Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Future generations will be able to trace the political history of the Star City back to 1900, thanks to the hard work of Presque Isle City Clerk Nancy Nichols.
“We never had a readily available compilation of all the selectmen and councilors who’ve served in Presque Isle. Nancy took it upon herself to find all the names of these representatives, going back to 1900 and continuing to present day,” said City Manager Tom Stevens.
Stevens noted that in early records, most references gave a first initial and last name. The use of full names didn’t occur until well into the 1900s.
Nichols said she’d had inquiries before as to who served on Council in the past. She realized at that point that there was a need for a more complete listing. The project took several months to research and complete.
“It took quite a while to track all the information, put it in order, then get the plaques and nameplates made,” said Nichols.
Those plaques now hang in the Council’s chamber on the third floor of City Hall. Room remains for eight entries.
“The next entry should be for Randy Smith, who ran unopposed for the seat being vacated by longtime Councilor Ron McPherson. We’ll have seven more name plates free after that,” said Stevens.
Anyone wanting to view the plaques can do so during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Nichols at 764-2520 or Stevens at 764-4485.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE CITY COUNCIL pictured in this photo from a fall 2008 session include, from left: Councilors Calvin Hall and Jennifer Trombley; Deputy Chair Ed Nickerson; and Chair Walt Elish. Nickerson became chair and Trombley became vice chair with the beginning of Council’s 2009 season.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
MEMBERS OF THE 2008 Presque Isle City Council gathered for a fall 2008 session. Pictured, from left: Councilors Ron McPherson, Don Gardner and G. Melvin Hovey; and City Manager Tom Stevens.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PLAQUES BEARING THE NAMES of Presque Isle’s selectmen and councilors, dating back to 1900, hang in City Council’s chamber on the third floor of City Hall. The names were compiled by City Clerk Nancy Nichols, who recognized the historic significance of having a complete listing that would be accessible to the public.
Photo by Voscar
MAIN STREET PRESENCE – The Presque Isle Area Chamber of Commerce once had an office on Main St., as pictured in this undated photo – probably taken in the 1980s, next door to the building that once housed Netherland Office Products and Sears.
Photo by Voscar
ANGLE PARKING was allowed on Main St., as pictured in this photo dating back to the late 1950s.
