Howdy Lincoln! Thank you for your write-up. Just a quick update for your readers: the Bar Harbor Town Council will actually meet today, June 14th, at 5:30PM to swear in new members, elect a Chair and Vice-Chair, and also go through Council Committee Appointments. The Agenda is available here: https://www.barharbormaine.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06142023-3220
Was it the fear of lawsuits that prevented you from voting for the petition? Will you join the majority of the citizens if judge Walker rules for the majority of the citizens.
We talked before this election and I decided to vote for you on your assuring me that if Walker ruled the petition legal you would enforce the ordinance for the good of the people. This is the same reason I voted for Val. She has given me the same assurance.
I voted against the petition because, as part of my role on the Comp Plan, I have come to believe that the complexity our Land Use Ordinances and Zoning are contributing to our affordable housing problem and I'd like to see them simplified. Adding a whole new class of activities that can be restricted, such as what the ordinance proposed, runs counter to that aim, which is why I did not vote for it. I fully understand *why* the path chosen was to place this in the Land Use Ordinance, I just believe there may be better ways by which to do it.
And yes, my position hasn't changed: should the courts ultimately find that the ordinance is legal, I believe it is our duty as Town Councilors to see it implemented and enforced as written. So you've got my word.
Howdy Lincoln! Thank you for your write-up. Just a quick update for your readers: the Bar Harbor Town Council will actually meet today, June 14th, at 5:30PM to swear in new members, elect a Chair and Vice-Chair, and also go through Council Committee Appointments. The Agenda is available here: https://www.barharbormaine.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06142023-3220
Hi Kyle,
Was it the fear of lawsuits that prevented you from voting for the petition? Will you join the majority of the citizens if judge Walker rules for the majority of the citizens.
We talked before this election and I decided to vote for you on your assuring me that if Walker ruled the petition legal you would enforce the ordinance for the good of the people. This is the same reason I voted for Val. She has given me the same assurance.
I pray this is so.
Jim O’Connell
Howdy Jim!
I voted against the petition because, as part of my role on the Comp Plan, I have come to believe that the complexity our Land Use Ordinances and Zoning are contributing to our affordable housing problem and I'd like to see them simplified. Adding a whole new class of activities that can be restricted, such as what the ordinance proposed, runs counter to that aim, which is why I did not vote for it. I fully understand *why* the path chosen was to place this in the Land Use Ordinance, I just believe there may be better ways by which to do it.
And yes, my position hasn't changed: should the courts ultimately find that the ordinance is legal, I believe it is our duty as Town Councilors to see it implemented and enforced as written. So you've got my word.