LEWISTON — City councilors have added a fourth name to their list of city administrator candidates: Bangor City Manager Ed Barrett.
Councilors interviewed Barrett at a hastily scheduled executive session at Lewiston City Hall on Wednesday night, then added him to their short list of candidates.
The council has scheduled a meeting for Nov. 18 to continue interviews with Barrett and the other candidates — Acting City Administrator Phil Nadeau, former Falmouth Town Manager John "Doug" Harris and former Gardiner City Manager Jeffrey Kobrock.
Councilors learned last Wednesday that Barrett was due to retire from his Bangor job, according to Human Resources Director Denis Jean.
"One of the councilors asked if he would be available, so we called him late last week," Jean said. "He was surprised by the call, and said he wanted the weekend to think about it."
Barrett told Jean on Monday that he was interested in the Lewiston job and sent his resume Tuesday.
Barrett has been Bangor's manager since 1988. He announced his plans to retire after an Oct. 26 executive session with the Bangor City Council.
Barrett said his agreement with Bangor sets his retirement on or before April 30.
"But I can give them notice earlier, if it's necessary," he said. "If I was selected for the Lewiston job, I would be able to give Bangor notice with enough time for them to get set up."
Barrett said he's visited Lewiston and plans to come back for a longer stay next week.
"I'm very interested, because both cities are a mix of socio-economic communities, downtowns and older neighborhoods, that I think there's a lot in common," Barrett said. "But there are some real differences, historically, that I think make them very interesting."
Councilors and members of a hiring committee met with a group of seven candidates during the past two weeks, narrowing the list to three as of Thursday. Those names and their resumes were released by the city on Monday. Barrett's name was not among the original seven.
"That's because we've been going through this process for a couple of months and he just wasn't available then," Jean said.
Jean said Barrett's experience made him a good candidate.
"He's the kind of guy that has done a lot of the stuff that Lewiston is going through," Jean said. "It was a surprise that he might be available, and councilors were intrigued and interested enough to put him on their short list."
It's easy to criticize. Far more difficult to get involved and make decisions.
As for adding the Bangor manager to the list of applicants, it certainly seems rational to me. He is well respected and competent. Of course, it would be easier to determine if he was a good fit if we knew what "direction" the city wants to go. South?
Michael, thats a pretty cheap shot from a guy who said he would run for Mayor and then backed out...way to jump on the bandwagon of a few out of town bloggers in hopes it will help your future political ambitions.
Didn't you turn your papers in intending to run for your seat again, and then back out after the deadline?
I backed out after learning I had been approved and scheduled for major surgery the 1st week in October and would be off my feet for a few weeks, thus I could not campaign. i decided to take a break for health and other reasons, and I backed out BEFORE the deadline...as to having opponents tron, I was the last to file papers in the ward and if your assumption was correct why would I have filed? And just when I was about to compliment you for a valid point earlier about the school issue affecting question one...
That was until he found out he would actually have to run against someone, instead of being anointed like he was the first time.
Kind of like some county corrections officials?
This council is living up to its infamy, scheduling last minute secret "executive" meetings to hire a new administrator before they officially leave office. This will go down as one of the lowest points in Lewiston history. You're all lame ducks, leave the decision to people who have Lewiston's best and future welfare at heart, not your own interests.
Imagine that, a guy from auburn who wouldn't have the guts to run for office (nor could he get any votes) is suddenly criticizing across the river. Oh my, I'm so concerned about what the great and mighty tron thinks....oh, and sorry the Question 1 didn't go your way either tron.
I was wondering when you'd emerge from your hole in the ground to insult me. Running for office doesn't take guts, just a super ego. Have the ability to govern is another thing, and there you failed miserably. And you don't get it. Instead of quietly slinking out of office and avoiding causing any more trouble you are intent of doing even more damage. That's ego. And I'm willing to bet I was a lot less disappointed about the results of the election then you were. Nothing was more precious then when you announce that the people of this state were going to send a message about taxes to all elected officials. You did that at a Council meeting. Not quite the message you expected, eh?
I thought it would be much closer and yes I was shocked by the loss and the margin. The people of this state continue to say tax and spend as much as you want, we dont care...
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This mayor and council has
This mayor and council has lost all legitmacy. They could have done great things, but they chose to micromanage and pick petty fights and have disrespected the voters. I even had faith that this Council could come together. I really wanted to believe it, but they have disappointed. Good riddance to them.