The following candidates will be running unopposed in their respective races on Nov. 8.
Drew Gattine, Ward 2 City Council
Drew Gattine, D-Stroudwater Street, is running for his second term as the Ward 2 representative on the City Council.
In his next two years on the council, Gattine said he wants to continue to help the city grow. “For me, it’s all about smart growth,” said Gattine. “I want to see us do more to bring in well-paying and sustainable jobs.”
One of the most recent successful projects that Gattine points to as an example of smart growth is the development of the Westbrook Heights Business Park on Saco Street. Gattine said he is very encouraged by the way that project has come together.
As chairman of the council’s Finance Committee, Gattine takes a special interest in the city budget. He said he thinks he has been able to help lead the budget discussions and come up with budgets that provide the most possible services with the least possible effect on taxpayers. He said he wants to see the city continue to be fiscally smart in how it comes up with budgets that save money. He said he wouldn’t want to slash taxes and then be forced to slash city services as a result.
“We need to be mindful of what we are paying for,” he said.
Ed Symbol, Ward 3 City Council
Ed Symbol, R-Mechanic Street, has served the city in many capacities. The owner of Full Court Press on Main Street, Symbol has served on the School Committee and the Planning Board, as well as the Westbrook Housing Authority board of directors.
Symbol joined the City Council last month, finishing out the term of Gary Groves.
In his first term on the council, Symbol wants to see Westbrook create more opportunity for development. He said he especially wants to find a way to encourage more private investment downtown. Symbol said the city paid for the downtown tax increment financing district this year by using money from the sale of city property, a practice that he said is not a good one.
“We only have so much city property to sell,” he said.
Symbol also said he was a big believer in Westbrook’s schools, and he would work to ensure that the school department’s budget was not cut too far. He said he doesn’t see a lot of discretionary spending in the school budget, and any major cuts would run the risk of affecting the quality of education for students. “I think people need to get real about the school budget,” he said. “I challenge anyone to find money that they can cut from the school budget.”
Colleen Hilton, At large School Committee
School Committee Chairwoman Colleen Hilton said she is proud of the improvements Westbrook’s students have made in their test scores during her five years on the committee.
Hilton, D Berkeley Street, is running for re-election to her at-large seat on the committee because she feels committed to preserving the quality of Westbrook’s schools. “I think we need to stay committed to education here,” she said.
Additionally, Hilton said she was seeking another four-year term because she anticipates that Superintendent Stan Sawyer could possibly retire in the next four years, and she wants to play a role in finding his successor. “I want to assure a smooth transition in the event that happens,” she said.
Looking forward, Hilton said she felt this year’s school budget is going to be one of the toughest in memory. Rising fuel costs and educational requirements from both the state and federal government, such as the federal No Child Left Behind Act, will be putting the squeeze on the school budget. “I think one of the biggest challenges we’re going to face is mandates from federal and state government without the money to support them,” said Hilton.
Hilton said she will be working to ensure that even in a tight budget time, the city’s schools would still be providing a quality education to its kids. “I think it’s important to stay the course and do good work,” she said.
Mary Hall, Ward 4 School Committee
In her two terms on the School Committee, Ward 4 representative Mary Hall said she has constantly been looking out for the best interests of the students and making sure they have everything they need to get a good education.
“I’m an advocate for the students,” said Hall, D-Lowell Street. “I just want to see these kids get a fair, decent, quality education.”
Hall said a good education means challenging the students on a daily basis and not settling for being average. “I want to see more than just passing,” she said.
With that in mind, Hall said she is a strong believer in providing laptops for all students in grades six through 12. Hall said she knows it will be a challenge working out how to pay for the computers, but she believes it would be worth it in the long run. Currently, the high school has several mobile laptop computer labs that allow students to sign out computers, but Hall said she didn’t feel that system was adequate because not all kids were able to get access to the limited number of computers available to them.
She said it is important for the schools to provide kids with access to the latest technology to prepare them for life after school. “Computers are the way of the future,” she said. “When they graduate, that’s the world these kids are going to be working in.”
Jack Gorsuch, Ward 3 School Committee
Jack Gorsuch said he decided to run for the Ward 3 seat on the School Committee after no one else stepped forward to run at the caucus in September.
“No one else seemed to be interested,” said Gorsuch, R-Longfellow Street. “And I thought the spot should be filled.”
Gorsuch brings a wealth of experience to the committee. He has worked as a school business manager in both Gorham and Cape Elizabeth, and he knows how to run a school system and come up with and manage a school budget.
He said he is looking forward to getting on the committee and doing what he can to help Westbrook’s students get the best possible education. “I like to help people,” he said.
Gorsuch said he doesn’t have a specific agenda of what he wants to accomplish during his term on the committee. Instead, he said he is going to take the approach of finding out where the greatest needs are. “I want to assist the School Department in solving their problems and help them accomplish anything they want to do.”
Barbara Hawkes, City Clerk
For longtime City Clerk Barbara Hawkes, the 2005 election is going to be her last. Hawkes, who has served as city clerk for the last 12 years said this term will be her final one at City Hall.
Hawkes, R-Hardy Road, said she will miss the daily contact with the people when she leaves office in two years, but she is looking forward to spending time with her husband of 53 years.
While this is going to be her last term, Hawkes said she is still enthusiastic about coming to work at City Hall every day. “I like my job,” she said. “I enjoy the people. I really can’t wait to come to work in the morning. I’ll miss it. I’ve made a lot of very good friends over the years.”
Hawkes said she is grateful to the residents of Westbrook for allowing her to serve them for the last 12 years, and she is looking forward to serving them for another two. She said she feels that she owes the city something after it supported her family’s business for a great many years.
“I’m paying the city back for the 35 years I was in business here,” she said.
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