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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-02-09 04-78 RESOLVESUSPENSION OF THE RmJV 04-70 ABsiemed to Councilor Cashuell February 9, 2004 CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE) Resolve, Calling Upon Eastem Fine Paper, Its Creditors, and State and Federal Officials to Take Appropriate Actions to Insure the Continued Operation of Paper Mills in Lincoln and Brewer. WHEREAS, Eastern Fine Paper has been placed in Chapter 7 bankruptcy prceedings by the United States Bankruptcy Court; and WHEREAS, Eastern Fine Paper directly employs approximately 730 individuals in Lincoln and Brewer and indirectly supports thousands of other jobs throughout the state and the region in such sectors as industrial supply, transportation, logging, and other service businesses; and WHEREAS, the loss of these jobs and the economic activity associated with them will have a negative effect on the ewrmmy of Northern and Eastern Maine; and WHEREAS, the current shutdown at these mills is creating a severe hardship for Eastern Fine's employees, their families, and the communities in which they live; and WHEREAS, the City of Bangor has long recognized that the economic health of Northern and Eastern Maine has a direct Impart upon the immediate Bangor area and that the strength of the Bangor economy both depends on and supports that of the larger region; and WHEREAS, natural resource based industries throughout Maine remain an important element of the statevdde economy and are under significant pressure due to economic factors and competition from throughout the world; and WHEREAS, the loss of any significant industry in Northern and Eastern Maine will further erode our regional economy, worsen the already wide gap between these areas and other regions of the state, and increase the level of state spending required to support individuals without access to quality employment opportunities and communities with declining tax bases; and WHEREAS, state and federal ofices are in the process of exploring financing and other Options that may assist these mills in returning to operation on a sound financial footing. NOW, THEREFORE, BE 7 RESOLVED BY THE Cl Y COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT: We urge all active participants in the Eastern Fine Paper bankruptcy to work diligently and cooperatively to insure that the mills in Lincoln and Brewer resume production as soon as possible and to establish a firm basis for Weir long-term operation through fair and reasonable wittier to both the immediate and longer term financial issues involved. 06-78 BE R FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT We urge state and federal officials to work with the company and Its creditors to assist these mills In quickly returning to production and in establishing a firm basis for their future. We further call upon these officials to undertake a systematic review of the status of the state's natural resource based industries and to implement policies to insure that this essential element of Maine's economy is maintained and strengthened in the face of increasing international competition and a slow national economy. BE a FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT: The City Clerk shall proWde copies of this resolve to Governor John E. Beldam, our Federal Congressional Delegation, our State Legislative Delegation, the Penobscot County Commissioners, and the Communities of Lincoln and Brewer. IN CITZ COUNCIL February 9. 2004 Hours Made end seconded to gcaaa°Qa :tie` n!�Mt9er #Orae Galea suspended Nation Made and secomed for Passage Passed CI dHYH (TITLE,) Celliv Opov gest¢[: Five Paper, Its Ciedlcors, and $etc avd Peder¢ Officials to Tate Appropriate Action to Insure the earoximmad operation of taper Mills in Liscoin most Brewer Assigned to Councilor