Joshua Klein-Golden

Physical Address: 396 Newell Brook Road, Durham

Occupation: Attorney

Political Affiliation: Democrat

Age: 34

Phone number: (207) 513-2293

Community Organizations: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services – Treasurer, Maine Bar Association, Androscoggin County Bar Association, Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, formerly a board member of Community Little Theater and Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care.

Why are you running for the Androscoggin County Commission? I am running for the Androscoggin County Commission because I know how important the functions of county government are in the state of Maine. I want to ensure that services continue to be provided at the highest levels while at the same time keeping our property taxes within the realm of affordable.

I pay property taxes on my house in the town of Durham, and I am a partner in a business that pays taxes in the town of Lisbon. I have seen our taxes increase on a yearly basis and, while county government only accounts for a portion of those expenses, I want to ensure that the county budget contains only what is necessary to ensure services are provided, without putting the American dream out of reach for some.

What skills would you bring to the role of commissioner? I am in a unique position to serve as a county commissioner. I have used nearly every department at the county level during my career as an attorney. I conduct title searches in the Registry of Deeds and probate work in the Registry of Probate and Probate Court. I have been appointed by different probate courts to act as special administrator, trustee or conservator. A portion of my practice also involves criminal defense work, so I have interacted with the District Attorney’s Office, patrol deputies and corrections officers who work for the Sheriff’s Department.

I have also been appointed by Gov. Baldacci to serve as the Androscoggin County register of probate and by Gov. LePage to serve as judge of probate. In those roles, I learned how the budget process works and participated in the interactions between the commissioners, elected officials and staff.

Androscoggin County Commission District 3 is an interesting district because it encompasses two small towns, Durham and Greene, and a portion of Maine’s second largest city, Lewiston. Having lived in Lewiston for five years and in Durham for two years, I have come to understand what each community needs and how those needs, when different, can be harmonized.

We all want the county tax to go down, while at the same time maintaining those services at current levels. We need someone who is not afraid of new ideas nor beholden to any ideology to take a strong look at our county government and I believe I am the right person to do that.

Androscoggin County is changing its structure by expanding the commission, and it will soon have a professional administrator. What changes would you like to see the county make? I want to push the commission to update and upgrade the county building and jail. There is work that needs to be done to ensure that the buildings are secure and accessible for all who utilize them.

If elected, I see the relationship between the County Commission and the sheriff as crucial. The Sheriff’s Department makes up the largest share of the budget and has the most employees at the county level. As with the employees who work in county building, we need to ensure the corrections officers are safe and able to properly supervise those in their custody. There is a history of disagreements between the commissioners and Sheriff’s Department and I want to ensure that when questions are asked or issues presented, fair, reasonable and understandable answers are given.

We need to be transparent in our dealings and fair and honest to the public. We can do that by providing excellent services and keeping our expenses low. I want to work to ensure that happens so that our county tax does not keep one person or family from reaching the American dream.”

E-mail address: jkgolden@cliffordandgolden.com

Matthew Roy

Physical Address: 357 Randall Road, Lewiston

Occupation: Healthcare Food Service Worker

Political Affiliation: Republican

Age: 29

Phone number: (207) 240-4391

Community Organizations: member, Lewiston School Committee, Young Professionals of the Lewiston Auburn Area (YPLAA)

Why are you running for the Androscoggin County Commission? I am running for County Commissioner because I value public service and using my experiences to give back to my community.

What skills would you bring to the role of commissioner? Since January, I have been a member of the Lewiston School Committee, which has given me insight on how the different levels of government work with each other. Also, my academic background is in business administration and accounting.

Androscoggin County is changing its structure by expanding the commission, and it will soon have a professional administrator. What changes would you like to see the county make? I would like the county to have a more business approach as compared to a governmental approach. The county should be dynamic and responsive to the citizens of the county. The new charter gives the commission a chance to look at its governance and to align it with the needs of the county.

E-mail address: matthewproy@gmail.com

Ten people are vying for five open seats on the newly expanded Androscoggin County Commission. On Monday, the Sun Journal began running a five-part daily series of interviews spotlighting the races in each of the five districts. Today, we look at the race in Androscoggin County District 3, which comprises the towns of Durham, Greene and the southern section of Lewiston, approximately bordered Lisbon Street to the north and the river to the west.

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