Dear Editor:

As election day nears and one has the opportunity to directly effect the direction our town takes, I am reading numerous endorsements for candidates. While I like to think of myself as one who sees the best in situations, I am afraid that though I like Mike Pander too, I struggle here. I’ve been made to question his ability to lead and make decisions, likely effecting all of us, with the necessary transparency and understanding he’s described as having. It comes from direct experience with him when he was a member of the Boothbay Planning Board.

Specifically, during a BPB request for use, the following transpired.

Ten criteria to meet x 5 Board Members = 50 votes. Mike Pander initiated the motion to approve for all 10 criteria. All other board members followed in the affirmative.

Mike Pander then voted no on the overall project even after all criteria had been unanimously met.

Page 32 of the Maine Municipal Code Manual: “Where a proposed project complies with all of the relevant ordinance requirements, the board must approve the application.”
When I requested an explanation Mike told me: “It is not the practice to question each member of the board on why they voted the way they did and members should not have to justify themselves in a public forum.”

I did not receive an answer but was promised one. It never came, although we’ve all seen each other and said hi over the years.

This information is all available, word for word in the July 3 and 25, 2012 BPB minutes should you wish to verify.

Since he was not reappointed to the PB, it seemed to matter less.

But now here’s the rub. Mike is running for an office that will require many of the attributes some use to describe him. I have not seen them here.

I provide my email address below as well as my phone number should anyone wish to discuss this further. I am not out to vilify but expect to be questioned on this and want anyone to know that I’m prepared for that.

Frank Fassett

Boothbay Harbor

fofassett@myfairpoint.net

798-2780