Three Town of Brunswick officials have recently announced they are stepping down from their posts. While two are retiring, the third has left under less apparent circumstances.
As of 2008, Brunswick will have a new police chief, school superintendent, and director of planning and development.
Brunswick Police Chief Jerry Hinton, 61, who has worked in law enforcement for nearly 36 years, announced his retirement, effective January 1.
"Law enforcement was what I needed in my life, and even after I retire I'll find ways to keep my fingers in it, because I think there are still more things I can do to maintain the integrity of the profession, and I hope I'll find a way to do that," Hinton said.
Hinton has maintained a close working relationship with Bowdoin Security, according to Director of Safety and Security Randy Nichols.
"We are very fortunate here at Bowdoin, not all colleges have such a cooperative relationship with law enforcement," Nichols said. "Bowdoin's relationship with the Brunswick police is as strong as it is largely because of Jerry's approach. He understands the role differences and similarities between law enforcement and college security, and how they can complement each other," Nichols added.
Hinton started his career in law enforcement in 1972, working as a police officer before becoming a detective and rising to the rank of Chief of Detectives for Portsmouth, NH. After stumbling across an employment announcment in The Times Record for Brunswick Police Chief, Hinton decided to apply for the job.
"I was in the position where I wanted to grow and do something different, and from the moment I walked into the door of this office, it's been great. I come to work every day with a smile on my face, because I work with the very best in law enforcement," Hinton said.
Since 1993, when he became police chief, Hinton has mentored other police chiefs and sergeants around the United States and has served as president on the Maine Chiefs of Police Association. He has been selected as chief of the year. He also served as a member of the International Chiefs of Police Association.
James Ashe, Superintendent of Brunswick schools since 1994, announced his retirement in August. He has had the third longest tenure as superintendent in Brunswick's history.
Ashe worked to consolidate Maine's school system, improve facilities, incorporate new technology in education, keep the tuition below the state average, and ensure that Brunswick students are provided with an education that leaves them well-equipped to compete in the world. He said that he will miss working in education.
"I've known I wanted to work in schools since I was five years old," Ashe said. "Since I started working in education almost 36 years ago, I've been a teacher, an assistant principal, a principal?pretty much everything but driving a bus."
With the Brunswick school system, Ashe oversaw approximately 500 employees and 3,100 students.
"This hasn't been a career?it's been a life for me, a great ride," Ashe said. "I've worked with unbelievable people to make a difference in the lives of kids every day. I'm not sure there's anything more rewarding than being involved with kids."
Ashe will stay involved in local affairs after leaving his post. He plans to become Topsham's next town manager.
Ashe will be replaced by Bath's former Town Manager David Wallace.
One individual who worked closely with Ashe during his tenure as superintendent was Brunswick Director of Planning and Development Theo Holtwijk, who resigned from his position this fall amid controversy after serving as Brunswick's Town Planner for nearly seven years.
Holtwijk is known as an award-winning landcape architect and the co-editor of a book on the history of Portland's parks. According to Bowdoin's Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer Katy Longley, "Bowdoin works closely with the Town of Brunswick and the planning board on various building projects and zoning issues and we have had a good working relationship with Theo in his capacity as director of planning and development for several years."
Holtwijk and the Brunswick Planning and Development offices declined comment and did not respond to e-mails regarding Holtwijk's resignation.