Vote for Michaud for Saco mayor

The November election for mayor in Saco provides citizens an opportunity to bring back experience and stability to the position. Mayor Pilon has been disappointing as the head of our government. As someone who has viewed nearly every City Council meeting in the past two years, I can attest that it has been apparent from the lack of respect from fellow councilors to the constant advice needed from former City Administrator Rick Michaud on the basics of how to run the meeting, Mayor Pilon is likely best suited to return to a political life in the Legislature rather than our city government.

The issues came to a head during the Sept. 21 council meeting workshop where Councilor Kevin Roche and Mayor Pilon engaged in a contentious back and forth about the trolley service in Saco and whether or not $30,000 was raised through advertising as promised by Pilon or if he asked the city to cover the costs. It’s unclear where the truth lies but these types of controversies are unbefitting an office that has been previously filled with the likes of Bill Johnson, Mark Johnston and Ron Michaud.

Ron Michaud has my vote for mayor on Nov.3. When I served on the council in 2009 and 2010, Ron was a mayor who worked to bring councilors together. The meetings were run smoothly and efficiently. Ron’s considerable experience in local government showed through in both the macro and micro issues of being the mayor. Ron and I didn’t agree on everything, but we always had productive discussions about our differences and accepted the outcome of votes with no lingering distrust or malice. Most importantly, Ron understands the role of the mayor’s position. Saco’s city government includes by design a weak mayor position, with the only described power being to run the meetings, break ties and appoint people to committees. The mayor of Saco should be nothing but a positive force; taking the pulse of the community and working with councilors for solutions.

Ron Michaud has served the Saco community for decades and now is an ideal time for a prudent, experienced leader to continue Saco’s legacy of being a welcoming, stable community.

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