Issue
Homelessness: where Bangor's council candidates stand
Residents raised homelessness more than any other issue this year, including concerns about safety in downtown spaces such as the library and parks. The biggest recent council decision was a property tax reimbursement for Yellen Pines, a 30-unit permanent supportive housing project for chronically homeless residents on Corporate Drive. Candidates differ on housing-first approaches, regional cost sharing with neighboring towns, emergency shelter, and psychiatric treatment capacity. BDN, Sept. 9BDN, Oct. 7
How should Bangor respond to homelessness?
Candidates in ballot order.
- Ballot position 01
Joe Leonard Incumbent
Wants more regional and state collaboration. Supported the Yellen Pines tax agreement, arguing it saves money given public safety and emergency costs tied to homelessness. BDN, Sept. 30 Watch at 1:35:39 Watch at 0:08
- Ballot position 02
Michael Furrow
Says drug use drives homelessness. Would expand Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center and have judges refer people there for involuntary treatment, redirecting supportive housing money. Says housing-first approaches do not work. Favors treatment first over housing first. BDN, Oct. 2LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 1:43:18 Watch at 1:29
- Ballot position 03
Andrei Yermakov
Supports Yellen Pines, calling it imperfect but a good start. Wants public discussion of homeless residents to be more humane. BDN, Sept. 25 Watch at 1:40:31 Watch at 1:58
- Ballot position 04
Anthony Cote
Wants to review the police homelessness protocol, which offers services before citing or arresting people for certain offenses. BDN, Sept. 22 Watch at 1:45:14 Watch at 3:18
- Ballot position 05
James Gallagher
Wants the council to declare a state of emergency and work with nonprofits. Proposes temporary emergency shelters in large spaces such as the Bangor Mall, the Cross Insurance Center and school gyms. Would pay for the response with leftover opioid settlement money and unspent federal pandemic relief funds. BDN, Sept. 26BDN, Oct. 5 Watch at 1:42:05 Watch at 4:26
- Ballot position 06
Terry Dinkins
Top priority. Wants more resources, especially for people with mental illness, including more treatment beds at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, with accountability alongside compassion. BDN, Sept. 20 Watch at 1:44:20 Watch at 5:22
- Ballot position 07
Joseph Pratt
Says city leaders should learn from cities that reduced homelessness, such as Houston, Denver and Baltimore. Opposes Yellen Pines and would fund existing local organizations instead. BDN, Sept. 18 Watch at 1:39:19 Watch at 5:48
- Ballot position 08
Adam Baker
Supports housing first and calls housing a human right. Supports a regulated, sanctioned encampment as a first step and called Yellen Pines the right step. BDN, Sept. 16 Watch at 1:46:41 Watch at 6:23
- Ballot position 09
Dawson Nevells
Proposes a regional service center run with neighboring towns, modeled on Haven for Hope in San Antonio and likely funded by a bond. Says such centers, offering housing, medical care and food in one place, would cost more up front but save on jail stays and emergency room visits. BDN, Sept. 17Fox Bangor, Sept. 14 Watch at 1:38:12 Watch at 6:40
- Ballot position 10
Katherine Devine
Says the city has lost sight of genuine care and that real help is not a handout. Would redirect money now spent on housing programs toward mental health care, including staffing and more beds at Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center. BDN, Sept. 23Fox Bangor Watch at 7:25
- Ballot position 11
Jennifer McGinley Maskala
Wants the city to reexamine the Yellen Pines development, calling its 30-year tax reimbursement a major commitment. Wants to work with city staff to understand what services homeless residents want and need. Wants written funding commitments from regional and state partners so Bangor taxpayers do not carry the cost alone. BDN, Sept. 24BDN, Oct. 5LWV forum, Oct. 7 Watch at 1:36:53 Watch at 7:51
- Ballot position 12
John King
Wants neighboring towns to help fund regional homelessness resources, and yearly reports from shelters, syringe providers and recovery groups on where people come from. Suggests reaching out to cities that have made progress on homelessness. BDN, Sept. 29Fox Bangor Watch at 1:34:02 Watch at 8:42