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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, September 26, 2016 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />PUBLIC COMMENTS (continued) <br />Citizens are welcome to come to city hall to review any and all applications prior to the Planning <br />Commission meeting. Levang noted Planning Commission meetings are audiotaped and minutes are <br />made of every Planning Commission meeting, and once the minutes are approved, they are put online. <br />Levang stated that is transparency. Levang stated contrary to what the flier says, nothing is being hidden. <br />Levang stated to accuse her and Mayor McMillan of a lack of transparency flies in the face of the facts <br />and that the two of them were responsible for securing funding for the City's new camera equipment and <br />software to better tape, live stream and archive the City Council meetings. In doing so, Orono now has <br />live streaming of the City Council meetings, which is something few cities have. On demand viewing is <br />significantly faster and more effective than it was in the past. Levang stated she and Mayor McMillan are <br />responsible for the creation of a communications committee and the publication of three newsletters each <br />year. New content has been added to the City's website because of those efforts. Levang indicated she <br />also worked to institute an anonymous online complaint form for the residents. <br />Levang stated the duplicity shown by those connected with the flier is not lost on the citizens of Orono. <br />Levang commented those who put out this flyer scream that she and Mayor McMillan are not transparent, <br />which is untrue. Levang noted she votes openly with no hidden agendas and no behind doors <br />maneuvering. Levang stated she is an open book and that anyone can call, email or write her at any time. <br />Levang indicated she is happy to discuss any issue. <br />Levang questioned where the transparency is behind the individual or group of people behind the fliers <br />and why they are afraid to be transparent. Levang stated if transparency is as critical of an issue as they <br />try to make it, then why are they not willing to walk the talk and why are they attempting to hold her to a <br />standard that is different than what they have for themselves. <br />Don Germanson, 1501 Bayridge Road, stated it is easy to say that the national political scene is bizarre <br />and unusual this year and that the Orono mayoral race is following the same track. Germanson indicated <br />he has been approached by both mayoral campaigns asking to erect a yard sign in front of his house but <br />that he delayed the decision to educate himself on the candidates. Germanson commented it took him <br />about five minutes after seeing the flier in the mailbox before he called Mayor McMillan and told her that <br />he will be voting for her. <br />Germanson noted Mayor McMillan has put in 24 years with the City of Orono but that the flier lists only <br />three credentials to her name while her opponent has nine things, which is unbelievable. Germanson <br />noted that the flier also states that Mayor McMillan voted against having hardcover within the 5 -foot side <br />setback. Germanson stated he has a personal history on that one where 25 years ago that rule saved them <br />from having to look at a brick wall from their dining room. Germanson stated the City needs to have that <br />type of rule. <br />Germanson commented he will be voting for Lili McMillan, and that for all the people that seem to be <br />teamed up with Lili's opponent, he will not be voting for them. <br />Mayor McMillan recused herself from the dais. <br />Page 11 of 26 <br />