LIVERMORE FALLS – Voters will have five town and school positions to consider at the polls Tuesday, June 14, including two contested selectmen’s races.
Three SAD 36 Board of Directors candidates, incumbent Denise Rodzen and newcomers Heidi Rodzen, Rodzen’s daughter-in-law, and Amie Smith, are uncontested for three-year terms.
Incumbent Selectman Bernal Lake is being challenged by Michael Collins and Michael Letalien for a two-year term. Incumbent Selectman Joyce Drake is being challenged by Julie Deschesne for a three-year term.
The elections of officials will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, at the Livermore Falls Fire Station. The town meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at Murray Hall.
Selectman, two-year term
Michael J. Collins
Occupation: Between jobs
Family: Wife, Jocelyn; daughters, Zoe and Annabelle
Education: B.A. political science, minor in business administration, from University of Maine at Farmington
Hobbies: Reading
Public service: Past member of SAD 36 Board of Directors; served with the Army National Guard’s 133rd Engineer Battalion in Iraq.
“I’d like to try to inject a fresh perspective on how our town government functions and try to do my part to help get the hard-working residents of Livermore Falls some tax relief.”
Bernal Lake
Occupation: Carpenter
Family: Wife, Jeannine; children, Charles, Helaina and Kathrynn
Education: Livermore Falls High School graduate
Hobbies: Woodworking, farming
Public service: Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessment Review, Planning Board, Budget Committee
“My goal is trying to get a divided town to work as one unit and prospering together.”
Michael Letalien
Occupation: Master heating/ventilation/air conditioning technician
Family: Wife, Pam; two grown children, Eric and Heather
Education: New England Technical Institute graduate, heating and refrigeration
Hobbies: Gardening, beekeeping, producing maple syrup, motorcycling
Public service: Member of Livermore Falls Downtown Betterment Group
Letalien said he wants “to get involved in our town” and is interested in town growth and the business climate.
Selectman, three-year term
Julie Deschesne
Occupation: Stay-at-home mother
Family: Husband, Stephen; children, Trevor, Clarissa, Aubrey, Ben and Jake
Education: College graduate. Major in business administration and marketing, and minor in economics.
Hobbies: Current events and politics, sewing, gardening, philanthropy, home improvement
Public service: “I have a small amount of public service based on giving to those in need, guidance in an unofficial capacity, researching of information, help with others’ campaigns for office, providing support and encouragement to those in office regardless of my position.”
“I decided to run for selectman for many reasons, primarily to have an active voice in our town government, to represent, from a resident’s point of view and to give greater voice to people in Livermore Falls. And, if elected, my focus will be to more fully employ Livermore Falls’ comprehensive plan, to collaborate more fully with the Downtown Betterment Group and Planning Board.”
Joyce Drake
Occupation: Carpenter
Family: Two grown children, Kevin and Kathy
Education: High school graduate
Hobbies: Flowers, hiking, love to be outside
Public service: Selectman, Board of Assessment Review, Planning Board, Budget Committee
“I like to be involved in my community. I’ve spent this last year on the board learning. There is more behind the scenes than I ever expected. Now I would like time to apply the knowledge I have gained and help the town prosper or at least spend its monies wisely.”
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