POLAND – Three people are vying for one seat on the Board of Selectmen in Friday’s municipal election. All seek to fill the position held by Stephen Robinson. Robinson’s name will appear on the ballot. He filed nomination papers for re-election but later decided not to seek another term.
Candidates are Mechanic Falls police officer Paul Harrison Jr., retiree Sandra Knowles and business owner Buffy Morrissette.
Four people are seeking election to two open seats on the School Committee. They are incumbent Norman Davis, a chief executive officer of a local company; Jill Libby, an EMT and retail cashier; Kimberly Moody, executive director of a nonprofit organization; and Joseph Parent, a Hannaford Brothers Co. executive.
Board of Selectman candidates
Paul Harrison Jr.
Age: 48
Family: Married, two children
Education: Edward Little High School graduate, courses at the University of Maine, Maine Criminal Justice Academy graduate
Community Service: D.A.R.E. officer and fish carving instructor at Poland Community School; state of Maine hunter safety instructor; instructor for Kids and Police Against Drugs and Violence and the law awareness program at Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls; member of fishing club and instructor for fly-tying class at Poland Regional High School.
Political experience: None
Occupation: Sergeant with Mechanic Falls Police Department; formerly contract county deputy for Poland.
Harrison said, “I really liked working with the citizens in Poland, and I wanted to get back involved in the community.”
He said his focus would be developing a town charter. “We need laws on how to run our government. We’ve been in chaos,” he said. “It just seems like nobody knows what we’re supposed to be doing. We also need accountability.” Secondly, he believes town leaders need to get “people to be more involved in the town government by respecting their votes.”
Sandra Knowles
Age: N/A
Family: Married, four grown children
Education: B.A. degree from Hobart-William Smith College
Community service: Planning Board, Budget Committee, Pottle Hill Board, chaired the Town Office Expansion Committee, Poland Concerned Citizens Committee.
Political experience: Ran the Lewiston Housing Authority for 17 years
Occupation: Retired
Knowles said she is concerned about a lack of public input in the town government. “It’s not up to the selectmen to be obstructive as long as (petition) signatures are valid and it’s the right number of signatures.”
She is also concerned about Poland’s growth. “What we want to be really careful of is we want the new people in Poland to be a part of the community.”
Knowles said she is also concerned about the lack of affordable housing in Poland.
Buffy Morrissette
Age: 37
Family: Married, two children
Education: High school graduate
Community Service: Volunteers at Poland Community School
Political experience: None
Occupation: Owner of Trashy Women Rubbish Removal
“I would like to make sure that the town government pays attention to the democratic process and that people know that things are being done aboveboard and honestly.”
Morrissette said she has a particular interest in personal property rights.
School Committee candidates
Norman Davis (incumbent)
Age: 58
Family: Married, three children
Education: B.A. degree, Clemson University
Community Service: Books for Business, president of the Music Association at Edward Little High School
Political experience: School Committee, two terms
Occupation: CEO of Morin Brick Corp. of Auburn
“I want to continue with cost control in education. I want to make sure that vocational students are attended to as well as those going to a four-year college.”
Davis said he wants to maintain stability with the administrative staff and make sure that the Maine Learning Results and No Child Left Behind are implemented properly.
Jill Libby
Age: 47
Family: Two sons in high school
Education: Graduated form Essex Community College in Haverhill, Mass.
Community Service: Member of Poland Rescue for 11 years and becoming a firefighter
Political experience: None
Occupation: EMT, store cashier.
“I want to learn how the system works. I want to know the process – how they pick the teachers. I just want to learn, and if that helps the next generation of children coming up, that’s good.”
Kimberly Moody
Age: 42
Family: Married, two children
Education: B.A.degree from Wheaton College
Community Service: Adaptive Equipment Loan Board, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
Political experience: None
Occupation: Executive director of Disabilities Rights Center
“I would like to see that the school board brings a business perspective so we can manage without micromanaging. I’d like to help the school board achieve diversity.”
She said she would like to work with the union to resolve inequities, including with salaries.
Joseph Parent
Age: 38
Family: Married, three children
Education: B.A. degree from the University of Southern Maine
Community Service: Served six weeks as a loaned executive for United Way
Political experience: Former Mechanic Falls School Committee member and past chairman of the Union 29 Board.
Occupation: Organizational development specialist for Hannaford Brothers.
“I’m hoping that the high school continues to be a school of excellence. I’m really happy with the way the school has grown the past few years. I’m a huge proponent of quality education.”
Staff writer Mary Delamater contributed to this report.
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