As one of the new members of the Bangor City Council, I would like to share with my constituents and others in this greater region some of my frustrations. Having spent all of my life in the private sector and having experienced excessive taxation and regulation as a small businessman, I was hopeful that my lens of perception would be an asset for the city of Bangor and this region. As an idealist, I ran for Bangor City Council thinking that I might be able to help enhance economic development while reducing the burden on the property taxpayers. In the backdrop of an overregulated and taxed state, I knew it would be a challenge.

To date, what I have found is the city is like a small business, in that it also is encumbered by regulations and financial burdens from the state and federal government. As our forefathers knew, the less centralized the government, the greater chance for a strong democracy. Today, though, it seems that government, at the federal and state level, continues to grow like a cancer at the expense of the pockets and the freedoms of the private sector. Federal and state partially funded and unfunded mandates adversely affect our communities, while significantly restricting local control.

I have also learned that a vocal minority with sensationalized angles on issues receives more attention from the mainstream media than do the concerns of the silent majority. The vocal minority does not have at its best interest the greater good of the public, but instead a narrow interest, demonstrating a type of elitism, in that they and their causes are more important and that they “know better.” The leverage of the media tends to present the vocal minority’s narrow issue as a more popular one than it really is.

In addition I now realize that the economics of most issues play a back seat to what is more “warm and fuzzy” or “politically correct.”

Specifically, my axe to grind is with some members of the Legislature and some others who oppose the local option sales tax (debt avoidance act) as a funding mechanism for projects (Bangor Auditorium and Civic Center) of regional significance. The reason the said funding mechanism is called the debt avoidance act, is because the municipality would not have to borrow the money (issue a bond and pay project cost plus interest over 20 years) which would increase the cost of the project by 50 percent; in this case, costing the property tax payers of Bangor approximately $45 million to $48 million.

If this project is to be financed via a local sales option tax (which does not apply to grocery food items and medicines) then the project costs would be approximately $28 million to $30 million. The local option sales tax diversifies the tax base to the consumer market of the greater region. In other words those people that travel our region, to our service center to shop for retail goods, medical, legal and financial services, eat at the restaurants, stay in the area hotels and attend functions at the auditorium and civic center would help with the project (approximately 20 percent of the revenues would be generated by tourists).

Forty-two states have the local option sales tax as a funding mechanism yet Maine doesn’t. Although, Maine is one of the highest taxed states and is one of the least desirable places for small business. Is it possible that the citizens at the local level are less likely to pass on a tax themselves than the state is?

Let’s look at the real reason why many in Augusta aren’t in favor of the local option sales tax. You have got it! It is at the option of the local communities to vote (clean democracy) for the funding mechanism for a specific project. Augusta would prefer control and they want to reserve the right to increase the sales tax of 1 percent for the benefit of the state. They know if a region has a special option in place, then an increase in the states sales tax would be less palatable.

Finally, this is not just about Bangor. Penobscot County’s poverty rate is about 12.5 percent and the percentage of people in poverty in Piscataquis County is approximately 13.5 percent, Aroostook at 14.5 percent and Washington County at 17 percent. Contrast this with Cumberland County’s poverty rate at 7 percent and one can see that we are a region in need. This multi-county region has experienced stagnant to declining population in the past 20 years, while southern Maine has experienced unprecedented growth. Sure we have pockets of success but, overall, this greater area needs to work together and think regionally.

It is beyond my comprehension how some rural communities and some small towns in this area can truly believe that Bangor’s success or lack thereof, has little to no impact on them. I respectfully suggest that if Bangor, as the leading service center for this region (in an economy that is transitioning from heavy industry to the service industry) cannot stay strong, then the entire regions fate is in jeopardy. Maybe there are those that don’t believe an auditorium and civic center that brings with it a $30 million economic multiplier, is important for this part of the state. Maybe they are right. Maybe amenities like the auditorium and civic center and even the airport, are amenities that this region cannot

afford to support.

My understanding of economics suggests otherwise. We must think regionally and we must invest in a facility that has served as both an economic stimulus and cultural benefit for this greater area. As an elected official, it is my fiduciary obligation to try and help direct the government to assist in keeping this region economically sound. Let’s work together as a region to “keep the tradition alive.” Please call your legislators and ask them to support the local- option sales tax.

David S. Nealley is a Bangor

city councilor.