Bangor City Council · Conflict of Interest Transparency Report · May 2026
City Councilor · Term: November 2025 – November 2028
Conflict Level
Board Director of Food AND Medicine — self-disclosed in his official City of Bangor bio, which states he 'is a member of the Board of Directors at Food AND Medicine.' That organization received $336,342 in ARPA funds from the City Council. Also confirmed Political Director of the Communist Party of Maine (CPUSA) — documented by the Bangor Daily News, Peoples World (CPUSA's own publication), Communist Party of Maine's official Instagram, KeyWiki, and the NRCC.
Last verified: May 16, 2026 · bangortransparency.com
Documented Organizational Ties
Organization received $336,342 in ARPA funds from the City Council. Carson also describes himself as a 'labor and community organizer across the State of Maine' in his official city bio.
Confirmed by 5 independent sources: (1) Bangor Daily News, Oct. 1, 2025 — "A registered Democrat, Carson has also served in leadership roles for the Communist Party of Maine"; (2) Peoples World (CPUSA's own publication), Nov. 6, 2025 — explicitly identifies Carson as a CPUSA member elected to the Bangor City Council; (3) Communist Party of Maine Instagram (@communistpartyofmaine), May 8, 2023 — video of "Communist Party of Maine Political Director — Daniel Carson giving a speech"; (4) KeyWiki — lists Carson under CPUSA members who won elected office in November 2025; (5) NRCC press release, Nov. 7, 2025 — describes Carson as "a leader within the Communist Party of Maine."
2026 Roll-Call Vote Tally
7
Yes
3
No
0
Absent
0
Recused
10 recorded roll-call votes, Jan–May 2026. Only votes where a roll call was formally requested are shown.
Direct Conflicts Identified
Full Vote Record — Key 2026 Roll-Call Votes
Authorizing City Manager to Negotiate with Sheridan Construction — Bangor Central Kitchen, 50 Cleveland St.
Motion to postpone failed. The item then passed on final vote 6-2 (Mallar and Hawes voting no). Walker was not yet seated — she was sworn in November 10, 2025, but this meeting was January 28, 2026. Deane was absent from the postponement vote.
Authorizing City Manager to Negotiate with Sheridan Construction — Bangor Central Kitchen, 50 Cleveland St.
Amending Land Development Code §165-13 — Remove Ohio Street and State Street from Minor Arterial; Add Ohio Street to Major Arterial Definition
Unanimous rejection. Multiple residents spoke in opposition.
Authorizing Award of $641,297 in Opioid Settlement Funds
Walker sponsored this item and voted YES while employed by BARN. BARN did not receive opioid settlement funds in this round; the 16 recipients are listed in Attachment CO 26-109. However, Walker's employer operates in the same recovery services sector as the recipient organizations. No recusal or disclosure of her BARN employment is on record for this vote. Mallar was the sole dissenting vote.
Directing Compliance with State Law 5 M.R.S. Ch. 337-E (Immigration) Effective Immediately
Government Operations Committee recommended passage 3-2. Directed City Manager to comply with state immigration law immediately, before the 90-day effective date.
Amending Code of City of Bangor to Create a Standing Committee on Homelessness
Authorizing Issuance of $75,000,000 General Obligation Bonds for Consolidated Parks and Recreation Facility (Subject to Voter Approval)
Unanimous rejection. Multiple residents spoke both for and against. The bond would have required voter approval.
Amending Chapter 257 (Sidewalks) §257-4 — Referral to Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights
Motion was to refer the ordinance to the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights before final passage. The ordinance subsequently passed 9-0 on May 11, 2026.
Moratorium Ordinance on Data Centers in the City of Bangor
Amending Chapter 257 (Sidewalks) §257-4 — Final Passage of Sidewalk Storage/Obstruction Ordinance
Unanimous final passage after the ordinance was revised following referral to the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion and Human Rights.
bangortransparency.com · Bangor City Council Conflict of Interest Transparency Report · May 2026
Sources: Official City of Bangor meeting minutes, ProPublica, WGME, BDN, WABI-TV
Required Action Under Bangor Code of Ethics
Must recuse from all votes involving Food AND Medicine funding, contracts, or programming; must recuse from Finance Committee votes involving Needlepoint Sanctuary.
This card summarizes publicly documented information. All claims are sourced from primary records. To submit a correction with supporting documentation, visit bangortransparency.com/corrections. Last verified: May 16, 2026.