"Bangor moving forward" .... that's the kind of brilliance you'd expect from about half these clowns. What's the first thing you think of when you read this ... that Bangor has been stuck in one place for too many years? If you really want to move forward, one of the key objectives has to be creating a functioning airport. Right or wrong, the broom swept clean with the City Manager, now do the same with your airport director. No city o fthis size can hope to grow and prosper without a decent airport. The facility itself is great, the management and the services (flights and prices) offered to the public are intolerable. You had the guts to sweep Barrett out, now do the same with Ms. 'Bekka'.

Until there is some move to create new non-service businesses in Bangor we are faced with further decline as a functioning hub city. Today we are a metro region in decline, a hub for an area of the state that has not created new GOOD paying jobs in 30 years! Airport? That is not the problem, that is the symptom.......we need indusrty; an airport is the result of people needing to fly to Bangor. There is no reason to fly here! To play slots? To drive to Baxter? To drive to Bar Harbor? People fly to and from cities that are alive....Bangor is DEAD!

Moving forward, surprisingly metro, refreshingly real, bullish on business....There's more to civic leadership than coming up with a new cutesy every couple of years. Can you please send your time (our time actually) working on something that matters?

What a waste of time at City Hall. No city needs a vision statement. The Bangor Daily and local television stations need to get to the bottom of why the manager was ousted. The lack of interest displayed in finding answers is astounding.

Making believe that the ousting of Ed Barrett will not make Bangor move forward. A "new vision"---poppy cock. That's exactly what a municiple government might say when they realiize they've seriously screwed up. Elected officials must be held accountable if Bangor is to move forward. Unless THAT happens, two things will happen: Lewiston will move forward and Bangor will suffer due to the several on the Council that are under some delusion that they know what's best for Bangor. RECALL

(What I meant to say is recall those idiots. That's when Bangor will move forward with a "new vision".)

Anyone who is a registered BANGOR voter can sign the RECALL PETITIONS. (One signature for each of 5 councilors on separate petitions.) The petitions can be found at the City Clerk's office, M-F, 8-4:30. They are also available at RECALL headquarters, 30 Central St., across the street from Bagel Central, from 1 pm to 6 pm everyday but Sunday. We are approaching 25% of our goal of 2,286 valid signatures. Please help.

Best of luck to the recall effort and best of luck to Bangor. I know how frustrating dealing with local town councillors can be. The town where I live elected good old local boys who can't read write or think straight . They collectively have a history of pot use, alcohol abuse, school dropouts, etc etc etc. They seem to be sitting around waiting for the local paper mill to start up again. It's like living in Rod Searling's Twilight Zone !

Bangor moving forward. Brilliant! We have the sharpest of the sharp on that city council. I humbly however offer these as other possible mottos:

Bangor...Dreamers of the dream.

Bangor...If you believe, you can achieve.

Bangor...Who's your Daddy?

Bangor likes cheese.

Bangor...What's that smell?

Bangor...Have a sandwhich.

Bangor...My arm fell asleep.

They're all about the same. We can move forward by replacing the Looney Tunes characters on the city council. It's going to take the best and brightest to make a difference at this point in time. God help us.

My husband just observed that stupidity got the City Council into this mess. He's not sure stupidity is going to get them out, but certainly wishes them well on their latest sudden revelation that the need to "move forward".

Effectively addressing the significant economic development issues that face the city will require immediate changes. The real proof on "moving forward" will come with decisive and immediate action. Soon--not six months from now.

First, the city that is now moving forward is going to have to offload the deadwood director of BIA. In less than five years the airport has gone from a thriving, bustling place with lots of flights to a sad renmant offering a pitiful number of overpriced flights. Anyway you cut it, the place lacks leadership and direction and is in serious need of an enema. Anyway the airport tries to spin it, the overwhelming facts make it clear that constantly moving backwards is not moving forward.

Second, divorce your city economic development efforts from the constraints of the city bureaucracy and let them get to work. Making them write memos about development does nothing to actually "do" development. Look across that great, big, huge, wide river if you'd like to get a clue about effective economic development.

Third, tackle the issue that is the equivalent to a big skunk under the marital bed--how are you going to attract a top-notch leader to a city with a regional and now national reputation for being a complete debacle at virtually every juncture? It's a sad and confirming moment to realize that the city may not, at present, be the ideal place to work. Finding a competent person to replace Ed Barrett is going to be a major challenge.

Can the city council prove it is really, truly moving in a "new direction"? Here is it's chance by taking care of major issues 1, 2 and 3 right away.

These cool-aid drinkers should all go down to their priceless waterfront and look at Brewer. And then "move forward".

Bangor's original asset was its location at head-of-tide. That's no longer very relevant, though still an asset. That original asset was responsible for building a nice little city. Bangor inherited a nice, aesthetically decent base to build on. Now the challenge is sustainability. The other original asset was the vast woodlands of northern Maine that funneled through Bangor. The economic spin-offs of that resource have become less available over the last 40 years, and will probably continue to grow worse and cause increasing need for Bangor's social services as the social fabric of Bangor's hinterland continues to unravel and dysfunctional people migrate to Bangor. If it's true that Bangor's current major asset is its location, which it probably is, shouldn't it be fairly easy to attract new economic activity to the area?

I love Bangor, but living in mountains of New Hampshire, I sure don't miss the druggies and the screams and yelling in the city.

RevGerald: Wow, that is quite a statement. Kind of sad.....not that you enjoy living now in the mountains of New Hampshire (beautiful country) but the rest that you said. Hopefully, Bangor can be much more than a haven for all this dysfunction one of these years!!

I can't help but laugh at this effort by the council. To me it sounds like the fat cats who sat on the boards of AIG and the other compaines that basicly watched the ship go down while patting themselves on the back, for thinking of a new way to expense their next golf outing! What a waste of time! And they are going to devote 2 meetings to hash it out? Give me a break.

I have an idea. Work on bringing business to the city!!! Work on cutting some waste (its there and lots of it). A slogan or vision statement is not going to attract business to the city or region! And yet they want to spend 2 sessions on it. They must not want to overheat their brains??

I do like the ideas of cleaning house at the airport. If they basically fired the city manager, why is the airport manager still in position? The airport is in worse condition than the town is!

B - Bebop!

a - awsesome!

n - neato!

g - gravitas!

o - outasite!

r - real (refreshingly)!

Come on now, you try!

Look To Brewer For What

I Don`t See A Downtown

I Just See A Strip Mall

That IS an Expansion of Bangor

Now Bangor / Brewer working together sure would be a + <<

benca1: It does seem that some changes in airport management are overdue. I do not know a lot about what goes on behind the scenes there, but as a layperson, it sure does not impress. The facility is great, as we know....that is not what we are talking about though!

david889327: Some good ones......will have to think about some more!

ElectraGlide: Good to hear from you, as always. You make sense there, again, at 11:44 AM.

Also, it is refreshing to see that you, among others, retain your one and only username! There is one joke of a poster (and we know who) who is going to run out of usernames one of these days! He gets the threads shut down left and right (it is so obvious.) The BDN watches and moderates it, as you know. One does not have to report anything. They disable the comments due to the tone, and before anyone even has a chance to report anything. What do these ___ think the BDN guidelines are there for anyway! Find a chat room if that is what one is all about! I do not even get an opportunity to read the comments (your's included) on the letters , as they get shut down these days before even reading them! It is crazy.....

I appreciate your posts and your unique, interesting and honest points of view....let "them" vote you down....it proves nothing. (well, not about you, anyway....)

Have a good day.

Bangor City Council - Give us the gift of HOPE for Xmas - fire the airport director and start the search to hire one with experience in attracting new carriers and expanding current service. We have an excellent facility but among the worst flight offerings and prices in New England. I moved back to this area by choice 8-9 years ago. As a businessman I depend on a functioning airport as I travel 2-4 trips per month. I've watched the significant and continuous downturn in the number of carriers and flights serving Bangor. When you can't even fly to Boston to make connections I think it's fair to say that this airport has one foot in the grave. Spend the money to bring in an experienced director who can turn this thing around before we have to place a funeral wreath on it's front door.

"Moving forward". How clever. I wonder if Toyota will object to the usurpation of its current unimaginative tag-line.

The Airport issue and the non-service business issue kind of go hand in hand. There is little incentive for any medium or large company to open up business in Bangor if they cannot get here without huge expense (financial and time) and flying in on puddle jumpers. There does have to be a mainline carrier in some form or, at the very least, a reduction in flight costs. I do remember my childhood with the airport running in a VERY different way than it is now. It's quite sad what it has become, but we saw similar (in some ways) with Portland until recent years too. It is possible to improve the situation, but it requires people who believe in the airport. Those people left and were replaced by individuals who are just there to basically take a paycheck. A Jetblue, for instance, isn't going to want to hear 'we'll take or leave you, but you will have to store your own fuel in the ground at the airport if you want to be here.' . Nonsense like that is the equivalent of, 'we don't want you here'.

Also, Maine has typically been business hostile and the companies that have come in are ones with large legal departments that can jump through the hoops, or very motivated local companies that want to expand. The state (as well as Bangor) have to court business by playing on the value of the motivated individuals that live here. This is something I've not seen in my nearly 30 year lifetime. I can only hope we'll get a Governor that was a successful local businessman.

If the city is serious about shaking things up, then it has to be 'bring in the jobs' like others have said here. They should be picking up a phone and asking some of these companies what it would take to make their new expansion in this region. It worked for Alabama with their Hyundai plant, and it could work for us.

From the comments here, it seems quite the consensus that new management is needed at the airport. That will not solve all the issues in bringing more business to the Bangor area, but it is sure one important component. Things seem to have been deteriorating there for a while and yet nothing much is being done, from all appearances.

Here's a clear vision for you, Bangor: Quit ordering study after study after study and DO something about replacing Bangor Auditorium!!!!!!!! My family and I enjoyed last week's Mannheim Steamroller show at the Augusta Civic Center and all the way home we discussed how much nicer the experience would have been if we hadn't had to drive two hours to attend. My Lord, you have a beautiful new hotel right across the street, thanks to Hollywood Slots. It doesn't take a genius to figure out what a potential gold mine the city has in the Auditorium property. Quit trying to sell the rest of Northern Maine on paying part of the cost to build a new facility- it's Bangor that stands to reap the financial rewards. The feedback I've heard on the newly renovated Collins Center has been disappointment in how little was gained in additional seating. Upgrade the airport, as others have so rightly identified as essential, then build a facility which will attract the top talent which now won't travel any farther north than Augusta because no facility in this area can meet their needs. I hate to tell you Bangorians, but Ed Barrett wasn't the problem- you need to clean house in the Council chambers and get rid of people like Pat Blanchette, Gerry Palmer, and the rest of the entrenched dead wood!

My God, Ed Barrett was the only one in City Hall with any sense and they let him go. Where is that recall office again?

30 Central Street, right across from Bagel Central. Open 1 pm to 6 pm except on Sundays. You can also find recall petitions at the City Clerk's office, M-F 8:00 to 4:30.

On 12/12/09 at 5:33 PM, nurse54 wrote: build a facility which will attract the top talent which now won't travel any farther north than Augusta.

Well nurse54 I surely hope you live in Bangor because the cost of a $73 milliuon dollar arena will require a substantial increase our taxes and do not even dream that the slot money will cover it...5 million a year in debt service alone! Let's hope there is a vote by the citizens before any while elephant arena bond is issued. God help us!

Moving forward; Bangor- the Toyota city. (oh what a feeling)

RyanRobbns, from what im hearing through cracks and things at the city hall, is that Gerry Palmer wants the job and they are considering giviing it to him. He is much worser than Ed Barrett. I would rather haved Mr Barrett then him. Good luck Mr Barrett in Lewistion, hope they treat you well pal

Isn't this the same Gerry Palmer who once had a vision that Bangor needed an expensive ball park for a sub-minor league team called the Bangor Blue Ox? Does anybody else remember those days?

Second and third paragraphs of the story: The city council is busy designing something much like a crossword puzzle. We can't see it yet. It's a top secret project.

Unfortunately, the only movement Bangor will make is in the way of higher taxes, increased fees, and the like. Let's see....so far Bangor has (1) kept the loosing racetrack, (2) sold its "soul" to the mobsters at Hollywood Slots, (3) Fired Ed Barrett, (4) Increased spending when all the citizens (except for a very few) had to take in their collective belts (several notches) when times got tougher, (5) Improved the waterfront only to loose the tour boats and be sued by a sour grapes ex board member. HEY BANGOR CITY COUNCIL ---LISTEN UP! YOUR EMPLOYERS ARE REALLY ANGRY WITH YOU!!! We, the people of Bangor have had enough of your bumbling stupidity. We ought to rename Bangor ...call her TITANIC...I have never seen a city go down but it sure looks like that is their new Vision ...way too near-sighted. If the Bangor city council want to hire a firm to recruit a new City Manager, LET THEM PERSONALLY PAY FOR IT!! THEY made this mess .... Let THEM pay to straighten it out.

They need a new song to go with the new vision:

And when I die

Bury me in Bangor

There's no better place

To rot away.

Gerry Palmer thinks Bangor is all about the Brady gang and the standpipe. Don't get him talking about the standpipe unless you have a LOT of time to waste.

Dkenzie77, I heard the same rumor from a former city councilor. It would behoove the Bangor Daily to look into this. Even if it's just a rumor, it would merit a story to put it to rest. Mr. Palmer thinks he's above rules and regulations set by others.

Councilor Gerry Palmer will not be the new City Manager in Bangor. That is plain non-sense.. I like Gerry, but Gerry is not a person for Bangor City Hall's management. In fact, I would doubt if Gerry would ever consider it. What? Oops..Somebody is playing games with this rumor. Larry T. Doughty, South Brewer

PaulNotBunyan: Not sure if you live in Bangor, but if so, you must be kind of unhappy here. It is too bad that if someone dislikes a place so much, that they could not move elsewhere, but of course that is not always possible or feasible.

chersully2000 - That is rather arrogant. Bangor is the county seat and it is a hub of many types for this area. People who live outside the city limits are the ones who keep Bangor afloat with the money they spend there. I use your airports, hospitals, stores and much more. I know a lot of people who lose money at your casino. The poverty level in Bangor would rise dramatically without the "other peoples money". I would love to be doing business in Bangor or working there as an employee but there is no market for my skills. Instead i find contract work which means I am bringing money into the state. My work results in incresed employment for people in other states. Isn't that wonderful. I meet people who say they have a son or daughter much like me but they went to live in some other state where there are productive businesses needing their skills. I can get by without moving away. It's the technicians, factory workers, clerical workers, etc. who have to leave here in order to get the right job. Do you know anything at all about manufacturing and technology jobs? So many of them are full-time with the same schedule every week. So many of them provide on the job training and do not require college degrees. I've been with manufacturing companies that would put a new unskilled untrained worker on day shift because she was a single mom. That's just part of the reasons some posters here have stressed the need for more non-service businesses.Do you expect everyone to shut up and leave because they think you are not such a genius and your "new vison" is utterly ridiculous. Read all the comments posted here one more time. I see ridicule and criticism coming from a lot of people.

PaulNotBunyan: You sound defensive. A lot of folks do like Bangor, for the most part; some see a lot of faults and inadequacies. You sounded disenchanted......that was all I was saying. I know that a lot of younger people leave the Bangor area (some to return later) for more opportunities and a more vibrant social and cultural scene. That is not to say the grass is always greener. I do not really "get" your post , and you sure misconceived mine. I am not suggesting anyone move anywhere unless they want to. I have not endoresed any "vision statement" ,etc. No one was attacking you. Good luck in your life. And btw, I did not say where I live. I am not from the area originally , as some are. Yes, I know about manufacturing jobs; I have had uncles,etc. who owned manufacturing companies (in various places.) Yes, some of us do know something about those things .

chersully2000 - Thanks. Nothing defensive or disenchanted in me. I would enjoy living in Bangor. The worst street in Bangor is mild compared to some places where I have lived. If Bangor never does the right type of economic development I can continue working on things that will get manufactured in other states (or china). The good old boy network will not endure forever. Things will have to change. When you see a chain link fence and gate being installed on some street where most people don't want to live, you will know I have arrived.

PaulNotBunyan: You are right about Bangor being mild compared to a lot of places. People who think it is some big crime place should try living in some other places. Bangor is really a small city compared to many cities,as you know. But I guess to some who have always lived in the rural areas, it represents the "big city." Bangor , like any place , sure has its challenges and problems, but for some (including those raising a family), it has many pluses. Sarah Smiley , as you may know, writes a weekly column for the BDN. She and her family really like Bangor a lot and they have lived in quite a number of places as a military family. So many times, things are relative, I think.

chersully2000 - Rush hour on I-95 means you have to do the speed limit for a few minutes. You can live in the so-called "ghetto" and you're only a few minutes walk away from Stephen KIng's house.

PaulNotBunyan: (great username, btw!) Yeah, Bangor sure presents some really varying aspects. One can be on a certain street with many well-maintained older homes with character that look so appealing; next door there can be one that looks very unkempt and deteriorating. It is pretty interesting. It is nice that the city has so many parks in the different neighborhoods. Once again, no place is perfect, but I guess it is best to look at the positives and try to build on them.

I remember seeing former USAF buildings and thinking there's a lot of space that would be good for light industry here. Has that changed?

Hmm.....that is a good question. I do not have a definitive answer on that one, but would be interesting to know. Hopefully some good space is not sitting there unused. It seems to me, that at one point, Stephen King had an office over in that area near the airport. I do not think that is the case anymore though.

It's a nice area. I could totally geek out if I had an office there and it would be an easy commute from the ghetto.