RUMFORD – Fredric Kennard is making a bid for a third, four-year term for a seat on the three-member Oxford County Commission.

Among his major concerns is the overcrowding at the Oxford County jail.

With the trend toward a greater jail population, Kennard believes either talks should begin with area counties for a possible combined effort, or Oxford County should begin thinking about expansion. He favors collaborating with area towns as a way to cut costs for everyone.

He says The county budget process is something he’d like to see changed. Kennard said the process is too complicated and should be simplified to make it more understandable for towns and all others involved in the process. He also favors allowing county budget members to vote by proxy.

Although Kennard declined to take a stand on the Palesky tax-cap proposal, he said its passage would definitely affect county taxes.

“The situation is so intangible, but it would affect county taxes, and some county services could be cut. You can’t force people to pay money they don’t have,” he said.

As a commissioner for 10 years, he said he would like to see some of the projects he has been involved in come to completion, such as the county building renovation and the plans for the Oxford County bicentennial celebration.

“I have the interest, the time and the experience. I’ve always enjoyed this, meeting a lot of nice people and getting things done,” he said