In addition to electing a new mayor, Saco residents will elect councilors for all seven wards. Ward 7 has the only contested race.
Four candidates are vying for two four-year terms on the Regional School Unit 23 board of directors.
COUNCIL RACE
• Ward 1 – uncontested
DAVID TRIPP did not respond
• Ward 2 – uncontested
LESLIE TRIPP JR. did not respond
• Ward 3 – uncontested
MARIE DOUCETTE
AGE: 80
ADDRESS: 75 Clark St.
EMAIL: maried@gwi.net
PERSONAL: two daughters; one son
EDUCATION: bachelor’s in business administration from Westbrook College
OCCUPATION: retired
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: one term as councilor
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) keep property taxes from increasing; 2) revitalizing Saco’s Main Street; and 3) affordable housing for seniors and low income citizens.
• Ward 4 – uncontested
PHILIP BLOOD
PARTY AFFILIATION: independent
AGE: 64
ADDRESS: 6 Ocean View
EMAIL: pblood@myfairpoint.net
PERSONAL: married; two grown children
EDUCATION: master’s in education administration
OCCUPATION: retired
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) keep Saco focused during hard economic times to maintain a balanced and clear direction for the city; 2) help Saco River and Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project become a reality; and 3) work with Regional School Unit 23 to assure education standards stay high.
• Ward 5 – uncontested
ARTHUR TARDIF
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 70
ADDRESS: 249 Lincoln St.
PERSONAL: retired Saco Police Officer
EDUCATION: graduate of Thornton Academy; some college
OCCUPATION: Prudential Prime Properties associate broker
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: over 21 years on city council
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) continue to hold taxes down; 2) deal with RSU 23 for better management; and 3) continue to give quality service to residents and still control spending.
• Ward 6 – uncontested
ERIC COTE
PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat
AGE: 64
ADDRESS: 260 Beach St.
PERSONAL: married to Dorothy-Rae Cote and one son Ben
EDUCATION: graduate of Thornton Academy; Colby College; law degree from the New England School of Law
OCCUPATION: lawyer
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 18 years on city council and four years as mayor
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) reduce city’s use of fossil fuels and convert to renewable energy; 2) affordable housing; and 3) maintain high quality of service to the public.
• Ward 7 – contested
MARSTON LOVELL
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
AGE: 65
ADDRESS: 51 Nott St.
PERSONAL: wife Karen Lovell, two children, three grandchildren
EDUCATION: accounting, University of Southern Maine
OCCUPATION: accounting and computer systems management
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: city council since 2007; Maine Municipal Association executive committee member; Strategy and Finance Committee; Legislative Policy Committee
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) careful analysis in financing municipal operations and public services; 2) economic development to maintain current programs without tax increase; and 3) promote participatory government through soliciting citizen comments and participation.
NATHAN JOHNSTON
PARTY AFFILIATION: Independent
AGE: 28
ADDRESS: 7 Elm St
PERSONAL: single; no children
EDUCATION: graduate Thornton Academy; six years in the United States Marine Corps.
OCCUPATION: Vic & Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: served multiple campaigns and board member on the Saco Fire Station Ad hoc Committee
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) address the finances of the city, which has used the reserve funds over the past four years; 2) aggressively pursue companies to fill our industrial parks, promote our downtown as a place for small businesses and work with Biddeford to unite these cities; and 3) education is the single most important thing a community can provide to youth, the city needs to continue to work with RSU 23 to see this union work.
• RSU 23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RACE
(two seats up for election)
BETH JOHNSTON
PARTY AFFILIATION: Independent
AGE: 59
ADDRESS: 62 Pleasant
PERSONAL: divorced; four children
EDUCATION: bachelor’s at University of Southern Maine
OCCUPATION: Vic & Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop wine buyer
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: current RSU 23 board of directors member; served on Saco Board of Education
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) continue work on the five year strategic plan and the authorization of a 10 year facilities committee; 2) determine how ot use resources across the district, including equalized class sizes; and 3) convey to the public we are united in our goals as a district.
RON MICHAUD
AGE: 64
ADDRESS: 143 Bayview Road
EMAIL: hmichaud@mac.com
PERSONAL: Family: married; two children; two grandchildren
EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree Keene State College
OCCUPATION: help desk at Thornton Academy
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: current mayor; five years deputy mayor; city council; coastal water commission; saco shoreline commission; comprehensive planning committee; Saco Bay planning Committee; planning board
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) ensure the city’s children are provided with education to equip them to deal with the challenges of an international workplace; 2) address in an equitable manner the cost sharing challenges within the school district’s communties; and 3) replace the Young School modular units.
ALAN SMITH
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
AGE: 56
ADDRESS: 364 Boom Road
OCCUPATION: Project Manager
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None
TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) Equalize allotment of resources; 2) achieve a high level of operational efficiency; and 3) plan ahead for any contingency.
SHIRLEY JONES did not respond
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