![Palmerotti? Bangor City Councilor Gerry Palmer is not trying out for the opera here. Rather, he's talking about seeing movie premieres, including "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Firestarter" when the Bangor Opera House was a movie theater. Palmer spoke at a press conference Thursday before the removal of the opera house's marquee, the first step in the restoration of the building to its original 1920s Egyptian art deco-style architecture. BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN](http://bdnpull.bangorpublishing.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/1258070078_8694.jpg "Palmerotti? Bangor City Councilor Gerry Palmer is not trying out for the opera here. Rather, he's talking about seeing movie premieres, including "Bonnie and Clyde\" and "Firestarter\" when the Bangor Opera House was a movie theater. Palmer spoke at a press conference Thursday before the removal of the opera house's marquee, the first step in the restoration of the building to its original 1920s Egyptian art deco-style architecture. BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY BRIDGET BROWN")
When Gerry Palmer first got into politics in the 1990s, he started a personal tradition. Before each election in which his name was on a ballot, he would buy a cigar even though he doesn’t smoke. At midnight on Election Day, depending on how he fared, Palmer would either smoke the cigar at the Thomas Hill Standpipe overlooking the city or toss the unlit cigar into Kenduskeag Stream.
In the past 18 months, he has done both.
After a surprising, lopsided defeat in last year’s Democratic primary for the House District 15 seat, Palmer was re-elected to the Bangor City Council in November. His fellow councilors then unanimously picked him to serve as chairman and mayor of Bangor, a title the enthusiastic historian wanted for some time.
The 62-year-old, a career counselor by day, officially finished his year as mayor of the city earlier this week and reflected recently on that time.
“It went by fast,” he said Monday, shortly after his successor, Richard Stone, was sworn in. “There are things I would change and things I take blame for, but I’m very proud of this council as a whole.”
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Palmer took out papers early in 2008 with hopes of representing Bangor in the Maine House of Representatives. The Democratic primary was supposed to be a foregone conclusion. He had all the experience and name recognition.
Instead, Palmer was trounced by political neophyte Adam Goode, a recent University of Maine graduate and community organizer. Goode won the primary, then the general election and is beginning the second year of his House term.
“It was a wake-up call,” Palmer said of that primary, in which Goode received more than 60 percent of the votes, while he got less than 20 percent. “I think voters were protecting me from myself.”
Palmer admitted he was outworked and praised Goode for his dogged campaigning. Palmer couldn’t do the kind of politicking he likes in Augusta anyway. He always has been Bangor-centric. He loves the city fervently and never misses an opportunity to retell an anecdote of Bangor’s past, about Al Brady or Seth Noble or Paul Bunyan.
So he quickly regrouped, put his name on the ballot once again for City Council — a body he has sat on for four terms now dating back to 1998 — and was elected easily. Even more rewarding, Palmer was picked to lead the council and become a de facto spokesman for the city, a role he has been preparing for his entire life. Without exception, no one has questioned Palmer’s dedication to representing Bangor.
“You definitely put your heart and soul into this,” Councilor and former Mayor Susan Hawes told Palmer at the last council meeting he presided over.
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Early in his tenure as chairman, Palmer had grand plans to celebrate Bangor’s sesquicentennial, or 175th birthday. Other councilors were not as enthusiastic, but Palmer proceeded anyway.
With minimal municipal funding, he put together a series of events throughout the year that celebrated the city’s rich history. The celebrations were much like Palmer himself — folksy, but earnest.
David Nealley was among the councilors who came around to the idea of celebrating the city’s past.
“I think if someone else were in that chair, nothing would have been done,” Nealley said. “He was the right person at the right time. His enthusiasm and energy has been a gift to us all.”
The title of mayor is largely ceremonial, but Palmer relished it. He took great pride in being Bangor’s ambassador-in-chief. He often greeted cruise ships that came up the Penobscot and docked in Bangor. He visited senior homes and business breakfasts and participated in groundbreakings.
The work was exhausting for Palmer, never shy about poking fun at his girth.
The annual stipend for a Bangor City Council chairman is $2,500. Palmer estimated he put in at least 20 hours a week during his tenure. That works out to less than $2.50 an hour.
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The biggest discussions at City Council meetings in the last year revolved around the budget and plans to build a new arena. Palmer had strong opinions on both, but he said he learned early on that, as mayor, he would have to refrain from proffering his views.
“It was my job to facilitate those discussions and keep everything on track,” he said. “But it was hard sometimes not to want to offer my thoughts.”
He’s proud that the council held the tax rate flat during a tough economic year. He’s pleased the arena plans are moving forward steadily, although maybe not steadily enough for his tastes.
“I’d bulldoze the [existing] auditorium today if I could,” he said.
Palmer’s meeting style was simultaneously casual and professional. He always allowed residents to speak, sometimes longer than other councilors might have wanted, but he also was quick to move things along when necessary.
During his last meeting in October, Palmer took time at the end to thank each councilor and present little gifts. A small hatchet for Nealley, the budget wonk. A book of words and phrases for Hal Wheeler, the orator of the City Council. It was a nice moment few got to see, but it was vintage Palmer.
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Cruising toward the end of his run as chairman, Palmer oversaw one of the bumpiest moments the city has seen in recent years and an issue that is far from over.
He approved a council agreement that effectively ousted City Manager Ed Barrett, who held that post for 22 years. Palmer said the decision represented the council’s decision to move the city in a different direction. So far, that direction has not been spelled out publicly, but Palmer has stood by the decision, even though it has left some scratching their heads.
In a recent interview, Palmer talked about the public backlash.
“When you make decisions like that, you have to be able to stand behind them,” he said. “I think the hardest part for people is feeling that they don’t know the whole story. But, as councilors, we’re bound by privacy on some matters, and we take it seriously.”
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This Monday morning, before an organizational meeting that saw Palmer relinquish his title to Stone, Palmer sat at a table in the middle of a downtown breakfast spot, holding court, something he does a couple times a week.
He reminisced. He talked about the recent election and the future of the city. He killed time until his time as mayor ran out.
After breakfast, Palmer shuffled over to City Hall. A resident, Charles Birkel, stopped him in the hallway.
“I’ll shake your hand for the last time as mayor,” Palmer said.
“You’ve done a hell of a job,” Birkel replied.
“I’ve done the best I could,” Palmer answered.
He’s just a councilor now. One of nine. Back to a $2,000 annual stipend, although he doubts he’ll put in any less time.
His future is open.
“My political batting average is still above .500,” Palmer said. “There may be future opportunities for me to improve on that number.”
And more cigars to smoke — or toss.
990-8167
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