AUBURN — External problems will drive Auburn political decisions over the next two years, say both mayoral candidates.

Cuts in state aid and increasing costs will put the city in a vise.

“That’s going to be a challenge for any elected officials over the next two years, balancing the needs of the city with the economic realities,” mayoral candidate Dick Gleason said.

His opponent, at-large Councilor Ron Potvin, echoed those sentiments.

“I think what the people want in the city is stability,” Potvin said. “There are things we can do, and I think it means being a little creative.”

Both say they have the right skills for the job — Gleason as an experienced leader, Potvin as an aggressive thinker.

Gleason served one term as the City’s Ward 1 councilor, from 2006 to 2007. He has been a central Maine business leader since the 1970s, owning three radio stations in the region. He was recognized as Auburn’s Citizen of the Year in 2008.

All of it adds up to experience that Gleason says he’s ready to bring back to the city.

Potvin has been one of Auburn’s two at-large councilors since 2007, but he’s been involved in local government for longer. He worked with the city’s Budget Advisory Committee in 2006 and has frequently spoken to councilors on behalf of his local lobbying group, Small Property Owners of Auburn.

He describes himself as an aggressive councilor who favors new ideas and creative solutions. During this past term, he pushed to create a city ambulance transport service. That idea failed when Auburn’s other councilors decided it would be too costly.

Both candidates agree that the fate of Edward Little High School will determine the city’s future. Gleason served on the school’s Building Committee and Potvin has served as the mayor’s representative to the School Committee.

“A community’s high school reflects on its character,” Gleason said. “It determines economic development, because a company won’t want to locate in a city with below-standard education.”

Potvin said he supports finding a way to trim building costs at the high school, making it more affordable in case the city has to build the entire project on its own.

“The school is old, but there are parts that are only 11 years old,” Potvin said. “I think we can find a way to replace parts for much less money.”

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