Council vacancy prompts flurry of interest in Bangor

BANGOR – The City Council will have at least one new face come November, with council member Judy Vardamis confirming Wednesday that she will not seek re-election.

With Aug. 8 the first day nomination papers will be available at City Hall, the vacancy, coupled with the uncertainty of City Councilor Pat Blanchette’s candidacy, could spark increased interest in the seat on the nine-member council.

Vardamis, 51, said Wednesday that her decision to leave the council after only one term was a difficult one, but she wanted to take some time to travel.

“This was a huge decision for me,” said Vardamis, who also submitted her resignation as executive director of Keep Bangor Beautiful, effective in November. “There have been a lot of positive things that have come out of this council, and at times we’ve agreed to disagree but things have worked out well.”

Vardamis, who will continue to serve on several volunteer committees, pointed to her strong support of waterfront development and a gay rights resolve as among her major accomplishments on the council.

Although city councilors do not represent specific areas of the city and do not run under a political affiliation, Vardamis’ departure could also tip the ideological balance of the panel, currently comprising four registered Democrats, four registered Republicans – including Vardamis – and one independent, according to voter registration records.

In addition to Vardamis’ term, those of Blanchette and City Councilor Gerry Palmer, both registered Democrats, are also up in November.

While Palmer said he would seek re-election, Blanchette, elected last November to a two-year term in the Maine House of Representatives, said that she was undecided about another council bid.

“There are so many things I’m so afraid of walking off and leaving with a completely young council,” said Blanchette who has served on the board for 12 years. “I guess I hate not to be a part of it.”

Blanchette said she wanted to see waterfront development proceed as well as ensure that industrial and retail development – including that of “big box” stores such as the controversial Wal-Mart Supercenter – isn’t curtailed unnecessarily.

“When you’re a service center community, you rely heavily on industry and the taxes they bring in,” said Blanchette, who during her first term in Augusta had all but ruled out returning to the council. “I want to make sure the property taxpayers aren’t getting hit over the head because we don’t have the development.”

Despite the current split in party affiliations, the officially nonpartisan council often sticks together on controversial issues, such as a recent vote to reaffirm it support of the city’s comprehensive plan, which allows development north of Stillwater Avenue near the area of the environmentally sensitive Penjajawoc Marsh.

On the current council, Blanchette, Palmer, Joe Baldacci and Dan Tremble are registered Democrats. Vardamis, City Council Chairman John Rohman, Nichi Farnham and Frank Farrington are registered Republicans. Michael Crowley is a registered independent.

With news of Vardamis’ departure, several potential candidates have expressed an interest in a seat. Among those to say they are considering a run are former City Councilor Christopher Popper, planning board Chairman Rick Fournier, financial consultant David Nealley and downtown businessmen Bill Masters and Stephen Stimpson.

Candidates can turn in nomination papers no earlier than Aug. 20.