Kaileigh Tara bows out of race; Mendros to seek Ward 1 seat.
By Scott Taylor
Staff Writer

LEWISTON – Three men will face off in the race for mayor this November.

Franco-American Heritage Center President Lionel Guay, former mayoral candidate Charles Soule and political newcomer Nathan R. McCarron filed nomination papers by Friday’s deadline.

Former state representative Stravros Mendros will challenge School Committee member John Butler for the City Council Ward 1 chair. Mendros had taken out nomination papers for that job and for the mayor’s position. Close meetings with Guay in the past two weeks convinced him to seek the Ward 1 job, he said.

“We seem to be on the same page on so many ideas,” Mendros said. “I realized that if I ran against him, one of us would lose. I didn’t want that to happen and the Ward 1 seat was open, so I decided to go that way so we could work side-by-side.”

Guay will face McCarron, a computer manager for Computer Science Corporation, a Bath Ironworks contractor. McCarron said the council needs to re-examine its priorities.

“I’m definitely in favor of bringing in new business, but I’m not willing to sell out residents and the rest of the community just to bring a big name and few dollars,” McCarron said. “We’re not getting it done, yet our taxes just keep going up. We just need to take a few steps back.”

Former Mayor Kaileigh Tara said Friday she has decided not to seek another term. Tara, just returning from a month spent working in Africa, said she decided to focus on her family instead.

“I need to focus on getting a job,” Tara said. “Unfortunately the mayor’s position does not pay enough. I need to focus on the financial details now, so my family can make a living.”

Ward 5 is the only other contested race. Incumbent Councilor Marc Mason will face Planning Board member Robert Connors for that job.

Incumbent councilors Renee Bernier, Lillian O’Brien, Ron Jean, Mark Paradis and Norm Rousseau are all unopposed in their bids for another term.

In the race for the Lewiston School Committee, Paul St. Pierre, of 4 Swale Lane, will face Leah M. B. Poulin of 314 Pond Road for the at large position.

David A. Vincent, of 32 Ware St., will face Kay Theberge of 133 Spring St. for the Ward 1 position. Theberge submitted her nomination just before the 4:30 p.m. deadline Friday, after a busy day collecting last minute signatures.

“I used to have a paper route in that area, so I know of people,” Theberge said.

Incumbents Laurier Lachance, Dennis Grafflin, James Handy, Norm Prevost, Ronella Paradis and Richard Bernier are all unopposed in their re-election bids for their seats.

staylor@sunjournal.com