By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Jim Bennett, one of two candidates vying for the position of Brunswick town manager, will remain city manager of the Star City — at least for now — following Brunswick’s decision to hire John Eldridge.
“They opted to go with Eldridge, who’s served as Brunswick’s finance director and was interim town manager. They chose to go local,” said Bennett, prior to Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Bennett said for now he’ll continue as Presque Isle’s city manager.
“I have no plans to leave Presque Isle, unless something of interest comes up. I had no desire to return to Lisbon, even though they had a recent opening,” said Bennett.
Bennett said his initial agreement with city officials was for him to serve three years.
“That’s now turned into five. I never planned for this to be permanent. I told Council I’d stay until my children graduated. They have, so now it’s time for me to consider my family’s future,” said Bennett.
“I’m at a point in my career that I want to look at other options — consider where my career should go next,” said Bennett. “For now, I’m busy putting together the city’s budget for the next year. I’m just taking each day as it comes.”
