Richard “Dick” Engels
One of four competing for two PI Council seats
Hometown: Presque Isle
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? The Presque Isle City Council is my only elected office. I have previously served as chairman of the Presque Isle Zoning Appeals Board, served as the chairman of the Industrial Council, been a member of the Planning Board and the City appointed Committee to consider a new Community Center.
What is your career background? Since serving in the army in Vietnam, I have been a lawyer here in Presque Isle. During my legal career, among other things, I have been president of the Aroostook County Bar Association, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Bar and a founding trustee of the Client Protection Fund. In addition to my professional activities, I am now or have been the president of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce; an adjunct professor in government at the NMCC, where I have been its foundation chairman and where I was named as one of three Community Star Winners; the chairman of the Aroostook County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation; a Corporate Board Member of Eastern Maine Healthcare System; and I was awarded a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship by the Presque Isle Rotary Club. Active in youth sports, I have served as a director and manager in the Presque Isle Youth Hockey program and as a cofounder and coach with Aroostook Football.
What made you decide to run for this office? I am now concluding my one-year term on the Presque Isle City Council. Though new on the Council, I believe that I am making a significant contribution and hope the voters of Presque Isle agree to give me the opportunity to continue to serve. I do not have an agenda other than to further the best interests of the citizens and, in particular the taxpayers, of Presque Isle. For example my experience on the Community Center Study Committee makes me believe we need a new facility, but I don’t know if we can afford it under present economic conditions. For this reason, I supported putting the issue of a new Community Center out to the people for an advisory referendum. We must match our needs with our means and the funding of one new project may mean less for other existing programs. Also the prior diminution of Federal and State help for local needs must be considered. In order to make such decisions, we need to establish priorities because tax dollars can only be stretched so far. I am confident that I can help to establish these needed priorities in an intelligent manner.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Aroostook County? Jobs! At the local level we cannot improve the national economy, but there are still opportunities to increase the number of jobs in our community. One such opportunity is a result of the creation of the Advanced Alternative Energy Facility at NMCC, which was facilitated by a gift from one of my clients. This project has drawn national attention, including the interest of prospective job creators. I believe my experience may be helpful in allowing Presque Isle to take advantage of any such opportunity that may develop. As important as economic development is, we must never lose sight of the quality of life that makes Presque Isle a desirable community to live in. We don’t need change just for change’s sake, and effective change doesn’t need to be expensive. For example, the new pedestrian crossings on Main Street and Academy Street, designed and installed by city employees, have improved pedestrian safety without the necessity of hiring expensive experts or relocating our streets.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? Having served the remaining term of a previous councilor, I have gained useful experience and knowledge of Presque Isle’s opportunities and problems. Serving on both the Industrial Council and the Development Fund Boards as a part of my role on the City Council, I have the opportunity to influence city growth. My primary goals are therefore to make sure that the city takes advantage of any opportunity to create new jobs and to help assure the best and most cost-effective governance of our city.
