BANGOR, Maine — Portland Mayor Michael Brennan and Cary Weston, his counterpart from Bangor, didn’t do any surfing Friday afternoon, but they did catch plenty of waves — sound waves.
After putting their heads together to tackle financial crises affecting both their cities for the last three months, two of the founding members of a Maine mayors’ coalition — now including those from 10 cities — got together for a more leisurely pursuit.
Brennan, a longtime Beach Boys fan who had never before seen the band perform live, was a guest of Weston’s and sitting front and center at Waterfront Concerts pavilion Friday night. He and wife Joan were there to catch some great waves and good vibrations.
“They’re just like Mom, Pop and apple pie. I’ve been a fan of theirs since 1966. The first album I ever bought was The Beach Boys that year,” said Brennan. “I actually saw Brian Wilson at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire in 2008. Cary was nice enough to invite me up and this is the first time I’ve seen them all together.”
Brennan, who has two sons — attorney Travis and English teacher in South Korea Ryan — with his wife of 32 years said she isn’t nearly as big a fan as he is.
“She told me on the way up that the only reason she was coming was because of me,” he said with a laugh. “As for me, I’ve met the President, and we just passed our first city budget, so I’m not sure where it ranks, but this is definitely in the top five.”
Brennan also took a tour of the Waterfront Concerts facility before the show.
“Alex Gray [Waterfront Concerts promoter] took us backstage to show us what he’s been up to, where we’re going, and what the future plans of the arena are once we get going and what we can do with a permanent pavilion,” said Weston, who was dressed much more thematically and casually in khaki shorts and a Hawaiian print shirt. “We also got to sit next to a living music legend and enjoy a five-star meal.”
Brennan was unaware of his brush with greatness at the time.
“While I was eating, apparently Brian Wilson was sitting behind me, but I had no idea until they told me 20 minutes later,” he said.
Brennan said he was one of many Portland-area residents attending Friday’s show.
“I haven’t seen them all, but there are several people from Portland up here tonight,” he said. ”I know because whenever I mentioned I was coming to this, a lot of people said they were coming, too.”
Can Cary get Brennan’s help reforming GA and preventing Maine from continuing down the path as a welfare haven?
Welcome to our fair city Mr. Brennan. I am sure that Mr. Weston spent his OWN money to put your and your entire family up for the night and give you front row tickets to a great concert. I wouldnt think for a second that he would use his position as Mayor to get you in free and free rooms over at the Casino…course not, that would never happen…..I am sure you can sense my sarcasm
That was all class Mr. Weston. You realize we are all one big family and we want to do things exciting here. Having Mr. Brennan here was a great way to showcase our fine city. I hope he had a great time. Good Vibrations is the best song to describe our future.
I love how Weston and Brennan claim to take credit for coming together to only cut GA by 5% to an 85% reimbursement, yet all city councilors like Geoff Gratwick, Charlie Longo, and Joe Baldacci is blame the legislature for cutting the reimbursement to GA. And then the BDN lets them get away with it. So was it a compromise or not?!