TURNER – On April 2, voters will choose from five candidates for two seats on the Turner Board of Selectmen.

Andre Baillargeon

Wants to keep tabs on taxes

Baillargeon has lived in Turner for nine years and resides at Sandy Bottom Estates. He is the head custodian for the Lewiston School Department.

Baillargeon is running for the board, he says, because he feels it is time to get involved in the area and do something for the town.

“I want to keep tabs on the taxes. They are not bad now compared to other places in the area,” he said. “I also believe education is very important and I want to work closely with the school board to see that they are going after available grants and other sources of funding.”

Baillargeon graduated from Lewiston High School, is a member of Holy Family Church where he participates in various activities and has also been active in youth activities through the years.

John Durgin III

Is concerned about rising taxes

Durgin was born and raised in North Turner where he still resides. He owns a trucking company and graduated from Leavitt Area High School.

He is running because he is concerned about his town and fellow citizens, he said. “I think the selectmen should take a more active role in how the town is running.”

One concern Durgin has is the ever-rising tax rate. He explained that a citizen with a home valued at $100,000 will pay about $1,900 in taxes this year. Meanwhile, “we have seniors who are living on Social Security of about $700 a month.”

Durgin was a member of the volunteer fire department for 22 years, has served for six years on the Budget Committee and has participated in the local snowmobile club.

Durgin’s sister, Lori Fish, is a member of the Board of Selectmen, but it would not be a legal conflict if he were elected, according to Town Clerk Eva Leavitt.

Henry Gibbert

Would keep road work on track

Gibbert, having already served 11 years, is seeking re-election to the board. He lives with his wife on the North Parish Road and is retired.

“I like to serve,” Gibbert said of his decision to run again. He sees two important issues that the board will be dealing with in the near future: keeping up on the town’s long-term plan for road improvements with the rising costs of materials, and keeping up the maintenance on those that have been improved.

“We need to do away with gravel roads,” Gibbert said, “and there are only a few left.”

The second issue is the transfer station and improvements to it, such as purchasing a baler, which will save the town money in tipping fees.

Gibbert does not participate in any other activities outside the board, because “being a selectman is a full-time job, in my book.”

Robert Hamlin

Has interest in town affairs

Hamlin was born and raised in Turner and lives off Lower Street. He attended Leavitt Area High School and the University of Maine for two years. He is retired and says he now has time to participate in town government.

“I have always had an interest in town affairs,” he said. “I took out papers a few years ago but never turned them in because I didn’t believe I would have the time to do the job right.”

Hamlin believes things are going fine with town government right now and he has no particular items to address if he is elected.

“People encouraged me to run and I have had a very positive response,” he said.

Hamlin belongs to several local Masonic groups, the Kora Shrine and the Maine Antique Tractor Club.

Dennis Richardson

Wants to fulfill civic duty

Richardson was born and raised in Turner. He is running for several reasons, including “to take a walk in my father’s footsteps.”

“I am proud of the town I live in. It molded me,” he says. “My dad took me to town meetings starting when I was 6 years old, and giving back is my civic duty.”

Richardson gives formal classroom training for Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations at W.D. Matthews in Auburn, is married and has four children. His father, Sherm Richardson, served as selectman and road commissioner.

“If I am elected, I am not coming to the board with an agenda,” Richardson said. “I do believe we need to put some people on the board who can listen to both sides. It used to be in Turner that you could make a point without making an enemy, and I think we need to get back to that – to that kind of civility.”