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Home My WebLink About2003-02-07 03-60 ORDERCOUNCK ACTION Item No.A,}y0 Dace:;pt%07/03 Item/Subject: Order, Authorizing the Transfer of $5,000 from the General Fund's Contingency Account for the Purpose of Making a Contribution to the Katandin Region. Responsible Department: City Council Commentary: The attached order would authorize the contribution of $5,000 to the Katandin Region to provide assistance to those in economic need as a result of the shut down of Me Great Northern mills in Millinorket and East Millinocket. In a conversation with the Town Manager in Millinockeq he recommended that fi a contribution is made it be made to the Katandin Region Hope and Unity Fund that has been established by the area's Rotary Oub. The club will then make funds available to five local chumhes that are providing assistance with food, fuel, and other needs. The Council recently adopted a resolve on this issue urging everyone with an interest in this situation to do everything In their power to insure that the mills are reopened as quickly as possible. Department Head Manager's Comments: Budget Approval: Finance Director Legal Appea l: City solicitor Introduced for X Passage _First Reeding Page_of Referral alitio city 4r MA Assouated Information: Budget Approval: Finance Director Legal Appea l: City solicitor Introduced for X Passage _First Reeding Page_of Referral --� Assigned to Councilor Alleu a Crowley February y, zoal CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Order, Auhoii ing the Transfer of $5,000 from the General Fund's Contingency Account for the Purpose of Making a Contribution W he Katandin Region. WHEREAS, with little or no warning, Great Northern Paper, Inc has closed its mills In Millirmcket and East Mlllinocket and filed for bankruptcy protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court In Bangor; and WHEREAS, GNP directly employs 1,130 individuals in he Katandin region and indirectly - supports thousands of other jobs throughout he region, in Bangor, and around he state in such sectors as Industrial supply, transportation, logging, and other service businesses; and WHEREAS, the direct and indirect economic activity generated by GNP represents the vast majority of an economic activity within the Katandin region; and WHEREAS, the current shut down is creating a sevme hardship for GNP's employees and heir families as well as employees and families of other businesses dependent upon he economic activity generated by GNP; and WHEREAS, the extent of this hardship has exceeded the available resources of both local governments and charitable Institutions to mem immediate needs; and WHEREAS, the Katandin region is within he greater regional service area of he City of Bangor and unmet needs associated with the GNP situation will have a direct affect on businesses w well as government and non-profit service providers in Bangor; and WHEREAS, in addition to meeting the Immediate and pressing needs of he individuals and families directly affected by GNP, assistance to the Katandin region will help in stabilizing the area during the period in which all Interested parties work to reopen the mills and aid in achieving that goal by underscoring he importance of this Issue to he region and Insuring that the necessary trained work force remains available fo reopen hese facilities; and WHEREAS, the City of Bangor is on record as suporting all possible efforts to insure that these mills reopen and to establish a firm basis for their long-term operation through fair and reasonable solutiorw to both Immediate and longer term financial Issues; and WHEREAS, insuring that the Immediate needs of those adversely affected by the shut down will assist in meeting this goal; and WHEREAS, as the primary service center in the region, it is fitting that the City of Bangor take a leading role in marshalling support to meet the immediate needs of the Katandin region; and WHEREAS, the City of Bangor depends upon the support and assistance of the entire Northern and Eastern Maine region in meeting the demands placed upon it as the region's primary service center and as the home to the vast majority of the region's social and health services; and WHEREAS, support for the Katandin region is an expression of the need for this region to work closely together and for various communities to cooperate to improve our economic future and meet regional needs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT the amount of $50000 is hereby authorized to be transferred from the General Funds Contingency Account to an appropriate account for the purpose of malting a contribution to the Katandin Region in recognition of the hardships the region is currently facing as a result of the closure of Great Northern Paper. The contribution shall be made to the Katandin Region Hope and Unity Fund. I® CITY 0009C11. February y, 2003 Motion Mide i Seconded for Passage Motion Doubted Miehael IOumg. General Manager of l'ABI-TV5, urged support by Bangor for other continuities in need Vote: y yea. 2 n Councilors voting yes: Alleu. Crowley, Parnham, Greene. Mealley. Palmer 6 Bohmsn Councilars voting nor Farrington &•Tremble Passed Y FlUNII11111111111111111 OgOH (TITLE,) Authorising the Transfer of $5.000 frw the general good's Maklwg a Cont iihO[£On^toetile Batabdius Assigned to Councilor 69-60 My name is Michael Young. I have prepared a written statement from which I will read. And I would like to leave it with you when I've Unshod, as part of your official record of this meeting. - Although I am not a resident of the City of Bangor, I am a concerned participant in city affairs as the General Manager of WAR]-TV5, which is a taxpayer for [his city. As many of you know, the station is associated with the Kablu n Region Hope and Unity Food. I want to be clear that I sen here today not to represent the interests of the station — for this is honestly not about TV5 or this particular fund. This is about some neighbors m need, and how this city can help. I am here solely as a comemed citizen and as a Bangor business, to express my view on Us matter before the council today. If an issue of dispute with this proposed initiative is whether or not it is of benefit to the taxpayers of Bangor, in my mind, there is no question about this. The taxpayers of Bangor include businesses, both large and small, that directly benefit firm the use of goods and services by the citizens of the many communities in our region — including the citizens of the Katandin Region. Beyond that. many Bangor residents have been employed in the paper mill operation in Millinocket and East h illinocket — choosing m live here while working there— contributing to Bangor's tax base, stropping in Bangor's stores, and simply being good citizaes in the local community The City of Bangor has been presented with areal opporhinity today. It's an opportunity to show the people of the Katandin Region that you appreciate their shopping and working in our community... that you appreciate the fact that this region has provided lucrative employment opportunities ort only for citizens of the Katandin region, but for otfizens of Bangor, acwell. It's an opportunity to "walk the walK' and notjust "talk the ta1K' as an active participant in the affairs of our far-reaching regional community -at -large. As a member of the Cheater Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce, and having served on the Chamber Board, I have been involved in countless discussions regarding the importance of involving the many cities and towns that make up the Greater Bangor Region in the city's local affairs. Bangor has asked these communities to support it taxes and community initiatives— such as the local option sales tax. The city has asked for this type of support with good reason. However- as important as Bangor is m these communises, I submit in you that each and every one ofthese communities is equally important to Bangor. Mdeachdeservesthis city's support, as well -panicularly in times of great need, as the Katandin Region is currently experiencing. Today, you have an opportunity to give back to a number of communises who have pmvided so much support to the City of Bangor. It's an opportunity m show them that the concept of regional economy works both ways. That the City ofBangor truly is not the sole beneficiary of this regional economy that has been promoted so strongly by the city... that they are indeed apart of out community, and that they will be supported as any other members of this community. Finally, it's an opportunity to do something good... to do something RIGHT. Bangor has often asked these wmmunises to by m see the pmverbial'big picture" when it coma to city initiatives. This city... this city council ... needs intake a long look at thatbigplctum,aswell. Todoanytbingelwdoeanotmoveforwardthecor ptof regionally, and I submit m you, does great harm in whatever progress has been made to date in the cause. How much support you provide -through whenever means you choose to deliver it— I implore you to make this investment in the future of the Katandin Region - which is in Gct an invesu ad in the futwe of the Greeter Bangor Region, as well. rl,a��You"�c V