These are vital and exciting times in the city of Bangor. As I complete my year as mayor, I can report that the City Council and our staff have taken major strides in revitalizing our downtown and waterfront, expanding our role as a center for the arts and culture, and enhancing Bangor’s attractiveness and quality of life. Our accomplishments have been the result of a clear and priority focused agenda, a spirit of teamwork, and the ability to handle the routine and unexpected issues that arise in the course of a year. As mayor, it has been my privilege to help lead these efforts in conjunction with the members of the council and our city staff.

Bangor’s downtown is emerging as a center for the arts, culture and tourism. The opening of the Maine Discovery Museum provided a distinctive spark, creating a community resource that has received universal praise for its innovative and engaging exhibits. It joined a growing list of downtown artists, studios, theaters and museums, soon to be joined by the University of Maine Arts Museum to be located in newly refurbished Norumbega Hall. Rehabilitation and reuse of structures in downtown has continued, with numerous projects on Main, Hammond, Harlow and Park streets, all adding to its historic charm and building a new downtown neighborhood.

A new bulkhead and an accessible walking trail linking downtown to our waterfront will soon lead to a new amphitheater, generously donated by Chris Hutchins, and has advanced our vision of the waterfront.

Adding to the rich cultural opportunity provided by the Penobscot Theatre, the Maine Shakespeare Festival, the Bangor Public Library and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, the city of Bangor is poised to add another event of great importance. After a national competition, Bangor has been chosen to host the National Folk Festival beginning in August 2002. This downtown and waterfront event will be a celebration of our community and a symbol of our continued economic and cultural growth. Along with offering enjoyable activities for our residents, these arts and cultural initiatives provide a tremendous economic boost to both our city and region.

This past year also saw the successful transformation of the City Nursing Facility into an independent health care facility; significant progress by the Special Committee on the future of the auditorium in identifying the scope and size of a new regional facility to replace the Bangor Auditorium/Civic Center; an expanded street and sidewalk renovation program; a major expansion at General Electric along with other business and job growth; and continued progress in maintaining quality domestic air service at Bangor International Airport. A vibrant airport with frequent and reasonably priced flights, a revitalized downtown and waterfront, a new auditorium/meeting complex, and constant attention to our neighborhoods, schools, and quality of life are the key elements in making Bangor an increasingly appealing place to live, visit, and work.

While we are proud of our achievements, we also encountered our share of controversial issues. The proposed opiate treatment program at Acadia Hospital, the Penjajawoc Stream, Diva’s and proposed changes to our equal rights ordinance all brought citizens of varying opinions and viewpoints to our meetings. These issues, at times presented with great emotion and concern, allowed our residents to express their views and opinions in an atmosphere of mutual respect and full council consideration. While opinions differed, these debates reflect the care, commitment and pride we all share in our community.

Bangor is a regional service center providing jobs, health and social services, shopping and entertainment for thousands from outside our city limits. Our efforts this past year have expanded Bangor’s role as a cultural and recreational destination, underscored Bangor’s importance as a regional center, and established a framework for long-term economic growth and development. At the beginning of a new council year, we reaffirm our commitment to continue, working together, to build toward Bangor’s future.

John M. Rohman is the mayor

of Bangor.