Scott A. Harriman
Age: 39
Occupation: City councilor, community volunteer, small-time landlord
Political experience: Lewiston City Council, 2022-present; council representative to the Lewiston School Committee, 2024-present; several council-related committees
Why do you think you’re the most qualified candidate for this seat?
I’ve been representing Ward 3 on the City Council for the past two terms, and I’ve been the council representative on the School Committee for this current term. I bring dedication and commitment to these positions and a common-sense approach to making sure our local government works for and benefits the people of Lewiston.
One big council accomplishment to highlight is approval of the new low-barrier shelter, set to open this winter, to better address homelessness in Lewiston.
I’m looking forward to continuing this work, making progress on housing affordability, strongly supporting our school system, and addressing public safety challenges.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Lewiston’s future, and how you would address them.
Housing affordability and public safety. I’ll address housing here and public safety under the next question.
Like the entire state, Lewiston is suffering from a serious lack of affordable housing, both to own and to rent. I’m proud to have played a part as a city councilor in approving hundreds of housing units that have recently been built or are in the pipeline.
However, I think Lewiston needs to go farther and implement robust local policies to stabilize rents and protect renters from unfair practices. Strengthening and expanding the existing Rental Registration Program is a good place to start.
What do you think Lewiston needs to do to respond to resident concerns over public safety?
Our new police chief needs to work hard to build trusting relationships with all parts of the community. People who haven’t had trust demonstrated to them won’t cooperate when they have information that might help solve a crime.
They’ll also need to make every effort to recruit candidates to fill the many vacant police officer positions. The department has been understaffed for years, and people get frustrated when the response to their calls takes too long.
We’ve also got to continue investing in our schools and youth activities so young people have every opportunity to succeed instead of following a negative path.
Charles Arthur Soule
Age: 72
Occupation: Editor and publisher of the “Lewiston/Auburn, Maine, Newspaper Rebuttal”
Why do you think you’re the most qualified candidate for this seat?
Longevity, experience and determination to better Lewiston, Maine.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Lewiston’s future, and how you would address them. Be specific.
The Bed Bug situation in Ward 3 is out of control, and must be dealt with. (Soule also said that Lewiston schools have fallen behind and need to improve.)
What do you think Lewiston needs to do to respond to resident concerns over public safety?
Schools should have constant classes on moral aspects of society. Safety of all is the No. 1 responsibility of all United States citizens.
