AUBURN — A former social worker, member of the Auburn-Lewiston Municpal Airport Master Plan Committee and a 40-year Ward 4 resident Ernestine “Tina” Gilbert will seek a city council seat this November.

Gilbert plans to run for the seat held by Adam Lee. Lee has said he will not seek another term in office.

Gilbert has worked as a social worker and employment councilor, directing a nonprofit program. She serves on the board of the Seek Elderly Alone, Renew Courage and Hope program, or SEARCH, and on the board of Poland Springs’ Life Springs.

“I feel that I can be a positive influence in representing the citizens of Ward 4 and will be connecting with them to gain support in the upcoming election,” Gilbert said in a written statement.

All 16 elected positions in Auburn are open in November’s election: all City Council seats, all School Committee seats and the mayor’s seat.

Candidates have until Aug. 20 to collect signatures on nominating petitions to guarantee a spot on the ballot.

As of Tuesday, 21 people are trying to confirm a spot on the ballot, including Gilbert. Four have completed their nominations and had them confirmed: Council candidate Andrew Titus in Ward 3, incumbents Belinda Gerry and David Young, and School Committee incumbent Lawrence Pelletier. Gerry, Young and Pelletier are all at-large candidates.

Candidates for mayor must submit nomination papers signed by no fewer than 100 qualified registered voters in Auburn. Candidates for the City Council or the School Committee must submit completed nomination papers signed by no fewer than 25 qualified voters.

At-large candidates, including the mayor and at-large City Council and School Committee seats, can collect signatures from any registered voter in the city. Those seeking City Council and School Committee ward seats must collect signatures for registered voters living in their wards.

staylor@sunjournal.com

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