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Our video clips from the Millinocket Town Council meetings are available from this page.
Councilor Polstein and his Patented Temper Tantrum
At the December 13, 2007 Town Council meeting, Councilor Matthew Polstein begins a rant against Councilor David Cyr, who he blames for disseminating what he calls "misinformation" in the matter of Councilor Polstein's letter to Roxanne Quimby. (The scanned copy of that letter in it entirety is available at katahdin-news.com/quimby.pdf) Councilor Scott Gonya objects to bringing Polstein's personal squabbles into the council. Council Chairman Wally Paul agrees and apologizes for allowing it. Matthew Polstein proceeds to throw one of his patented tantrums.
"Mommy, He Threatened Me!"
At the July 28, 2005 town council meeting, senior citizen John DiCentes called two councilors by their last names. During the ensuing verbal scuffle, and Councilor Matt Polstein, a physically fit young man, expressed the idea that he had been threatened at some past time by the senior citizen. A shouting match followed.
Point of Order: Move To Squelch
As citizen Michelle Anderson announces to the council and citizens that a petition drive will be started to overturn the council's action, Councilors Matt Polstein and David Nelson work hard to shut her up.
Motion to Reduce MAGIC's Funding
At the July 28, 2005 town council meeting, a motion is made to reduce MAGIC's funding. Not surprisingly, it is defeated, and Councilor Matt Polstein shows his true colors when he states his refusal to answer any questions from citizen reporter Michelle Anderson.
"Creating a New Reality"
In the July 13, 2006, town council meeting, S. Guilds Hollowell came before the council yet again for free money. Councilor Scott Gonya wanted to table this item and have an independent audit done on the $150,000 already spent. That was defeated 4 to 3. Jimmy Busque asked him to sever ties with the town. David Cyr brought up some of the citizens' concerns about accountability and green groups. The council voted 4 to 3 to ask for and administer a grant for Mr. Hollowell's project.
Lisa Pelkey Hayes Forgets She Didn’t Pay
Lisa Pelkey (Hayes) never got around to paying the town of Millinocket back the original loan she got from us. After a hurriedly-called executive session called while most citizens were voting, a second loan was voted for Lisa Pelkey (Hayes). More than 6 months after that, Lisa Pelkey (Hayes) still had not made a payment. She told the council, however, that she had. This video is the council’s reaction to being lied to about it.
The Public's Right to Know What the Public Has a Right to Know
On July 13, 2006, the Millinocket Town Council held an executive meeting to discuss Maine's "Right to Know" laws. The public comment before the start of the meeting, and then again, just before the meeting adjourned to secrecy, focuses on the fact that the state allows the council to meet with their attorney if premature knowledge of the subject matter would leave the town at a serious disadvantage...
Little clips of the Millinocket Town Council shutting the public down, ridiculing citizens, and dealing with the press, which they believe to be a "threat to the community."
Fires and Windows
At the informal Town Council Economic Development Workship on June 5, 2006, Councilor Matt Polstein explains why he declared the Magic City Morning Star a "threat to the community." A dialogue ensued.
Threat to the Community
On May 1, 2006, the Millinocket Town Council held an official "economic development workshop. While making lists of the community's strengths, weaknesses, and threats, Councilor Matthew A. Polstein declared our online news outlet "a threat to the community." A discussion followed about how to shut down our business. Mr. Polstein's objection is political, yet he insists on personally destroying those who disagree with him. On May 11, his actions were addressed at the council meeting. Nothing has changed.
Offensive Comments: A One-Way Street
The offensive statement: "I think you people have a champagne taste with a beer pocketbook." HUH?
Unreasonable Demand: When Is a Journalist Not a Citizen?
At the May 11, 2006 Millinocket Town Council meeting, Chairman David Nelson insists that a journalist must choose between being a journalist or a citizen. Note that he allows Councilor Matt Polstein to leap down from his council seat and become a citizen at the podium when Polstein has a conflict of interest.
These clips feature the October 13, 2005, meeting portion where Gail Fanjoy requested an order stating that KAT-TV could record meetings from their optimal position in the front of the chamber, while other cameras -- specifically Magic City Morning Star and WABI, Channel 5 (Bangor) must record from the back of the room.
First Amendment Strike
Features the October 13, 2005, meeting portion where Gail Fanjoy requested an order stating that KAT-TV could record meetings from their optimal position in the front of the chamber, while other cameras -- specifically Magic City Morning Star and WABI, Channel 5 (Bangor) must record from the back of the room.
Just for fun:
If We'd Run Afoul of the Law
At the August 11, 2005, town council meeting, Councilor Matt Polstein indicates what he and his bloc would do if they did something illegal again.
Mommy! She's Making Faces at Me!
In yet another blow to the First Amendment, Councilor Polstein orders audience member to not shake her head. August 11, 2005
Gail Fanjoy Hears a Who
At the August 11, 2005, town council meeting, Councilor Gail Fanjoy stops the meeting for a phantom sound.
Love and Lies - Howard Weymouth and His Presentation
(October, 2005) Howard Weymouth, Land Manager for GNP, lovingly caresses his plat while soon-to-be-gone councilor Avern Danforth joins in this musical.
Double Standards
Alyce Maragus talks about double standards and the Council's propensity for them.
On August 25, 2005, the Millinocket Town Council met, and citizens addressed them regarding their disregard for more than 600 voters who signed petitions which were discarded on technicalities.
MAGIC is a Cancer
(August 25, 2005) Citizen Ray Campbell speaks to the Council. He eloquently explains the referendum of 2004, about which some on the Council seemed to be confused. "The town should be controlling MAGIC, not the other way around."
Councilor Matt Polstein Dons His "Citizen's Hat"
Why would it be appropriate from either position? Hammond Ridge is not in Millinocket. Matt Polstein has recused himself from votes regarding annexation or other actions impacting Hammond Ridge. He seems not to notice that a) ethically, he should not be attempting to sway anyone regarding his pecuniary interest; and b) his documented illegal email meeting with 3 other councilors, urging them to "kill" annexation which affects Hammond Ridge has a large segment of the citizenry upset with him.
On August 11, 2005, the Millinocket Town Council again ignored the will of more than 600 citizens requesting that the MAGIC budget be put to a referendum. The video of that meeting is below.
Councilor David Cyr Points to Illegal Council Meeting
(Part I) At the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, Councilor David Cyr read the state statute regarding illegal meetings and asserts that Councilors Matt Polstein, Gail Fanjoy, Wally Paul, and David Nelson engaged in just such a meeting.
Councilor Matthew Polstein Answers Illegal Meeting Accusations
(Part II) Still at the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, Councilor Matt Polstein responds to the allegations of illegal meetings, with a slight pause for a small tantrum.
The Debate Continues: Citizens Shot Down
(Part III) Still at the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, the discussion of the majority's illegal meeting continues. Councilor David Cyr discusses illegal meetings and the definition of a "meeting of the minds." Councilor Gail Fanjoy does not understand such meetings. Councilor Jimmy Busque proposes the 600+ citizens who signed the petition vote on it in any event.
Citizens Speak
(Part IV) Finally at the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, Councilor Gail Fanjoy offers a bogus alternative. Citizens Michelle Anderson, Roseanne Weymouth, and Atlee Goodwin speak before the Council once again elected to ignore the voters who signed the petition.
In Retrospect...
In February 2005, Councilor Matt Polstein convinced 4 other councilors that Town Manager Gene Conlogue had ignored the council's order to put an insurance contract out to bid. For the next month, Polstein called Conlogue "irresponsible" and accused him publicly of insubordination. Subsequent viewing of the film of that meeting by other councilors started the followng discussion and request that Mr. Polstein apologize.
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