Regionalism to build eastern, northern Maine

There has been some confusion over the decision of the Bangor City Council’s willingness to send a check of $5,000 for those in need in the Katahdin Region.

Bangor did not send the money to the town of Millinocket or East Millinocket. The money was sent to an organization which has a fiduciary obligation to provide for those in need, in the Katahdin region. The gesture, was a community challenge to promote the sense of regionalism and increase the awareness and willingness by which communities can work together to help one another.

The Bangor City Council does recognize that many people have lost jobs right here in Bangor and that other communities have had similar economic calamities. The closing of Eastland Woolen Mill in Corinna was a fine example of a similar crises.

As we start to think and act more regionally, those smaller regional impacts should be considered for regional assistance as well, but on a pro-rata basis. The economic hardship in the potato, shoe and forest products industries have all taken a toll on this area.

Every individual job loss is an equivalent hardship. Yet, it seems the Katahdin region has taken an extraordinary hit that is so economically significant, it affects Bangor directly.

The city of Bangor spends significant sums in taking care of needs and even desires of its citizens and many others throughout the region. Even though the sum of $5,000 is not a lot of money, it is still considerable, in that the money belongs to Bangor taxpayers. Bangor’s role as a service center to eastern and northern Maine has both its costs and benefits. Costs include the support of numerous nonprofits and free use of amenities that our taxpayers support.

The Bangor Public Library is a great example. Bangor taxpayers subsidized it to the tune of $1,265,000 (last fiscal year) and 45 percent of the people who utilize the service are not from Bangor. On the plus side, we are a city of only 32,000 that brings in about 65,000 consumers a day. These people come to Bangor and spend money on consumer durables, autos, entertainment, food, medical, legal and financial services, etc. Most of these businesses pay property taxes and help keep a diversified job base for Bangor area residents.

As the largest community in this part of the state we feel it is incumbent upon us, to start not only thinking but acting, regionally. Even though it will be a paradigm shift for many, regionalism is going to be essential in this part of the state. A heightened awareness as to how the fate of this entire part of the state is inextricably linked, should be a guiding principle for the public and private sectors. It is essential that we remember united we stand or divided we fall. I am hopeful, that you will be seeing more, not less, regionalism.

David S. Nealley is a Bangor city councilor.