Address: Highland Avenue, Auburn

Personal: Widow; three adult children, Diane, Elaine and William

Occupation: Organist at St. Patrick and Saints Peter and Paul churches; radio host, WLAM

Experience: Several terms on County Commission; former state representative

Community organizations: Serves on the board of the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s; president of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Auxiliary

Cote wants to finish the job

AUBURN – After several terms on the County Commission, Constance Cote says she still has unfinished business.

She hopes to continue cost-saving efforts to regionalize services and other new ways of doing the county’s business.

Declining an interview, Cote spelled out her message in a prepared statement.

A former legislator who served six terms in the Maine House, she said her state experience helps her do a better job as commissioner.

For instance, the Registry of Deeds became computerized during Cote’s tenure.

“It improved access and reduced the costs of the county, the professional community and constituents,” said Cote in her release. “In addition to cost savings, the registry realized increased revenues.”

The county has also pursued regionalization, including discussion with leaders in neighboring counties about the confinement of prisoners.

Cote has testified in Augusta about promised but unpaid state funds for county jails, which she believes is responsible for anger and frustration among cities and towns when county taxes are collected.

“The commissioners, sheriff’s department and the members of the budget committee have submitted legislation for many years, only to have it fall on deaf ears,” she said.

Yet, the county did not increase its taxes in 2004, she said.

Meanwhile, the formerly overcrowded jail is beginning to create some income.

“Our ability to board offenders from other counties has given us an anticipated revenue in excess of $100,000 in 2004.”