Mayor
Mayor Wayne Mallar
No organizational conflicts identified with the organizations under review. Separate ethics matters are ongoing related to hot-mic comments about English programs and immigrants.
How to read this profile
Red items are supported by primary-source documentation — city records, official bios, meeting minutes, or news reporting — showing a direct conflict between this councilor's vote and a personal, financial, or organizational interest. These are the strongest basis for a recusal requirement under Maine law and the Bangor Code of Ethics.
Amber items document network connections, endorsement relationships, and transparency concerns that are relevant public-interest context. They do not constitute confirmed direct conflicts but may warrant disclosure or further public scrutiny.
No conclusions regarding intent or wrongdoing are drawn by this report. All claims are linked to primary sources. Readers are encouraged to review those sources directly.
Council Term
Seated
November 2024
Term Expires
November 2027
Conflict Classification
0
Direct Conflicts
(voted while seated)
0
Indirect Conflicts
(org benefited before/after term)
Organizational Ties
Friends of Dakin Pool
Volunteer
Friends of the Bangor Public Library
Volunteer
Boy Scouts of America
Volunteer
Knox Museum
Trustee
National Society Sons of the American Revolution
Trustee
Documented Conflict Details
No endorsement by or ties to Food AND Medicine, BARN, or labor organizations.
No ties to any of the nonprofits under review.
Voted against approving grants for opioid funds.
Has been referred to the ethics board twice in 2026 related to hot-mic comments (separate matter).
Assessment
No conflicts identified with the organizations under review in this report. Separate ethics matters are ongoing.
Conflict Level
How Mallar Voted — Key 2026 Roll-Call Votes
The following are recorded roll-call votes from official Bangor City Council meeting minutes (January–May 2026). Only votes where the motion was formally doubted — triggering a recorded roll call — are shown. Routine items passed by unanimous consent without a roll call are not included.
4
Yes
6
No
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.
Source: Official Bangor City Council meeting minutes, January–May 2026 (bangormaine.gov/AgendaCenter). Full vote details on the Voting Records page.
Censure & Ethics Record
The following records document formal censures, ethics board findings, and ethics referrals involving this councilor. Censures are formal statements of disapproval voted by the full council. Ethics violations are findings by the independent Board of Ethics. Ethics referrals are council votes to send a matter to the board for review; outcome is noted where available.
Board of Ethics finds Mallar violated ethics code at Historic Preservation Commission
Bangor's Board of Ethics determined that Mallar violated the city's ethics code during an Aug. 14, 2025 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission. Mallar was found to have used his council title to attempt to influence a commission decision on a resident's slate roof replacement. He violated two code sections: (1) using his title without council authorization or making clear he was speaking as an individual, and (2) failing to maintain a standard of conduct that inspires public confidence. The inquiry was initiated by former Councilor Dan Tremble. Mallar declined to comment on the board's decision.
Bangor Daily News, March 31, 2026Referred to ethics board (2nd time) for hot-mic comments calling students 'probably all illegals'
While attending the March 31 ethics board meeting (where he was under investigation for the Historic Preservation matter), Mallar was caught on a hot mic complaining about school programs for English-language learners, saying: 'They can't speak English, read English, or write English... They're probably all illegals anyway.' The council voted 5-3 to refer his conduct to the ethics board for an advisory opinion. The council also unanimously passed a resolve stating his comments do not reflect the full council's views. Residents called for his resignation during public comment. Outcome of this second referral is pending as of May 2026.
Spectrum News Maine, April 28, 2026; Bangor Daily News, April 27, 2026Sources & Verification
All claims in this profile are drawn from the primary sources listed below. Where a source is marked as confirming current employment or role status, that status was verified as of the date shown above. Sources marked with a URL are publicly accessible. Sources without a URL are print or broadcast records on file.
City of Bangor official bio (bangormaine.gov)
Confirms volunteer roles: Friends of Dakin Pool, Friends of the Bangor Public Library, Boy Scouts, Knox Museum, Sons of the American Revolution
Ballotpedia — Wayne Mallar
Confirms Mallar elected Mayor November 5, 2024
Reports Board of Ethics finding that Mallar violated ethics code at Historic Preservation Commission
Reports council vote 5-3 to refer Mallar's hot-mic comments to ethics board