Voters can select two candidates for the open at-large seats. The two highest vote-getters will win.
Ron Potvin

Address: 82 Northern Ave.

Occupation: Androscoggin County Sheriffs Office corrections officer.

Community Service: Small Property Owners of Maine, director; Androscoggin County Republican Committee; Lewiston Auburn Bowling Association; N.E. Division of Fraternal Order of Druids.

Education: Massachusetts Police Academy, 1993; Maine Criminal Justice Academy, 2005.

Personal: Single

Why are you seeking a term as a city councilor?

“I look at a city I don’t see as running right, and because of my experience and my knowledge, I realize that there are opportunities to do it better. And obviously the tax reval situation this year is a primary example of the greater ills of city hall.”

What can you do to provide relief for Auburn property taxpayers?

“My experience this year as the chairman of the budget committee that the mayor appointed opened my eyes to the operation of Auburn. I realize that the new valuations are only half of the issue. The other half is spending. That Auburn, if you compare it to the other cities in the state, spends a much larger (amount) and at a much greater rate than anyone else.

Please rate the incumbent. 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?

“First thing that comes to mind, both Councilor Matzen and Councilor Mennealy are in opposite arenas with opposite ways of doing things and viewpoints and for what they both strive for. They have conflicted on the council, and this has led to a terrible rift between the two sides, which has virtually made a standstill at city hall – a very unproductive environment.

“Both councilors have opted to go to the extreme and they have embraced their extreme – Councilor Matzen for development and for spending and Councilor Mennealy for coming up with very harsh criticisms.

“So I just see them both as unproductive. I find the whole council unproductive, without leadership, and that’s what I hope to achieve this year.”