Washington County manager resigns
1/8/10 | 14 comments

Washington County manager resigns


By Sharon Kiley Mack
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY SHARON KILEY MACK
David Norman (right), of Woodland, accepts congratulations Thursday for being named Washington County’s 2009 Citizen of the Year from Commissioner Chris Gardner (left) and Sheriff Donnie Smith (center). Norman, a security officer at Domtar paper mill, was at work last November when Baileyville Police Chief Philip Harriman was attacked and injured while serving a protection from harassment order. Norman answered Harriman’s call for assistance and was able to gain control of the perpetrator. Buy Photo

MACHIAS, Maine — The first and only county manager in Washington County, Linda Pagels Wentworth, resigned her position Thursday afternoon, effective Feb. 5.

Asked whether she was taking the town manager’s position in Baileyville, which is much closer to her Calais home, Wentworth only said, “Come to the [Baileyville] selectmen’s meeting on January 11th.”

The county commissioners praised Wentworth for her three years of service.

“You not only filled but you created a position,” commissioners’ Chairman Chris Gardner said. “It has not been without its challenges. You made my job easier.”

Gardner said the position, for which Wentworth was receiving a little more than $49,000 a year, will be posted immediately and advertised in local and statewide newspapers.

He said there would be no closing date for applications. “The search will remain open until a suitable candidate is found,” he said.

Before the commissioners got down to discussing budget quandaries, a special presentation was made by Gardner and Sheriff Donnie Smith to David Norman of Woodland, naming Norman the 2009 Washington County Citizen of the Year.

Norman, a security officer at Domtar paper mill, was at work last November when he heard Baileyville Police Chief Philip Harriman asking for assistance.

Smith said Harriman had been attempting to serve a protection from harassment order on David Troy when Troy allegedly “viciously attacked” Harriman.

“The first person that responded was David Norman,” Smith said.

Norman said he was a former Baileyville police officer and had known Harriman “since he was a baby.” Norman said that when he arrived, it was clear that Harriman was injured.

“His face was covered with blood,” Norman said. “He had the man on the ground but couldn’t get control of him.”

Troy, 49, eventually was arrested and charged with assault on a police officer.

Norman said his actions were instinctive and he really didn’t feel like a hero.

Gardner, however, praised Norman’s actions. “It’s not everyone that would do this,” Gardner said, noting he was humbled by Norman’s quick action.

“What you did that day was not only greatly in the interest of Chief Harriman, but also important to the people of Washington County,” he said. “We are quick to call out those who don’t perform, and it is great to have an opportunity to praise those who really do.”

In other business, the commissioners set public hearings for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, to accept a new revolving loan fund program for the Unorganized Territory and to discuss a Community Development Block Grant program to upgrade technology and staff at the county’s Regional Communications Center.

After the meeting, the commissioners adjourned to the Machias Savings Bank to close on property recently acquired across the street from the Washington County Courthouse that will be used for additional parking.

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Comments
14 comments on this item
On 1/8/10 at 8:26 AM, skyhawk wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

There you go Eastport , GET LINDA FOR TOWN MANAGER !! PAY HER A GOOD WAGE

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On 1/8/10 at 8:34 AM, jayneinmaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Is this a story about "Linda" or a story about "David?" Sounds like two topics...and one outweighs the other....kinda like a rambling country road...and the price of rice in China....and who's one first....

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On 1/8/10 at 8:38 AM, jayneinmaine wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

...er...who's ON first....

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On 1/8/10 at 8:40 AM, Portboy wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How much was her salary? Would you check that number out and confirm it? The low $60's sounds more like the real number.

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On 1/8/10 at 9:27 AM, dlaurels wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

In other business, the commissioners set public hearings for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19, to accept a new revolving loan fund program for the Unorganized Territory

Okay, unorganized territory residents show up for this meeting to keep the Commissioners honest. This money is from an unorganized territory tax break for the Stetson Mountain windmill project, and is to be used only in the unorganized territory. So, it should be structured within the unorganized territory account.

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On 1/8/10 at 9:45 AM, washctyboy wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

She cost the County $200,000.00! She put the employees through hell and once she arrived the County has been buying up property as though there's a Casino in Calais handing out tax dollars! I say good riddens and take Chris with you. Neither one of you have done anything positive for the County, it's all about yourselves and your political/employment opportunities.

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On 1/8/10 at 11:57 AM, Eugene wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On 1/8/10 at 8:40 AM, Portboy wrote:

How much was her salary? Would you check that number out and confirm it? The low $60's sounds more like the real number.

Co-ink-a-dink-ly enough, the $60,000 amount is the very amount taken from the Trescott roadside garbage pickup beginning the same time the "new position" was carved out.

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On 1/8/10 at 5:10 PM, coastal wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thankfully she is leaving, maybe some things will get straightened out now, of course who will keep her drunk secretary company.

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On 1/11/10 at 12:17 PM, nursewoo wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hmmmmmm.....Coastal.......I bet her drunken husband could keep her secretary busy with no problem!!!

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On 1/11/10 at 2:00 PM, SammieJ wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Oh great, I see the writing on the wall. We are gonna be stuck with that Finch as County Manager.

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On 1/13/10 at 12:38 PM, clerk1 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hey coastal and nursewoo, chickensh*ts, come talk to my face.......................you're lower than scum.

He/she who lives in a glass house should not throw rocks.

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On 1/15/10 at 12:04 AM, coastal wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer, take one down, clerk1 sucks it down, 98 bottles of beer on the wall. Don't worry though, the Sheriff will take you home again just like last time you came back to work tipsy....

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On 1/15/10 at 7:02 AM, darthcyclonis wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Washington County does not need a manager. Another wasteful position collecting a pay check.

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On 1/15/10 at 12:09 PM, proberts wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Does the County of Washington truly need the expense of a county manager position? The county should go back to the county clerk and the commissioners should take a more active role in the county operations.

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