BANGOR, Maine — Almost four months after Portland elected its first mayor in 88 years, a group of Bangor residents is informally exploring the idea.
Ten community leaders have joined over the last two months to form a nonpartisan volunteer group interested in exploring the viability of a mayoral system for Bangor, which hasn’t had an elected mayor since 1931.
“I’ve been interested in working with city government for a long time, so from that angle, there’s always an interest in the city of Bangor and its governance,” said Penobscot County Commissioner Peter Baldacci, a Bangor lawyer who is a member of the group. “I think people’s interest was piqued when Portland changed its system and elected a mayor this past fall.”
The group has held two meetings and is in the process of gathering information about mayoral systems used by cities of similar size to Bangor nationwide.
“It’s really an informal group that grew very organically from people having some similar conversations,” said Dan Cashman, group member and owner of Cashman Communications. “There have mostly been a lot of questions, really, so far.”
Bangor does have a mayor, who is elected by a simple majority of the nine active city councilors. The title is primarily ceremonial, although it does come with several perquisites, benefits and extra powers.
“The consensus among everyone in the group is that this is in no way a commentary on the current governing body or previous bodies,” Cashman said. “We’re not coming in with any preconceived notions, even as far as whether or not having a mayor is a good or bad idea.
“With Bangor entering an exciting period with a lot of stuff happening,” he added, “we’re seeing such growth that I think it makes sense to see if we have the system to best serve future growth and if it’s something that’s right for Bangor.”
The other members of the group include former Bangor Daily News executive editor Mark Woodward; Eastern Maine Development Corp. President and former Bangor City Councilor Michael Aube; Elizabeth Sutherland, co-owner of Sutherland Weston
Marketing Communications; retired Bangor businessman Clif Eames; Eaton Peabody lawyer Andrew Hamilton; former labor union official John Hanson; Julia Munsey, Oxford Networks marketing and public relations specialist; and Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems director Suzanne Spruce.
Baldacci said the group likely will meet again in a month.
“There is no time element we’re working under and there’s no urgency attached to it,” he said.
“Bangor does have a major, who is elected by a simple majority of the nine active city councilors.”
Nope, sorry. Bangor doesn’t have a mayor, nor does it have a “major.”
For the love of God, guys, the city does not have a mayor. Read the city charter.
” Bangor does have a major….” Nope, Cary just thinks he’s a Major.
Elizabeth Sutherland, co-owner of Sutherland Western Marketing Communications – Has Cary Weston changed his name or did Elizabeth get a new partner?
Come on BDN – you’re better than this……..
Good catch – it’s a fairly significant detail to point out the the current council chair’s business partner is playing a role in determining this process. Small town. The paper should really issue a correction – there may even be a conflict of interest here.
Until we resolve this issue, the BDN needs to stop referring to Weston as Bangor’s Mayor. The paper is unilaterally responsible for the misunderstanding that exists around this issue.
Go Diebold Go Diebold Go Diebold
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As the official City of Bangor web site reads, pertaining to its city government: “Immediately following election in November, the Council selects one of its members to serve as Council Chair for the year. The Council Chair serves as Mayor and represents the City at ceremonial events and in its interactions with State and Federal Governments.”
The city charter is quite specific: “At the first meeting, or as soon thereafter as possible, the City Council shall elect one of its members as Chair of the council for the ensuing year, and until a successor is elected and qualified; and the City Council may fill for the unexpired term any vacancy as Chair that may occur.”
“Chair.” Not mayor. “Chair.”
The charter further states that the chair “shall have the powers and authority given to and perform the duties required of mayors of cities for all purposes of military law, and shall act as mayor in so far as representation is provided for the city by the mayor upon any board or commission or otherwise provided by any statute.”
“Acts as” does not mean “is.” Otherwise, the charter would say so. The charter language means that where state law grants mayors certain powers, the chair shall have those powers. The position still remains “chair.” That’s the issue here.
There is no position of “mayor” to be found in the charter.
Why isn’t electing a mayor just more big government
… and ego ?
I like the notion of equals running our City.
Who really wants be more like Portland … or Chicago, anyway ?
Sounds pointless, and sounds like it will cost $$ and staff resources.
so, WHY???