Lately, there have been numerous stories about the movement toward consolidating public services between Lewiston and Auburn. A lot of the focus has been on process. While process is important, it can overshadow what might be the biggest change in bringing L-A closer together: the two new mayors the cities have.

Local historians may look back at John Jenkins of Auburn and Larry Gilbert of Lewiston as the key figures that successfully propelled L-A into one community for the 21st century.

Jenkins has an interesting background. He has been a state senator, a real estate agent and a consultant. Jenkins was elected with 65 percent of the vote last November.

One of the most significant aspects of the race was something that didn’t happen: Jenkins was elected despite the fact that he previously had been Lewiston’s mayor. Why is that noteworthy? It shows that the citizens of Auburn are not as insular as some from outside this community might think. It obviously didn’t make a difference to the majority of the voters that he was once from “across the river.”

The most striking aspects of Jenkins are his energy and enthusiasm. Ever since he took office, he hasn’t seemed to have slowed down. He has held regular ward meetings, presented a tax-relief plan to the Legislature and encouraged all voters and taxpayers to talk to him. Moreover, he seems genuinely passionate about whatever topic he is discussing.

He is definitely not blasé.

Jenkins also has a sense of humor. It was on display at the joint meeting of the Lewiston and Auburn city councils on Feb. 13, held in Lewiston’s city council chambers. At the beginning of the meeting, he remarked with a smile “It’s good to be back home – where it all started.”

Lewiston mayor Larry Gilbert has an impressive resume. He is a veteran, a former Lewiston police chief and was once a U.S. Marshal. He has been active in Lewiston civic affairs for many years. He also served on the Mayors’ Lewiston-Auburn Joint Service Commission. Gilbert was elected Feb. 27 in a special election. He received 63 percent of the vote.

Gilbert is known as a courageous citizen, unafraid to publicly challenge Lewiston officials over important municipal decisions. Like Jenkins, he is energetic. This was evident during his mayoral campaign. He created an exploratory committee of distinguished community members, went door-to-door and even developed a campaign website.

In May 2002, Leadership Maine issued a report about collaboration and cooperation between municipalities. The report generally lauded Lewiston and Auburn’s efforts. However it also mentioned some difficulties. Peter Garcia, a local attorney, was interviewed for the report.

Here is a critical excerpt: “According to Peter Garcia, administrative staff of municipalities should not have to be relied on for leadership on collaboration. In those instances where collaboration is unsuccessful, the political arm of local government needs to have the fortitude and will to push the agenda of collaboration forward because the bureaucracy of municipal government can get bogged down in personalities and a lack of conviction.”

Gilbert and Jenkins both have excellent leadership skills and obviously plenty of will and fortitude. They are the political arms of L-A’s local governments. They both should move swiftly to deepen their commitment to collaboration.

One obstacle that they both confront is the fact that they face reelection in only eight months. Auburn changed its charter so that municipal elections will occur in odd-numbered years. Thus Jenkins will face voters again this November.

Gilbert’s term is so short because he took over from Lionel Guay, who resigned before his tenure was over. Any significant moves towards broader cooperation would certainly be controversial. Most politicians do their best to avoid controversy before an election.

The ideas of a possible municipal merger and increased collaboration have been talked about for many years. In a 1996 Bates College magazine article, Larry Gilbert was quoted as saying “It’s off in the distance,” about the idea.

Is the idea any closer to realization today? I think so.

Again, I go back to the joint city council meeting on Feb. 13. It had moments when the two cities began acting like one. A simple, but vital, example: both councils stood together for the pledge of allegiance.

A more poignant illustration was a statement by Auburn city councilor Bruce Bickford. The councils were getting information on a dispute involving the budget of Androscoggin County government. There was sentiment that both councils might vote to send a message supporting a particular position involving the dispute.

At that point, Bickford said “Can we collectively vote as two cities? Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Why don’t we talk about it?”

The two councils ended up voting separately, but consecutively. Most importantly, the feeling was communal. I hope that future joint council meetings will continue in the same spirit.

Mayor Jenkins and Mayor Gilbert can play a big part in making that happen.

Karl Trautman is chairperson of the social sciences department at Central Maine Community College. He received his doctorate in political science from the University of Hawaii. He can be reached at [email protected].