HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-22 City Council Minutes Special
MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING BANGOR CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 22, 2013
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM
Chaired by Chairman Durgin
Councilors Absent: None
Meeting Adjourned at 5:40 PM
APPEAL: Denial of Taxi Cab Driver’s License
Assistant City Solicitor Paul Nicklas reviewed the process for the hearing for Mr. Dannie
Gordon who was denied a taxicab driver’s license based on Section 278-4 of the City Code of the
City of Bangor as he did not meet the requirements for good moral character based on criminal
convictions which he failed to list on his application. The hearing today is based solely on the
evidence provided at the hearing. The applicant will be given an opportunity to speak first, ask
questions and also be allowed to speak at the end.
Dannie Gordon indicated that he did not remember the charge until he received the denial. He
said a drunk man jumped out in front of him when he was driving and he jumped out of his cab
and said something inappropriate. He was charged with disorderly conduct. He said he was
now on disability and had been working as a cook. He wanted to drive taxi as he wouldn’t have
to stand all the time.
Interim Police Chief Arno stated that Mr. Gordon applied for a new taxicab driver’s license on
March 30, 2013. Part of the application asked the applicant to list all criminal convictions. Mr.
Gordon listed a 1976 burglary and stated that was all he could recall. Chief Arno stated the
criminal background check showed a 1974 arson, 1975 breaking and entering larceny and a
2009 criminal threatening which was reduced to a disorderly conduct. Mr. Gordon was working
for Ace Taxi at the time. He said the application was denied for two reasons: omission of
criminal history and the question of moral character resulting from the2009 conviction.
City Councilors asked several questions of Mr. Gordon and Chief Arno.
Mr. Gordon stated he didn’t remember much from 1976 and before due to his alcohol usage,
but that was no reason to break the law.
Motion made and seconded to overturn the denial of the application
Vote: 4 – 5
Councilors Voting Yes: Baldacci, Blanchette, Gallant, Longo
Councilors Voting No: Civiello, Hawes, Nealley, Sprague, Durgin
Motion Failed
Decision Upheld
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Lisa J. Goodwin, MMC, City Clerk
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