Bangor City Council candidates to hold forum

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BANGOR – Six candidates will vie for three open seats on the Bangor City Council on Election Day, Nov. 4.

Each is expected to participate in a candidates forum from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at Bangor Public Library.

Here is a glance of the candidates, listed in alphabetical order:

Richard Bronson, 61, the fire chief for the city of Brewer, has been a Bangor resident for nearly 40 years. He and his wife operate the Subway restaurant on State Street.

Bronson has not held public office before, but said his experience managing a public agency and operating private businesses gives him understandings and a basis for judgment that could help Bangor into the future.

“Finding funding for good-quality local services while holding taxes at a sustainable level is Bangor’s biggest challenge,” Bronson said. “The only way to fund more services or to continue to fund services that suffer growing financial needs is to either reduce services or increase the city’s income.”

Bronson listed redevelopment of Bass Park, waterfront revitalization and sustaining the downtown areas as ways to bring revenue to the city.

Paul Dubay, 49, also has yet to hold public office, but said his common sense will bring more to the table than his experience. He is a lifelong city resident and works from his home as a fleet coordinator for a company out of Pennsylvania.

Dubay said building a new convention center, and perhaps a separate sports arena, are the top priorities for Bangor in the coming years.

“It may be less expensive for two facilities rather than trying to incorporate too much into one building,” he said.

Dubay said Bangor should be much more aggressive in its recycling programs as a way to cut down on the amount of waste the city sends to landfills.

David Nealley, 47, is chief operating officer of Webster Atlantic-Bangor Metro and was a Bangor city councilor from 2001 to 2004. He also has served on the YMCA Foundation and the American Folk Festival Development Committee.

“My record reflects accomplishments consistent with my platform, to diversify the city’s revenue base by encouraging new economic activity, in an effort to help offset cost increases to residential property tax payers,” he said.

Nealley said the City Council has a unique challenge to keep property taxes under control while adequately funding quality of life issues, such as schools, sidewalks and roads. He said, if elected, he plans to explore synergistic opportunities with other communities and the private sector to keep Bangor’s budget in check.

Gerry Palmer, 60, is the only incumbent councilor on the ballot this year. Palmer has served four terms on the Bangor City Council dating back to 1998.

Palmer is the managing partner of Palmer Lee & Grace, an independent career counseling and outplacement business, and previously was executive director of Northeast CONTACT, a consumer advocacy agency.

“If re-elected, I plan to use my experience as a sitting councilor for the past decade to continue to make Bangor a better place to work, live and raise a family,” he said. “Listening closely to Bangor citizens and helping forge public policy that improves the quality of our community.”

Palmer said Bangor’s public safety departments and education system are among the best in the state, but said the city must create the best economic climate possible for continued job growth and prosperity.

Andrew Sturgeon, 51, founded A.E. Sturgeon Inc. in 1981, a land surveying and planning firm that, 10 years later, merged with Bangor-based Ames Corp. He is now president and CEO of Ames A/E Architects and Engineer, one the most successful firms in the area.

Sturgeon has served on various boards in Greater Bangor, including the advisory board for Eastern Maine Community College and the Bangor Water District board of trustees.

“I want to make sure Bangor businesses are represented by at least a portion of the City Council,” he said. “My experience as a civic leader has prepared me to help lead the city as it prospers and grows – as it becomes the regional hub for professional services, shopping, health care, education and travel.”

Sturgeon said a new convention center for Bangor is vital, but he also pointed out the need to develop a Geographic Information System database that the public can access.

Roberto Zavaleta, 41, has lived all over the country, but recently settled with his family in Bangor. He owns a consulting firm, Zavaleta Inc., which specializes in disaster recovery planning, risk management and information technology.

“What we love most about Bangor, and what I truly believe is Bangor’s biggest asset, is the people here; people I see every day over and over again celebrating, shopping, and enjoying this city with me,” he said.

Zavaleta has been a planning board member and selectman for the town of Berwick, and touted his 10 years in the petroleum industry as relevant experience to handle the ongoing energy crisis. He listed energy costs, taxes and foreclosures as issues he hopes to address if elected.

“There is no magic bullet to answer all our questions when it comes to spending and taxes,” he said. “My decisions will be based not on immediate knee-jerk reactions, but on what is good for the residents and businesses of Bangor.”

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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