INDIAN ISLAND — Citing personal problems, Lt. Gov. Philip Guimond resigned his position recently.
“The lieutenant governor has resigned, yes,” tribal Gov. James Sappier said.
Guimond reportedly has left the state and was unavailable for comment, but Sappier said that Guimond left the post he had held for more than two years because of unspecified personal problems. Although some in the area have speculated that Guimond’s resignation was hastened by his recent stop by police for drunken driving, Sappier said, “No, I don’t think so.”
The position will be left vacant until the Penobscot Nation can hold a special election, as yet unscheduled, but required by Nation law to be held within 60 days, according to Sappier. Nation voters also will fill the seat of former tribal councilor Miles Francis, who also recently resigned.
Guimond’s successor, when elected, will take on a somewhat different position. Sappier said that while the lieutenant governor’s position was unpaid, the person holding the position by tradition also served as tribal administrator, a salaried job. But, the governor said, that might change, as tribal officials are considering leaving the lieutenant governor’s position unpaid, but hiring a business manager to serve as administrative assistant for the tribal government.
Guimond’s departure ended a sometimes tumultuous two-year tenure.
He was elected in November 1988, and entered office beside former Gov. Francis Mitchell. The next summer however, Guimond was one of those who led the successful battle to recall Mitchell, and then stepped in as acting governor until a special election was held. During that election, current Gov. James Sappier was returned to office, a post which he had held before Mitchell’s tenure.
Guimond then survived a recall petition submitted by Mitchell, which was rejected the next day because of irregularities in the forms and signatures.
A one-time candidate for governor of the Penobscot Nation, Guimond, 44, was re-elected to another term in September.
“It’s a thankless job, I think,” Sappier said.
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