Presque Isle city manager deserves much better

To the editor:
    You may have recently heard that the City Council has made the decision to recruit a new City Manager. At the last City Council meeting that was the first anyone had heard of this decision. In the past, it has been standard operating procedure that the City Council renew the City Manager’s contract for every two to three years, but now they have decided, after 17 years of loyal service to the city of Presque Isle, that they will not be renewing Tom Stevens’ contract.     Tom Stevens, throughout his 17 years as City Manager, has worked tirelessly with businesses, organizations, and individuals to make the city of Presque Isle what it is today. Because the Council has decided that his employment contract will not be renewed he will be out of a job at the end of this year, without cause and without reason. Has the City Council been truly supportive, rendered an opportunity to discuss and rectify any problems or issues? As concerned citizens and taxpayers, that is a fair question to pose.
    As a City and its residents, we have a tremendous amount (time and money) invested in our City Manager, but also in our Council, and would hope that a supportive environment be practiced and encouraged. Success is rarely achieved by just one, but often savored by the entire team. But without a productive opportunity to resolve and involve, it looks like a “railroading” “stonewalling” — just another political maneuver that yields a serious mistake. Without an exit interview, and with no sense of appreciation for all that he has done to better our City and our lives, this is just an egregious use of power and lack of professionalism demonstrated by our elected Council.
    Tom has on many occasions stood tall to our City Councilors, and led them to make difficult choices; isn’t that the role and job of our City Manager? Let’s not blame our high taxes and personality pettiness on the City Manager as it is the job of City Council to represent and present the constituents’ wishes. Tom Stevens needs your help, and he needs it now.
    Walt Elish, a valued business associate, was contacted, and as you may recall was last year’s City Council Chairman to find out why this has happened. His answer was vague and ambiguous, he responded that the City Council has decided to take the city in a different direction, although it would seem as though they were not certain what direction that is. The Council did not discuss this change with the citizens or with the department heads, and apparently not amongst themselves.
    We are certainly very sensitive to Council Chair Mr. Nickerson’s health but need to know his position or he should appoint someone to guide us through this difficult issue. In this current economic climate, how can the Council think that a complete change — “a new direction” in city management — would be a prudent idea? Tom Stevens has worked diligently, leading Presque Isle through the current recession. As a City we have even experienced growth; and are certainly faring better than most Maine communities, and yet the Council wants to terminate his contract and bring someone else, possibly less experienced into his position, and in the wake of this human resource debacle.
    Representative of some of the largest taxpayers in Presque Isle we are frustrated and outraged with the Council’s lack of professionalism, insensitivity and rush to judgment regarding his termination. We have spoken with many other taxpayers, and they too, feel that an injustice and serious error has occurred and that an explanation is warranted. The reason that had been given is insufficient and unacceptable. Hopefully the truthful explanation is not a politically motivated one or of personal bias, as I believe we are all better than that.
    I am challenging the decision of the Council, and I urge you to do the same. There is a special City Council meeting on Monday, Oct. 26th at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers. We ask that you come to the meeting and show support of Mr. Stevens and insist that the Council collectively take action and “do the right thing” and either; renew his contract, enter mediation at no cost to the taxpayers to determine what problems or issues may exist as Tom has offered, render reasoning for termination and disclose our “new direction”. As taxpayers, we the public need this to bring this issue to the forefront, and not let our Council act individually but collectively through this situation, representing the wishes of the community and not them personally. Tom has led our municipal government through tempestuous times, critical choices and economic excellence for the city of Presque Isle and deserves better.
    Let’s not forget that Tom is also a 17-year resident and taxpayer, concerned citizen, strong community supporter and loyal, city employee; he too, deserves better. Our city provides more accommodations and services, educational and recreational opportunities, office and retail choices that most communities of our size do not. The city’s finances are strong, even factoring in that one-third of the properties are tax-exempt; sustainable business growth is all over the city and represents new jobs, housing and ultimately opportunities for our residents and visitors. The citizens of Presque Isle are more than satisfied with the levels of service. The Citizen’s Satisfaction Survey compiled by Allen Salo’s class at University of Maine at Presque Isle in 2007 shows the great comfort and security the citizens have with the way Presque Isle is managed and run. Maybe the City Council needs to adopt more pro-active stance and solicit their constituents’ questions, comments and ideas, as Mr. Stevens has many times over our 15 years of doing business in Presque Isle.
    The City Manager has always put the city first when he was required to make decisions. Presque Isle would not be the city it is today without the hard work and commitment of Tom Stevens. If you cannot attend the meeting on Monday, Oct. 26th we encourage you to contact the City Council members and let them know your feelings on the subject. Thanking you in advance for your support, remember as a unified group, we can make a difference and need to let our voice be heard and now is the time.