Engels, Green take Council slots
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Incumbent Richard Engels and newcomer Craig Green received the most votes Nov. 8, securing their positions on the Presque Isle City Council for four-year terms, beginning in January 2012.
Four candidates and several write-ins received citizens’ support on Tuesday. Green received the largest number of votes at 2,714. Engels followed, with 1,701, followed by Donald Gardner with 1,401 and Jacqueline Goodine at 1,099. William Hale, aka Haji Mohammed Omar, ran as a write-in candidate, capturing three votes. Kevin Sipe, Gerry Driscoll and Jim Brown each received one vote as write-ins.
Larry Perry received 3,808 votes for Warden, with Alan Hitchcock and Ryzak Arthur each acquiring one vote as write-ins. Stacey Robinson garnered 3,687 votes for ward clerk, with write-ins Ryzak Arthur and Gerry Driscoll earning one vote each.
The advisory question asking citizens if they wanted a new community center was approved by a 2-1 margin, with 2,726 residents voting “yes” and 1,355 voting “no.”
Engels and Green will be sworn in during a ceremony after the first of the year. Engels was elected last fall to fill the last year of a four-year term; he’ll return to his seat to begin a four-year term in January.
Currently the City Council has one vacant seat, left empty when Jessica Chase-Smith — who was elected to a fill the remainder of a one-year term resigned in October, citing family issues as the reason for her departure. Under the city charter, councilors have 30 days from the time of Chase-Smith’s resignation to fill the seat. Since the resignation came so close to the election, councilors opted to let voters decide who would fill the vacancy, rather than appoint someone themselves. Green was sworn in to fill the seat during a ceremony held at City Hall on Nov. 9.
Green thanked the voting public for supporting him at the polls.
“Your overwhelming support on Election Day tells me that the issues that I have pledged to support are also of concern to you — items such as the continuation of our professional fire department staff, support for our police officers and public works employees,” said Green, in a prepared statement.
Green promised to listen to employees and seek their input on “how to make their days more efficient.”
“There should be measured, thoughtful planning for Main Street, analyzing the pros and cons of the pay-as-you-throw program. We should chart a road for future community development and our Community Center and be sensitive to the needs of the taxpayer by listening to them,” he said.
Green said he is aware that where the road leads may be “paved with good intentions” but that “doesn’t have to be so.”
“If we move forward as friends and neighbors, we can make this a team effort to make the hard decisions,” said Green.
Ideas come from many sources, said Green, and no one man holds the answer to all questions.
“Too often we have allowed ourselves to be led; now I pledge to change that and ask you to be my partners in moving our community ahead,” said Green.
“Our ancestors built this city from the wilderness into a hub community that has many services and opportunities that belies its size,” said Green, president of the Presque Isle Historical Society and member of the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, among other organizations.
“Let us not forget our proud heritage but, more importantly, let us, your city officials, never forget who put us here to serve,” said Green. “Thank you again. Now let’s roll up our sleeves.”
