PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – City Council recognized Finance Director Donald “Spike” Savage Feb. 19 for his efforts to keep the city’s finances in top shape.
Earlier in the month, City Manager Tom Stevens had been notified that the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting had been awarded to the Star City by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).
“This is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. This is only the 14th such award made in the state of Maine,” said Stevens.
While not easy to achieve, this marks the seventh time Presque Isle has attained the honor.
“Spike does an amazing job. He keeps our finances in order. He’s the one responsible for the city achieving this award,” said Stevens. “This shows how strong our accounting department is. It goes well beyond financial reporting required by law.”
In honor of the award, Council Vice Chairman Ed Nickerson presented Savage with a plaque to mark the occasion.
Savage, a soft-spoken gentleman who prefers to avoid the spotlight, had just a few words to say to the Council after accepting the plaque.
“The recognition really goes to the whole department – the entire city staff. It’s not just for me,” said Savage, acknowledging it takes cooperation from all departments to achieve such recognition.
In other Council news, councilors:
• Presented Chief Naldo Gagnon, of the Presque Isle Police Department with a plaque commemorating his recently being named Chief of the Year;
• Witnessed a demonstration by Officer Robert Thibeault and his Labrador Retriever, Dozer, the Presque Isle Police Department’s newest ‘officer’ trained in sniffing out various drugs. Dozer circled the room, with Thibeault by his side, pausing to sniff various spots before stopping before a bookcase and pawing to indicate he’d found the hidden drugs – a small pouch with marijuana;
• Heard a presentation by Airport Director Scott Wardwell on plans for upcoming maintenance at the Northern Maine Regional Airport;
• Approved a TIF for Lowe’s that would enable the retailer to recoup the costs of traffic studies and road construction that Lowe’s paid for that had to be performed to meet certain specifications to occupy the space next to the mall; and
• Approved switching the Church and Main streets intersection light to flashing for the months of March, April and May. After that period, it will be determined whether to discontinue use of a light at that intersection entirely, instead opting for a stop sign.
The next scheduled Council meeting will be held on March 5 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
