Voters can select two candidates for the open at-large seats. The two highest vote-getters will win.
David L. Burke

Address: 38 Harmons Corner Road

Occupation: Cash management analyst, Utility Shared Services, New Gloucester.

Community service: Board member, United Valley Red Cross; Board member, LA Trails; Graduate of LA Excels Leadership Institute.

Education: Bachelor’s in economics, University of Maine, Orono; MBA, New Hampshire College.

Personal: Married, one child.

Why are you seeking a term as a city councilor?

“I think I can contribute to the continued success of the city. We have a lot of issues to deal with, particularly controlling the budget but also managing growth and just helping the city do growth responsibly.”

What can you do to provide relief for Auburn property tax payers?

“One thing we can look at is whether or not we have to move to 100 percent total (revaluation). There has been some discussion about keeping it at 80 percent for a while. I really think we need to discuss that further and look at the data more.

“The other end of things is trying to generate additional revenues for the city. Bringing in industry and commercial properties to help balance the load on that portion of it…”

Please rate the incumbents. What could Bob Mennealy and Kelly Matzen (who is not running this year) have done to make things smoother for the city, the citizens or the City Council?

“As far as the City Council as a whole, they really need to improve communication. (They need to) improve their Web site so the public can see the data behind different things, such as the parking garages, the TIFs, the things of that nature that are really very difficult to get now.

“In addition, just running meetings more professionally. And if you want to criticize an idea that’s fine, but don’t take it to a personal level. We really need a council that can work as a team – disagree when they need to, but come to solid decisions based on the facts.”

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