Former Presque Isle City Manager Tyler Brown left his post because of the challenges of work in the public sector, he told city leaders.
City councilors accepted Brown’s resignation on March 19 following an executive session at a special meeting.
It was the second resignation for Brown in a year on the job. The former Delta Airlines operations manager was hired as city manager on Feb. 7, 2024, with an annual salary of $120,000. He initially resigned a month later, then returned to the job. In the end, he felt unprepared for the role, he said.
“While I held the belief that I was adequately prepared for the responsibilities of my role, I have since come to recognize that I do not possess the necessary stamina and demeanor, nor have I transitioned well from private to public sector work,” Brown stated in a letter of resignation the Bangor Daily News and The County obtained through a Freedom of Access Act request.
Brown’s resignation took effect immediately, and the city has not yet named an interim replacement, public information officer Kim Smith said Monday.
Sonja Eyler was hired in October as assistant city manager.
Originally from Ludlow, Vermont, Brown left a position working for Delta Airlines at JFK International Airport in New York to come to Presque Isle. He had lived in 11 different cities in 20 years working for the airline and he, his wife and two children sought a place with a hometown feel, he said in 2024.
When he stepped away from the position last year, he also cited personal reasons.
“I have come to realize that I may not be the best fit for this role,” he wrote in a March 6, 2024, letter the city also provided to the newspaper. “I believe alternate individuals might be better suited and provide greater loyalty.”
But then he and councilors met to work through concerns and misunderstandings, and he continued on as city manager.
The city has made progress in inclusivity and housing, defining its vision, building record revenues and gaining more recognition, he wrote in his letter this month. In addition, the city now exhibits a renewed community spirit, he said.
He thanked councilors for their support and, though he did not specify his plans, he indicated he wanted to contribute to the city in the future.
“Your unwavering kindness and welcoming nature have been instrumental in our integration into the community,” he concluded. “My aspiration is to contribute positively to the City of Presque Isle’s growth and prosperity.”
The Presque Isle City Council meets next at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at City Hall. An executive session is planned to discuss real estate and personnel matters.
