City manager honored

 

    SERVICE RECOGNIZED — In honor of his 17 years of service to the city of Presque Isle, outgoing City Manager Tom Stevens was presented with a clock during City Council’s Jan. 4 session. Presenting the clock to Stevens is Solid Waste Director Dana Fowler, who will serve as interim city manager until the position is filled.

    PRESQUE ISLE — City Manager Tom Stevens attended his last City Council session Jan. 4, bringing to an end his 17 years’ of municipal service to the community he and his family call home.
    To mark the occasion, Solid Waste Director Dana Fowler presented Stevens with a wall clock, acknowledging his many years’ of dedicated service.
    “This is in appreciation for all you’ve done for the community of Presque Isle,” said Fowler, who has been selected to serve as interim city manager until the position is filled.
    Fred Parsons, a fireman with the Presque Isle Fire Department and Presque Isle citizen, expressed gratitude for Stevens’ service to the city.
    “I wanted to thank Tom publicly. Decisions have been made — I urge the public to support Dana Fowler and the future selection of a new city manager,” said Parsons, as he shook Stevens’ hand.
    Stevens took the time normally designated for the manager’s report to bid farewell. In his speech, he noted the many advancements the city had made during his tenure, including the construction of the Aroostook Centre Mall, the continued growth of the two college campuses, the national recognition the Maine Winter Sports Center has garnered for Presque Isle, the many businesses that now call the city home and the founding of the Wintergreen Arts Center. He also thanked family, friends and co-workers for their continued support over the years.
    His farewell speech also included advice for the Council.
    “To the City Council. It is my hope that you’ll recognize the distinction between corporate business and the business of the public,” said Stevens, urging councilors to “strive for transparency in performing the business of the public.”
    “I hope you’ll pick up the bar and reset it at an achievable height that requires self-discipline and leadership by example for employees to gladly follow,” added Stevens, urging Council to also “consider representation by the public and department heads in your selection of a new city manager.”
    Stevens reminded Council also that while the city manager may be responsible to the City Council, “the manager actually works the majority of the time with employees ad the general public.”
    In closing, Stevens stressed the importance of “giving.”
    Following Stevens’ speech, Council Chair Ed Nickerson questioned the necessity to accept Stevens’ comments, as would be the case with a manager’s report.
    “It would be my privilege to accept Tom’s …” said Councilor Don Gardner, as he was cut off by Nickerson.
    “There’s no need to do that,” said Nickerson, noting it was not an official manager’s report and thus did not require Council approval.
    The search is now under way for a new city manager. City Council met in executive session Jan. 6 at the Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library, for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position. At presstime, no word was available on the results of the session.
    The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Council chambers. Sessions are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to participate.
    FMI, contact Fowler at 764-2507.

 

    GRACEFUL EXIT — City Manager Tom Stevens read a farewell speech during City Council’s Jan. 4 meeting, expressing gratitude to co-workers, friends and family for their many years of support. Stevens has accepted the position of director for the USDA office in Presque Isle, beginning his new job this week.