December 18th, 2018 by WCBC Radio
Outgoing Cumberland Mayor Brian Grim tells WCBC News that he believes there has been an effort to “freeze him out” of the selection process to fill the vacant city council seat. In addition, unlike previous times when vacancies existed, the names of those applying have not been- and apparently- will not be made public. Grim, who will preside over his final meeting as mayor tonight, said that he believes the council has been pressured by outside influences to change the originally announced schedule. The initial plan called for interviewing the applicants in December and making the appointment prior to the January 7th swearing in of the new mayor and council. The new plan will see the interviews take place after the new council is in place, and Grim is out of office. Councilman Seth Bernard dismisses Grim’s assertion that the council was directed, or influenced to slow the process…
As far as keeping the names of the candidates from the public, Bernard says that decision was based on advice of city solicitor Michael Cohen…
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December 18, 2018 at 7:43 am, Bob said:
I’m sure all will go smoothly relying on the advice of a lawyer with that name.
December 18, 2018 at 11:01 am, kevin said:
I agree with the decision to freeze out the Mayor. He lost resoundingly and the new Mayor should not be tied to any more decisions this Mayor has made. The vacancy will serve in the new administration not the current one. At the same time all the applicants deserve an interview and that takes a little time too. I appreciate Mayor Grim’s service and devotion to the city, but the voters have spoken.