Candidate Nathan Young Responds to Chamber Questionnaire

As part of our goal to be a conduit that connects businesses, community, and government through effective communication, we asked each of the Bar Harbor Town Council candidates several questions. We have published Candidate Nathan Young's responses below. A posting with all candidate responses can be found at www.visitbarharbor.com/blog/chamber-blog-5694/post/town-council-candidates-respond-to-chamber-questionnaire-all-candidates-42752.

A couple of notes before you start reading:

• Candidates were limited to 200 words per response. To be fair to every candidate, if someone did go over the limit, their response was cut off at the 200th word and a note added at the end of their response with the amount of words they exceeded the response by.
• The questionnaire should NOT be viewed as an endorsement of any candidate. The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce does not currently provide endorsements for candidates of any race. The information provided below should be viewed as an opportunity for candidates to let you know where they stand on several topics affecting our community as you head to the polls this June.
• VOTE - The Annual Town Meeting for Bar Harbor will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd and the June Ballot election will be held on Tuesday, June 9th. Mark your calendars and make a plan to vote.

Thank you for reading,

Your Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Team

 

Nathan Young

Section 1: General Vision

Question: Briefly describe your professional background and any previous service to the Town of Bar Harbor. What are the two to three primary pillars of your campaign platform?

Candidate Answer:

I was born and raised in Bar Harbor, graduated from MDI High School, served four years in the United States Air Force, and returned home to dedicate nearly three decades to public service—including 22 years as Bar Harbor’s Police Chief. This experience has given me a deep, practical understanding of how town decisions impact residents, businesses, employees, and visitors every day.

The primary pillars of my campaign are balance, transparency, and community-first decision making. I believe Bar Harbor must maintain a strong economy while protecting the character, environment, and livability of our town for year-round residents. I support open communication, respectful collaboration, and thoughtful planning focused on long-term impacts rather than short-term reactions.

My experience has taught me the value of listening before acting and bringing people together. In that spirit, I believe we must acknowledge how certain organizational decisions have deepened divisions in our community. The Chamber’s membership in APPLL, for example, became a significant point of controversy. The pushback expressed on the Town meeting floor in 2023 closely mirrored concerns discussed in the Chamber’s own May 2023 minutes—including the view that anyone who might object was “already lost” and that the membership need not be widely broadcast. I...(Candidate exceeded word limit by 43 words).

Question: How can the town better balance the needs of seasonal tourism with its year--round residents?

Candidate Answer:

Tourism is vital to Bar Harbor’s economy, but maintaining a healthy community requires balance. Residents should not feel pushed aside during the busiest months, and businesses need a predictable and stable environment to succeed.

Over the past 35 to 40 years, the business community has benefited from numerous zoning and development changes that helped Bar Harbor grow into a highly successful tourism economy. By virtually every economic indicator, that growth has been successful. At the same time, many year-round residents have absorbed much of the cost through housing shortages, rising property values, increased taxes, traffic, infrastructure strain, and the gradual loss of neighborhood character.

We cannot ignore the environmental impacts that come with continued growth. My goal is not to divide residents and businesses, but to restore balance so economic success, environmental stewardship, and community sustainability can continue together.

Question: What is your approach to the town budget? Where do you see opportunities for cost-saving, and where is further investment non-negotiable?

Candidate Answer:

My approach to budgeting is straightforward: taxpayers deserve accountability, transparency, and responsible spending. Every department should be evaluated for efficiency and alignment with community priorities. Cost-saving opportunities exist through better coordination, long-term operational efficiencies, and careful project evaluation. We should continue seeking regional partnerships and outside funding.

At the same time, investments in public safety, infrastructure, workforce housing, and core town services are non-negotiable. I support long-term financial planning that provides predictability for both residents and local businesses.

Section 2: Tourism Management

Question: How can the town better ensure infrastructure (parking, traffic, waste, etc.) remains functional for both visitors and locals?

Candidate Answer:

Bar Harbor’s infrastructure challenges require a coordinated, realistic approach. We must improve traffic flow, parking management, pedestrian safety, and waste services while recognizing the extraordinary pressure caused by seasonal population surges. This includes better use of data, stronger coordination with Acadia National Park, and practical transportation alternatives such as shuttles and remote parking. The goal is to manage growth responsibly so Bar Harbor remains functional, welcoming, and sustainable for everyone.

Question: What opportunity do you see for tourism management that would enhance both the resident and visitor experience with Bar Harbor?

Candidate Answer:

One key opportunity is improving coordination between the town, businesses, Acadia National Park, and regional organizations to better manage visitor flow and expectations. Promoting shoulder-season tourism, encouraging visitors to explore the broader region, and protecting the authentic character of our community will benefit residents, businesses, employees, and visitors alike.

Question: The lodging moratorium was put into place in November 2024. The current extension of the moratorium is set to expire on July 27th and will be one of the first issues the new council we be expected to address. What facts do you see as driving the need to repeal or extend the moratorium? If you do support extending, what work do you believe needs to be completed before you would vote to repeal the moratorium or let the moratorium expire?

Candidate Answer:

Decisions regarding the moratorium should be driven by facts, measurable impacts, and clearly defined goals. The town must fully evaluate the effects of lodging growth on infrastructure, housing availability, workforce stability, traffic, neighborhood impacts, and environmental capacity.

If the moratorium is extended, there should be a clearly identified purpose, timeline, and work plan. My focus would be on finding balanced solutions that protect community character, environmental integrity, and long-term economic stability while providing businesses with needed predictability.