AUBURN — Only two members of the sitting City Council are facing a challenge at the ballot box this year, but even that’s a surprise for incumbent Bob Mennealy.

“We’ve done everything we can to reduce taxes, and work together and get things done,” Mennealy said. “I can’t imagine why anyone would want to change anything about this council right now.”

Mennealy faces the toughest challenge  — a total of four challengers for the two citywide, at-large seats.  They include former councilors — four term Ward 5 Councilor Belinda Gerry and two term Ward 3 Councilor Eric Samson — as well as newcomers. Private investigator Gary Baillargeon hopes to win a seat, as does Ken Bellefleur, a local purchasing representative for Proctor and Gamble.

Baillargeon said he knows why voters would like to see changes on the council.

“I don’t like the way they’ve talked to each other, on either side of the river,” Baillargeon said. “I’ve watched members of this council go after each other, and I don’t think it’s very respectful or professional. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, and that’s what I want to change.”

For his part, Bellefleur said he’s not running against any particular person.

“I think I’m a good decision maker, and I think I’d bring that to this council,” he said. “What I don’t like is seeing decisions get made based on emotions, not data. The only way I can change that is to be there, demanding better data from staff. And I think that will lead to better decisions.”

Ward 1 incumbent Mike Farrell is facing a challenger of his own, former Auburn firefighter Richard Francouer. Francouer, as a former city employee, hopes to protect jobs.

“I think there are ways to cut the budget without firing people,” Francouer said. “There’re properties we can sell, some we can develop. I think we have other options.”

The majority of councilors are not in danger of losing their seats,
barring a write-in campaign. Incumbents in Wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 have no
challengers for their seats. In Ward 2, Robert Hayes should return. In
Ward 3, Dan Herrick has no competition, David Young has no competition
in Ward 4, and Ray Berube is the sole candidate for Ward 5.

“I’ve just tried to do a good job,” Ward 2’s Hayes said. “Hopefully, I’ve done that, and I hope that’s why I didn’t have a challenger.”

[email protected]