Perham-Whittier is currently employed as Lewiston’s Community Relations Coordinator & has been employed by the City since September 1982. Perham-Whittier has worked for four city administrators, five deputy administrators, nine mayors, and numerous city councilors.

Perham-Whittier has played a key role in Lewiston being selected as an All-America City by the National Civic League in 2007 – coordination, application, competition in Anaheim (10 cities chosen annually). She co-chairs the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition, which promotes the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-to-moderate income workers, along with free tax prep sites and asset-building opportunities. Since 2004, the initiative has brought $5,709,800 back into the community, and annual outreach is currently underway for the 2009 tax season. Lewiston’s leadership in this Coalition earned the City a 2006 United States Conference of Mayors City Livability Award.

Perham-Whittier is an active participant in YADA (Youth + Adults + Dialogue = Action) community dialogue and now a member of the YADA Steering Committee – all focused on enabling the community to become more youth empowered and youth friendly. She serves as an Advisor for the award-winning Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (since 2002).

Perham-Whittier co-chairs the Twin Cities Downtown Holiday Celebration and just recently had a successful event on December 3 with a record-breaking turnout. She facilitates and hosts the city of Lewiston’s Shining Stars Celebration, which is a recognition of Lewiston youth who are positively impacting the community. In 2009, the recognition will be in its 12th year.

Perham-Whittier mentors a local young person who just turned 21 in December. Perham-Whittier became a mentor to “Faith” when she (Faith) was nine years old. Perham-Whittier said to Faith, “You’re stuck with me for life!” Perham-Whittier served 14 years in volunteer youth ministry (1988 – 2002) in the roles of Sunday School Teacher, Youth Director, Mime Choreographer, and True Love Waits Motivational Speaker. She still does Christian motivational speaking to youth groups when approached to do so.

Perham-Whittier has previously been recognized for:

2007 “Employee of the Year” – City of Lewiston

2005 “Community Service Award” from Mayor Lionel Guay for Supporting Community Youth

2005 “Outstanding Public Service Award” from the Department of the Treasury – Internal Revenue Service

2003 United Way’s “Jim Phillips Award” for Being a Community Youth Advocate

2001 “Mayoral Outstanding Achievement Award”

2000 Maine Municipal Association “Great Idea Award” for the Lewiston Shining Stars Program

1999 “Administrator’s Award,” City of Lewiston

1998 & 2001 – “Employee Campaign Manager Award” from the United Way of Androscoggin County

Dottie has been married to Raymond Whittier, Jr., since 1992, and they reside in Lewiston with their son, Mack. She is also proud to be the daughter of Alta Rogers and the late Roy Perham.


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