HARRISON — Local community leader and businessman Walter Riseman has announced his candidacy for Maine House District 69, comprising Harrison, Bridgton and Denmark.

He will run as an independent.

The seat is held by Phyllis Ginzler, R-Bridgton.

In a written statement, Riseman said he wants to “focus on the needs of the people first.”

Recently retired, Riseman served the past 15 years as the chief financial officer at Community Concepts, a nonprofit community action agency with offices in South Paris and Lewiston. Prior to that, he served the organization as accounting manager, controller and director of finance.

As a community leader, Riseman led the fight in the 1980s to keep the Department of Energy from establishing a nuclear waste dump in the area. He’s assisted in drafting comprehensive plans for the towns of Harrison, Bridgton and Gray.

For many years, Riseman served as chairman of the Harrison Democratic Committee and was a delegate to several state conventions. As treasurer of the Oxford Hills Growth Council, he helped maintain lending resources that promoted economic development in the area. He has also served many years as the moderator at the annual Harrison town meeting. In addition, he has coached several youth sports teams and been a member of SCORE for 20 years.

Riseman’s business experience also includes time as staff accountant at Hannaford supermarkets and operating his own business in Harrison, The Village Tie Up.

Riseman has consistently advocated for low- and moderate-income families, been a staunch advocate for small business and helped build the economic base in the area. Throughout his career, he has implemented conservative fiscal policies in coordination with local, state and federal programs.

Riseman and his wife, Jane, are parents to eight children, including an adopted son and daughter, and have six grandchildren.

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