Local Government TV

▼

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Bangor Loses Zoning Officer, World Gains Blogger

Rick Fisher
Bangor zoning officer Rick Fisher was one of the 50-plus people at last night's Borough Council meeting. But it was his last. He's leaving his zoning job in Bangor, Portland and Upper Mount Bethel to head to the coffee mecca of the world - Seattle.

"I thought all the people were here to say goodbye to me," noted Fisher. "I forgot. I'm a zoning officer."

He's right. Zoning officers are very unpopular, almost as much as bloggers. But guess what? Fisher already is a bottom-feeding blogger, just like moi. In fact, he's created a blog called Diffle County, about some mysterious place in Eastern Pennsylvania.

When he gets to Seattle, he'll take it to the next level, and start attending City Council meetings.

Why is quitting his job? "Once you have seven different flavors of vodka in your fridge, you know it's time to give up zoning," he told Council.

In reality, Fisher's wife has a new job in Seattle, and has been there since March.

He's also working on two novels. One is about Diffle County, home of Executive Spangle (with the angle). The other, a collaboration with his daughter, involves a cat, a otter and a crow.
at

8 comments:

  1. DaveMay 15, 2012 at 4:03 AM

    Rick has been insrtumental in helping the boro use it's powers thru ordinance enforcement to make real, positive changes to the town..less crime..eviction of unruly tenants..and slum lord justice thru the rental inspection process. We will miss him but wish him well on his move to the "Left coast". It's been a pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 15, 2012 at 6:44 AM

    Bernie
    Can't resist.
    If a guy can write two novels at once plus count the Vodka how much time does he have for the job?

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 15, 2012 at 8:16 AM

    Q. How do you get to Bangor?

    A. I hardly even know her.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bernie O'HareMay 15, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    6:44, it's amazing what people can do.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Mutant Mouse ChroniclesMay 15, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    1. You don't count Vodka. You drink it. You memorize the flavors so you don't add Bubble gum Vodka to your Cran-Grape Juice.

    2. You write one novel after the other. Writing them both at the same time is like trying to get two feuding neighbors to agree on what the County Judge meant when he said, "Now swear under oath that you understand and are in full agreement with this settlement."

    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  6. The Mutant Mouse ChroniclesMay 15, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    1. You don't count Vodka. You drink it. You memorize the flavors so you don't add Bubble gum Vodka to your Cran-Grape Juice.

    2. You write one novel after the other. Writing them both at the same time is like trying to get two feuding neighbors to agree on what the County Judge meant when he said, "Now swear under oath that you understand and are in full agreement with this settlement."

    Rick

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMay 16, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    And he repeats like a vodka drinker!

    ReplyDelete
  8. jh4June 8, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    I wish Rick well, and applaud his conscience. I live in Portland, and have been involved in (NJ) municipal government as a health inspector for over 25 years.I've pretty much come to the conclusion that around 50% of the regulations solve about 95% of the problems. Communication with one's neighbors and a little personal responsibility can solve the rest.....

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.