DIXFIELD – Norine H. Clarke, William L. Gallant and Cynthia “Cyndi” Welch are running for the remaining two years of a term begun by Selectman Brenda Turbide, who has resigned effective Tuesday, the day voters go to the polls.

Clarke, 67, is a graduate of the University of Maine and a former teacher. She has been a community activist since she moved to Dixfield from across the bridge in Mexico 44 years ago. She has served on the Finance Committee for more than 35 years, the Dixfield Economic Development Council for eight years, five years on the River Valley Growth Council, and helped revive the Dixfield Main Street celebration 10 years ago. She has also attended virtually every selectmen’s meeting for the past three-and-a-half years.

“This is my town and I have experience I can offer. I know how the town works,” she said. “I chose now to run because there would be only one woman left on the board and I think it is important to have another woman. I think I could be helpful in sorting out issues. I’m in hopes that age, experience and involvement could give a perspective that would benefit the town.”

She said she is concerned with the financial situation of the town, particularly the use of surplus funds to keep down taxes.

“I’m not opposed in certain conditions, but we need to make a better attempt not to use them,” she said.

Other financial issues about to face the town include a total revaluation of properties.

“That should even things out,” she said.

She and her husband, Ralph, operate Log Cabin Craftworks and have three adult children and two grandchildren.

Gallant, 57, once served as Dixfield police chief and is a former Oxford County deputy sheriff and former reserve officer with the Mexico and Rumford police departments. He currently works at NewPage. This is his first run for a selectmen’s seat, although he served for 1 years as a school board member of the former Rumford School Department. He and his wife, Beverly, operate the Bear-ly Inn and Restaurant.

He is running because he believes selectmen should look at all town issues as a whole.

“This town needs to open its eyes on the municipal budget. People in charge of budgets need to be held accountable for what they spend. How many years prior has stuff like this gone on without being picked up?” he questioned, referring to the town’s nearly $56,000 in overdrafts.

He also believes in economic growth for Dixfield as well as for surrounding towns. It’s important to draw industries and to make it possible for residents and youth to stay in the area, he said.

“The town needs a Board of Selectmen to help the new town manager (Thomas Richmond) be the best town manager he can be,” he said. “I want to see the town grow and I want to help the town grow.”

Gallant, a graduate of the now-closed Stephens High School, and his wife are the parents of five children and grandparents of 15.

Welch, 50, believes the Board of Selectmen needs fresh blood and new ideas.

“I have no agenda,” said the candidate, who is an assistant manager at a women’s clothing store and performs office work for her husband’s business. “It’s a great town.”

She believes in accountability by municipal departments, and wants the current growth taking place in Dixfield to offer something for young people.

“For example, people at town meeting were ready to cut the police department in half, but they still wanted coverage,” she said.

She believes the new town manager possesses the ability to steer the town in the right economic direction.

She has lived in Maine for six years. While a resident of Raymond, N.H., she was involved in the town through part-time dispatch work for the police department and as the town’s animal control officer. She has also served as a veterinary assistant. She is currently a member of the Dixfield Finance Committee.

She is a graduate of Brookline High School in Massachusetts. She and her husband, Russ, are the parents of four adult children.

Also running for two, three-year terms on the board are incumbent Selectman Raymond “Tiny” E. Carlton, a NewPage employee, and James L. Desjardins, a retired postal employee who is seeking the seat previously held by former Selectman Tony Carter.

For two open SAD 21 seats on the school board, only incumbent Director Barbara Chow returned nomination papers for another three-year term. The second seat, currently held by Director Shelly Harlow, will likely be filled by write-in vote.

Voting Tuesday takes place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Dixfield Fire Company station.