager. He denied that illegal meetings took place and said he believed that Stevens was “reaching” about any other reasons behind the council’s decision.

“I think it is time to move on,” Nickerson told the BDN.

Councilor Calvin Hall agreed, saying in an interview this month that he stood by Nickerson’s statement regarding the council decision not to renew Steven’s contract beyond one year.

“It’s been tough,” he said, referring to the controversy surrounding Stevens’ departure. “But the actions of the council were just as Nickerson said. There was nothing beyond that.”

Meetings questioned

Documents obtained under the FOA law show that during 2007 and 2008, Stevens wrote memorandums and e-mails to councilors regarding what he perceived to be three illegal meetings.

According to documents, Councilors Elish, Hall, Hovey and Nickerson met at the Presque Isle Fire Department on Nov. 15, 2007, to pose questions to Fire Chief Darrell White and gather information on the city possibly having its own ambulance service.

Stevens, with supporting documents, told the BDN he had no idea the meeting was going to take place.

After learning about the meeting, Stevens issued a memo to Elish, a copy of which was sent to all council members. Stevens said in the memo that the meeting was “clandestine” and “improperly called,” and violated Maine’s FOA law.

Before taking office, Stevens said, all councilors were schooled on Maine’s Freedom of Access law. The FOA law grants citizens a broad right of access to public records while protecting legitimate governmental interests and the privacy rights of individual residents. The act also ensures the accountability of the government to the residents of the state by requiring public access to the meetings of public bodies.

Under the law, public notice has to be given for all proceedings if the proceedings are meetings of a body or agency “consisting of three or more persons.”

Stevens told councilors that proper notice had not been given.

Stevens contends that another illegal meeting was held on Feb. 26, 2008, when Elish, Hall, Hovey and Nickerson stayed after a meeting to discuss business. A meeting held after an official meeting has adjourned, he said, is an illegal meeting.

Stevens issued another memo about the unannounced meeting, urging councilors once again to familiarize themselves with Maine law.

Another illegal meeting reportedly occurred on March 3, 2008, when Stevens indicated that Elish, Gardner, McPherson and Nickerson arrived nearly an hour early for a city council meeting and conducted a “pre-meeting” to discuss options surrounding the Presque Isle bypass.

Stevens said he told the group that he asked everyone why they were there so early, and he was told by Nickerson that he and Elish “wanted to get an early start on the bypass.”

Stevens said he advised them that the meeting was not legal and left the room. Stevens said that discussion continued.

Stevens again issued a memo, calling the meeting illegal and urged Elish to ask the city solicitor to put on a training workshop.

“I really don’t know any better way to state this,” Stevens wrote in the memo. “But the council is creating an undue and unfair strain on the relationship between the council and the manager.”

He told councilors that “These meetings are undermining my ability to ensure that laws are followed by setting an example for staff and public to follow.”

Elish did not respond to requests from the BDN for comment about this matter.

Nickerson, the current council chairman, said he recalled the meeting at the fire station. He denied that it was an illegal meeting.

“We just met with the fire chief to ask him some questions about the possibility of an ambulance service,” he said. “We did not have a meeting. We asked questions and we left with no decision made. He [Stevens] may think it was an illegal meeting, but I don’t agree.”

He recalls getting one memo from Stevens about the Feb. 28 meeting. He said the councilors who remained after the meeting were not discussing business, they simply wanted to ask questions about an ongoing project.

“Again, we just asked questions,” he said. “No decisions were made.”

He said he did not recall the March meeting.

Councilor Calvin Hall also said last week that he “did not know of any illegal meetings.”

In response to the situation, Stevens said he suggested that the city solicitor provide a training workshop on the issue “to ensure that it does not repeat itself in the future.”

“Stevens called me and let me know about the issue,” City Solicitor Hugo Olore told the BDN this month, “and he thought that the council needed to be refreshed on the [Freedom of Access] law. I agreed, and as I recall, I told Tom [Stevens] that he should tell the chairman that I would be available to do such a training. “But the council never requested that I give the training. I never got a single request from them,” Olore said.

The city solicitor said that Stevens never asked him to do anything else about the issue and confirmed that Stevens never recommended to him that any further inquiry into the legality of the council actions be taken.

“He never asked that any more be done,” Olore said. “I can only act if he [the city manager] asks me to.”

Stevens also contended that councilors had interfered with his administration by talking to city employees directly, instead of going through the city manager as protocol dictates.

Elish responded to Stevens in an e-mail, noting that it was Stevens’ duty “to point out the error in judgment on my part to have the meeting when four councilors were present.”

He assured the city manager that the meeting “was never an attempt to usurp your authority as city manager.”

Elish added that he did not think a training workshop was necessary.

A gun at council meetings

Stevens said his relationship with the council grew worse around the time Councilor McPherson began wearing a gun to meetings.

Stevens said he first noticed the gun during a meeting on March 17, 2008.

Documents show that Stevens immediately consulted the city solicitor and the Maine Municipal Association for guidance.

Stevens acknowledged that McPherson had a concealed weapons permit and confirmed that there is no law in place preventing him from wearing the weapon to City Hall or to council meetings. Still, he said, Maine has an Occupational Safety and Health Law that protects state and local government from workplace safety and health problems. Stevens said he is required by law to keep the workplace safe, and said he believed that McPherson’s wearing a gun to meetings infringed upon his ability to do so.

He added that city personnel rules and regulations also placed workplace safety as its “highest priority.”

City Solicitor Olore recommended that the appropriate way to deal with the situation was to have Elish, the chairman, address it. That information was passed on to Elish.

The MMA also recommended that Elish address the issue. The MMA pointed out that the city could consider adopting an ordinance prohibiting discharge of firearms on city-owned property or at public meetings.

According to documents, Stevens pressed Elish to take care of the issue several times in March, and on April 1 provided Elish a memo with eight options on how the city could deal with the presence of the gun. Stevens stressed that he was most concerned about McPherson carrying a gun because he had noticed a change in McPherson’s overall behavior.

Documents, including a diary Stevens kept which logged his interactions with the council, show that Stevens’ concern grew when McPherson wore a gun to a meeting in the basement meeting room of the Mark and Emily Turner Library on July 9, 2008. Stevens said children were present in the basement Children’s Library.

Stevens told the BDN that the issue began to affect him and his job performance, adding that fear for his personal safety and that of his employees also was compounded by several other matters.

The city manager said that he was already slightly on edge before McPherson began wearing the gun to meetings in March. That is because in February 2008, a gunman went on a shooting rampage at a city council meeting in Kirkwood, Mo. The gunman killed five people and wounded two others before police shot him.

A short time later, a woman who Stevens believes suffers from a mental illness frightened his wife by showing up at her workplace and trying to use his wife to serve Stevens with a lawsuit against the city.

Then, at a council meeting in mid-February, a resident who was upset over the city’s stance on the development of a Route 1 highway bypass plan invited Stevens to “take it out into the hall.”

According to documents, on Feb. 14 Stevens issued a memo to councilors detailing the incidents. He said they had affected his and his wife’s sense of safety at work and at home.

Noting to councilors that “we all need to take security seriously,” he said the city installed additional panic buttons in City Hall, including inside the council chambers. Once pressed, the buttons dial the police department.

Stevens contends that Elish delayed speaking to McPherson, and that McPherson continued wearing the gun to meetings until early August 2008.

Nickerson told the BDN last week that he did not know McPherson was wearing a gun until near the time he stopped wearing it.

Speaking about the gun incident, Hall said he could only confirm that McPherson did indeed wear a weapon to council meetings.

He said he did not want to comment further.

McPherson did not respond to several requests for comment.

Alleged threat

Stevens said he became even more fearful after McPherson telephoned him in September 2008, irate that Stevens had talked to Elish about his wearing the gun.

Stevens said he felt harassed and threatened by his discussion with McPherson and contacted the police chief a couple of days later to discuss it.

McPherson did not respond to requests for comment on the incident.

That evening, the council met in executive session to discuss Stevens’ contract. Stevens said that, in an unusual move, he was told not to attend the session.

Council meeting minutes from that date indicate that councilors met in executive session for nearly an hour. Stevens said he was still in his office when councilors left at 9:22 p.m.

On Sept. 5, Elish and Nickerson met with Stevens to discuss his contract, telling him that he did not have a majority of votes in favor of a new contract.

Stevens said he stressed that his work performance had been affected by numerous events and told them of his disturbing phone conversation with McPherson.

Stevens said he was told “that the issue was between him and [Ron] McPherson.”

Stevens said that he then felt that no one cared about his situation, and ultimately agreed to look for other employment during a one-year extension of his contract.

Stevens said he spoke to police on Sept. 8 about his phone conversation with McPherson but was reluctant to file charges alleging a threat so as not to “blow the city apart.”

Stevens said he met with two law enforcement officers to discuss the matter, including Presque Isle Police Chief Naldo Gagnon.

Gagnon on Monday confirmed that he met with Stevens regarding the phone conversation.

“I did meet with him about that,” said Gagnon. “But I do not remember the specific language of it. I can confirm that I talked with Tom [Stevens] about it.”

No charges were filed.

Stevens instead considered filing a cease harassment civil complaint against McPherson but eventually decided not to do so and never submitted the paperwork, after learning McPherson was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants in mid-September 2008. Gagnon confirmed that the charge had been lodged.

Aroostook County Assistant District Attorney Carrie Linthicum said Tuesday that the OUI charge was dismissed and McPherson pleaded guilty to driving to endanger in March, she added.

Moving on

Stevens said he has always loved public service and his job with the city. He said he dealt with the illegal meetings and the gun issue himself to avoid any embarrassment for the city. During his tenure, he pointed out, the city has grown, welcomed countless new businesses and expanded its retail business district.

The city also has invested in its infrastructure, streamlined its government and more.

He admitted that he would have stayed on with the city had the council decided to reverse its decision and offer him a new contract and had he not taken a new job.

Early this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development branch tapped him to serve as area director at the Presque Isle office.

Stevens will oversee USDA Rural Development program delivery at the agency’s Presque Isle office, which serves Aroostook, Washington and a portion of northern Penobscot counties.

He begins his new job on Jan. 11.

The council began looking for a new manager in October. An interim town manager is expected to be appointed until a new manager is found.

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Comments
93 comments on this item
On 12/29/09 at 10:11 PM, exlex94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

perhaps for the benefit of all in the city of presque ilse all of these council members should move on also. you have to really have some issues with yourself to carry a concealled weapon to a public meeting in northern maine.

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On 12/29/09 at 10:58 PM, mainegunner wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I always felt Mr. Stevens did a good job here in P.I., the council member however has every right (2nd Amendment) to pack a firearm for personal protection. The story makes reference to a council shooting that occurred eleswhere, and they were unarmed sitting ducks weren't they? After all, what stops a mass shooting? The answer: another individual with a gun. To many this means the "police" as they wish to not bear that responsibility themselves, and they wish to deprive others of that right. We have too many gun-free zones now ,where killers can unleash their evil unchallenged.

Better to have a gun and not need it rather than need a gun and not have it...

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On 12/29/09 at 11:39 PM, wspahn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's nice to know that Millinocket isn't the only town in Maine with a habit of electing complete wingnuts to the council.

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On 12/29/09 at 11:44 PM, Farmer101 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The town needs to get rid of all the trash in office and hire some new people I think the job is going to their heads a lttle to much. Better hire a sheriff's deputy to attend the town meetings before someone gets hurt over this foolishness.

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On 12/30/09 at 12:04 AM, evasmith wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thank goodness for the FOA. I will be far more prepared to NOT vote in any of these city council members again. There were whisperings of these secret meetings around the community and it's good to see the evidence supports what people thought all along.

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On 12/30/09 at 1:07 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Tom Stevens will be a true asset to the USDA Rural Development Program and I wish him well in his endeavors.

Tom Stevens is a stand up man, who is intelligent and fair. The way he's handled himself with all that has gone on with these councilmen, shows that he was mindful of the way he handled everything that went on over the last couple of years. Whenever he felt there was an issue, he addressed it properly, fairly and respectfully, and he tried not to make waves to involve the public in these issues.

No one should ever have to feel threatened because of the job they hold, and to put this city manager and his wife through such an ordeal, is unfathomable. The councilmen should be dismissed immediately for their unjust behavior. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

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On 12/30/09 at 3:04 AM, bumpinroad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

hopefully presque isle residents will take note to what has happened to their city manager and remove these arrogant council members from their city goverment. I think PI has done a great job in moving forward over the years under the direction of mr. stevens and its wrong that he has to leave his position because a few council members didn't like stevens saying they were doing their jobs improperly. thanks to the FOA laws we are able to see mr. stevens side of the story and not have to rely on the arrogance of a few council members for their rendition of what has happened. it is intimidating to be in a room with someone that is wearing a gun especially when working in a hostile enviroment. your always wondering if something you may say will trigger some crackpot to take a gun out and start shooting. guns shouldn't be allowed in any public meeting rooms. who knows what kind of qualifications this McPherson councilor has in the safe handeling of any firearm. in his own mind he may think he is qualified but no one sitting in that chamber would know that for sure. I hope PI residents stand up and take care of this situation immediately. the best of luck to mr. stevens in his new career.

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On 12/30/09 at 4:45 AM, yello79vette wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does any one else think that there is a big conflict of interest with Walt Elish being a City Councilor and working with APP? Where do you think his loyalties are? Creating jobs for Presque Isle or Aroostook County? Hey here is a novel idea Walt...Why don't you work to bring customers to support our local businesses so they can create meaningful jobs instead of going on Snow Mobile tours kissing the butts with companies such as Fairpoint who has done little to help the county. I think it is time to get rid of the good ol boys club and get some new leadership in the county and in Presque Isle.

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On 12/30/09 at 5:54 AM, matt1544 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Be glad you got a job with the feds. Best gig to have right now.

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On 12/30/09 at 6:06 AM, huhinpi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

the PI city council is a joke.

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On 12/30/09 at 6:16 AM, acadiashores wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Perhaps the majority of the "secret meetings" were to discuss Stevens himself. I have heard rumblings for a long time from other city workers about how much Stevens is disliked. It is very unfair that people are targeting the councilors in this story, which appears to be more than a little bit one-sided. This story paints the other councilors as renegades that are a danger to others. That is hugely unfair and inaccurate.

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On 12/30/09 at 6:22 AM, JohnofPI wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This story is gonna upset a lot of people here is PI.. Tom always ways did a Great job for the city... Thats the reason he was there for 17 years..

it's the council members that are idiots!!!!! i know every last one of the council members.. I''m ashamed to say i do!!!! It is the 2nd amendment to carry a fire arm..... But, to the public Library!!! My kids were at the Library the day that meeting was held. That really upset my wife and i.. You, should be really proud of your self!!! MCPHERSON CITY COUNCILMEN A real man who carry's a gun where there's KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IDIOT!!!!!!! LOOOOOOSER!!!!!!!!!!

Also, People in PI should start a form to get rid of all council members A>S>A>P!!!! Start new is what PI needs..... Just think it's people like this We as a city voted in there!!! What were we thinking????

Tom, Good Luck in your new job.... Thanks for all you did for PI.... To bad a bunch of IDIOTS had to end it for you!!!!

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On 12/30/09 at 7:07 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

All documentation about "illegal meetings" was given to the BDN. It's obvious that Mr. Stevens was trying to make things right with the city councilors and he just wanted them to follow the laws. The last thing the City of Presque Isle needs is a lawsuit!

Trust me, other cities/towns in this state, have not always followed the laws, and they have been sued for the illegal things they have done. I think Mr. Stevens may run a tight ship, but it's for a very good reason. We need more City Managers, Mayors and Town Managers who are willing to follow the laws and do things by the book. We also need honest city councilors who are able to work together for the betterment of the communities in which they work and not for the betterment of their friends, or for favors to someone they want to "take care of", in some fashion or another.

It's very fair that people are targeting the city councilors. It's very obvious that the city councilors are a very big part of what took place, without them, this story wouldn't exist. The city councilors didn't want to do their job correctly and Mr. Stevens called them on it. They got mad, wanted him gone, and it appears that they even took rather extreme measures to make he and his family fearful.

As I said in my previous post, where there is smoke, there is fire. Look at the evidence and make the right choice for the good of the City of Presque Isle. The city councilors aren't going to learn any lessons; they couldn't even listen to Mr. Stevens, so obviously they somehow feel they are "above" the laws and guidelines that have been written. After several attempts to "school" them if you will (by sending them emails and discussing the issues with them), they still didn't adhere to the laws. You're dealing with people who are going to get your city in trouble. Get rid of them now, before it's too late.

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On 12/30/09 at 7:09 AM, mcbell wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What is wrong with the PI council. I have seen one particular member ( Nicherson himself )in action in his own home and he is an overbearing, intimidating, and control freak. He rules his family by scare tactic and put downs and make a person feel like they are less than. I think he's mean and cruel. As far as

McPherson is concerned he's just as much of an idiot as Nickerson. To carry a gun to council meetings, sounds like he needs to be more in a mental ward

than at a town meeting. The things these people did are wrong and unjust in the eyes of common decency. I am ashamed to have these people represent

myself and my family... their actions by no means stand for anything I agree with. Underhanded and pathetic acts to get what you want as a small group goes against every thing that the constitution tries to protect. Rememeber people like this are big fish in a small pond in a rural area like this but in LIFE"S big pond they are

just a bunch of smelt just waiting to be eated. They could never survive in the REAL BIG WORLD outside of Aroostook County. Let's get rid of the lot of them and celebrate a new day with a new group.

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On 12/30/09 at 7:13 AM, nonsense wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's always sad when it comes time to part ways with an executive who ceases to produce. And it's even sadder when the executive, in this case the city manager, decides to fight for his job by slinging mud at his bosses. And it's sadder still when the media joyously joins in to report every jot and tittle of mud that is thrown.

Come on Mr. Stevens, it's time to move on. Try keeping just a little dignity about you as you leave. But please leave. Now.

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On 12/30/09 at 7:17 AM, JohnofPI wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

AMAZED IS 100% RIGHT!!!!! ALL PI COUNCILORS NEED TO BE BOOTED FROM THERE COUNCIL JOBS RIGHT AWAY!!!!!!!! PI NEEDS AND WANTS FRESH BLOOD IN THERE!!!!!!! THE HIGH CLASS IDIOTS CAN FLY ANYTIME!!!!!!!!! BUT, BY FAR MCPHERSON IS THE BIGGEST IDIOT OF ALL!!!!!!!!! ANYWAY,,,,

THE PEOPLE OF PI SHOULD NOT STAND FOR THESE TYPE OF CHILDISH GAMES!!!! ADULTS ACTING AS KIDS.. WHAT A JOKE!!!!! TOM SHOULD SUE JUST TO MAKE A POINT!!!!!!! I WILL NEVER TALK TO ANY OF THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS AGAIN ...... I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS DEALING WITH KIDS!!!!!!!!!

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On 12/30/09 at 7:44 AM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It' seems to me, that there was plenty of mud thrown by the city councilors toward Mr. Stevens when this whole thing began. Now folks are privy to what really took place, and you're blaming Mr. Stevens and telling him to move on? Nothing like blaming the victim!

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On 12/30/09 at 7:48 AM, mazy741 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

mcbell - what are you talking about?

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On 12/30/09 at 8:16 AM, TheVoiceOfAroostook wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does history repeat itself? I would like to hear from some of the other towns Mr. Stevens had a hand in over the years.

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On 12/30/09 at 8:20 AM, SnarkyButthead wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It's been a tough year on City Managers.

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On 12/30/09 at 8:45 AM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hey it's their own brand of "County" parlimentary procedure. You lie...and we'll all swear to it. Stevens wasn't in office for 17 yrs by accident he's been looking out for the Star City for years and doing a fine job. You people sure picked a fine bunch. Wonder why your electric bill is higher than any other region in the country ? Take a good look at terrorist Hovey who ruled with an iron fist at Maine Public Service. He fought tooth and nail to get electric rates where they are today. Thanks Mel we hope your retirement check arrives on time this month...representing all the people you've fleeced and the meters you've pulled over the years leaving folks in total darkness. So you're the puppetmaster and all your little puppets dance around you...how quaint.

It's the coward that brings a handgun to a public meeting. His total lack of self-esteem is now pacified with a sidearm. Now you'll listen..Hey Mel did you bring my bullet ? lol

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On 12/30/09 at 8:51 AM, cfbeckpi wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

you know it only take 2,700 plus signitures on a petion to remove any or all councilers. what do you think? how about Walt's being tied to the bypass before he came on the council, do you think he tried to puss it thru the council? I think the current councilers expect for the newly elected smith, who was hand picked by Mell Hovey. Presque Isle get mad and start new.

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On 12/30/09 at 8:57 AM, ElectraGlide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

PI you are far from alone~~With Councilors All Over Doing Whatever They Want To

They are real Good at telling Us what the Law Is

But The Law Doesn`t usually Mean Anything to Them

~~

Gun Packing~~oh my oh my

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On 12/30/09 at 9:02 AM, phaedrus wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Legally carrying a firearm is not the issue, although the media would like to make it one. It would appear those duely elected officials need a review or recall by their constituents. How do the residence of PI feel about the City Manager?

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On 12/30/09 at 9:11 AM, firestorm51 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Boy am I glad I live in Mapleton

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On 12/30/09 at 9:12 AM, johnandsherry wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am more interested in the side bar note about Ron "Doc Holiday" McPherson's OUI being dismissed, then somehow making it out with a simple driving to endanger charge???? What the heck is up with that? I guess being on the PQI city counsel does have its perks. If he was arrested and charged with an OUI, I tend to think that he likely was. See if any other average Joe gets that same deal.

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On 12/30/09 at 9:19 AM, Lsavoo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I see the MMA wants an order considering an ordinance prohibiting discharging weopons at public meetings. I hope the whinners in Bangor don't want that ordinance prohibiting no more than 2 bodies in a shallow grave again. They already get upset when I empty my AK clip every time my kid scores a touch down. savoo

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On 12/30/09 at 9:23 AM, mcbell wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

mazy741, Obviously I didn't make it clear enough for you to understand... The tactics of intimidation and making up your own rules as they go is what

the council is doing. Carrying a gun to council meetings is a form of these tactics when you have never carried a gun before. McPherson's and Nickerson's use of tacticd are clear and precise and directed at the city manager. Nickerson is a bully who just happen to being taking every advantage of the postion he is in,

here in the city of Presque Isle or in Limestone.

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On 12/30/09 at 9:30 AM, mazy741 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

mcbell - tell me what you know about Nickerson's household - I think your talking thru your butt!

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On 12/30/09 at 10:03 AM, yourekiddingright wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What kind of moron wears a gun to a city council meeting? Is that so he can open fire if he feels the meeting is getting out of hand? I'm sure this city official would have enough sense to merely fire over peoples heads. What a sad, sad joke. I'm sure this isn't encouraging industry and individuals to locate in the county. And we wonder why people are moving away? Shameful.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:06 AM, maineborn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Wow, as I sit here reading this article, I'm shaking my head in amazement. Then I sit back and relize what we have there sitting on the counil representing us as tax payers refllect us. We put them there, now we have to live with what we hired. As I put more thought into this, I asked my wife, would you let Ron MPherson run our finances, make our household decisions, work in our business? She said hell NO!!! How about Don Gardiner?, really HELL NO she says, How about Calvin Hall?, NOPE she says, Nickerson, Walt Elish? NO, NO, and how about Jen Trombley, she starts laughing, yea right. Well there I said, Were skrewed! Last question hun, how about Tom Stevens? She says, Wouldnt like it but I would trust that he would do it well.

So, you see, we as tax payers need to really seriously take a look at whom s representing us on the council and who is not, who's there for self ego, resume building and a power trip. I just think I covered all present Council members, except for the new guy Smith. We need to look into who twe send to sit in those chairs, we need to look at out local media to dig into candidates backgrounds and qualifications a whole lot better. Wouldnt be hard, just read in to the PIPD log or check road ditches, or belly up to the bar at Pat's are a few suggestions. Anyways I now throw out my Newspaper, forget about the article and head off to the business. And yea I might have to carry a gun now cause somebody held up a business somewhere in New Mexico! 2010 is a new year! Oh yea Mr. Stevens Good luck, you have done a outstanding job with this city and never question it!

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On 12/30/09 at 10:07 AM, PIresident wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This is a complete disgrace and I am embarressed to say I am from Presque Isle. I think that a recall of these idiots is exactly what needs to happen. After finding out what this is really all about I don't think that you will have a problem getting your 2700 signatures. This council is the most disfunctional group of people and it is very scary to think that they are in charge of our community. As far as Stevens goes. He should be offered his job back but mostly likely would'nt want it back. It is now very clear what really happened! If the citizens of Presque Isle turn a blind eye to this they will deserve everything that they get. We need people with a backbone to step up to the plate and do what is right!

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On 12/30/09 at 10:17 AM, anthoine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

looks to me the only ones on the councelors sides r probably all part of thier own families or friends. sounds like mr. stevens was doing a fine job. bringing a gun to such a meeting shows alot of class. the whole lot of councelers should be booted out.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:26 AM, maineborn wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Do you all remeber that group from years past called PIRATE that held the council accountable and relayed to the residents what was going on in this city. Looks like we need to get this group up and going again !!! I see there's a pirate sitting downtown watching Main Street, maybe he needs to be sitting in the council chambers instead!

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On 12/30/09 at 10:27 AM, elmster wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

exlex94 i take acception to the remark i carry a weapon/pistol where ever i go and every where i think of going if somplace dosent allow it i dont shop there or spend time there carry a weapon does not make you a bad or dangerous person. It jsut means you hope for the best and expect the worst, better to have and not need then to need and not have.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:40 AM, Toocoldtocare wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you know Tom, you know that he thought long and hard before bringing these things to the light of day. If anything, he was overly protective of this lot and should have brought these issues to the light of day sooner.

As far as the city employees not liking him. You find me a boss with 100% of his employees liking him, I'll show you someone who gets doesn't get much done and probably runs a cult.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:40 AM, flyfishing wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Ed Nickerson, I've known you all my life and you have't changed. Still lying and bullying your way through life and family. WHEN ARE THE CITIZENS OF P.I. GOING TO STAND UP AND TAKE THEIR CITY BACK FROM THESE SORRY USELESS USERS OF TAX PAYERS MONEY....THEY HAVE BROUGHT NOTHING BUT SHAME TO PRESQUE ISLE AND ARE NOW BECOMING THE LAUGHING STOCK OF OTHER COMMUNITIES IN MAINE AND ON THE EAST COAST.....Ron McPherson is a joke. He is also a big bully and fits right into Ed Nickersons rear pocket nicely.

Thank You! Tom Stevens, for all your hard work and sacrifice. P.I. is the biggest loser in the end. Tom, God Bless you and Good Luck to you and your family. You have done nothing wrong but put Presque Isle ahead of yourself, work long hours and earn the respect of the majority of citizens of Presque Isle. Sorry you have leave because of these IDIOTS who think of only ONE THING!!!!!.....JUST HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE.....LOOK AT US ...AREN'T WE WONDERFUL....WELL IF YOU ASKED THEIR WIVES, YOU WOULD PROBABLY HEAR A DIFFERENT STORY.........I WONDER WHO THE NEW INTERIM TOWN MANAGER WILL BE BEFORE THE NEW MANAGER IS APPOINTED. ED, DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT....YOUR NOT THAT WONDERFUL....

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On 12/30/09 at 10:47 AM, Hampden1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The problem is "Want - A - Bees" Meaning they asume power and go crazy!! Van Buren, Presque Isle, Millinocket, just to name a few. Secondly, Carry a firearm to any meeting concealed permit or not is very bad judgement. I have a concealed weapons permit and when you decide to strap that firearm on your hip you better be prepared to take responsibility for your actions. There is a reason he is wearing a firearm to those meetings. "NOT GOOD" This is a public official represnting the city "Hello Citizens Time to Take You're City Back"

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On 12/30/09 at 11:00 AM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

" oh and Ron.....don't forget you can't wear your pistola when you're drunk out of your mind or behind the wheel again..

What is it that so special about you that qualifies you as a seated council member again ??? help me out here your qualifications are eluding me......what a joke !! We need you because...???

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On 12/30/09 at 12:03 PM, Kerry1963 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Why should Presque Isle be any different than any other city, town, state for that matter. Why should these folks be any different than those in Washington from our President to Congress to the House of Representitives. They're all alike. They LIE plain and simple just to gain the seat upon which they hold. We the voters put these folks in the positions they hold it's high time we gave them the heave ho. I feel sorry for the families of these people that hold these positions, I can imagine the embarassment they must feel when they're out in public knowing their spouses and loved ones are hated so much right now. I could see carrying a firearm to a meeting if you lived/worked in Harlem, New York and cities/areas like that but get real. I am sick and tired of the "Right to Bear Arms". I'm sure that's what all the folks said that went postal somewhere like a church, school, university and the list goes on. Save your firearms for HUNTING. my goodness you live in rural northern Maine, not Chicago, New York City, Boston, or some ghetto.

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On 12/30/09 at 12:44 PM, tommie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

With what has gone on here and in PI to city managers it is no wonder there is a move on in Southern Maine to lop off everything north of Waterville and let it float on its own; we are an embarrassment to the state.

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On 12/30/09 at 12:52 PM, misssnobunnie wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The Presque Isle City Council is a joke!! And as far as the intern Manager until they find a Councilors son or nephew that needs a job moves to the area(right Mr. Hovey) will be Dana Fowler from another City Department according to people at City Hall. If you really took a close look at those elected officials personal backgrounds and professional backgrounds you would throw them all out! McPherson is an idiot so good bye to him. Hovey and Nickerson well enough has been said on here about them. They should go! Gardiner well he shouldn't be there but he has nothing else to do. Hall is trying to rub elbows with anyone that will let him in. And Trombley is a train wreck.

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On 12/30/09 at 12:58 PM, tomthompson_1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good luck finding that new manager. Under the circumstances, it is very difficult to imagine finding someone worth their weight in salt to step into that mess. Someone in the city should be determining whether those "meetings" were indeed "meetings" and therefore illegal. That determination needs to be made to insure that the city is being properly run and represented.

This is a tremendous win-win opportunity for Tom as well. He will do a fantastic job for the USDA and can still afffect positive change for Presque Isle. This time he can do so sans distress or threat.

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On 12/30/09 at 1:01 PM, mainegunner wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Kerry1963, if you are so tired of "the right to keep and bear arms", you could consider moving to a Monarchy/Communist country that does not allow it's citizens to own or carry firearms. They are called dictatorships. Our history is quite clear, the founding Fathers foresaw the need for firearms freedom. If you feel the 2nd Amendment is outdated, change it, but kiss the others goodbye also, like your freedom to espouse your opinion for example.

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On 12/30/09 at 1:22 PM, basicman_50 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

You will find the "good-ole-boy" government network alive and well in alot of small communities in Maine. When you elect them out of office they just go underground and try and intimidate and bully the new councilors into doing their bidding for them. until they can get one of their cronies back into office.

I have seen some strong people just give up because of all the harrasment. I saw one ex councelor cost a town tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to defend itself against his stupid lawsuits. Presque Isle is a comunity that is trying to change it's immage and the "good-ole-boys"don't like it. They know when that happens their carpet bagging days are over. I encourage all the good people of Presque Isle to push back and take control of your town again. You don't have to run for office just attend the council meetings. Ask lots of questions and be knowledgeble about what is going on in your community. The favorite trick of the "good-ole-boys" is convinceing you you really don't need to bother with the town business they will take care of it for you.

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On 12/30/09 at 1:45 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mainegunner 10:58 PM and 1:01 PM ~ I agree with your posts concerning the 2nd amendment and the right to bear arms. I get that and I think most folks understand that concept. I guess the real questions concerning the gun are: When did McPherson get his concealed weapons permit, did he get this permit to intimidate people, and did he carry this firearm to intimidate anyone at these meetings? When put in this context, I believe the answers to those questions in particular, will clear a lot of thing up concerning the gun issue.

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On 12/30/09 at 2:03 PM, mainegunner wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Amazed, I do not know the councilor and his gun. I am merely a proponent of gun rights. Whether he is competent or not I do not know. If he was truly carrying concealed, how would anyone know? Hence his permit covers him. If he is carrying a gun openly, under Maine law you can unless prohibited from doing so (EX- record of violence, felon, ex-felon, etc.) If the sight of a firearm on display offends anyone, too bad, no law being broken. If the councilor in question actually threatens someone with the firearm, that is another matter. The BDN story does not indicate the councilor threatened anyone which is why we MUST assume his innocence in that regard. The P.I.P.D. would not have issued him a permit if he were problamatic, they even can revoke his permit should he misuse it. We do not know that he did. Carry permits are not given out like candy as some posters believe. There is a formal application of course, one must have no criminal history, and there is a MANDATORY GUN SAFETY COURSE one must take prior to applying. I must also point out that thankfully Maine is a SHALL ISSUE STATE, meaning they must issue one a permit to carry( to protect life and exercise one's rights)unless the issuing body has a good reason to deny.

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On 12/30/09 at 2:23 PM, RalphKramden wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

It would be very interesting and telling to know a couple of things: While Mr. McPherson was wearing a gun to the meetings was he also wearing a gun to the grocery store, to the dump, to church. Was he carrying while at the doctors office or dentist. Did he have it on while at sports games or concerts? Was he afraid of something? Did he wear it at home? When he went into the town office and police station was it seen? Will he be wearing it to meetings when the new town manager arrives? How about mowing the lawn and clearing the driveway? Was he truly wearing his 2nd Amendment prize to defend America and his family and possessions or did he want to send a message and impart an air of authority and superiority? Just curious.

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On 12/30/09 at 2:54 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm just wondering what kind of individual is going to apply for this new City Manager's position. Perhaps they need to be willing to pack one of their own!

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On 12/30/09 at 2:59 PM, peruser wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you read the regulations carefully for a concealed weapons permit, you can receive a permit without the gun course. At the police chief's discretion, you can display proficieny in firearm handling and he can approve the permit. He is not obligated too, but can if he wants.

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On 12/30/09 at 3:00 PM, demsuk64 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Ha! PI city council sounds like a real Kangaroo court...I guess that makes the concealed gun carrier Capt. Kangaroo! For those of you who are defending the gun issue you are half right. The idiot was well reasoned to carry the gun, I would do so myself if I had to work with a bunch of not jobs. The problem arises when other people know you are carrying the gun...if the gun was brought into the meetings for protection then you would NEVER let anyone know that you had it! The only reason to let people know you have a gun is to influence the outcome of events.

He's ok having the gun but he showed himself to be inept at the stated purpose of bringing it, which begs the questions, what really was the purpose of bringing the gun if not self protection? This guy is obviously not qualified to carry a concealed weapon...he failed at the CONCEALMENT part.

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On 12/30/09 at 3:08 PM, reaganite wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I'm a Presque Isle native who knows its internal politics very well, and I now live in another town nearby (NOT by accident!). People, this article only tells the HALF of it. The city council and the city manager have been absolutely unbelievable for at least a decade. (But they have been VERY, VERY good at "LOOKING GOOD".................until now, that is...!)

The city's government SMELLS to high heaven. And now a bright light is finally illuminating the people involved....it's time to name names. (Notice which names show up most frequently in the illegal meetings. Thats a great place to start).

Tom Stevens, you chose to cozy up to this crowd long ago, and to play ball with them. There's no honesty or honor among thieves, Tom, didn't you ever hear that??

Poor Hugo, is all I can say!

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On 12/30/09 at 3:18 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Mr. Stevens was there for 17 years, how long have these particular City Councilors been there? I wouldn't say he "cozied" up to them. The man had a job to do, and obviously, he did it well for a number of years without any problems.

However, this is the perfect forum to bring out the good, the bad and the ugly. So far, Mr. Steven's is the good guy and he's in the lead by several miles.

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On 12/30/09 at 3:23 PM, reaganite wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Good by comparison, maybe. Tom LOVED to play ball with the city council and do whatever they wanted in order to please them.

Didn't work.

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On 12/30/09 at 3:50 PM, joysef wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Sounds just like the kind of crap a family member of mine has been dealing with as Town Manager of a small Northern Maine town for the past 10 years. Bullying, egotistical selectpersons who are on power trips! It's driven my family member to retire because she wants a regular job, not 5 (road commissioner, tax collector, clerk, bookkeeper, general person who takes the fall for everything, etc.) in which she's only paid for one.

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On 12/30/09 at 4:00 PM, TracyK wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Maineborn--maybe your wife should run for City Council next year? No one totally agrees with ANY council or condone all of its practices, but keep in mind when election time rolls around..who stands up to run? That's the surest way to get so called "competent' council seated isn't it? No one runs but then screams they are inept. The right to freedom of speech and press are wonderful things; obviously exercised by many of you sitting safely behind your computers under anonymous names and comfortabley shredding not only their actions on the Council, but the personal lives and character of these people--Mr. Stevens, the Council members and anyone else you want to take shots at. Keep in mind folks reading this that these comments are 90% readers opinions! and the council members are unable to defend themselves as bound by rules of executive session. I think its sad that this mud slinging in comments shows such a poor reflection to the rest of Maine who may be reading the kind of people we are here in Presque Isle.

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On 12/30/09 at 4:23 PM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

TracyK you've been hiding under a rock far too long. If it smells like a skunk...it's probably a skunk. I dont see you posting your name and phone number so what's your point ? The corrupt element has successfully backed themselves into a corner and a direct spotlight where this belongs. If you poop in your backyard long enough you will most certainly step in it eventually. I don't think Mel and the Chipmunks are very well versed in damage control. Let the media expose all that there is to be exposed and may the taxpayers of PI see fit to run them all out of council chambers as a complete disgrace to the community. There are hundreds of honest hardworking people without personal agendas that could contribute in a positive fashion to Presque Isle without tarnishing the integrity of the city. THe people deserve better I hope someone has the balls to take out the garbage.....all of them need to go !

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW APPOINTMENT TOM !!!!!

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On 12/30/09 at 4:45 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you read the paper at all, this is what 90% of every town and city in this state and country is going through. But it doesn't excuse these thugs!!

We elect or hire, mostly inept people to do jobs they don't need to qualify for, because they work for towns and cities, who have people that don't really care who does the job as long as someone does it, and these same taxpayers rarely if ever, even go to their town or city meetings. These folks who are in office, can and will do favors for friends for a... ahem (fee), or return favor, they steal the taxpayers money (because they can, no-one's watching the till), they go on trips paid by the taxpayers and play golf with old friends they haven't seen in years, they drink till they pass out, run on their spouses, drink and drive and then get away with it, and when it time to play hardball, they bring out the big guns!! In this case, possibly literally!! It's Peyton Place at it's best!!

When our roads have completely crumbled; and there's no money to fix them, our bridges have fallen down; and we can't cross the rivers, our plows aren't working; and we can't plow the streets and highways and also can't afford to buy new ones to replace the old ones, the city water is contaminated; and we can't afford to repair the system, our dumps are full; and we have no place left to put trash, our taxes reach 21%, (but we have great health insurance), and only the very wealthy can afford to own their home.... WHAT ARE YOU ALL GOING TO DO? AND WHO'S FAULT IS IT GOING TO BE? Well, guess what...it will be yours, because as citizens, most of you didn't do your duty and attend the meetings!! So you can blame these thugs you've put in office, but ultimately, it's your fault.

Now with that said, step up to the plate, take a good hard look at the future and then, do what's right!!

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On 12/30/09 at 5:07 PM, bobcat wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

a lot has been said about four members of the council having to be present to call it a meeting. How many meetings were held between two or three members of the city council??? Many, I am sure. This whole situation appears to me that the city manager was trying his best to play by the rules but the council couldn't handle that. I don't think that they liked to be told what to do so they took the ball in their hands to gain control. I think Presque Isle should be very proud of the leadership that Tom Stevens provided. If the present council members survive this blunder come next election they will again seek PI citizens votes with many false promises and if re-elected will continue as they have. They have brought discrace on their community and all should be replaced or removed from office immediatey. This one unprofessional event proves that. Someone told me a long time ago that all experience brings to the table is ways to go around the way the system was meant to run. As for Mr. McPherson, his conduct clearly shows his intelligence. My question about him is: Does he still hold a concealed weapons permit? I hope not! Mr. Stevens, best of luck in your new job. Something tells me that you will do a very good job. I wish you and your family well.

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On 12/30/09 at 5:11 PM, MyThoughts wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How long did Stevens know about former Fire Chief Krysiak's triple dipping before he was forced to let him go?

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On 12/30/09 at 5:22 PM, fmrmainer wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Perhaps the council was tired of status quo..of the bleed of people leaving Presque Isle for better jobs. As long as the County stays as-is it will continue to lose people to other states and taxes will increase on the poor few who are left and unemployment will continue to climb.

As for Mr. Nickerson, I have worked for him. He is a good man with good intentions.

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On 12/30/09 at 6:03 PM, RoscoePColtrain wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Those council members who are so concerned about moving Presque Isle forward ought to put a copy of this news article in their "Welcome to Presque Isle" pamphlet. Seeing the actions of these city council drones is a wonderful way to encourage companies to consider locating to Central Aroostook. Is it any wonder the rest of the state can't take Aroostook County seriously? Come experience our quality of life...but don't forget your sidearm. IDIOTS!

Mr. McPherson, I believe in the right to bear arms, but I also believe people who behave such as you do add fuel the fire for those pushing for strict gun control. People who respect their concealed weapons permits tend to keep their weapons concealed. I happen to know for a fact that you show little discretion when you pack your piece. You have even tried to intimidate co-workers with your little piece of paper (permit) you use to compensate for your shortcommings. (no pun intended)

In reading this article, my perception of you is that you are a gun-packing fool with a drinking problem. While Mr. Stevens is on his way out, maybe you, Mr. Nickerson, and the rest of the good ol' boys could have an have an open bar private meeting at the gun club to discuss Presque Isle's future. Better yet, maybe you could discuss re-election stategies. Keep in mind, if you fall short in running for Presque Isle council, there may be a future for you in Hazard County.

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On 12/30/09 at 6:38 PM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Please tell me that there are some videotaped city council meetings available for public viewing. Surely they make their meetings public with the exception of Executive sessions held at Coppers Lizard Lounge . Some film please....your public wants to meet the cast !

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On 12/30/09 at 7:03 PM, piemployee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am embarrassed to say that I live and work in Presque Isle. In my opinion they all should go, including Tom. He could have taken a cue from Ed Barrett in Bangor, taken the high road, and gone out like a professional. Instead he chose to load the cannon with excrement and splatter the whole city. How sad.

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On 12/30/09 at 7:34 PM, Amazed wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If anyone can make it right, you people in Northern Maine can. You're hearty folks with a lot of spirit, talent, wit and plain old common sense and you've weathered many storms (no pun intended)! The worst that can happen now, is for everyone to sit back and enjoy the show. Instead, pull together, make a plan and get it right before some genius from parts unknown comes along and really does major catastrophic damage.

Your eyes have been blown wide open, be thankful, that's more than most towns and cities are getting right now. At least you all have a chance to redeem your great little city, and this quite possibly, could be your one great chance to make people stand up and take notice of what the folks in Aroostook County are really made of! Good luck to all you!!!

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On 12/30/09 at 8:31 PM, mackintosh wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess I'd question the savy of the City Solicitor, eh? And I guess they need a new one if he does not himself once informed of irregularities that it is his responsibility to investigate, eh? Seems like the City Manager of 17 years did nothing wrong but that the counselors at least some of them held illegal meetings. I'd like to see a new City Solicitor and one who will investigate the counselors. Then if need be the good people of Presque Isle need to stand up against the 'bullies' and hire a new set of counselors, eh? Don Beattie in Winthrop, ME I own a farm in Mars Hill and I hope none of the town council there wear guns or hold secret meetinge, eh? Sounds like the Wild Wild East.

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On 12/30/09 at 9:16 PM, awaguide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

As the permit states " PERMIT TO CARRY CONCEALED FIREARMS ". It is the responsibility of the permit holder to keep the firearm hidden (concealed) so as not to alarm, frighten, or intimidate the public. The only time anyone should be aware of the firearm is when it would be used to protect ones life or that

of the public, and even then it would only be used as a last resort and only under the right conditions. As a retired law enforcement officer I have carried

firearms both on and off duty for 32 years. I go to great lengths in choosing the right holster and clothing so as to keep my firearm concealed. I also shoot every month and qualify with my concealed carry firearm every 6 months. This is what a responsible CC permit holder does.

Law Enforcement cannot be everywhere all the time and I know you say we live in Aroostook County but bad things can happen even in Small Town USA. This is why I carry a concealed firearm, I carry it to protect my life, my families and the public. I carry a concealed firearm so in the event of a life or death situation I am not a statistic. This is my choice and my right.

As for Mr. McPherson... he is obviously NOT a responsible person and if it were my choice he would NOT have a concealed firearms permit.

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On 12/30/09 at 9:26 PM, HRH419 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How often do you have to renew a cwpermit? Don't think for a second

that this article won't come to the attention of the right people and

perhaps he won't have that permit in the future.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:02 PM, mainecane wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The CIty Council did nothing wrong in not renewing Mr. Steven's cotract. They were right to do so as the time for change has come. Mr. Stevens is wrong to make an issue over spilled milk. I have been in meetings with him and there is no doubtt he thinks a great deal of himself. He has not done much in his tenure here in P.I. and he will not be missed. Let the Fed's have him. I also can't wait for Mr. Beck to begin knocking on doors for his 2700 signatures. Have fun in the snow. Mr Nickerson is one of the finest people I know. "Fllyfishing" and "MCBell" must be speaking of someone else. The Ed Nickerson I know has given much help to a lot of folks and is a fine family man. All of you that wrote in negative way, please go to the CIty Office and see the cleark. She willll inform you all how to run for public office. Serve first then write our columns. Serving will quench your thrst for Kool-Aid.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:22 PM, exlex94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If you have to go everywhere with your gun on you have a serious self esteem issue. do you wear your weapon to high school sporting events? if you have done this please turn your permit in elmster because you are not fit to possess one. seriously the issuance of permit to the individual here should be looked at closely when it comes up for renewal. the people of presque ilse would sleep better if there was one less permit holder in town.

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On 12/30/09 at 10:46 PM, awaguide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

And to whom do you post your question Mr or Ms exlex94 in regards to " do you wear your weapn to high school sporting events ". Every law-abiding and responsible CC permit holder in Maine and across the United States knows that would be against the law. Attached is the Maine statute on firearms and schools.

§6552. Firearms

1. Prohibition. A person may not possess a firearm on public school property or discharge a firearm within 500 feet of school property. For purposes of this subsection, public school property includes property of a community college that adopts a policy imposing such a prohibition.

[ 2007, c. 67, §1 (AMD) .]

2. Exception. Subsection 1 shall not apply to:

A. Law enforcement officials; or [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

B. A supervised educational program. [1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

3. Penalty. A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class E crime.

[ 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). 1989, c. 414, §13 (AMD). 2007, c. 67, §1 (AMD).

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On 12/30/09 at 11:04 PM, exlex94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

awaguide, i know that is against the law. my post was in reply to elmster if you scroll back through the posts here. it is obvious that you fail to see the underlying point of my posts which is that, in my opinion, mr. mcpherson should not have a concealed weapons permit. i would assume that you, on the other hand, are proably a more responsiable individual in regards to your concealled weapons permit.

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On 12/30/09 at 11:13 PM, awaguide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

exlex94, I see your point and fully agree with you on Mr. McPherson... he is a BUFFOON, and needs his permit revoked.

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On 12/31/09 at 5:42 AM, bumpinroad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I guess it speaks volume's when most of the comments do not favor the councilors. what kind of paranoia drives a councilor to carry a concealed weapon in any public meeting, unless its by law enforcement it shouldn't be allowed, even then questionable. maybe AMHC should open an office in the PI city hall.

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On 12/31/09 at 5:54 AM, LOST_R_FREEDOMS wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Geeeezz.....

Sounds like the good ole boy system of ORRINGTON

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On 12/31/09 at 8:19 AM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

A permit should be revoked when it has been demonstrated that the permitee has an underlying problem with alcohol and has shown poor judgement by toting said weapon to public locations where the presence of weapons is unwarranted and unneccesary. ...not to mention illegal The boiler room of heated meetings with the city council is the last place one should bring a firearm. Pull his permit.

awaguide > find another place to pat yourself on the back this is not the forum for retired police officers who can still hit a stationary paper target. You still carry your pistol due to the high volume of enemies you have created over the years so don't try to spin this to decorate your sorded past. get a life. Your private investigators license is up for renewal again so no drinkie no drivey !!

Next time you county folks get pulled over and have been drinking....just tell the officer you want the " Ron McPherson Driving to EndangerSpecial" New plans in the works everyday. I would suggest that Linthicum's office should be able to offer it to you as well as Ronnie ! Just curious but is Ronnie related to State Trooper DAVE MCPHERSON ?

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On 12/31/09 at 9:22 AM, spasmoweeder wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

sounds like a bunch of hicks to me. hill billys with pistols at a town council meeting? wow.

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On 12/31/09 at 9:25 AM, PIresident wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This message is for mainecane. . . you obviouly know a different Ed Nickerson than the rest of Aroostook County because the only one Ed Nickerson ever did anything for was him self. As for Mr. Stevens being wrong for crying over spilled milk if you read the article it was the BDN who requested the records and by law he has to give it to them. It has been so clear that something was terrible wrong here because there was no just cause for what the council did and clearly they just want him out of the way so the good ole boys can do what they want. These guys are the laughing stock of the State. They remind me of the seven drawfs .. . . Mel - Grumpy (always a nasty look on his face) Walt - Sleepy (ever see him sleep in meetings. . .he does) Ron - Happy (alcohol does that to ya) Ron - Bashful (never has much to say unless Ron tells him to) Jennifer - Dopey, that just leaves Calvin and Ed they must be Doc and Snezzy take your pick. Either way they are such losers. And oh ya Walt - what goes around comes around!

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On 12/31/09 at 9:33 AM, PoorMan wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Here is one for the people to look at. Mr. Stevens as a saint. His big ego isn't as untarnished as you all think. The Public Safety building would have been $250,000.00+ cheaper if he could have left his ego out side. The Cole family offered the ground to the City as long as a plaque in the Cole family honor was placed in the building. Mr. Stevens refused. The land was then sold to someone else and then bought by the city. And oh ya walk into the entryway at the police department and notice the $250,000.00 dollar plaque thanking the Coles. How many other deals like that have happened that we haven't heard of?

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On 12/31/09 at 9:57 AM, reaganite wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Elish calls all the shots. BIG ego. And Presque Isle city hall wasn't big enough for TWO guys with big egos. So Tom had to go. (Tom never represented THE PEOPLE anyway).

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On 12/31/09 at 10:16 AM, Integrity wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I live in Presque Isle. I want the City Councilors to seek out answers to questions posed to them from their constituents. How better to do that than to actually go out and ask the questions themselves from the people who actually run the department or business. Asking questions does not constitute a meeting, but rather prepares them for an actual council meeting where they can sit and make an informed decision. Unlike SAD #1's school board whose directors are only told what the superintendent wants them to know crippling them from making an informed decision, the Councilors that people elect are the boss and they tell Tom Stevens what to do and how to do it. Yes MMA does come into play and there are rules but if Tom Stevens really had thought almost a year ago that the Councilors had broken the law, why didn't he take care of it then? I found the BDN story a bit slanted because most of everything quoted was by Tom Stevens. I feel Tom has spent more than enough time as P.I. City Manager. There should almost be a "terms limit" because most humans get too comfortable in their positions and start taking things for granted. I am not happy with all the Councilors and wonder why they serve, but I do know that not too many people want to spend their evenings in meetings and at various other functions away from their families. If you want to improve the process then by all means step up to the plate and run for office and do the work you feel is necessary to fix a problem that Tom Stevens says exists. That is what the political process is all about and that is how a democracy works. Unfortunately I feel a bit sorry for the "new" people that Tom Stevens is going to be over seeing. I hope his whimpering and whining ways don't extend to them and that "new" position It does NOT make him look like a STRONG leader!

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On 12/31/09 at 10:36 AM, reaganite wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Integrity, you don't get it. Most of Presque Isle's business gets done behind closed doors. They just finally got caught, and it's out..

(Slanted?? Did you not see in the article where councilors refused to coment??)

Nobody on the council dares to speak up about anything unless Elish says they can. They suck up to him bigtime.

You're right ---Stevens was a weak leader (his favorite trick was to talk for ten minutes AND NOT SAY ANYTHING.............to get you to shut up and go away).

The whole place is a clown show. Stevens and the council have disdain for the public, and have never wanted to let them in on the process.

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On 12/31/09 at 2:37 PM, huckaberry wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Interesting facts: Elish-works out of the city (APP), Hall-works out of the city (DHHS), Gardner-works or worked out of the city (DFAS), McPherson-works or worked out of the city (DFAS), Nickerson-works or worked out of the city (Loring), Trombley-works the city (PI Housing Auth.), Hovey-Retired. New councilor Smith-Heads State Farm-Doesn't pay property taxes.

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On 1/1/10 at 2:45 AM, awaguide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

glovesareoffnow> I have no idea what you are speaking of and nether do you. First I do not have a sordid past. Second I am not a private investigator. Third as part of my active duty retirement I qualify every 6 months on a combat course to FBI standards.

My post was not an attempt to pat myself on the back, just too state facts on the subject. By you comments and attitude I see that Mr. McPherson is not the only BUFFON.

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On 1/1/10 at 4:05 AM, awaguide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

glovesareoffnow AKA : Buffoon II > If forgot to tell you... Happy New Year

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On 1/1/10 at 8:54 AM, MikeinFK wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Bringing a gun to meetings??? Damn, they didn't even do that in Van Buren

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On 1/1/10 at 8:08 PM, guylea90 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I do not believe this article was "slanted" as someone stated above. The reporter clearly tried to get the councilors in question to respond. Some did, some didn't. I am interested to see what happens next in this city.

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On 1/1/10 at 10:02 PM, mainecane wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Well said Integrity. The city of P.I. faces some difficult times ahead and I only hope the Council sticks to keeping the budget in check with what there is to work with. The name calling and finger pointing does not solve anything. Tom is done and should be done. He was paranoid about the secret meetings only because he couldn't control them. Best of luck to Mr. Nickerson and Mr. Hovey. I hope their opinions and experience lead to the council making the right decisions.

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On 1/3/10 at 11:08 AM, glovesareoffnow wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

awaguide thanks for clarification ! It would appear that you too may suffer from a little lack of self esteem as you POST YET ANOTHER self- patting on the back about your alleged qualifications and then you reference FBI standards oh my !!. Combat training ?

When you talk macho like that I think it makes me sleep better at night. I did a little legwork ( private eye slang ) and discovered that you are legit my apologies. If you let the clip run a minute or so I believe that's you in the bright blue athletic police combat getup doing your qualification warm-ups. Happy New Year to you too !

http://www.bofunk.com/video/796/richard_simmons.html

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On 1/5/10 at 2:34 AM, allin46 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Carrying a gun isnt such a bad idea.He has a permit so get off his case.Its legal so shut up and worry bout something else.

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On 1/6/10 at 11:07 AM, mcbell wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

MAZY741 you must be a buddy of nickersons in every sense of the word. you all seem to stick together

saw it myself. your head must be in your butt if you think for once second he or any of them are in it for the sake of the

people. Control is the issue FLYFISHING hit it right on the mark about nickerson. Mcpherson himself is a whole other issue

as well as Gardiner, could never keep or make a go of it in a stable job. MAZY741 AND THE WHOLE COUNCIL seem to be

pulling for each other and the crap gets deeper and deeper every time they open their lying cheating and controling mouths.

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On 1/11/10 at 5:00 AM, icare2UC wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Here's some food for thought ... think about the people who are searching for the New town manager ... because that person more than likely resemble them!Scary.

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On 2/7/10 at 1:14 PM, rbruce wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have always liked tom stevens, however I dont think that he or the city council, (past or present) have been much interested in advancing the businesses of Presque Isle. As a former small business owner I found that this to be especially true. Several times we had tried to expand our business model to service the community needs only to be shut down by the council and the many boards that you have to meet for approval. I think its time for the people of Presque Isle to sweep out city hall and elect motivated members that have a vision for the future and to think outside the box.

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