PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — A new city communications policy will affect how people reach Presque Isle officials.
During the Presque Isle City Council meeting on May 1, City Manager Tyler Brown welcomed Shawn Cunningham as Presque Isle’s new social media and digital communications developer.
Brown did not disclose Cunningham’s salary or where the funds for her position come from.
Cunningham spent 22 years at WAGM-TV as a reporter and anchor, she said on social media, and left the television station at the end of March. Developing Presque Isle’s social media presence will help draw people to the area, Brown said.
“Social media accounts for a lot of individuals that come into our County,” Brown said. “It’s the future, it’s here, and we have to embrace it and we’ve got to let folks know how to get here.”
After the meeting adjourned, Cunningham informed media representatives of a new policy that prohibits people from contacting city officials directly. They must contact either her or Public Information Officer Kim Smith, who will act as gatekeepers, Cunningham said.
She referred to other institutions, including universities and hospitals, that have similar policies. The rule applies to everyone working for the city, which means media can no longer call the police for a press release, for example, she said.
Media representatives worried the practice could prevent them from getting timely information. Cunningham told them the policy is to ensure the city organization communicates within itself before sharing things with outside organizations.
Neither Cunningham nor Smith immediately responded to requests for comment on Thursday.
The meeting was the first for newly elected Councilor Darick Williams. Williams was elected last month to fill a seat vacated by James Carroll, who resigned abruptly after the March meeting.
In other business, councilors approved a lodging establishment license for Scott Caron of SMC Holdings at the former Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. Caron bought the 112-room hotel in April 2023 for $795,000.
The facility is named the Presque Isle Hotel. The sign is already in place, City Council Chair Kevin Freeman said.
The group voted to pay the city’s 18-month Aroostook County tax bill over three years. The county is moving its fiscal year end from June to December, and municipalities can pay over time without incurring interest or penalties.
The Presque Isle Fire Department requested approval to offer a used compressor to the Mars Hill Fire Department, with the understanding they could borrow it if there was a need. Councilors approved the action.
The council also considered a lodging license application for Martin’s Manor for a property at 5 Exchange St. Owners Fernand and Eric Martin had been advised at last month’s council meeting to construct a new fire escape to comply with code requirements.
The improvements are underway, said Code Enforcement Officer Tim St. Peter. Councilors granted the application.
The next city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, in the council chambers.
