“It is with mixed emotions that I submit my official letter of resignation as the Presque Isle City Manager,” James Bennett, wrote in his letter dated June 30.
Bennett has been the city manager since 2010 and says that his last official day will be Saturday, Aug. 15. Presque Isle City Council accepted Bennett’s resignation at the July 6 meeting. The next step on his journey is as manager for Biddeford, Maine’s eighth largest city.
“The major motivation in seeking and accepting employment in the southern part of the state is to be closer to our family and friends,” Bennett said.
While Bennett will be heading southbound with his family, his time in Aroostook County will forever hold a special place in his life.
“There are so many wonderful attributes to The County. I am pleased that we have gotten to personally experience so many of them,” Bennett said.
Members of the Council expressed their thanks and regrets upon Bennett’s resignation.
“Thank you for all you’ve done and for always being here,” councilor Mike Chasse said.
“I want to thank you very much for your service,” councilor Richard Engels said.
Bennett also extended many thanks toward the councilors, and staff, in his letter.
“I personally appreciated the support of the elected officials I have had the pleasure of working with the last five and a half years,” Bennett said.
As a team, and with help from many along the way, Bennett shared some of the many accomplishments he is proud to have been a part of during his time as city manager. They include updating the library, developing a new budget process, creating a public market in the downtown area, developing the ‘employee of the year’ program, improving pedestrian safety, resolving the wage and salary issues that plagued the community for over a decade, and many more.
“As you are very aware, a city manager never goes home at the end of the day with everything completed,” Bennett said. “I wish the community and my successor the very best with those items still awaiting resolution.”
While Bennett abstained from the discussion of his resigning at the July 6 meeting, he assured councilors and community members that he would share a few final words at the next council meeting on Monday, Aug. 3.
“When my family and I pack up and head south on Route 1 for the last time as residents of Presque Isle, we will leave behind a part of our hearts,” Bennett said. “It has been an honor to work for and represent the many wonderful citizens that consider themselves Wildcats forever.”
