I attended the Bangor City Council meeting Monday night arriving with high hopes that the citizens of Bangor would be preparing for a special election to fill the school committee seat vacated by Dan Tremble.

The first issue of frustration is the fact the councilors failed to agree on a date for the proposed election. Two separate orders were on the agenda; Councilor Geoffery Gratwick proposed an election as soon as possible on March 27th, and Councilor Annie Allen “countered” with June 12th.

After witnessing the debate, having separate dates only helped defeat both proposals – in effect silencing voices of 6,300 Bangor residents who had voted for Mr. Tremble’s fresh perspective and new ideas.

The first proposal by Councilor Allen to hold the election June 12th was unanimously defeated 0-9. On the March 27th proposal, Councilors Peter D’Errico and Richard Stone were apathetic and gruff in their votes against the idea with little public discussion explaining their position.

A moment of sanity came when Councilors Richard Greene, Susan Hawes and Gratwick voted decisively for the proposal. Councilor Gerry Palmer sited turnout concerns and financial implications to justify his vote against.

Frank Farrington, in his support of the proposal, dispelled Councilor Palmer’s arguments by explaining there would be 100 percent turnout of those interested, and the estimated $10,000 cost as money well spent to resolve an issue that has been so divisive.

Councilor Patricia Blanchette, arguing both sides of the issue, fell off the fence onto the “no” side. Councilor Allen seemingly because she didn’t get her way with the defeat of her own proposal, voted against the March 27th proposal as well – in effect killing the very idea she had supported just minutes before on a technicality. Like a scene out of Congress, the Council succeeded in doing nothing.

Aaron Prill

Bangor