Editor’s note: The following was a statement made by outgoing Presque Isle City Manager Tom Stevens during the manager’s report portion of the Jan. 4 City Council meeting.
It seems like just yesterday that I assumed the duties and responsibilities of city manager for the city of Presque Isle. Much has been accomplished during the past 17 years. And, much is still to be done, for a city never sleeps.
I must say that, as I look back over the years, that I am proud of what has been accomplished. And, let me be the first to point out that what was accomplished was not done by a single individual. It has been the collective work of many; employees, board and committee members, volunteers and more. However, no matter who they are, they comprise the team of dedicated people whose single mission is to provide quality services to the public.
Let me highlight but a few of the accomplishments that make Presque Isle a great city.
• The construction of the Aroostook Centre Mall in the early 1990s brought a new level of confidence to the city and region. The developer, John Campanos, had more enthusiasm and consumer confidence than that of the people who lived here. He helped open our eyes to a broader world known as the global economy. The construction itself also saw a start date in the dead of winter, complete with trenching in frozen ground to pour concrete in subzero temperatures.
• The city assisted with as many as seven grant/loan packages, relocated a railroad line, built a roadway and bridges and provided infrastructure in support of this project. The city also assisted with its first ever tax increment finance district, long before they are used as widely as they are today.
• The construction of the mall resulted in a sharp business interest in the North Main Street business district. Over the years numerous commercial buildings, shopping stores and restaurants filled the landscape. Each provided new jobs to the area.
• Economic development has not been confined to just North Main Street. Absent 17 years is the vitality of new businesses in each sector of the city; from Parsons Street, the Presque Isle Industrial Park, the downtown, the Fort Fairfield Road, the Houlton Road, North Street and Academy Street. Significant expansions have occurred at the Aroostook Medical Center, University of Maine at Presque Isle and the Northern Maine Community College. Complimented with such things as the Maine Winter Sports Center, Wintergreen Arts Center, a downtown mural and a marked historic walking tour, each helps make Presque Isle a place of destination.
• The city fared much better than many communities due to the closure of Loring Air Force Base. Out of the ashes of the closure that city saw and pursued the opportunity to redevelop the former Bon Aire Housing facility. Today, the former Air Force base housing is the home to the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, housing for Homeless Services of Aroostook, private housing, housing for the Presque Isle Housing Authority and a business office park.
• The city has upgraded many of its own infrastructures. A new Crash-Rescue Building and significant improvements to the runways, taxiways and safety areas have been made using Federal Aviation Administration, state of Maine and city funds. The city replaced its aging police and fire station with a new public safety building. The city constructed a new commercial hangar at the airport using funds approved by a bond by Maine voters. The city used federal earmark funds for renovating a former hangar for a new public works garage. State funds were used to construct Bishop’s Island recreational field and a consortium of funds were used to dredge Mantle Lake to reclaim it for recreational opportunities. The city has become more “green” with significant energy improvements to the Forum and the Indoor Pool. And, in working closely with SAD 1, the city acquired two former schools, both providing economic development opportunities.
Each of these but few examples demonstrates the city’s effectiveness in working with federal, state and local officials and agencies.
There are many ongoing projects that will continue the city’s role as a service center community. The city will need to continue to build community consensus of a bypass. The city may also have to come to the realization and take a more pragmatic posture if the Federal Highway Administration remains firm on its position that unless the entire Presque Isle bypass can be permitted and constructed with a 10-year period that they are unable to issue a permit. There are not enough funds available to meet their requirements. If this remains the case, the city should consider withdrawing the project from the Aroostook County Transportation Study and work toward the first phase between the Fort Fairfield and Conant roads section. This may be the best that can be achieved.
The progress on the partial closure and expansion of the city’s landfill is ongoing. The city should be proud of its commitment to the environment by upgrading its regional landfill.
The city’s biggest immediate financial challenge will be to closely monitor and position itself for the next round of state budget cuts. The Governor’s current proposed reductions may impact the city with reduced revenues of over $300,000 in 2010.
From a financial perspective, the city is in strong financial shape. Gone are my initial days of 1992 when the city had to make a deposit on Wednesday to meet payroll expenses on Thursday. The city has a strong financial system and various reserve accounts to meet current and future financial needs. Each department head is skilled in administering their respective budgets. And speaking of department heads, each has a keen understanding of the needs of all departments. Gone are the days of parochialism in budgets. Department heads understand the greater picture where each discipline is recognized as being important to a successful community.
The skill and professionalism of each employee can not be understated. Though sometimes unheralded in their efforts, it is their dedication, commitment and hard work that make this a great city. From daily work, to shift work, to call-ins for weather and emergency calls, they are always there to serve the public.
Who would have thought 17 years ago that emergency responders at the local level would have to become trained and skilled in weapons of mass destruction in helping to make us all safe in our homeland? Well, the events of 9/11 did just that. From police, to full time firefighters, to on-call paid firefighters, to the women’s auxiliary, to emergency management personnel, to ambulance personnel; all serve a vital role in keeping us safe. They are to be recognized and thanked for their willingness to place their own lives in harms way so that we can remain a free nation.
To the city solicitor, Hugo Olore, Jr. A fine attorney with a lousy accounting department. Lousy, because I often notice that he does not bill the city for all of the hours he works on our behalf. How can I forget my first encounter with him where we’re waiting for the jury to render a verdict in a civil case? Just like a nervous father pacing back and forth during a delivery of a baby while we waited, he turned to me and stated, “You know, I’ve won a lot of cases right up to the time the jury renders its verdict!” For your dry wit, your always solid legal advice and willingness to always place the city in the drivers’ seat, “Thank-you” for not only being good counsel, but a good listener and friend.
To my senior staff members, city hall employees and all employees. Without your support I would not have made it through the past 17 years. To paraphrase a song from Bette Midler, “you are the wind that lifts my wings.” While try as I might to always maintain that professional business relationship, I suppose that after so many years of working closely together, that sometime the lines become blurred. Over the years we have celebrated our births, speaking of which, my daughter will bless us with a new grandchild in seven months, we have watched our children grow, we have cherished the moments in the celebration of marriages, we have agonized over decisions to retire, and we have mourned the loss of our loved ones. Nothing will be more difficult in moving on than to lose the closeness of these relationships.
To the City Council. It is my hope that you’ll recognize the distinction between corporate business and the business of the public.
I urge you to strive for transparency in performing the business of the public. I hope that you’ll pick up the bar and reset it at an achievable height that requires self-discipline and leadership by example for employees to gladly follow. I would also urge that you consider representation by the public and department heads in your selection of a new city manager. In the course of his or her duties, while he or she may be responsible to the city council the manager actually works the majority of the time with employees and the general public.
To citizens who have been supportive over the years, along with the literally hundreds of people who have been especially supportive this past year through their e-mails, phone calls, cards, letters and visits, I want to tell you how much those small acts of kindness and thoughtfulness really helped. It’s always nice to know that people really do care about you. I will always remember and hold a place in my heart for those who publicly supported me right to the end.
To my family; my wife Claudia, my daughter Amy, and my sons Korey and Ryan. I know this has not been easy. You have always been there, even when I was away on business or at an evening meeting. There we many a night when I was not able to tuck you into bed or kiss you good night. But, not once did you ever complain. You accepted my own nights of lost sleep in stride. You always provided the support needed to work in a great profession in serving the public. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all very much.
And, to Clarence Bell, Gene Conlogue, Dana Lougee, Brenda Smith and Paul Underwood; the five city councilors who hired me in 1992. Thank you for the confidence you had in me in 1992 and the opportunity to serve the citizens of Presque Isle. I hope that I have never let you down in the performance of my duties. You have provided me the humbling opportunity to serve a great community. It’s been one heck of a ride of which I will always cherish.
In closing, I hope that over the years I have given something of myself to the community. To quote Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” I hope that my dedication to the community will be remembered not as a job, but as a profession.
To all of you that have been part of the past 17 years, thank you and may God Bless.
