A former Presque Isle Recreation and Parks director is seeking a City Council seat because he wants to see the city expand its commercial base and gain better property tax control.
Eugene Cronin, 46, is one of three candidates vying for two open City Council positions on Nov. 3.
The other candidates, incumbent and Council Chair Jeffery Willette and Jeremiah Harris, declined interviews with the Bangor Daily News.
“I’m not running because I think one person has all the answers,” Cronin said. “I’m running to bring a working knowledge of city operations, a willingness to listen and a focus on making decisions that are responsible and transparent to our taxpayers and residents.”
A graduate of Alaska Pacific University, Cronin has served on the board of directors for the Presque Isle Utilities District and Recreation and Parks Advisory Board, along with several winter recreation organizations.
Presque Isle needs a stronger and more diverse commercial tax base to help relieve the high burden residents face, Cronin said. The city has faced challenges with the loss of its economic development director, a position that remains unfilled, and with what he called “runaway” property taxes.
“We’ve also recently lost the exceptional director of our industrial council, who was a driving force in local development,” he said, referring to Tom Powers, who died in March. “That leaves us in a different economic development climate, and I believe the city needs to give this area renewed attention.”
Cronin would start by listening to local businesses, property owners, the industrial council and community partners about what’s working, any roadblocks and where the city can grow, he said. He would urge officials to engage with prospective businesses and learn their workforce and infrastructure needs.
His other top priorities include responsible budgeting and transparent property assessments.
Residents should clearly understand how their property is assessed and how taxes are distributed, he said. He favors learning about assessment methods and how Presque Isle compares with other communities, and keeping residents in the loop about any changes.
His time managing a city department taught him that putting off maintenance work can make things more expensive down the road, he said. He learned about budgets, employees, facilities and capital projects, and believes departments should look at both immediate costs and future needs.
“Good decisions start with asking questions, understanding the facts and listening to the people affected,” he said.
The council could keep improving how it communicates with residents, and needs to prioritize the community’s interests, he said. Councilors should share information, encourage public input and be willing to explain decisions they make.
Cronin, a small-business owner, has spent much of his career building relationships and solving practical problems, he said. He has 20 years of experience in the recreational vehicle manufacturing industry, including sales and dealer development.
He has volunteered with many local organizations, and received the Presque Isle Rotary Club’s Rotary Community Service Hero Award in 2022.
“I’m proud of the community connections I’ve made through that work, and I believe Presque Isle benefits when people bring different experience to public service,” he said. “I want Presque Isle to remain a strong place to live, work and do business. Maintaining reliable city services and public assets, supporting local businesses and making the city welcoming to families all contribute to that.”