Business community concerned over Barrett's departure
Local businesses are still processing the surprising news that longtime City Manager Ed Barrett is unexpectedly resigning, but hope that the "new direction" expressed by city councilors as the reason for Barrett's departure will support local business.
"We feel that Ed was a very strong and respected leader in Bangor, and we're not really in a position to second guess what issues led to his pending departure from the city, but clearly the loss of a city manager with his amount of experience in a city of this size is a serious issue," says John Diamond, chairman of the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Barrett, who has held the position for 22 years, will step down by April 30, 2010, even though he had been under contract through September 2011, according to the Bangor Daily News. The council requested Barrett's resignation, stating that it was looking at going in a "new direction," according to the paper. Barrett has agreed to stay on until a replacement can be found. Council officials have yet to reveal what they're looking for in a new city manager.
Heather van Frankenhuyzen, owner of Bella Luna Clothing & Accessories, says she's hoping that whatever the city council's new direction is, it will help fill some of the vacant retail spaces, especially in Bangor's historic downtown storefronts.
"I recently saw a story on CBS where building owners in Brooklyn are offering their empty spaces to artists as galleries or studio spaces at very low rates just to have them filled," she says. "I just really want to see downtown thrive and I think we are headed in the right direction, we just need an advocate. We just need to keep working to drive traffic and business here."
During his 22-year tenure, improving the business climate and fostering economic development was a major focus for the city manager.
"I was surprised when I saw it in the paper today," says Sonya Eldridge, owner of Bagel Central in downtown Bangor. "To be honest, I haven't had time to process it."
Barrett, who wasn't available for comment at press time, has seen many businesses in Bangor come and go over the last two decades, including the controversial Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway.
He also has been a proponent of collaboration and cooperation among surrounding communities to enhance regional economic development in efforts such as Mobilize Maine -- an effort launched by Gov. John Baldacci.
Although Eldridge says she's unsure what this "new direction" the council is considering might mean for areas businesses, she's not nervous about the change, despite the fact that the council has a huge impact on the community.
"They run the city," says Eldridge, who has been in business for 30 years.
Diamond echoed her thoughts.
"In any community of this size when a person of Ed's stature and influence moves on, no matter what the circumstance is, it's going to be recognized in the community, and I think in particular in the business community," he says. "The next city manager will have big shoes to fill. I know that's an overused expression, but I can't overstate the importance of having a city manager who is going to be a leader in the region's efforts to develop the economy and to continue to improve the quality of life."
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