Out With The Old.......

2011 is winding down quickly. It's been a pretty good ride this past year. Tons of stuff went down last year, so here's a few from the VOB's list of top news stories. My oldest graduating from college has to be tops on my list. The construction of the new arena started, that's a biggie for these parts. Paul LePage is chopping his way thru the States budget concerns, that's got a few folks riled up. Table games and fireworks will be legal as of midnight, that's left many uneasy. Not the black jack, just the big boomers. And of course, the infamous bath salts epidemic sweeping the Region. Its been a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. The Bangor girls soccer team winning the State Class A title was a big high. The revelations concerning Rev Bob Carlson was probably the lowest of lows. But, in the words of Pumba, you need to put your past behind you. Lets look forward to 2012 as a breath of fresh air, filling our lungs and hearts. Big things are coming for Bangor and I have my eyes wide open with anticipation. Steve Smith is probably taping the Christmas lights on that ol' beach ball and getting the celebration ready. Throw out the old and bring in the new.

The newly elected City Council has been feeling its way around. Mayor Weston has expanded the role into more of a leadership position, rather than an administrative one. Not sure how that will go with the others. It's pretty obvious the Councilor Longo is not a big fan of Weston. Charlie says alot, but doesn't say alot, if you catch my drift. The same goes for newcomer James Gallant. Lots of talk, no real solutions. We'll have to wait and see how this falls into place. I'm sure councilor Gallant realizes that the discussions concerning campaign signs were directed squarely at him. I've got to say, his 4x8 sheets of plywood were waaaay to big to be planted in the median at the intersection of Norway and Hammond St. But, he's a rookie, and rookies are allowed a few mistakes. councilor Joe Baldacci has hit the ground running. He's quick to remind everyone that he was a Councilor and former Mayor in the past. I wouldn't be bragging about that a whole bunch if I was you Joe. Didn't you guys buy a cruise boat? How did that work out? OK, OK, I promised to look forward, so lets do that.

The City Council has determined that Bangor needs to take the lead in the discussion concerning the closure of Dorthea Dix State Hospital. Good luck with that. Just watching the meeting where the "committee" was being kicked around was pretty painful. Sounds like a lot of energy to be spent for nothing. The State will close the facility, mark my words. My real concern is that the Council should focus on the City's role, not the Regions. We have elected leaders to represent us in Augusta, so why the need for a committee? I think Pat Blanchette and Nichi Farnham already have that job. Not to mention the bare facts, but the facility is costing the State a small fortune to operate. There are only a few "patient beds" and the math just doesn't work. Acadia Hospital has already stated that they could absorb these patients. I really don't think that's the place for violent offenders, but its an option for most of the population that resides there. I'm not to sure if the violent folks belong at Dorthea Dix either. They are not really set up for that as we witnessed a few times last year. In the end, this seams to be the biggest sticking point. Are there that many violent offenders sent to the phychiatric ward in Bangor? Short of the bath salts abusers, who are these people? It's a tough one for sure, but the Govenor will have the last word here, and I believe the place will be shuttered.

Glad to see that the PATY idea has been shelved for the time being. Hats off the Charlie Longo for stating the obvious. To bad the Professor Gratwick cant see the forest thru the trees. The Council needs to look at keeping this service as part of the property tax, and not an added burden to the citizens.

I got a kick out of the Council workshop that addressed the working of EMDC and the arena. Mike Aube is a nice guy, a former Mayor, and well liked in City circles. That being said, EMDC was hired by the City to look into possible funding sources for the new arena. They did just that, spent $25k, and told the City that there wasn't any sources. I'm fine with that. The question put to the Council was should the City continue the relationship with EMDC and extend the contract. I offer an emphatic NO! Why would we? Hell, give me $5k and I'll come back in a month and tell you the same thing. We are on our own with the arena, lets face it folks. Stop tossing cash at EMDC and save it for the arena, its a win-win situation.

That's all for now. Enjoy the downtown celebration tonight, I'll see you at Paddy Murphy's, around 11:55 or so. Happy New Year