Setting the facts straight in Bangor

After all the media coverage and public discussion over the past few weeks concerning my election to, and subsequent resignation from, the Bangor School Committee, I feel compelled to set the record straight.

First, I’d like to thank the 6,398 citizens of Bangor who voted for me. While I am unable to serve, each of those votes have sent forth a ripple that created a current which is already bringing about change and a more open process.

I will correct a couple of the numerous misstatements and misrepresentations contained in Chairwoman Martha Newman’s Op-Ed in the Bangor Daily News (Nov. 30). I ran for the school board for two reasons, neither of them of a personal nature toward any member of the board. I don’t think it is healthy on any board to have someone serving nearly two decades as chairman and over decades as a member of the board. I felt a new person was needed to chair the Bangor School Committee. I also felt I could heal some very deep wounds that had developed last year during contract negotiations with the teachers. It had been a very contentious and adversarial process that came to a speedy conclusion when people started asking questions about Superintendent Robert Ervin’s contract. He happens to be the highest paid city employee, making more than $125,000 a year, and doesn’t even live in Bangor.

After being elected with nearly 1,000 votes more than the next candidate, I was sworn in on Nov. 13. Two days later I was informed by Mr. Ervin of a state law that forbids a school-board member from representing a school district in which his or her spouse is employed. This was the first time I learned of the law, and knowing how much my wife enjoys her job working with fourth- and fifth-graders, I immediately said I would resign. The law is clear. The issue of who knew what – and when they knew it – I’ll leave to others to sort out.

Martha Newman writes that I may have been embarrassed by the conflict or by some vote when I was on the Bangor City Council a couple of years ago. Neither is true. I am proud of my service to the people of Bangor and am comfortable with my decision to resign. I don’t believe I’m the only person in Bangor capable of serving on the school board. There are many qualified people out there and I look forward to helping some of them get elected.

While this whole series of events has been unfortunate, the most troubling outcome has been Martha Newman’s personal attack on me and her misrepresentation of the facts. She has also demonstrated, after 25 years on the school board, a complete lack of understanding of the relationship between the City Council and the school committee. The council votes on the total appropriation, but any cuts to specific programs or personnel are the decision of the school committee.

As we move forward from this unfortunate episode, I continue to have the highest respect for the citizens of Bangor. My view today is actually stronger than when I began my campaign. A new chairman is sorely needed for the Bangor School Committee. We have a faculty and support staff in Bangor that is second to none as well as students that can compete anywhere. Again, I want to thank the people of Bangor for their support, and I hope the public discourse surrounding these events can rise to a higher level.

Daniel Tremble is a former member of the Bangor City Council.