Eastport Police Chief Matt Vinson, a 15-year veteran of the force, with 11 years as chief, was at first fired by City Manager Jon Southern on March 3, but following an executive session at the city council meeting six days later, it was agreed that Vinson was resigning from the position.
     Vinson says he was asked by the city manager on Thursday, March 3, to resign. When he refused, he was fired, according to Vinson. Previous to the city council meeting, he declined to say more about the matter, as he had retained legal counsel.
     About 80 people were present for the March 9 council meeting, with many of them voicing their support for Vinson during open session. Council President Robert Peacock told the audience that the firing of Vinson was "a personnel matter and we cannot discuss it." The city attorney's Dennis Mahar was present, as was attorney John Churchill, who was representing Vinson.
     A number of business owners spoke briefly but to the point in support of Vinson's history of working with them. Dean Pike said, "For the record I think something needs to be said for Matt. As a businessman, he's always been right there for me." Merilyn Mills, Ed and Pat Scott, Tom Critchley, Richard Clark and others all expressed their approval of the former chief's actions while on the job. "Anytime we needed to call him, he was right there," said Mills. Critchley added of his work at the port, "We worked with Matt a lot. He was always right there whenever we needed him."
     Conversation became more heated when Councillor Paul Critchley read the city charter language that says that hiring and firing is done by the city manager and not the council, with different audience members suggesting that the councillors need to remember who they work for. At least one person suggested that councillors should be recalled from office and the city manager dismissed.
     Later, an executive session concerning Vinson lasted for over an hour. When it concluded Vinson's attorney read a joint statement from the council and the former police chief. "The council and the chief reached an agreement. The chief has resigned in the best interests of the city."

Acting chief appointed
     Frank Gardner is now the acting chief for the department, and the position opening will be advertised.
     Vinson was hired as an officer for the Eastport Police Department in June 1995 and twice served as interim police chief, the second time following the controversial leaving of then Police Chief Bob Tighe in June 2000.      Vinson was appointed police chief in April 2001 by then City Manager George "Bud" Finch, on the recommendation of the city council.
     Commenting on Vinson's service, Southern states, "He served the city for 15 years, and I prefer to look to the future. I'm very enthusiastic about the coming year." He says plans call for more community-oriented policing, rather than having the police just respond to calls. "It will be more proactive, with more follow through on complaints and more reporting of incidents." He says the new chief will be accessible to the public and mentions the possibility of having open forums with the chief.
     "We have a well qualified and professional team for a police department now," says Southern, adding that service "will continue to excel."
    "The city of Eastport has benefitted from having one of the most experienced police forces in the state. All of the officers are full academy graduates and have many years of experience." He notes that the new station at the former A&P building is being completed, and a new cruiser arrived this past week.
     The city manager adds that the police chief will now be a salaried, instead of an hourly, position and that it’s unusual to have a chief’s position paid by the hour.
     "I'm confident I have the full support of all the officers remaining," says Southern. There are now four full-time officers and approximately nine part-time officers. "We're looking to strengthen the part-time roster with more commitment from seasoned officers," he says, adding that there is a good part-time roster now.