Lewiston City Council Ward 6

Joline Beam, Stephen Miller and Brian Wood are running for Lewiston City Council Ward 6 on Nov. 3, 2015. Learn about more candidates and issues in our Election 2015 guide.

Name:

Joline Landry Beam

Email address:

jolinebeam@gmail.com

Occupation or primary source of income:

Retired teacher, current substitute teacher

Education:

Holy Family School, Lewiston High School, and University of Southern Maine (B.S. in education)

Family information:

Married, three children and five grandchildren

Public offices sought or held:

Lewiston School Committee, elected 1989, reelected 1991; Maine House of Representatives, elected 1992, served 1993-1995.

Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?

I have spent most of my life in Lewiston. My parents and grandparents were also lifelong residents of the city. Lewiston is a great city. I would like to be part of taking Lewiston into the future as the representative of Ward 6 on the City Council.

With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?

All three areas — road repair, education and public safety — are important components of a strong community. The task of the City Council is to review in detail all aspects of these areas of public policy and work with the citizens and city officials to establish which elements within their respective budgets have priority and to seek support for the most important and the most urgent tasks at hand.

Taxes in Lewiston are high and it is the responsibility of the City Council to review expenditures carefully so that the city can meet its most pressing needs and keep taxes down. Council members must also work with the city’s legislative representatives to make sure Lewiston gets its fair share of revenue sharing from the state government. The council must seek sources of income very aggressively to assure that it can provide good roads, an excellent education, and a safe environment and — at the same time — work to keep taxes down.

To strengthen the city’s economic standing, the council must also be proactive in encouraging businesses to move to Lewiston in order to expand the tax base and relieve the pressure on residents from property taxes.

What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?

Last year’s city-wide tax rate stayed the same. The school-side budget had a $0.15 increase. Two positions were eliminated (the recreation director and a position in public works.) The budget the council just adopted for this year, which began July 1, had an increase of $0.78 on both the city and school sides. No positions were eliminated. Revenue sharing was slated to be eliminated. It was saved but it still decreased from what it was supposed to be.

The City Council should continue to encourage more business growth and a larger share of state revenue sharing to stop the tax increases.

What about land banking? Should the city be allowed to set aside parcels for specific kinds of development, say to promote retail or housing around the river front?

In order to attract businesses and assure a good environment for the people, communities must secure a good balance of development. Communities need successful businesses that will add to the tax base as well as provide employment for its citizens. Businesses will, in turn, move to a community that can provide its citizens parks, entertainment venues, good schools and a safe and healthy environment.

The riverfront is an example of an area that can be developed with a balance of businesses, walking and biking trails, housing, recreation areas, and performance areas.

The city of Lewiston is in a perfect position to ensure that the needs of all its citizens will be met through a thoughtful program of development. The City Council is now working to adopt a comprehensive plan. If elected, I will support these efforts.

What would you do to improve Lewiston’s downtown housing stock? Should the city even be involved in downtown housing? Why do you think that?

I would work with the City Council, mayor, city manager and landlords to assure that the buildings in Lewiston are well maintained according to code, and that code enforcement occurs in a way that assures a safe environment for the residents of the buildings as well as the larger community.

Name:

Stephen F. Miller

Email address:

smillerrealtor@gmail.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/Steve-Miller-for-Ward-6-724945557611219

Family information:

I am a single dad of a 16-year-old honor student. I have five brothers and sisters and my mom and dad were married for 57 years and one day when he died last October.

Public offices sought or held:

I am seeking the office of Lewiston City Council, Ward 6.

Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?

I am running for office to see if I can make a difference in the city. I have talked to many people and most don’t even know who to talk to when they have ideas or concerns.

I want to be a councilor who is reachable and available when the folks of Lewiston need help or questions answered.

With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?

Education should always be top priority. We as a country are falling behind the rest of the world and with that comes more dependency on outside influences that do not have our best interest in mind.

What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?

I don’t have all the figures to make a comment on last year’s budget.

What about land banking? Should the city be allowed to set aside parcels for specific kinds of development, say to promote retail or housing around the river front?

I don’t think the city should be in the real estate business.

If land is taken by tax default that is one thing, but to invest money in land for private business, retail or housing I feel is misappropriated funds.

But again, I would be working for the people of Lewiston and what they feel would be best for them.

What would you do to improve Lewiston’s downtown housing stock? Should the city even be involved in downtown housing? Why do you think that?

The city should only be involved in the safety and upkeep of housing in Lewiston.

As we can see, in the past the city has spent a lot of money for low income or handicap housing and it has not worked. I say help those who know how to run multi-unit housing by making low interest loans or tax breaks. Let the private sector own and run as a business.

Name:

Brian Dale Wood

Email address:

bwood9000@hotmail.com

Occupation or primary source of income:

Realtor

Education:

High school

Family information:

My wife and I have been married for six years. We have three children and three wonderful grand-children.

Public Offices Sought or held

Seeking City Council, Ward 6.

Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?

I care deeply about this town. I was born and raised here. I work here.

I have a few full-time jobs. I work with a wide range of individuals. I run a substance abuse counseling and mental health office at Blue Willow Counseling. I deal with individuals that are not doing so well financially and personally.

I also deal with individuals at The Maine Real Estate Network who are able to buy a half-million dollar home. I see both sides of the issues we have in this town. I have extensive experience with budgets for multiple successful businesses.

I have very good ideas that would improve the way things could go. I could help this town in many ways

With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?

Education is the number one thing I would make a priority. That is our future. Educating our children. Always has been, always will be.

What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?

What about land banking? Should the city be allowed to set aside parcels for specific kinds of development, say to promote retail or housing around the river front?

Should they? Yes, if it’s bought right; not buying property over the current value. It sounds like this city needs a Realtor to help with that.

What would you do to improve Lewiston’s downtown housing stock? Should the city even be involved in downtown housing? Why do you think that?

We should be looking into eradicating bed bugs from our town and provide assistance to those who have them. Leave the condition of the home up to the landlords. That is their job and responsibility.