NORWAY — Steve Merrill announced his candidacy for a fifth term as Oxford County commissioner in District 1.

The district encompasses the towns of Bethel, Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hanover, Hiram, Lovell, Norway, Porter, Stow, Sweden and Waterford, and Batchelder’s Grant and Mason Township.

“In reality, a commissioner represents every one of more than 56,000 residents of Oxford County while performing the duties of the office. It is my pleasure to serve each and every one,” the Norway resident said.

“In the past four years we have increased the focus on strategic and long range planning. I would be pleased to continue working to meet these goals,” said Merrill, who is completing his 18th year of service.

Throughout his years of service, he said, he has always made himself accessible to his constituents, co-workers, and peers in county government around the state. He said communication is key to any successful relationship.

Merrill has represented Oxford County for more than 14 years on the Maine County Commissioners Association in Augusta, serving as president in 2002.

The South Paris native attended Oxford Hills High School and the University of Maine in Orono where he majored in business administration. He worked 26 years for Swan Supply in Norway and the past 14 years in the modular home industry.

He is a member of the Oxford Lodge, Paris Lodge, Oxford Hills Rotary Club, board member of the University of Maine 4-H Camp & Learning Center of Bryant Pond and board member of Western Maine Economic Development Council. Formerly he was director of the Chamber of Commerce, vice chairman of the Norway Planning Board and member of Sons of the American Legion.

Merrill lives on Thurston Road with his wife, Carol. They have three daughters and two grandsons.