LEWISTON – City Democrats picked three locals – a former legislator, a longtime party worker and a former mayor – to vie for a controversial seat on the Androscoggin County Commission.

The names of nominees Elaine Makas, Dick Grandmaison and Kaileigh Tara will be sent to Gov. John Baldacci on Monday in hopes of naming a replacement for Commissioner Helen Poulin as soon as possible, said Will Fessenden, chairman of the Androscoggin County Democratic Party.

During the hour-long party caucus at Lewiston Middle School Sunday afternoon, no one mentioned Poulin by name. Instead, nominees talked about ending fighting among county leaders and restoring respect.

“I want the county do do what it was intended to do,” said Makas, who garnered 49 of the 73 votes cast. “I’m a citizen of Lewiston. I want someone to represent me on the county commission.”

She hoped Sunday’s meeting might end the county’s “intrigue” of recent months.

Controversy has swirled around the three-member commission ever since August, when Poulin, a Democrat, moved out of the Lewiston district that elected her.

Attorney General Steven Rowe and Gov. John Baldacci have joined the growing number of people calling for Poulin to step aside. In November, Rowe issued a formal 8-page opinion stating that Poulin vacated her seat when she moved to Auburn.

She has yet to surrender her seat.

Poulin continues to meet and vote with the commission, backed by out-going Chairman Elmer Berry, who lost his own re-election bid in November.

The recent controversy and earlier conflicts between commissioners and Sheriff Guy Desjardins do little to serve the public, said Grandmaison, who received 21 votes at the caucus.

“We need to work with him, not against him,” he told the gathered Democrats.

Grandmaison, a retiree who worked as a sheet metal worker and later for the U.S. Department of Labor, serves as treasurer for the Androscoggin County Democratic Party.

Makas, a psychology professor at LA College, recently finished her tenure in the Maine House of Representatives.

Party leaders said they were happy with the meeting. Some had worried that outbursts might occur. None did.

Fessenden praised Walter Hill, the chairman of the Lewiston Democratic Party for organizing the meeting and the overseeing the balloting.

The names of the top three vote-getters will go to the governor, who may appoint one of the nominees or may choose someone else.

Tara, who served as Lewiston’s mayor, received two votes. Fred Sanborn, who had been a candidate in Auburn’s last mayoral race, received one vote.

Tara said she was happy to be among the three, since she has been out of politics for several years.

In October, she returned to Lewiston, where she served as mayor until 2001.

“I’m back,” she said.

She hadn’t planned to re-enter local politics until January, after she and her son had unpacked from their move. Then, the commission seat opened. She had worked with the commission as mayor and knew its impact on the city budget.

She felt her leadership might aid the county, she said. She spoke of inclusiveness and building relationships.

“I know it sounds corny, but public service feeds my soul,” she said.