Charles Sidman

Two-year council candidate

Charles Sidman

The Bio:

My recent civic activity has revolved around formulating, getting passed, and defending the Bar Harbor Cruise Ship Initiative.  For over 40 years before that, I raised my children (and grandchildren during the pandemic) in the local school system; worked at both of our renowned laboratories (Jackson and MDIBL) and COA; supported my wife in her art gallery that continues to draw and endear visitors to our town; organized previous citizen initiatives (barring a cruise ship pier at the Ferry Terminal and requiring local residency to serve on town boards); have been on the Warrant Committee; participated in the local cultural scene; flew scenic flights and taught aviation; served on various state boards; and as a global investor became conversant with finance, law, and ethics.  Professionally, I started my career in computer science, spent most of my adult life as a biomedical researcher and academic, and am now a full-time investor in early-stage enterprises globally.

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THE QUESTIONS

Why do you think so many people are running this year?

The town is at a true crossroads, with current (and past) Council inaction and allegiances largely to blame.

Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?

I have always included a public service project on my plate of activities, and several years ago I undertook to help move the cruise ship debacle (that I view as a cancer eating the town, promoted by parasitic and self-interested business interests) from the endless political pontificating of the Town Council that never did anything except kick the can down the road.  In this struggle, it has become apparent that our very democracy in this small town is under severe threat.  The cruise ship struggle has become part of a much more fundamental issue, that fully merits all the attention and assistance I can give it, in the interests of every present and future resident of our unique town.  I believe that I am giving voice to sentiments that are broadly held within our community, but that many are reluctant to express themselves.  If I am right in this I will be elected, and if not, I will not be.  In any case, though, I will have helped give our citizens the opportunity to be heard and to choose their own future.

How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?

Have and act with integrity and transparency (avoiding covert and overt conflicts of interest), and actually deliver by walking-the-walk rather than only talking-the-talk.

The last year or so the news has been full of cruise ships, short-term rentals, and affordable housing. This isn’t saying that those aren’t all tremendously important, but what are some of the things that we might not be focusing on as a town that needs to be focused on instead?

All of these issues are symptoms of the more fundamental problem of political posturing rather than practical servant leadership.

Do you have any ideas for increasing revenue to the town and alleviating the tax burden on property owners, ideas that don’t involve property taxes?

Yes.  Immediate possibilities for local consideration and implementation include resuming town tendering and docking operations from cruise ships (that we gave away in an uncompensated backroom deal over a decade ago, and that would have largely paid for our huge deferred maintenance bill of today), town fees that keep up with inflation, living within our means in terms of personnel positions and pay raises, greater contributions from our worthy tax exempt institutions, having business that put extra stress on our town pay a fairer share, etc.  A much discussed additional option, that is less within our local control and thus should not be counted on, is a local options tax that would need to be allowed by other Maine towns and authorized in Augusta.

There’s a school bond on the ballot and a school that’s in dire need of repair. How have you educated yourself on the potential reconstruction of the school and what are your thoughts on how the council and school board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?

 See below - I am a fervent supporter of education for our students, having had excellent experiences with both our children and grandchildren.  However, until we have a firmer grasp of future enrollment numbers and resolve the possibility of more island-wide consolidation (that has worked well for the high school as far as I can tell), I think it is premature to decide how much short-term repair vs. longer-term rebuilding to do.  My first priority, if elected, would be to work urgently and rapidly to resolve these two issues before committing to whichever practical course seems most productive and responsible.  If you don't know how many will be living in your home, and a relative might be giving you a house that they no longer need, it would not seem to make sense to commit to building an additional structure that you might not be able to afford.

As a follow-up to that, how do you prioritize education for Bar Harbor students and in what way do you see that the school does or doesn’t fit into a future, healthy community?

As stated above, no one should doubt my commitment to excellent facilities and education for our students, since I regard the latter as a basic requirement for a vibrant and sustainable community.

What skills do you bring to the table that you think other candidates might not bring?

Diversity of experience, as a scientist probing the abiding realities of nature (and doing so with an eye and commitment to practically promoting human welfare); a financial professional counseling, nurturing and investing in start-up businesses statewide, nationally and globally; a family person (husband, parent and grandparent); a local businessperson with my wife in her gallery (that has for almost 30 years brought visitors to Bar Harbor and reinforced their love for our area and our brand); an active and involved local citizen for over 40 years; someone who has interacted with locals and tourists as a scenic pilot, flight instructor, and dance instructor, etc.

What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking?

Why should voters vote for me rather than other candidates?

What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of? What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?

My family, my community and my professional accomplishments, all of which I always saw as opportunities and privileges rather than impositions or drudgery.  If I should pass away tomorrow (and I'm not planning to), I would go with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, which is how I was trained and educated.  Community-wise, I was schooled in and believe deeply in citizenship, as a two-way opportunity and obligation, that I believe I continue to fulfill.

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Charles’ opening and closing statements from the Town Hill VIS debate are here. They are shared at his request.

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