HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-13 03-50 RESOLVESUSPENSION OF ROLES
03-50
AA- ,,. Acaigoed to Councilor cruelty January 13, 2003
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) Resolve, Calling Upon Great Northern Paper, Inc., Its Employees, Its Creditors, and State and
Federal Officials to Take Appropriate Actions to Insure the Continued Operation of Paper Mills in
Millinocket and East Mlllirwdcet
WHEREAS, Great Northern Paper, Inc. is seeking Owpter 11 bankrupty protection from Its creditors in
U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Bangor, and
WHEREAS, GNP directly employs 1,130 individuals in the Katandin region and Indirectly supports
thousands of other jobs throughout the region and the state in such sectors as industrial
supply, transportation, lagging, and other service businesses; and
WHEREAS, the loss of these jobs and the economic activity associated with them will have a
catastrophic effect on MIIBnocket and East Millinocket and will negativety effect the
economy of Northern and Eastern Maine; and
WHEREAS, the current production shutdown at these mills is c eatlng a severe hardship for GNP's
employees, their families, and the common Has In which they live; and
WHEREAS, the qty of Bangor has long recognized that the economic health of Northern and Eastern
Maine has a direct Impact upon the more immediate Bangor area and Mat the strength of
the Bangor economy both depends on and supports Mat of Me larger region; and
WHEREAS, natural resource based industries throughout Maine remain an important element of the
statewide 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 wlll 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 witho d
access to quality employment opportunities and communities with declining tax bases; and
WHEREAS, state and federal Officials have begun the process of exploring financing and assistance
options Mat may assist these mills in returning to operation on a sound financial footmg.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNOL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT:
We urge all active participants in the proposed Great Northern bankruptcy to work diligently and
cooperabvely to Insure that the mills resume production as mon as possible and to establish a firm
basis for their long-term operation through fair and reasonable solutions W both the immediate and
longer term financial Issues Involved
SUSPENSION OF BOLES
03-50
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT
We urge state and federal oficials to wodc with the company, its employees, and its creditors to assist
these mills In all returning to production and in establishing a firm basis for their furore. We
further all upon these offrlals to undertake a systematic review of the status of the state's natural
resource based Industries and to Implement polides 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 ewrwmy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, THAT:
The City Clerk shall provide wpies of this resolve to Governor Jahn E. BaIldaptl, our Federal
Congressional Delegation, our State Legislative Delegation, the Penobscot County Commissioners, and
the Communities of Millinocket and Fast Millinocket.
IN CITY COUNCIL
Jan„s[y 13, 2003
Motion Made and Seconded to
Suspend the Nulea to Consider
Council Resolve 803-50
Rules Suspended
Motion Made and Seconded
for Passage
Passed
a arc
k 03-50
(TITLE,)Callina oven creat Northern Paper. Inc.
its Creditors, dna State and Federal Officials to
Take Appropriate Actions o Isaure the Cwtinued
a rn In and Peat
Millimcket
A Ignaa to Councilor