Descripción: Millinocket Town Council meeting: Conflicts of interest are discussed, and a motion is made to reduce MAGIC's funding. Not surprisingly, it is defeated, and Councilor Matt Polstein shows his contempt when he states his refusal to answer any questions from citizen reporter Michelle Anderson.

Descripción: On July 13, 2006, the Millinocket Town Council held an executive meeting to discuss Maine's "Right to Know" laws. The public comment before the start of the meeting, and then again, just before the meeting adjourned to secrecy, focuses on the fact that the state allows the council to meet with their attorney if premature knowledge of the subject matter would leave the town at a serious disadvantag...

Descripción: Despite Councilor Matt Polstein's refusal to respond to legal requests for information under Maine's "sunshine laws," the letter he wrote to Roxanne Quimby became public. His desperate attempts to spin the letter are legion. This clip, from the November 13 council meeting, is downright comical.

Descripción: In yet another blow to the First Amendment, Councilor Polstein orders audience member to not shake her head.

Descripción: Why would it be appropriate from either position? Hammond Ridge is not in Millinocket. Matt Polstein has recused himself from votes regarding annexation or other actions impacting Hammond Ridge. He seems not to notice that a) ethically, he should not be attempting to sway anyone regarding his pecuniary interest; and b) his documented illegal email meeting with 3 other councilors, urging them to "k...

Descripción: Features the October 13, 2005, meeting portion where Gail Fanjoy requested an order stating that KAT-TV could record meetings from their optimal position in the front of the chamber, while other cameras -- specifically Magic City Morning Star and WABI, Channel 5 (Bangor) must record from the back of the room.

Descripción: As citizen Michelle Anderson announces to the council and citizens that a petition drive will be started to overturn the council's action, Councilors Matt Polstein and David Nelson work hard to shut her up.

Descripción: In the July 13, 2006, town council meeting, S. Guilds Hollowell came before the council yet again for free money. Councilor Scott Gonya wanted to table this item and have an independent audit done on the $150,000 already spent. That was defeated 4 to 3. Jimmy Busque asked him to sever ties with the town. David Cyr brought up some of the citizens' concerns about accountability and green groups. The...

Descripción: In February 2005, Councilor Matt Polstein convinced 4 other councilors that Town Manager Gene Conlogue had ignored the council's order to put an insurance contract out to bid. For the next month, Polstein called Conlogue "irresponsible" and accused him publicly of insubordination. Subsequent viewing of the film of that meeting by other councilors started the following discussion and request that M...

Descripción: (Part I) At the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, Councilor David Cyr read the state statute regarding illegal meetings and asserts that Councilors Matt Polstein, Gail Fanjoy, Wally Paul, and David Nelson engaged in just such a meeting.

Descripción: At the August 10, 2006, meeting of the Millinocket Town Council, Councilors Matt Polstein and Bruce McLean insist on continuing to bully the rest of the council over the town manager's contract. The public objects to the display of Polstein's temper tantrum and is, as usual, rebuked for "not being respectful"!

Descripción: At the July 28, 2005 town council meeting, senior citizen John DiCentes called two councilors by their last names. During the ensuing verbal scuffle, and Councilor Matt Polstein, a physically fit young man, expressed the idea that he had been threatened at some past time by the senior citizen. A shouting match followed.

Descripción: At a meeting on July 24, 2006, citizen John Raymond expressed concern that Councilor Bruce McLean might vote on a controversial condo project. Councilor McLean's stepfather, Dan Cochran, is the agent for this project. Councilor McLean's mother, Jean McLean, will benefit directly from this project, should the council vote in favor of it.

Descripción: (Part III) Still at the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, the discussion of the majority's illegal meeting continues. Councilor David Cyr discusses illegal meetings and the definition of a "meeting of the minds." Councilor Gail Fanjoy does not understand such meetings. Councilor Jimmy Busque proposes the 600+ citizens who signed the petition vote on it in any event.

Descripción: On May 1, 2006, the Millinocket Town Council held an official "economic development workshop. While making lists of the community's strengths, weaknesses, and threats, Councilor Matthew A. Polstein declared our online news outlet "a threat to the community." A discussion followed about how to shut down our business. Mr. Polstein's objection is political, yet he insists on personally destroying tho...

Descripción: Citizen Ray Campbell speaks to the Council. He eloquently explains the referendum of 2004, about which some on the Council seemed to be confused. "The town should be controlling MAGIC, not the other way around."

Descripción: (Part IV) Finally at the August 11, 2005 town council meeting, Councilor Gail Fanjoy offers a bogus alternative. Citizens Michelle Anderson, Roseanne Weymouth, and Atlee Goodwin speak before the Council once again elected to ignore the voters who signed the petition.

Descripción: Alyce Maragus talks about double standards and the Council's propensity for them.

Descripción: At the May 11, 2006 Millinocket Town Council meeting, Chairman David Nelson insists that a journalist must choose between being a journalist or a citizen. Note that he allows Councilor Matt Polstein to leap down from his council seat and become a citizen at the podium when Polstein has a conflict of interest.

Descripción: Mrs. Money McGibbon tried to speak to the Millinocket Town Council about the pool they planned to heat and put a canopy over. She was stopped in mid-sentence and browbeat, ridiculed, and told that there was no such plan. They told her the idea was not advanced by the engineer, but was suggested by a member of the audience. Mrs. McGibbon left the podium confused. Well, so are we. The engineer did i...