LEWISTON — Both candidates for the City Council seat in Ward 1 think things are headed in the right direction, but challenger Leslie Dubois thinks sitting councilors can do a better job listening to taxpayers.

Dubois is hoping to unseat John Butler at the polls Nov. 5.

“There have been many instances that they have not listened to what the people of Lewiston are saying,” Dubois said.

Dubois, a landlord with one property in the city, said she is opposed to using state or federal money to help groups from outside Lewiston build new developments.

“I don’t agree with giving out-of-staters tax breaks,” she said. “Both groups of developers, local and out of state, need to be able to get the same tax breaks.”

Butler said he thinks the city needs to encourage landlords to fix up their properties.

“But I don’t mind some Section 8 housing because some people really need it,” Butler said. “We’ll never get rid of Section 8, but I’m in favor of limits on it.”

Butler said he’s pleased with the direction the city is going, with a new hotel breaking ground, new businesses downtown and a flourishing Lisbon Street.

“I think we have moved Lewiston in the right direction,” he said. “I want to continue to see that, and that’s why I’m running again. We’ve had a great City Council and I think we’ve done a pretty good job.”

Butler said the council was unable to keep property taxes from rising last year, despite their best efforts.

“Minimal increases, I don’t like doing them but they are necessary until we can get new funding sources,” he said.

That comes from adding new economic development.

“We are doing that with the hotel, with Argo Marketing, with the Bates Mill No. 5 and Tom Platz,” Butler said. “The more development we can bring in, the more we can keep our taxes down.”

Dubois agreed, saying she is especially excited about the Bates Mill No. 5 project.

“All of it, they have been headed in the right direction sprucing things up and getting a positive image out there,” she said.

Dubois said she is seeking office now because she feels spiritually called.

“I feel that I am here to actually help Lewiston,” she said.

Ward 1 is the northernmost section of the city, running along the Androscoggin River from Chestnut Street north to the city’s northern border with Greene. It includes the Bates Mill Enterprise Complex, the Sunnyside neighborhood and Riverview Apartments.

Ward 1 voters will go to the Lewiston Memorial Armory, 65 Central Ave., to cast their ballots.

staylor@sunjournal.com

Election coverage:

• John Butler, Lewiston City Council Ward 1
• Leslie Dubois, Lewiston City Council Ward 1
• Lewiston candidates

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