Issue
How the council works: where Bangor's council candidates stand
Voters told reporters they want councilors who run orderly meetings and explain their work. The current council has spent time on legal and ethics reviews and heated exchanges. One councilor has been censured three times, and the city's ethics board has twice found a different councilor violated the ethics code. Candidates propose changes ranging from civility pledges and office hours to an elected mayor and voting wards. BDN, Sept. 9BDN, Sept. 30BDN, Sept. 29
How should the council run itself and talk with residents?
Candidates in ballot order.
- Ballot position 01
Joe Leonard Incumbent
Top priority is voting wards and an elected, full-time mayor with executive authority, which Leonard says would improve representation and speed up decisions. BDN, Sept. 30 Watch at 2:22:41 Watch at 0:05
- Ballot position 02
Michael Furrow
Says the council should be run like a business and that political activism does not belong on the council. BDN, Oct. 2 Watch at 2:30:37 Watch at 1:25
- Ballot position 03
Andrei Yermakov
Wants regular office-hours meetings at local businesses, one-on-one meetings with councilors, and more community events posted online. BDN, Sept. 25 Watch at 2:27:09 Watch at 1:57
- Ballot position 04
Anthony Cote
Says the current council has wasted considerable time. BDN, Sept. 22 Watch at 2:28:47 Watch at 3:42
- Ballot position 05
James Gallagher
Wants longer City Hall hours with more clerk staff, and a more active, easier-to-use city website and Facebook page. BDN, Sept. 26 Watch at 2:21:05 Watch at 4:00
- Ballot position 06
Terry Dinkins
Wants an open period before meetings where residents can talk informally with councilors. BDN, Sept. 20 Watch at 2:29:44 Watch at 4:49
- Ballot position 07
Joseph Pratt
Top priority is civility and better communication. Wants the city to share information directly and says the council should have sought more input on the Ohio Street reclassification. BDN, Sept. 18 Watch at 2:26:01 Watch at 5:29
- Ballot position 08
Adam Baker
Wants less bickering among councilors and more open dialogue with residents. Would expand the public health department to coordinate service providers. BDN, Sept. 16 Watch at 2:27:53 Watch at 6:26
- Ballot position 09
Dawson Nevells
Wants voting student representatives on the council and School Committee, and plans weekly social media posts explaining his votes. BDN, Sept. 17 Watch at 2:24:53 Watch at 6:58
- Ballot position 10
Katherine Devine
Says State House experience would help calm tensions and rebuild trust, and that she values compromise. BDN, Sept. 23 Watch at 7:34
- Ballot position 11
Jennifer McGinley Maskala
Promises an open-door policy and says residents feel unheard. Wants the council focused on basic services. BDN, Sept. 24 Watch at 2:23:56 Watch at 8:32
- Ballot position 12
John King
Says the council does not apply the same standards to all members, and calls for more compassion and teamwork. BDN, Sept. 29 Watch at 2:21:53 Watch at 9:52