Scores of Maine communities elected municipal officials on November 7 – some were reelected, others elected for the first time, and a few incumbents turned out of office. What follows are brief reports on some of the local government elections held on November 7:
In Brunswick,at-large town council candidate David Webb defeated his challenger, Douglas Rice, by a margin of 3,484 to 3,295 to win his first elective office. Another newcomer, Gerald Favreau, bested Sean Boyles for the District 5 council seat. The vote was 585 to 337. Meanwhile, incumbent Jacqueline Sartoris narrowly held on to her council seat, beating challenger Carol O’Donnell by a vote of 604-571.
City government in Calais has become a “family affair” as newly elected city councilors, Joseph Cassidy and C. Louis Bernardini, join a city council that has both men’ssons serving on it. Cassidy’s son, Vinton, is the mayor, and Bernardini’s son, Chris, is a councilor.
Barry Timson was elected mayor in Hallowell, but only by four votes. His closest challenger, Ed Cervone, received 408 votes to Timson’s 412. At press time, a recount had not been requested.
Incumbent Paul Cleary held on to his Houlton Town Council seat, while another incumbent, Philip Bernaiche, was unseated by Nancy P. Ketch. In the race for two council seats, Ketch got 1,246 votes; Cleary garnered 1,049 votes; and Bernaiche received 790.
Waterville City Councilor Stephen Aucoin easily defeated challenger Whitney Blakeslee by a vote of 326-211 to win a second term on the city council. Incumbent Charles “Fred” Stubbert Jr. was unopposed for re-election.
Incumbents Kevin Cookson and Linda Caprara were returned to office for three-year terms on the Winthrop Town Council, while Patricia Engdahl was unopposed to fill a third seat on the town council.
In non-election news, several communities recently welcomed new managers.
In Winslow, Police Chief Michael Heavener was named town manager, replacing veteran manager Edward Gagnon, who served the town for 28 years. Heavener, a Georgia native who served six years in the military, has been the town’s top cop since May 2000. Winslow Police Lt. Richard Grindall has been promoted to the police chief position. The Gagnons, Ed and Janet (a longtime MMA employee), have moved to Arizona for their retirement.
Robert Nicholson has been named manager of Sebago, replacing David Hague, who returned to the private sector after two years as town manager. Nicholson worked as Monson manager before taking the Sebago job. He has worked in various town administration roles in Maine and New Hampshire.
Carl Betterley, a long-time Maine town manager, officially retired from his position in Glenburn in August. Before serving six years in Glenburn, Betterley spent many years as a town manager in Rockport and then Scarborough. Carl and his wife Nancy are now living in Gouldsboro. Michael Crooker, who is a former manager in Bradford, replaced Betterley in Glenburn.
Oakfield selectmen have hired James Smith as town manager, succeeding Darrell Williams, who resigned in April. Smith, who grew up in Island Falls, is a former Marine who worked for the city of Brewer before taking the Oakfield job.
Clinton Town Manager Dale Morris recently announced he would resign his post effective at the end of January, two years after taking the job. Morris had worked as assistant town manager of Ashland, Massachussetts, before moving to Clinton.
Richmond Town Manager David Peppard also has resigned but will stay on the job until a replacement is hired. Peppard, who has served as manager for three years, was scheduled to undergo back surgery in mid-October.
Irma Bowles, who has registered voters in Livermore for almost 30 years, has received the National Association of Secretaries of State Medallion Award for her “unwavering dedication” to the election process and local voters. Bowles, 91, was one of only five registrars nationwide to receive the award in 2006.
The late Virginia Katon showed Chelsea residents how much she loved the town by leaving bequeathing $55,000 in cash to the small community where she worked as town clerk for 45 years. Katon, who died in June at the age of 90, inherited part of the money from beloved friends. The remainder came from Katon’s savings and from money she made on her egg route. The donation was presented to selectmen in October.
Virginia Lindsey has been hired as Rockport’s new finance director after serving Knox County government since 1978. Lindsey was first hired by the county for the Registry of Deeds office and became county clerk in 1984.
Jonesport has named Barry McDonald as its new code enforcement officer following the resignation of Stanley Mitchell in September. McDonald is a retired paper company employee who worked as Whitneyville CEO before taking the Jonesport job.