Lewiston Mayoral candidates plan public events this weekend

LEWISTON — Both mayoral candidates will go into the final weekend before Tuesday's vote with some public appearances.

Incumbent Mayor Larry Gilbert on Saturday will host his last Coffee With the Mayor before Tuesday's election. He will be at the Governor's Restaurant at 1185 Lisbon St. beginning at 8:30 a.m.

It's not a campaign stop, Gilbert said, but business as usual.

"I'm there to listen to people, and that's what we've always tried to do," Gilbert said.

  He began his series of Saturday meetings soon after he was elected. He visits one Lewiston coffee shop one Saturday each month, meeting with residents.

He said he was confident about Tuesday's challenge from former Ward 6 City Councilor Mark Paradis.

"I'm feeling very good," Gilbert said. "I'm getting a good response from the people that I've talked to."

His opponent has scheduled a forum at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Ramada Inn, 490 Pleasant St.

"I'm just trying to get people involved," Paradis said. "It's just one more chance for them to come out and meet me and ask a few questions. We're just trying to get people involved."

Paradis said he was still knocking on doors throughout the city and making phone calls, urging people to get out and vote.

"I'm a working man, so it's tough," Paradis said. "But we're doing what we can."

staylor@sunjournal.com