MEXICO – When voters hit the polls Tuesday, June 12, the only contested race is for two three-year selectman’s terms. Vying are incumbent George Byam, Arthur Bordeau, a former Mexico selectman, and former SAD 43 director Elizabeth Jorgensen.

All were contacted by phone and asked the same three questions: Why should someone vote for you? Why would you favor/not favor a casino in Oxford County as a means of economic development? What is the biggest issue facing Mexico and, what will you try to do about it?

Byam said voters should choose him, because he believes in town government and in town employees.

“I try to be fair and try to provide the services we need at the most economical price, and, I want to be fair to our employees, who have the interest of the town at heart,” he said.

Regarding Seth Carey’s proposed casino, Byam said he would favor it for economic development, but, as a moral issue, not vote for it.

“As much as Mexico needs economic growth, I don’t believe we need that type of economic development. But, as far as economic development, it has tremendous potential,” Byam said.

The biggest issue is the town’s economic base.

“We have more housing than people who need housing to work in the area. This town is being filled up with people who don’t necessarily provide earning power to the town, because a lot of them find it’s the best place to get welfare. If we had enough jobs here, we’d be filling tenements with working people. Do that and we could lower taxes,” he said.

Byam said he’d work to bring in good, clean industries and continue striving to develop the River Valley Technology Center, which, he added, is, “growing real good with about eight new jobs. We need to keep that going and work on getting industries in here.”

Bordeau said he’s represented Mexico townspeople for a long duration, done a good job, and has the town’s best interests at heart.

The concept of a casino, he added, is up to individuals.

“Second, it’s a positive thing, economically. Every business of that size has its negatives and positives and, I’m sure we could deal with those negatives and positives,” he said.

Individual property taxes are the town’s biggest issue to Bordeau. There will be a questionnaire at the polls that asks voters where they think cuts should be made.

“It will give us direction. We can’t do anything until the people get behind it. Then, we have to work with the information they give us. We have to work hard to live within their expectations,” Bordeau said.

Jorgensen said people should pick her because she is interested in what happens in town.

“I’m very concerned with the manner of things now being done,” she said. “I’d like to see our town politics be a little more open. What really triggered it was the $400,000 (community development block) grant we’ve got hanging over our head.”

Regarding the casino, she considers it a Rumford matter.

“I hadn’t really considered it as a pressing priority. It wasn’t an issue I’m running on,” Jorgensen said.

The town’s biggest issue, she added, is two pronged.

“It’s a matter of tying our plans in with what’s happening statewide and, it’s taxes at the local level. I’d like to see the line held. We passed LD 1 to give local taxpayers property relief, but it doesn’t seem to work when we always vote to override the limits. We need to be more fiscally responsible, do some planning and pick up the difference,” Jorgensen said.

The only other municipal race is for two SAD 43 board seats. Incumbents Bertha Barrett and Peter Zanoni are seeking reelection to two three-year terms.