Poised for permanent role, Raymond’s interim town manager reflects on first months on job

By Dina Mendros

Raymond has weathered a turbulent stretch in town leadership, cycling through four town managers in just two years. Interim Town Manager Glenn Michalowski hopes to bring that instability to an end – and to put down long‑term roots in the community.

On Feb. 3, the Raymond Select Board voted to offer Interim
Town Manager Glenn Michalowski the position permanently,
pending final approval of an employment agreement at an
upcoming meeting, He joined the Town of Raymond in
November on an interim basis after serving as the
Lisbon Town Manager. SUBMITTED PHOTO  

After longtime Town Manager Don Willard retired in January 2024, former Town Clerk Sue Look stepped into the role. She resigned in March 2025 and was succeeded by former Parks and Recreation Director Joseph Crocker. When Crocker announced his resignation in the fall, Michalowski, who had been the other finalist during that hiring process, was appointed interim town manager and began work in November. On Feb. 3, the Select Board voted to offer him the position permanently, pending final approval of an employment agreement at an upcoming meeting.

Originally from New Jersey, Michalowski said he is grateful to be in Raymond, which he called “an incredibly beautiful community … a special place with tremendous natural resources.”

But what has impressed him the most, he said, is the people. “The dedication of the staff, residents, and elected officials stands out. I arrived during a period of transition, following some leadership gaps over the prior 18 months,” Michalowski said. “I found an organization that was fundamentally stable and a community that was welcoming and eager to move forward. That collective commitment has made the work both meaningful and enjoyable.”

Raymond is a shift from the larger communities where he previously worked, most of which operated under a council‑manager form of government. From 2014 to 2018, he led a regional shared‑service paratransit organization serving five towns in Morris County, New Jersey, while earning a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University. He later served as assistant business administrator in Maplewood, New Jersey, a community of about 25,000 residents. After moving to Maine in 2021, he became Lisbon’s first assistant town manager in 2022 and then town manager from October 2022 until November 2025.

“Transitioning to a traditional New England town meeting form has been the biggest change – and a positive one,” he said. “I genuinely enjoy the direct democracy aspect, where citizens serve as the legislative body. It can mean a more deliberate process, but it also creates flexibility and strong community ownership of decisions.”

Maine’s strong home‑rule tradition, he said, offers municipalities meaningful local authority compared to states with more restrictive frameworks.

Since arriving in Raymond, Michalowski’s primary focus has been the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. “Beyond the budget, we are working on standardizing internal procedures, strengthening training and HR functions, finalizing the fire union contract, establishing the Jordan‑Small Middle School Committee and Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee, and supporting department heads and the Select Board in achieving their priorities,” he said. “Equally important has been relationship‑building: meeting with residents, community stakeholders, and regional partners. After budget season, I look forward to expanding community engagement efforts.”

He acknowledges that Raymond faces challenges, though none he considers alarming. Rising external costs, particularly in solid waste and recycling, remain a concern. The town is also completing its revaluation this spring and ensuring that residents understand the process will be important. More broadly, he said, municipalities across Maine and the country are grappling with an aging workforce and fewer people entering public service.

“Retaining and developing the talent we have is a long‑term concern for local government everywhere,” Michalowski said.

Still, he sees significant opportunities ahead. “There are meaningful opportunities to capture additional grant funding and federal resources,” he said. Recent census changes have positioned Raymond to qualify for both urban and rural funding streams, especially for highway and infrastructure projects. “Those urban classifications may also create opportunities related to public transportation funding, which I would like to explore further.”

Despite the town’s recent leadership turnover, Michalowski is optimistic. “Trust is built over time and through consistent action. By supporting staff, maintaining transparency, and focusing on steady progress, we will continue to strengthen confidence with our neighbors.” So far, he said, “the atmosphere has been positive and collaborative. Staff have been engaged, and morale appears strong.”

Michalowski and his wife have family ties to Maine, and they’re eager to settle in with their two dogs, Fern and Pepper. He’s also looking forward to enjoying his favorite pastimes – backcountry skiing, sailing, fly fishing, and exploring Maine’s mountains and waterways.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Raymond,” he said. “My focus is on steady, professional management; supporting the Select Board’s policy direction; and ensuring the town is well positioned for the future.” <

Raymond couple welcome Darfur immigrants for July 4th celebration

By Nicole Levine

During the summer, Raymond residents Roberta “Bobbie” Gordon and her husband George, welcome immigrants from Darfur, now living in Maine, to their home for their annual 4th of July celebration.

George Gordon of Raymond, left, and his
wife, Roberta 'Bobbie' Gordon, right, visit
with El-Fadel Arbab, who emigrated to
Maine in 2004 from Sudan. Every year
the Gordons welcome immigrants from
the Darfur region of Sudan to their home
for a 4th of July Celebration.
PHOTO BY NICOLE LEVINE 

This event originally began with 45 people and has now grown to about 200. This will be the first year returning to this celebration since 2019, when it was indefinitely postponed due to the pandemic. Bobbie and George provide their guests with traditional 4th of July barbecue food, books and toys for the children, and a place to gather on the holiday for all Darfurians. The people from Darfur bring side dishes and desserts that originate from their country. Together they play games to help learn English and interact in an engaging group setting.

One year during a previous 4th of July celebration, a man sitting across from Bobbie stared at her with a confused look on his face. He then asked her “Why are you doing this?” He was confused about how somebody could give themselves so wholeheartedly over to another culture and help them while wanting absolutely nothing in return.

To that Bobbie responded, “It’s from the heart. This is what's in us and this is what we want to do, and we are happy to do it.”

The annual gathering first began in 2008 when Bobbie retired, and she was looking for opportunities to fill her time. Searching for volunteer positions, she gravitated toward the community of immigrants from Darfur, who were now living in Portland.

She and another colleague decided to create a program to help these Darfur immigrants become acclimated to the area, learn to speak English, and connect with fellow Mainers. They were originally funded by the National Council of Jewish Women.

Through this program, they spoke locally to different groups, spreading awareness, and hoping to raise funds to help this cause. Through their efforts, they also generated support and resources, enabling them to acquire and ship stoves powered by the sun to Chad, where many Darfurians were living during ongoing violence in Sudan. By eliminating the need to search for firewood, the lives of many women were protected from recurring violent encounters in the region.

During her time organizing and running this program, Bobbie met El-Fadel Arbab, who immigrated from

Sudan in 2004.

“We got right into the core of what his journey was all about,” she said. They would spend hours together where Bobbie would mentor El-Fadel, to help him learn English.

Following their time together, El-Fadel would not accept a ride home, but instead walked, so he was able to absorb what they had discussed, and to clear his head of any trauma that was discussed.

El-Fadel is the Community Outreach Coordinator of an organization called the Fur Cultural Revival. He gives speeches and advocates to end violence in Sudan, including several schools, the STAND (Students Take Action Now) Conference, the Holocaust Survivors Conference, and many more organizations.

His goal is to educate people and create a community that works towards ending the violence in Sudan.

“We the people have the power,” he said, explaining how it is up to the people to drive desired change themselves.

Like many of the lives Bobbie and George have touched, the 4th of July holds a special place in El-Fadel’s heart. “This was a golden opportunity for us,” he said, when referring to the gatherings hosted by the Gordons.

El-Fadel looks to the 4th of July to honor the people who have lost their lives for the freedom that we have today in America.

“I am hoping and praying that one day this kind of freedom will come to my people,” he said.

Immigrating to a new country is often an extremely difficult and harrowing journey and support from

locals is what helps connect and integrate people to become one community.

“It’s really [through] the Maine community that we are able to get support and help,” says El-Fadel, giving credit to the Mainers who have contributed, and emphasizing the importance of citizens helping one another.

By holding this 4th of July Celebration, Bobbie Gordon said she’s able to celebrate this great American tradition, and to include people of other cultures who can also now appreciate the freedom that we have in the United States.

Volunteering to tutor or mentor immigrants in need of help, is a great beginning to build and become one community, she said.

For further information about how to become involved in volunteering to help immigrants, please contact Bobbie Gordon by sending an email to [email protected]. <