Bangor's Embarrasing City Council

In the past I have not often paid attention to the actions of the Bangor City Council. One would pay attention to the school budget passing and of course take notice of how the city's mill rate would be affected by the increases in expenditures.

Recent events however have made me only wish I was not paying attention.

Cary Weston has been one of the problems. Charles Longo has been the other. As these two represent different sides of the political spectrum it is safe to say that we have morons on a non partisan basis in Bangor.

Cary Weston has behaved often like a bully in his position as Council Chair or Mayor as some call him. In a meeting earlier this year he spoke in an unprofessional way to Longo. Longo never one evidently to be outshone then stormed out of the meeting in a huff because he did not get his apology. Like two spoiled children.

Longo then showed his true stripes at a meeting a couple of weeks ago. The council was debating how to deal with a very delinquent loan that the city had given to a homeowner. It is a long story but the end result is these folks have not made a payment to the city for years, as in multiple years, and thus have lived rent free. The council subcommittee was one which Weston sat on, Longo did not. The issue was dealt with and Weston, as he had to meet with some legislators about General Assistance had to leave the meeting. It was correct for him to do so. Longo asked and was allowed to sit in on the meeting in Weston's place. Once Weston had evidently cleared the building Longo asked if they could revisit the previously decided issue. While the City Solicitor advised that this was very out of the ordinary he did allow that it was allowed. With Longo replacing Weston the earlier vote was reversed.

Think about how improper this is. Think about the level of disrespect this requires for your fellow councilors. In fact the other councilors of the same viewpoint, that allowed the reversal, should not feel good about this event either.

Imagine at work if you did something like this to a co-worker. Changing an action after he left the room. I am sure this is just a measure of my respect for the process, and civility between those who disagree but Longo's actions here to me were reprehensible.

Cary Weston just by the nature of Longo's action could have emerged a sympathetic figure. Well he made sure that this was not going to be the case. At a meeting last week, in going over the Library Budget, Weston challenged Director Barbara McDade over the Library's allowing the Occupy Wall Street campers to stay on their grounds last fall. This was against the directive that the Council had made. Now one can disagree on issues of free speech and free assembly, one can disagree with the library's directors decisions. To bring up the questions, however, six months later at a budget meeting certainly implied and in fact Weston spoke of it that perhaps future budget decisions would be weighed against the directors compliance with the City Council's wishes.

The City of Bangor is blessed with a library that is one of the best in the state. For our family I cannot speak highly enough of the facility, it's services and it's employees. It is a wonderful experience to go to the Bangor Public Library.

Weston could have asked to speak to McDade or the Directors at any time in the last six months. That he waited and chose to do so in a budget forum so that his implied funding threat should not be mistaken for anything less than what it is. A bullying tactic.

I met Mr. Longo when I voted last November. He seemed enthusiastic and sincere. His lack of maturity and decorum however has shown itself quickly and often. Weston, on the other hand is just what he is. A bully, one who is all about making a show that makes him feel bigger than his adversary.

Both should be shown the door as soon as possible.

What an embarrassment.