LEWISTON – Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District has announced its election date for Nov. 9 for the position of board supervisor. All ballots must be postmarked and returned in self-addressed envelope or brought to the district office by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5.

All registered voters living in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties are eligible to vote. Ballots may be requested by calling 753-9400, ext. 400, or by writing to Androscoggin Valley SWCD, P.O. Box 1938, Lewiston, ME 04241-1938. Ballots can be picked up at the office at 254 Goddard Road.

The elected candidates will serve either a three-year or a two-year term on the board. Inquiries about the election and its procedures may be addressed to Election Superintendent Jane Heikkinen at the address or phone number given above.

John A. Hemond of Minot is the uncontested candidate for the board’s three-year position. Hemond has served as supervisor from 1983 to the present.

In addition to serving as chairman of the board from 1986 to 2004, he has served as president of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts. He addressed nutrient management issues and concerns and facilitated the partnership with Maine Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, as well as Natural Resources Conservation Service. He also participated in obtaining a substantial funding increase for districts for watershed improvement projects, as well as general funding needs.

Hemond also serves on the Farm Services Agency County Committee and is a member of Twin County Dairy Herd Insemination Committee and Farm Bureau. The Hemond family was recognized as Outstanding Conservation Farmers in 1990. In 1987 the family was awarded the Green Pasture Award as Maine Dairy Family of the Year. Hemond continues to demonstrate sound land use practices with a diversity of applied conservation practices.

Arthur Dunlap of Poland is an uncontested candidate for the board for the two-year position. Dunlap has served for the last year as an associate supervisor and was appointed recently to fill the position vacated by Clinton Fox. He hopes to be elected to fill the remaining two-year-term position.

Dunlap was born in Farmington and raised in Auburn. He has worked for the town of Poland as code enforcement officer since 1998. He holds a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maine and has taken several additional undergraduate and graduate courses in business.

Dunlap has demonstrated his interest in natural resources conservation through his attendance at district-sponsored forums and workshops. He is a member of and serves on a steering committee for the Tripp Lake Improvement Association, is a member of the Poland Historical Society and a member of the Poland Preservation Society. He also belongs to the Masons, Eastern Star and Shriners.

Dunlap has assisted with insurance inspections, performed duties as a third party inspector for the manufactured housing industry and was certified as a residential building inspector prior to becoming the CEO for Poland. Previously, he was in the broadcast industry.

As CEO, Dunlap has been instrumental in directing people to seek out technical assistance provided by the conservation district. He has seen rapid growth in Poland in recent years, stating, “People want to go to the country. We have a beautiful town, with several lakes. People like what they see.” Dunlap hopes his experience in municipal governance and planning will serve to strengthen the conservation district.

The secret ballots will be opened and counted by two supervisors not running in the election in the presence of the election superintendent, who will tabulate the results. The nominated candidate or write-in candidate receiving a plurality of votes cast is elected supervisor with the term beginning as of Jan. 1, 2005.

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