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Public commenters press council on taxes, transparency, DEI and nonprofits during long Bangor meeting
Summary
During the Feb. 9 public‑comment period residents spoke on a range of issues: criticism of DEI and nonprofits, concerns about taxes and a 10.5% water‑bill increase, requests for clarity about the advisory committee on racial equity, and calls for earlier release of meeting packets.
A lengthy public‑comment period at the Bangor City Council’s Feb. 9 meeting featured speakers who urged the council to focus on local fiscal pressures, questioned nonprofit performance, criticized diversity initiatives, and asked for clearer public processes.
Justin Cartier opened with broad criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, describing them as an ideological project and urging the council to "End the DEI committee." Scott Pardi pressed the council to "hold the line on property taxes," distributed a fact sheet on a proposed water‑bill increase and described the increase as a "10 and a half, 10.5% increase" that the community could not absorb. Hillary Simmons thanked the council for the Black History Month proclamation and asked for clarity on how the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights is fulfilling duties outlined in the city code (cited as "23‑45").
Other speakers included Mike Furrow, who said the city is "overrun with nonprofits" and asked the council to seek lists of nonprofits, their services and salaries; Suzette Furrow, who alleged repeated misconduct by Councilor Joe Leonard and urged recusal where conflicts exist; remote commenter Jamie Beck, who urged the council to release meeting packets earlier than Friday afternoon so residents and councilors have more than "less than 72 hours" to review materials before a Monday meeting; and multiple other residents who raised housing, mental‑health services and public‑facility cleanliness.
Remarks ranged from policy requests (packet timing; water and tax concerns; oversight of nonprofit services) to personal and accusatory statements about elected officials. The council did not respond to public comment during the period, consistent with the city’s stated public‑comment policy.
