BAR HARBOR, March 18, 2023 - The leader of the citizens initiative to cap cruise ships visits took out papers Friday to gather signatures with the intention of running for Town Council in June.
Charles Sidman is also seeking to build a slate of candidates to run with him. Four seats are up for election - three 3-year terms and one 2-year term to fill the vacancy of Jeff Dobbs, who resigned for health reasons.
Sidman said the current council has stopped being accountable to the electorate. He pointed to the town’s failure to implement the overwhelming mandate by citizens last fall to cap cruise ships at 1,000 visitors a day. “It’s been five months,” he said.
Last Nov. 8 citizens voted 1,780-1,273 to support a land use ordinance forbidding any property owner from disembarking more than 1,000 cruise ship visitors a day, including crew.
Earlier this year, a group of local businesses sued the Town of Bar Harbor in federal court to throw out the citizens vote. Sidman then intervened and was awarded third party status by the federal judge as an expression of no confidence in the town’s defense.
Others who have “pulled papers” to seek signatures this week for the council include, according to the deputy town clerk:
Nate Young, former police chief who was fired 10 year ago after several driving while under the influence of alcohol arrests. He is seeking the two-year seat.
Justin Van Dongen, former town assessor and town manager in Southwest Harbor.
Gary “Bo” Jennings, manager of the Side Street Cafe and acting director of the Chamber of Commerce.
Keith Goodrich, who is also seeking the two-year seat. He refused to discuss his potential candidacy when reached by phone. A person by that name from Bar Harbor was sentenced to jail in 2016 for unemployment fraud, according to the Islander.
Cosmo Nims, a local musician. He could not be reached.
Last week, The QSJ reported the following have taken out papers:
Val Peacock, chair of the council.
Kyle Shank, chair of the Comprehensive task force.
Maya Caines, former communications coordinator for the town.
Brooke Bloomquist.
Julia Cuchelo has decided not to run.
The QSJ will have a deeper report over the weekend.
This election is at a crossroads for Bar Harbor. If Charlie Sidman and three other like minded candidates win it will strive to end the monopolistic stranglehold Ocean Properties(OPL) has had for the past 15 years on the tender business, with its considerable revenues. Taxpayers are beleaguered, facing huge increases in the tax rate, and there's no earthly reason for residents not to have this source of income. Voters beware. OPL will spare no expense or effort to ensure Bar Harbor remains their "company town." There will be candidates with a conflict of interest, business owners who directly and exponentially, profit from increasing cruise ship traffic. MDI has no shortage of summer visitors. Acadia attracts 4 million who don't come all at once like a swarm of locusts and then disappear. Whatever money they spend on t-shirts and trinkets, doesn't compare to the negative economic impact of seasonal visitors and locals who avoid Bar Harbor's downtown. It's abundantly clear seasonal visitors leave city life behind and come to our island for the outdoor experience. Bar Harbor residents want their streets back. The only way that's going to happen is when a council majority is in place to implement the will of the people.
Thank you Charles Sidman for stepping up. I will campaign for you.
We need good unbiased leadership in MDI's most important village!