‘What’s Right with Machias’: Bill Kitchen’s Uplifting Legacy

That simple printed sign to the side of Machias Town Manager Bill Kitchen's desk summed up his philosophy of service in just three words. Make Here Better. Photo courtesy Cat Cannon

Nothing in Maine’s Title 30-A Ch.123 §2636 says a town manager should spend Sunday shopping for children’s Christmas gifts at Walmart.

Town Managers execute laws and ordinances, of course. 
They attend town meetings, naturally. 
They appoint department heads, as one would expect.

But nowhere in the Powers and Duties of a Town Manager does it say they must drive 150 miles and spend six hours painstakingly selecting toys for Machias’ Community Christmas, on a budget.

That was completely optional.

But not to Bill Kitchen. 

The Town had always given Christmas gifts to children, and that tradition was not going to pass on his watch. He and his partner Cat spent half of their weekend in Ellsworth, so they could make hundreds of children smile in Machias.  

Bill was a reporter, a photographer, a marketing consultant, a concert promoter, and so many other things when he asked if he could write a letter to me, the newspaper editor, in his campaign to become a Machias selectman.

I thought it was a great idea. But Bill already knew that.

We published What’s Right with Machias in June of 2017.

Machias has challenges, Bill wrote, but it also has opportunities. Then he tallied them.

A “world-class” expanding hospital.
Incredible parks and nature.
Expanding small businesses, bedrock large businesses, and “a vibrant Chamber of Commerce.”
“The rich and changing pageant that makes up the Dike.”
A calendar of “outstanding seasonal festivals.”
“Schools to be proud of.”
A vibrant community of seniors and veterans.
A thriving mostly volunteer fire department.
Dozens of nonprofits that “bring hundreds of people here, working, for all the right reasons.”
A small university undergoing hopeful changes.
An airport undergoing extensive improvements.
Active and engaged “making a difference” civic organizations.
And, of course, a  rich history.

“From our native beginnings to our pivotal role in the American Revolution, to our logging, fishing, wild blueberry, and balsam industries, our celebrated heritage is second to none,” Bill wrote.

Bill’s letter had the desired effect. He won his seat by the largest margin of any selectman in Machias history and drew a record number of voters to the polls.

You see, Machias was used to hearing about its negatives. But suddenly, here was someone, and not just anyone – a smart, kind, charismatic man – boldly declaring the good things, too. 

His letter was a spark of positivity. 

He was a spark of positivity.

We all wanted more.

Three years ago this month, the Machias Select Board appointed Bill as interim town manager, and then full-time town manager. From that position, Bill took that hopeful spark and ignited a full-fledged flame.

To list “What’s right with Machias” today, after years of Bill Kitchen’s leadership, would take many more words than a letter to the editor. 

What’s wrong with Machias today is that he’s gone. 

My friend – everyone’s friend – Bill Kitchen left us suddenly on Monday, September 9, 2024.

His 2017 campaign letter ended with a call to action for Machias.

“By any reckoning we are rich, and we are blessed,” Bill wrote. “We should take a collective moment and be proud. Then stride forward, empowered.”

In his town office, Bill hung a simple printed sign where he could see it every day. It reads like a mantra, and another call to action.

We could take it as our call to action, too.

MAKE
HERE
BETTER.

You did, Billy.

We love you.

- Sarah Craighead Dedmon 9/12/24