Paul Samson sees himself as the consummate middle man, bringing citizens and city government together.

“I enjoy being there, in that position,” he said. “If the people in my ward have a problem, they know where they can bring it. I like being that person.”

Samson is seeking the Ward 5 City Council seat, the same one he left in July 2002, citing health problems. He chose to get back into politics when incumbent Robert Connors decided not to seek re-election.

Samson feels healthy, and has missed the job.

“I missed working for the people,” Samson said. “I enjoyed being the person they turned to when they need someone, or some help.”

He pointed out a 2001 decision confirming city aid to Lewiston parochial school students as a high point of his council career.

“My goal is to continue the process of Lewiston building itself up,” he said. The city’s work on the Colisee is a perfect example. Councilors committed to almost $6 million in debt to get the ice arena on solid financial footing.

“They had to do what they did, just to lift up that building,” he said. “But look at it now, regularly with 2,000 people in there at hockey games. It shows that people have something there to be proud about.”

It was a tough decision for councilors.

“But it was going nowhere the way it was, and there wasn’t any other way to get it done,” he said. “It might be a little sacrifice for the city now, but in the future I think we’re going to be winners on that one.”

He thinks the city could have used him in June 2004 when councilors unveiled the Heritage Initiative, an ambitious renovation plan for the Kennedy Park neighborhood. The city later backed away from parts of the plan when neighbors and community groups balked.

“I think the city could have talked a little more at the beginning, and found out their feelings,” he said. “If they’d done that, started from that end, there wouldn’t have been as much of a big stink. They turned a lot of people away when they did that and lost the trust.”

The next step is retail, but only as a start.

“We need those businesses, but we need something more beneficial that will provide more jobs that pay more,” Samson said.