Check Out Who Is Running
BAR HARBOR WARRANT COMMITTEE CANDIDATES
BAR HARBOR—Six people are running for the town’s five spots on the Warrant Committee. Four of those candidates answered our questions.
Brooke “Zana” Blomquist, Steven Boucher, Barbara Dunphey, Bo Jennings, Meg Kelly, and Bailey Stillman will be on the ballot. Kelly and Stillman are running for reelection. Boucher is also a former committee member. Blomquist and Jennings ran for Town Council last year.
The five members whose terms end in June are Chair Seth Libby, Kelly, Kathleen St. Germain, Ezra Sassaman, and Stillman. Stillman was appointed earlier this year to finish Caleb Cough’s term. Cough had resigned.
VOTING DETAILS
Voting occurs on June 11, 2024 at the Bar Harbor Municipal Building auditorium on Cottage Street. Poll hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is the same time that the town’s land use ordinance amendments will be voted on and when voters elect town councilors.
The town’s budget articles are voted on during town meeting, which occurs on June 4, 2024 at the Conners Emerson gymnasium. That begins at 6 p.m. Links to important articles and more information follows the candidates’ profiles.
To see all candidate profiles individually, including those for Bar Harbor Town Council, click here.
THE CANDIDATES:
BROOKE “ZANA” BLOMQUIST
Did not respond to our questions
STEVEN BOUCHER
Chose not to answer our questions
BARBARA DUNPHEY
THE BIO:
Born in New Jersey and raised in Maryland, I attended college in Philadelphia where I earned degrees in accounting and finance. During my time in Philadelphia, I always felt pulled to the New England states.
Soon after college, I met my husband, Guy. Our first year together, we drove the New England coastline, found Maine, and we fell in love with MDI. There we found the beauty of MDI’s forests, mountains, lakes and the ocean. We were immediately hooked, if only for an annual camping trip in the beginning.
In the blink of an eye, Guy and I were married with two children. Whenever we had a long weekend, we tried to find our way to Bar Harbor. After camping for 24 years, we were able to purchase a small home in 2006. In 2017, at a crossroad in our life, we chose to move permanently to Bar Harbor, never doubting our decision.
Prior to our move, I secured a project management job at EMHS, now Northern Light. I later joined Harbor House Community Center where I worked until the pandemic. At that point, I retired to help with my grandson.
Professionally, I’ve spent 40 years in financial management, internal auditing, and information systems software. I am a certified project management professional (PMP) with 20+ years’ experience leading financial and healthcare systems implementations. My in-depth understanding of these subjects and a natural attention to detail provides a unique vantage point when budgeting, analyzing expense data, and evaluating the associated data.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you running for Warrant Committee? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
My reasons for running are twofold. The first relates to giving back to the Bar Harbor community as others have done before me. The second relates to my professional experience in accounting, financial management, and internal auditing.
Throughout my youth, many people volunteered time and skills which gave me a wider view of the world and made me a better human. Whether it was Girl Scouts, Junior Achievement, intramural basketball, or a neighbor teaching me to sew; these individuals left a profound feeling of wanting to give back. Volunteering for the Warrant Committee seems to be a good fit for my skills.
With 40 years of professional experience in accounting/financial management, project management and internal auditing I’ve developed skills for:
building, assessing, and maintaining capital and operating budgets,
analyzing and assessing financial documents,
analyzing data and making sense of it,
developing procedures and evaluating existing procedures for control weaknesses.
reformatting financial data for easier analysis.
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, but what are some of the things that we might not be focusing on as a town that needs to be focused on instead?
The current the number of town initiatives appear unending, too many to easily track. Without an inventory and their attributes, it makes it near impossible to weight their town-wide priority for implementing and allocating the financial/personnel resources required. Posting the inventory on the town website would provide awareness for residents of how tax dollars are utilized.
Some examples of the items to be included are:
municipal waste solution
cruise ship disembarkation procedures,
pending changes to land use ordinances,
pending [non-executive] legal actions,
individual infrastructure projects,
resolution to Higgins Solar Array,
repairs to Glen Mary Pool,
evaluation of Pay-to-Throw for implementation,
Conners Emerson School.
What are your thoughts on how the Town Council, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
Never being a member of the town operating structure, it appears the town committees/boards/councils would benefit from a more cohesive spending plan. With increasing tax burdens, consideration should be given to prioritizing fiscal responsibility.
The creation of an assessment checklist would help ensure that spending considerations are addressed before approval. This process has the ability to increase better financial outcomes for town residents.
This method could include defined criteria such as:
removal of budgeted operating expenses that are no longer relevant,
a “needs” based spending assessment for purchases and resources, for example:
“required” - compliance issue, equipment end-of-life, single vendor
“workarounds exist” - repair existing equipment, basic vs premium goods/services, use of existing resources,
“nice to have” - makes life easier
minimum data requirements for capital project assessment before approval,
project purpose
project goals and specifications
submission of multiple vendor-qualified proposals
implementation timeline
source of subject-matter-resources require [contracted and Town]
hardware / software / equipment costs
annual maintenance costs at completion.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I would need to rule out raising two children with my husband, because they are my proudest accomplishment. Putting that aside, my ability to self-teach skills would be number one. At the age of seven, it started with potholders; then moved on to sewing clothing, placemats and quilts. Right before the pandemic, I turned to weaving on a table loom. It’s been a journey I’ve enjoyed throughout my life and provides confidence to try new things.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I was fortunate to be able to help relocate some families who were displaced due to the war in the Ukraine. While it was a very small part in their journey, being hands on in the process meant a lot to me.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
Throughout my career, I developed hands-on expertise in accounting and financial management, project management, internal auditing, and implementing information systems software.
This experience positions me well to implement Warrant Committee responsibilities. For areas without direct experience, such as municipalities, I am a quick learner and not afraid to research information.
My most important skills for this position include:
building / analyzing / maintaining multi-million dollar capital and operating budgets,
reviewing capital proposals to identify missing or insufficient information,
analyzing data and making sense of it,
extracting financial data for analysis,
reviewing operational procedures to determine points of failure.
GARY BELDON “BO” JENNINGS II
THE BIO:
Gary Beldon Jennings II (most of you know me as Bo)
Since graduating from college, I have pursued professional career opportunities in Hospitality, Tourism, and Events. A native Texan, I relocated to Bar Harbor in 2020 after being a part of the Nashville, Tennessee community for over 10 years. I currently serve as vice char of the Communications and Technology Committee for the town of Bar Harbor. I also am the current president of the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you running for Warrant Committee? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I believe service of your fellow man is at the core of being a good person. I am not gifted like our civil servants are at their jobs. But I can serve my neighbors by bringing experiences from several businesses, as well as other communities I have served.
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?
I believe there are many issues that must be addressed amongst each other. When we look at things through the narrow lens of an individual conversation, we miss the unexpected (and sometimes the expected) consequences. So, as we talk about the budget, for example, we need to look at how everything drives revenue, or cuts costs. If we look at it singularly, or emotionally, and not factually, we will end up in an even bigger mess.
What are your thoughts on how the Town Council, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
I would love to say there is a magic wand, and there are easy, simple, answers. There aren't simple/easy answers. Where we are demands we have difficult conversations and then we act. I am often in meetings, even town-wide, where there is a lot of talk, but little to no follow up. So, there are good ideas out there already, and probably more to come. But we can't avoid the tough conversation or kick the can down the road. We have to be realistic about our situation, and everyone contributes to the solution. If any of the above segments refuses to drive revenue and/or cut expenses, and have the tough conversations about how that can happen, then we will remain in the current budget shortfall we currently face.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I am one of the fortunate survivors of a battle with mental health, specifically depression and suicide. 2024 marks 20 years since I battled depression, and I will not lose, ever again. I am lucky to be here today, and I know that even in the toughest of times, I will not be brought down by that, again. And I am most proud of the hard work it took to get here, and the ability to speak about it publicly. I know there are many out there who may be hurting or battling depression. You're not alone. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
Serving on the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has been amazing. Getting to support the hard work of the amazing staff (Everal, Chris, Mel, Aubrie), and work alongside such amazing board members, all to serve our members and community, has been so rewarding. The Chamber works so hard do so much for the town, the island, and all of our members, and I am grateful to play a very small role in that.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
In business, I look at things factually, and holistically. You can't evaluate things in a bubble; you have to consider everything. That's not easy to do. The Warrant Committee is not here to be what I personally want, but what is best for Bar Harbor. And just like at work, my personal preference has to come second to what is best for the businesses I run.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
Every question you ask is perfect nothing to add here ;)
MEAGAN KELLY
THE BIO:
Hi! I’m Meagan Kelly (I prefer Meg!) Bar Harbor is my hometown. After some time away in my 20s, I moved back and now my sister and I own the Lompoc Cafe, a local bar and restaurant. I am proud to be a part of the community and to have served on the warrant committee for six years now. I am seeking re-election for another term. I am hopeful that my unique perspective as a hometown gal, business owner, experienced committee member and young person can help to shape the future of this town.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running for Warrant Committee? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I have always been interested in the inner workings of our town and a few years ago I was encouraged to be involved. In 2018 I was appointed to the Warrant Committee. The experience has been rewarding and educational. Now, as a business owner in this town, I am fully committed to Bar Harbor and our community. I would like to be a voice for the service industry workers in this town, and the residents who live here year round.
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?
I am the chair of the Public Infrastructure Subcommittee, so I have learned a lot about that aspect of the town budget. To get specific, I think we need to be thinking about our transfer station, the cost of the waste we generate, the amount we recycle, the environmental and budgetary impacts of our trash. It isn’t super glamorous, but it is important! Also, I am super passionate about people becoming involved in town politics and opening up the conversation to voices who have previously been unheard.
What are your thoughts on how the Town Council, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
This question is certainly challenging. I wholeheartedly believe in our town manager and the town staff, who create and manage the budget so effectively. They listened to the warrant committee this year and were able cut expenses drastically during the budget process. I believe in looking into generating more revenue for the town, applying for more grants and seeing if we can expand our PILOT program, and continuing to fight for a local lodging tax.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I ran the MDI marathon! It was so challenging yet rewarding.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
The Lompoc Cafe is a place that I am really proud of. It is space that is focused on locals and community, and it is very inclusive and open to everyone. I am very proud of the values that our business stands for.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
My experience on the Warrant Committee over the past few years has helped me understand the budget in a comprehensive way. Now I feel confident in the nuances of the budget and feel comfortable discussing the budget with citizens as well as defending my decisions to the voters.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
So many of us are arguing about our differences. I would like it if we were all talking about what is working or what we—as a town—are doing well. Asking about what actually ‘works’ or what is successful right now seems important to our path forward. It is much easier critique the town than to offer concrete solutions. I love Bar Harbor!
BAILEY STILLMAN
BAILEY’S BIO
My family moved to Mount Desert Island from Tunk Lake in Sullivan when I was four years old. I attended Conners Emerson and MDIHS before going to Eastern Maine Community College where I received an associates degree in business. After EMCC, I was able to obtain a 100-ton captain’s license, propelled by summers of working in boatyards and captaining for summer folks. I traveled a bit during the winters of my early twenties. I spent time backpacking in Central America and Asia, sailed to Bermuda and Miami, and have explored 22 States including Alaska and Hawaii. My wife and I have been living and working on MDI since graduating college and plan to build a life and start a family here. There are many challenges and barriers of entry for a lot of young people, however, we can’t imagine living anywhere else.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running for Warrant Committee? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
Like a lot of people, I admit that I don’t yet fully understand the intricacies of politics or how local government operates. I have decided that to put it in perspective for myself, I need to zoom in on my own community and find the places where I can add value to the public, my neighbors, and my friends. When you look at your own community, your own people’s problems, the data and evidence is much more relatable. It’s important to me to be a thoughtful, solution-oriented representative for my community, and look ahead to how we want to shape our town. I am especially dedicated because I grew up in Bar Harbor and want to stay on Mount Desert Island.
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?
The congestion in Bar Harbor and the park during the summer leaves little incentive for locals to get out and enjoy these perks for themselves. I believe that we have a strong year-round community, and I am hopeful to experience more options and opportunities during the off-season. Places like Volta and the early opening of Mothers Kitchen provide more places for year-rounders to be active and get a bite to eat. I think it is important to expand these options and support the off-season businesses and activities available.
What are your thoughts on how the Town Council, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
This is where I have the most to learn. During my first few meetings, I felt slightly intimidated because I don’t have the experience with these types of issues, but was fascinated to hear people vocalize their concerns and potential solutions. I was very impressed with how the Warrant Committee took different approaches to put a small dent in the hike in taxes. At the time, I felt it was most important for me to listen to my peers and use my best judgment to make a vote. I look forward to learning more in my role on the Warrant Committee, gaining clearer understanding on these issues, and how I may be able to come forth with my own ideas to present to the committee.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
It’s been a long-term goal of mine to be self-employed and start my own business. In the end of 2023 I was able to find shop space available to rent in Bass Harbor at Little Island Marine, and started Stillman LLC, providing boat service and repairs. During the last four months, I have been working on my own projects, and subcontracting for other local boat shops. I have been fortunate to work with talented people that I view as mentors, learning more every day in hopes that I can apply those skills to my own business in the future.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I am trying to become more involved in the community, and I see being on the Warrant Committee as a step in that direction. One thing I try to remember is that how you conduct yourself and interact with people can make a positive difference. I come from a family that has a history of connecting with people and seeks to find common interests. People are what make up a community, and the stronger our bonds and passing interactions, the better we are and become more considerate of one another's needs.
One of my goals in my business is to create an initiative with local young people, possibly the high school, to get them involved in the marine industry. Not just for the sake of hiring employees, but to provide an environment where the next generation can learn more about the trade and gain more skills, self-discipline and a good work ethic. I think that this could be beneficial not only to local markets, but in developing workplace qualities that can transcend into other careers and life in general. I have been fortunate to work in environments where I was given responsibilities with knowledgeable direction, and this gave me confidence to branch out and take on new opportunities.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
I enjoy taking part in thoughtful deliberations and collaborating with others to find common ground and solutions. I believe that I am a good listener and communicator and am able to change my opinions or perspective if provided with enough supporting data. I care most about what is best for the greater good, and know that my role on the Warrant Committee would be to carefully consider the goals of the town and the public.
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