|
 Liberal Unfriendly Place: Bangor, ME
These are comments on Bangor, submitted by other Turn Left visitors. They do not necessarily represent the opinion of the webmaster. You may add a comment on Bangor if you want.
 I noticed that Portland, Maine was listed as a liberal-friendly city.
As a lifelong Mainer, allow me to add a Yin to Portland's Yang. That city
is Bangor. Although it lies only two hours from Portland geographically, it
might as well be another universe. Bangor is the population center of
Maine's second Congressional district, which gave Ross Perot his one and
only electoral vote in 1992. 'Nuff said? No ? OK, try this one on for size:
in 1995, Ballot Question #1, a referendum that would have outlawed all gay
rights laws in Maine, passed by a wide margin in Bangor (it was voted down
in the state as a whole, by a whisker.) In the '96, a referendum to ban
clear-cutting failed, mainly due to overwhelming oppositon in Bangor and
surrounding areas. Bangor made national headlines in 1983 for the murder
trial a group of skin heads who threw a gay man to his death off a bridge.
Even though Bangor is technically a college town, most of the student
population goes to the University of Maine, an incredibly conservative
school. UMaine's single biggest program is the College of Forestry, which
exists solely to provide a steady stream of employees to the state's
numerous paper mills (the entire northern third of the state is owned by
timber companies.) All in all, a thoroughly reprehensible place. 
...and another comment...
The above description is quite accurate, but what Bangor does have is a
very community-oriented neighborly atmosphere, great natural beauty and
lots of grand old houses that can be bought or rented at reasonable
prices (there's not a lot of employment, however). There is a small but
quite active liberal/environmental community, and you'd be surprised how
many people who might self-describe as "conservatives" are nonetheless
aware of the real causes of their economic distress and environmental
degradation. If you're liberal or progressive and considering a move to
Maine, at least take a look beyond Portland. (Lewiston is pretty nice
too.) If any place deserves to be saved in spite of its bad political
tendencies, Maine does.
...and another comment...
I was born in Maine, and lived in Bangor for nearly
20 years. This may, I moved out. To Houston. You -might- say I don't
know how to feel about the change. Bangor was a very nice city - if you
were in the closet about your sexual preferences if they didn't tend to
Cindy Crawford - and if you had any amount of money. Stephen King
doesn't live there for nothing. Politically, I always had the feeling
Bangor was relatively liberal/independent in many ways, until hearing here
about how it voted yes on question #1. All in all, though, Bangor is a
nice city just beginning to get some class and a little diversity. In five
years or so, it -might- be a place to recommend.
...and another comment...
I think everyone in Bangor would probably agree; you should stay
where you are and come to visit often. There is a nice, big mall with
lots of parking for buses and lots of nice folks who will gladly accept
your money. There are also some fine restaurants, both ethnic and
traditional. It may be a bit quirky politically, but it is a far cry
from the raucus river town it was in the heydey of the logging era and
it is nowhere near as conservative as any city anywhere in Arizona.
...and another comment...
I am dismayed about the vote on the clearcutting. I grew up there and
moved away in 1980. I always felt that Bangor was a great small city,
with liberal ideas. I guess things change over time.
...and another comment...
I find Bangor quite depressing. It's hard to understand just how the
area survives, sans being the shopping destination of areas North. No
city council vision, limited effort to restore aging structures, and a
growing population of rite-aid stores. Portland for the libs, Castine
for the quiet.
...and another comment...
I always find it amazing when people feel the need to comment on a place they obviously know little about. I've live all over the U.S., and while Bangor is no Soho, it's certainly one of the most liberal cities in Maine. Aside from Boston, it's one the most liberal places in New England. Portland is just a suburb for people who cannot afford to live in Beantown. Walk downtown and look at all of the rainbow signs on the stores and clubs.
As for hate crimes? Sure we've had our share, but I'd walk around at 2am with all my gay friends, or better yet alone, and hardly think twice about it. And as for the college town remark...well honey, UMO is located in Orono...not Bangor. So college town we are not.
Bangor has it's problems to be sure, but as far as the economy goes, it has picked up tremendously over the last few years. Downtown has seen a rebirth and it is my hope that the City Council will continue on the path it has chosen.
Bangor is above all a community. Liberal or not. The majority of folks here will listen fully to what you might have to say, agree or disagree with you, and then let you live your life. You don't find that everywhere.
So when the day is done, I count my blessings that I live in Bangor. Both good and bad parts of it. Like life, it is a balance, and a precarious one at best. When the vote doesn't go your way...don't whine about it...ignore it and treat people like people. That's what we do here...regardless of whether or not you lean toward Cindy Crawford or Richard Gere.
Add a city. Be sure to tell why you think this place is liberal-unfriendly.
Comment on Bangor.
Go back to the master list of liberal friendly and unfriendly cities.
|
