It is my understanding that council meetings have their minutes taken while in session. My question is why was Mr. Wheeler taping their conversations then. He had access to the minutes of that meeting to make an objective decision about the relationship between the city and the American Folk Festival.

The one thing that the minutes don't often reflect is the way council members interact with others, which often times members start getting anxious and crital of others....better known as name calling or bullying.

The question really is, why the taping then. Minutes are taking for the councils benefit to view. Taping is done when there is an intention on the persons part to implicate someone on the council in wrongdoing or to embarrass them with heated discussions arise by playing it to others outside the chambers for his or her gratification......Mr. Wheeler knew what he was doing was both unethical and morally wrong. He got caught...now he wants you to believe that this was all a mistake on his part. The mistake on his part was to unethically tape the meeting and get caught the same time...Now he feels that he needs not to resign but stay on for the benefit of the council....WHY....once you willfully deceit others, do you really think that you can be respected in a leadership role for the Bangor City Council...and really move forward. WHAT ABOUT THE TIMES HE TAPED SESSIONS AND WASN'T CAUGHT....

TALK ABOUT VIEWING LIFE THROUGH FOGG...THAT IS WHAT'S OVER THE COUNCILS HEAD NOW....

I'm not a big Hal Wheeler fan, but I have to tell you that I am respectful of his willingness to challenge the leadership of this council and take a risk. I continue to be mortified by the failure of the Bangor City Council to conect with reality - they dumped Barrett, they're hell bent of building a new, unnecessary auditorium, they're killing the folk festival, they're using our money to take pictures of themselves & hang them in City Hall, and they're treating folk festival volunteers like criminals. I don't see this as a lapse in judgement, I see it as a brave move to stand up to a weak (if not corrupt) system of leadership. It's no secret that the Council members (Stone, Blanchette, Palmer) who were in office at the Birth of the folk festival scrambled to take credit. Blanchette, Palmer, Stone - you folks blew it - we trusted you to manage the City's contribution to the folk fesitval. You blew it and you tried to blame it on Barrett. You are the real problem. I'd like to congratuale Mr. Wheeler from trying to capture your secret meetings in a way that they voters can hear.....

what a two bit town this city has become...it is almost like watching the keystone cops. Where is our pride? What a pathetic example of public leadership! We are doomed by our own vices!

While I'm at it, was Greene ever cited for his mess? I'm also interested to know who signed off on the $7K invoice. Was the person who allowed Richard Green to hit the city for $7K ever held accountable - I say yes, the Bangor finance committe blew it. One of the council members needs to get some sprine. Paging Cary Weston...You were elected on a 'new Bangor' platform... this is what we were talking about. Let's put an end to the Mayberry-mentality that controls this town.

Keep at it Hal Wheeler - please know that there are people out there who have your back.

Hey Flyfishing - the value of taping becomes readily apparent, when one stops trusting the transcriber who was hired by the existing leader.

Flyfishing, the recording was not done of a Council meeting; it was done of a personal conversation. All Council meetings are recorded anyway and anybody can record a Council meeting or board meeting without permission, as those are open to the public. As for one city official secretly recording his conversation with other city officials about city business, it may seem unethical, but I have a hard time considering it actually so. Their business is our business.

Bangorian...Wheeler didn't tape a councilor meeting...he taped municipal employees while he discussed the Folk Festival with them. It was a meeting where minutes would not likely be taken and the other people present would be under the expectations that they were NOT being recorded. I think he should resign because he has destroyed all trust between himself and the people he works with. No town employee will ever trust him again, so there will never be a good working relationship between him and anyone else. He has rendered himself essentially useless and he really should step down.

Centaurmyst - I disagree. What he did is actually stand up to a corrupt local organization. If he is forced to resign, who will keep a close eye on these clowns?

You????

Centaurmyst, what makes you think the city officials talking with Wheeler had any expectation that what they were saying would be confidential?

Bangor's new direction- how's the recall coming?

What Wheeler did was unethical, and I respect the man for admitting his error in judgment. Now let's move on and let the city councilors tackle more important business.

Very rarely do I agree with Bangorian....however, I am with you 100% on this one.

.

Let this be a lesson to all of us. We should, at all times ,conduct our conversations as though we are being recorded.

Only two words to describe taping an employee without their knowledge. "Sneaky & Slimy".

Morals = Knowing an action is wrong and not doing it: Ethics = knowing an action is wrong and doing it anyway.

The tape(s) in question is actually public property since it was done on city property with city employees.

Has BDN or anyone used the freedom of information ac to obtain them? Might be an interesting listen.

Oldboy3, I think it depends on what the intention is. If it's to create an accurate record of what was said, it's hard to find anything wrong with it. If it's to deliberately take things out of context to embarrass the subject, then yes, there is something wrong with it. Although the circumstances of the reported incident aren't clear, sometimes the only way you can expose someone as not being truthful or ethical himself is to record the conversation in case that person later denies what happened.

Coopah, using your logic, are you suggesting that if one city employee were to give another city employee a greeting card on city property that card would therefore be a public record?

What his intent was is irrelevant. The important thing is that he has destroyed all faith and trust in himself by the people he needs to be able to work with. He has rendered himself completely useless because NO ONE is going to want to have anything to do with him after what he has done. That means they just won't talk to him about things out of fear of him recording them. He is going to be resented and suspected of sabotage and underhanded dealings by his co-workers from now on. He's made himself worthless as a councilor and he should step down.

I think the recordings Mr.Wheeler made are completely ethical and the only unethical thing is that some people are trying to label them as unethical. These recordings were made of people who all work for the taxpayers and during the time when they are discussing public policy and how the taxpayers money will be spent, they should be entirely willing to have everything they say recorded. If he were secretly taping gossip or personal things being discussed to later use it against them, then that would be unethical, but municipal employees aren't being paid to engage in personal gossip while they're getting paid. So, since these recordings consist of discussion of municipal business, WHY did the council think it was so important to label their making "unethical?" By doing this, aren't they making a statement against transparency in government, and isn't that exactly what we need more of at all levels? If every public employee and politician knew that anything they said during the conduct of their jobs would likely become part of the public record, then maybe they'd be a little more responsible in what they say, and the resulting policies would reflect that also. I happen to know Mr. Wheeler, and have always thought he was a rather silly fellow and quite full of himself, and I wouldn't vote for him if he were running for dog catcher, but I don't think that making an accurate recording of PUBLIC employees during discussions of PUBLIC policy is unethical or wrong in any way.

Native1710, I think he looks like Wilford Brimley.

Hal i dont blame you for taping that. Something fishy is going on with the city council and your the only one that cares about Bangor right now. Im sure that Gerry Palmer dont give a rats crap and Patricia Blanchette is on it just for the fame and money

I have never been much of a Hal Wheeler fan, over all these years and times that he served in public office back into the 80's. But I will admit my appreciation for how he has taken a stand these last few months, and stood up to the old boy (and girl) network that the Council has become. I think this in certainly unfortunate, because it does violate trust, not only in the public sector but with those city employees he was interacting with. (One of whom I know rather well, and I wish Mr.Wheeler luck in future dealings with that person, heh.)

I do hope that he stays on, because I do feel he is the only one on the current Council who understands the taxpayers frustration with it's elected leadership. And is the only one who seems willing to do something about it.

Wheelers recording days are over, he has showed his hand and the idea that he would ever try to record anything again is not likely..... the rest of the council members have never been safer around him as far as private conversations go, I would be surprised if they would even except his resignation.

my thoughts exactly , mcrafty 1

"...who has long been a fixture in municipal government" That's the problem, right there.

Recall, Recall, Recall. Come on Bangor, this is a great City to live and work. Let's get some responsible leaders that have ethics, morals, values and respect for each other. Is that asking too much?

big brother is watching you....

I'm afraid everyone is making too much of this. Mr Wheeler was in fact recording the conversation only for the purpose of playing it back later in a private setting-because the man loves to hear himself talk- probably with dim light and candles.

I don't believe for one miniute that any elected official or employer can be trusted maybe that was why he was tapeing. I have had several instances where I work when I was told one thing and then the next day the employer denies it. I agree with one comment on here,that everybody should be aware that at any given time anybody could be tapeing you so say what you mean and mean what you say or it may come back and bite you.

I disagree with the outrage. First, Maine has a One Party Consent law, meaning conversations can be recorded as long as one of the parties involved is aware of the recording. Secondly, this type of recording should be allow and be made public record. Why aren't there more whistleblowers in cases of corruption? Because without audio or documentary evidence, it's my word against yours, and people who have families can't afford that kind of risk.

"And late last year, some councilors suggested a censure of Councilor Geoff Gratwick after he went public with his disgust over the way the council handled the dismissal of Barrett."

Thats the scariest piece of information in this article.

Your absolutely right about that Maine_iac. Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer

This is not 1920s/1930s Louisiana and Dick Stone is not Huey P. Long.

Wheeler broke a Federal law, if you all have his 'six'; you had better get busy and pool your doughnut money for a law team.

Anyone who in today's techy world dosen't realize that whenever and wherever you may be, public or private, the things one talks about and behaviors one indulges in can be made public at anytime by anyone is living in darkness.....the ability to record conversation and video behavior is unlimited and especially those who are in the public eye are most vulnerable....nothing is sacred anymore even behind closed doors in the bedroom, just ask Tiger...

Let me see if I understand this correctly, “Councilor Wheeler lost focus on what was right,” Stone said". Lost focus? What did he really intend to do with the recording? How many times and who has he recorded in the past? It appears he is old enough to know better!! "Do the crime and serve the time". If it means stepping down, step down - you have lost the trust of the public.

Mr. Wheeler was doing the citizens of Bangor a favor by recording this Illegal and clandestine meeting.

His sting operation was shedding some light on the methods of the Inner Circle.

.

For once, I, too, agree with Bangorian!

Thank You Hall Wheeler for standing up for what is right! Do not let the Bangor City Council kill the spirit of the American Folk Festival and drive away the festival employees and vlolunteers who have worked so hard to bring this fabulous event to the people of Maine and the tens of thousands of visitors who come here to enjoy it. If the essence of the Folk Festival isn't screwed up by the shortsightedness of the Bangor City Council, and some ever complaining locals, these visitors will enjoy our City and its cultural amenities and then return again to Maine to spend their recreational dollars.

You know the old saying, no guts, no glory. Hal you keep right on stirring the pot! Thank you for your creativity and fearless action. I admire what you did, and hope you keep right on kicking butt!!! I hope you are walking around with a big grin on your face today!!! Thanks, again. Deborah

Jeffery is way off base in his comments. Does he really believe that secretly taping someone for whatever reason and without their knowledge is transparency in government?! Wow! Even the Councilman himself recognizes his error in judgement, although his sugar coated explanation is rather dubious in itself.

I'm not quite sure why he was publicly censured this way. Employers secretly record and film their employees all the time. Employees have no right to privacy in the workplace. Unethical maybe, but ethics went out the window a long time ago.

It's not against the law in Maine to walk around with a running tape recorder in your pocket all the time. Some people have apparently been watching WAY too many crime dramas on tv. Why so some consider it unethical to do it? If you edit your recordings or deliberately take comments out of context or try to blackmail people with them, THAT would be unethical. But simply recording everything that is said is not illegal or unethical. If people don't want to later be confronted with what they say, particularly on a public policy issue, they should perhaps refrain from saying it in the first place. Why is it important to any honest person to not have their public statements recorded? We're not talking about someone secretly slipping a tape recorder under your pillow, and we're not talking about taping national security secrets here.

thomtompson-1 doesn't have a clue, government WOULD be more transparent and better decisions would be made if decisions were made based on rational pro/con arguments, and why would anyone object to their rational arguments being recorded?

The crux of the arguement is whether or not it is ethical to secretly tape someone without their knowledge or consent. The answer is no for obvious reasons. It should also be illegal, as it is in most states. It is also against federal law to use any information gathered secretly for certain purposes, even in the few states like Maine that still allow the practice of taping without the knowledge or consent of all parties. It is a tribute to the Council and the Councilman that they have recognized this serious breach of ethics and corrected it. Jeffrey asks: " ...and why would anyone object to their rational arguments being recorded?" The answer is that they just might if it was being done secretly. My question is why do it secretly?

Kind of tells me that Wheeler doesn't trust Bob Farrar, Finance Director Debbie Cyr and Solicitor Norman Heitmann.

With Wheeler's long experience in city government, you gotta wonder why.

tomthompson_1, WHO says it's not ethical, the TV shows you watch? You may wish the "crux" of the argument were that straightforward and the answer that simple, but it's not. He wasn't taping "people" in the sense of you and me going about our daily lives. He was taping a meeting of people who are conducting the taxpayers business and he had every legal right to do so. Apparently they didn't like it (maybe something to hide?) so they labeled it as "unethical" and applied pressure to get him to apologize and he did. The only reason a public official conducting public business might not want a meeting taped is so he can later be able to deny something he said in that meeting. If they are discussing personally confidential information and doesn't want the information getting out to avoid embarrassing an innocent third party, I can see where that might be reasonable, but in normal committee meetings, wouldn't we all be better served by our public employees and servants if they had to actually speak the truth and be held accountable for positions they take behind closed doors? They should know the law that makes taping legal, and take that into account before they speak.

In the entirely different case of our private lives, I can understand you possibly arguing against it being ethical. But it IS legal and I think it's ethical too. If what I say is presented in context, I'm willing for anyone I'm speaking to, to share it with other people they know. If it's of a personal nature, I hope they'll use discretion, but before I tell them anything personal about me or anyone else, isn't it MY obligation to consider that it might spread beyond the person I'm actually talking to? As opposed to second hand gossip, where the gossiping party can add "spin" to any juicy personal information I may tell them, if they share a recording of what I actually say, while it may still embarrass me, at least it's accurate. And it's legal.

No Jeff, the Bangor City Council ruled it unethical, not a television show. I just happen to agree with them. Assuming that everything you assert in your arguement is true, the Councilman should of had no reason not to inform the people he was meeting with that he wished to record the meeting. But for the fact that he failed to do so, he would not have found himself in hot water ethically.

Ah but do not think for one minute someone else has or still is recording many internal meetings where you work, not just City of Bangor. LOL Wy shouldn't folks want o do this? Look How many times have you heard someone say, "they told me it will be my word against yours."?

It's called CMOA Covering My Own A_ _ in todays got-ya, everyman and women for themselves, and the end justifies the means in the world we now live in.

I am surprised one hasn't showed up on youtube with video? So, be careful what you say and what you do, someone may be recording you?

I bet there is more tapes of meetings right now, just waiting to get out in public when that someone is wronged too many times ?

The day before Thanksgiving I heard Pat Blanchette say to George Hale and Rick Tyler on their radio program that citizens of BAngor had no right to know why exactly Ed Barret was being fired. She said "its none of you business". So perhaps Mr. Wheeler is taping things because he thinks it really is the peoples business to know what it is going on.

I never thought Hal Wheeler was a class act anyway...

Jidge

Does anyone else think something stinks inside Bangor City Hall? This classless "Rat Pack" that is now the City Council is a disgrace. How did the voters of Bangor elect these people to be their leaders? The recent track record of the council is not great. (ie, Richard "Swiper the Fox" Green, The Midnight Massacre of Ed Barrett, and now Mr. Wheeler). How did this guy get elected again? Who thinks this guy is in touch with what's good for the city? I was a bartender in Bangor for several years and Hal Wheeler used to come in and take up a bar stool and mumble to himself. And if he couldn't get a seat facing the door, he'd pitch a fit. Why you ask? Well, Hal stated that he never sat anywhere with his back towards the door because he said that "people" were out to get him, and that he didn't want to get shot in the back. (Kinda makes you wonder what song is playing in his head)

I'd like to see the paper print the names of the Council members who suggested that Gratwick should be censured for talking with the public about his concerns. That's exactly the kind of city government that I don't want - how did we get stuck with this?

Caveman, exactly which federal law do you think Wheeler broke? It is perfectly legal to record any conversation of which you are a party without getting the permission of others. Further, how is recording audio in a public building of public employees discussing public business without getting consent any different from taking photos in public without the consent of the subjects? No one would argue it would be unethical for Wheeler to stand atop a building downtown and photograph people walking down the street.

Recall people recall, sign those petitions lets get these councilors out now

Jades Girl,

You must be one of the people making $75,000.00 a year from the folk festival. This event can happen, and, successfully, if run by professionals that have to make the city money before they make money. It's called capitalism.

Ya. Keep it up! Record a few phone conversations and all of a sudden you've violated the Federal wiretap statute. What is wrong with you people? "Corrupt council." Ya, right. All that big money flowing in from their stipends. All the big back door money making deals. Sure! Like I"ve said before, the entire council should simply quit and walk away, then Gratwick and Elmo and their cronies can take over and turn everything into conservation land owned by the City of Bangor. Woohoo! You deserve it.

Bangorean:

So tell me what member are you of the city council. You Blanchette or Palmer, because obviously you see right with them. What they are doing is totally wrong and has put a halt on even considering opening another business in Bangor. I would rather go to Hampden or Brewer where they run the city fair and square , Not like Bangor

Bangorean - The council has been corrupted, but it has not been by money or personal gain. It has been by power. I do not believe that the corruption was malicious, these are afterall volunteers who are offering their time, but they are adrift. At some point, this group has assumed a role that I don't believe the voters have given it. It seems as though it feels empowered to act with impunity, without accountability and has the authority to interpret for itself the interests of the citizens. They are drifting dangerously off course. Pat Blanchette (who I like) telling a radio audience that Ed Barretts situation is 'none of our business' is indicative of the breakdown that is happening here. His situation is entirely our business, as is the process that led to his departure. I voted for these people to act on my behalf, but not in secret. I need to see and assess what they're doing so that I can decide whether or not I want them to represent me. This is a fundamental component of democracy. Public governance must be public. Period.

Let's critically look at the big issues of the day: The council is moving us toward building a controversial auditorium that we cannot pay for, without voter input in the form of a referendum. The city remains deeply divided about the auditorium, but the council seems steadfast in its pursuit of the thing. That does not represent the interests of the citizens, it represents a council agenda. As commenter PJRamsay has wisely pointed out, the city loses three times more money on the auditorium every year than that has on the folk festival, yet its value seems to be unquestioned. Why is that? I've never seen 50,000 people at an auditorium event and I never will.

The council dismissed a long time, and effective city manager because he didn't fit with their vision of the city, but they have yet to clearly articulate what that vision is. They are running the risk of destroying the Folk Festival, in part because they're trying to cover their own mistakes (they failed to adequately supervise the financial deals the city made, despite having seats on the Festival Board). The Festival is the one event that has brought the entire region together for 8 years, that's drawn ten of thousands of people to this city, that's energized the population in a way that no other event has. Sure it's not everyones thing, but there do seem to be about 50,000 people who want to come every year. This council is adrift. It is failing us and trying to hide that by keeping secrets, holding executive sessions and telling us to back off. Bangor deserves better than this.

Well written Bangorian. Come on people its just one word you got to remember RECALL RECALL

The city needs a new Civic Center and Auditorium more than than this festival, but the festival would be better enhanced with a new civic center and auditorium. I would put the attendance at the Civic center and Auditorium, Fair, race track, for all combined events at 4 to 5 million people in the past 20 years.

78,000 people would come during basketball tournament and was the standard for many years when the auditorium was in great shape, had great concessions, and bathrooms were clean. They pay for tickets, and REAL rooms at motels. And that was just torunament week not to mention other tournaments. Over the years, the Ice Capapdes, Sportsman show, and concerts also packed the autditoruium which had non stop events 365 days a year, WHEN IT WAS new and shiny.

95 % of hoteliers say the festival actually discourages folks coming that week and in fact very few rooms are paid for as a result of the festival. Canadians still make up for the fast majority of motel rooms.

More people know Bangor for the Paul Bunyan statue than the Festival.

Hollywood slots put more cash the economy than the festival ever will.

However, diversity is good, IF the FF can be run by the right folks who do not need the city council as a baby sitter, as some have suggested. I say again, the council should request the BOD of the FF resign and let's then also find a new Director, who I predict will resign before spring.

I dont see Heather resigning anytime soon, she is in it for the money not for us. I disagree with you fredrogers on the new auditorium. Old one is fine. We can pick up business if the director of bass park is gone. He dont care what is going on either. But im done blabbering for one night

I disagree with the notion that the Paul Bunyan thing is exclusive to Bangor. It's an advertising gimmic that came and went in the 50's & 60s. Maine tried to grab it, as did Minnesoat, VT, New York and evey other State with a Candaina border. The thing that make us different is that we spent a ton of money rebuilding a cliche, that now stares intently at the side of a casino parking garage. How does that help exactuly??? MR. Rogers- you need to cite your facts. Also, I doubt that 78, 000 people are coming to Bangor for the Basetball tournament. Where is that number coming from?

Hmmmm Capacity of 6000 people times 6 days of the tournament equals 48,000, by my admittedly poor math skills. IF you consider that many per day. Certainly not all at one time, but over the course of the entire day, maybe. That's being generous.

Still, a sizable number. Far more people in the building than at any other time of the year. Considering that we no longer have any Class A games played here, including teams from Bangor or Brewer, not a bad number at all.

Sadly, that is all the auditorium is any good for. It is simply a basketball barn, not good for much else.

To the fellow who suggesting that recording telephone calls constitutes "Federal Wiretapping", that is true if no one on the call know that they are being recorded. IF one person is aware of the recording while it is happening, it is legal here in Maine. As is any recording in person. Ethics is another question entirely, but legally, it is OK.

QUIT! QUIT! Then let the brilliant politicos straighten everything out.

GOOD JOB WHEELER. WE NEED TO MONITOR THE COSTOPOS EVERY MOVE ANY WAY WE CAN. WE OVERPAY THEM OVER BENIFIT THEM AND THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE AND LAVISH IN THE POWER THEY HAVE.

Now that was petty stupid. I'll bet if you add everythng up, the councilors don't make minimum wage. Benefits? Surrrre! Let's start another false rumor: the get full retirement, full medical for life and are WAY overpaid. Gimme a break. QUIT! QUIT! And let the twits take over. Noooo, Elmo and the loonies want blood for not operating in their favor in the past. If they all just RESIGNED right now, that'd be no good! No public excoriations, with no basis in fact for same, that'd make the recall gang happy. They should all walk away and simply say "O.K., you want us gone, we GONE." Move out of town and let the place fall down around your ears. THAT would be funny. Glad I don't own property in Bangor any more. Glad I don't use the airport, rent cars there . . . even go to Brewer for all shopping now. And no, not a councilor like someone tried to claim previously. I just know what's gone on with the council since the days of Buddy Gass and when everyone went to the "Office" for drinks after meetings. Even been railroaded and lost six figures years ago to ZBA stupidity.

How was he caught? Did he wear the recording device like Flavor Flav and the clock?

coopah -- Morals -- knowing something is wrong and not doing it. Ethics -- knowing something is wrong and not doing it. They are the same.

So he recorded a meeting. BIG DEAL! It seems the only ones making such a stink about it are the ones who probably have something to hide.

Wheeler concealed an audio recorder on his person to secretly record the conversation, which was NOT a violation of any state or local law .........SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM ? He didn't break any laws.....