2 incumbents seek reelection to Brewer City Council

Two candidates, both incumbents, are vying for two seats on the Brewer city council in next month's election. Jenn Morin and William Kimball are running unopposed to maintain their spots on the council for a three-year term. Residents can vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Joseph L. Ferris Community Center, 318 Wilson St. in Brewer. Absentee ballots are available up until the third business day prior to the election, according to Brewer's website. Voters can request absentee ballots online, download an application and mail it to the city clerk's office, or pick one up at the office. Further details on how to vote and what will be on the ballot are available on the city's website . The city council candidates are listed in the order they appear on the ballot. Jenn Morin Born and raised in Brewer, Jenn Morin joined the city council in 2020 to carry out the last year of a vacant position. The seat was open following Thomas Morelli's resignation after he posted racist statements about the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on social media, then lied to police about it. Morin, who owns a local business consulting and brokerage firm, was reelected to a three-year term in 2021 and now serves as chair of the city council, which holds the honorary title of mayor. She's seeking re-election because she feels she's "just now getting into my groove." "I've always had a philanthropic mindset with my community involvement and this is something I feel passionate about," Morin said. In the last year, Morin said she's proud of recent developments the council has led to make city operations and decisions more transparent and accessible for residents. Those advancements include live streaming city council meetings, publishing a monthly city newsletter and launching a local alert system. "I really believe that overcommunication from leadership is key," Morin said. "At our last meeting we had 101 people log on, which is exciting. People want to get involved and hear what's going on." The biggest challenge the city faces now, Mornin believes, is finding ways to spread Brewer's tax burden so residents aren't left to shoulder the cost of public services, which are growing more expensive each year. If reelected, Morin said she will continue to push the council to work with the city's economic development office to attract new businesses and developments to Brewer. This, she said, will help spread the city's tax base, making Brewer a more enjoyable and affordable place to live. "We're trying to avoid pricing people out of their homes," Morin said. "How do we make sure that Brewer is one of the best places for our constituents to live and maintain our high standards for public services while balancing our budget? William Kimball William "Bill" Kimball is seeking another three years on the city council after he joined in a March special election. Kimball, who is originally from Bangor, carried out the remainder of longtime councilor Jerry Goss' term following Goss' death in December 2023. Originally born and raised in Bangor, he moved to Brewer in 2021 and now owns a local heat pump company. Kimball said he decided to join the city council because he wanted to get involved. "I have a family here, I worship in this town and have a business in this town and different things were becoming important to me later in life." Additionally, Kimball said he noticed a pattern where friends would express interest in opening a business in Brewer, but give up after hitting roadblocks at city hall. As a local business owner, Kimball thought he could help resolve the issue. After several months on council, Kimball said he discovered new businesses have to work with several different city departments, but those departments don't necessarily communicate with one another. If re-elected, Kimball said he would work to increase communication and teamwork between city departments that are working toward a common goal, such as helping someone open a business. Some of that, he said, can be achieved by making city hall a more welcoming place so residents are comfortable walking in to ask a question or seek assistance. Kimball also said Brewer should remain focused on issues such as homelessness and substance use that plague the region and state. As those challenges persist, Kimball said the council must consider ways to support local resources, like the Bangor Area Recovery Network, without increasing taxes for residents. "We're looking for an increase in faith in our communities to push us in the right direction," Kimball said. "Down the road, we'd like Brewer to be a better place for families and businesses while keeping the small-town feeling the city has."