Timothy Cowan

Age: 56

Occupation: Epidemiologist/health care data analyst; director of Community Health Surveillance and Evaluation for MaineHealth.

Political experience: Auburn city councilor (Dec. 2023-present)

Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate, for this seat?

I have demonstrated success on the council. I helped to keep property tax increases as small as possible while maintaining quality city and school services, take steps to address homelessness, create a property tax and rent rebate program for eligible seniors and supported implementing septic system inspections to protect Lake Auburn. 

I have 30-plus years of experience analyzing complex data and collaborating with health care and other leaders to make data-driven decisions — both in my career and my volunteer service with community organizations. I have applied these skills effectively on the City Council and would continue to do so.

Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Auburn’s future, and how you would address them. Be specific.

Two critical issues are: Housing, particularly units for 1-2 persons and options for multiple income levels; and strengthening Auburn’s business sectors — supporting current companies and attracting new businesses. 

As a member of the Comprehensive Planning Committee, I will work to identify regions in Auburn best suited for the most cost-effective development of housing and businesses. I will continue supporting the city’s economic development staff’s efforts to help businesses address challenges, such as worker shortages, and attract new businesses. Finally, maintaining Auburn’s strong school system is key for preparing our future workforce, as well as attracting new businesses to Auburn.

Auburn, like many other municipalities, is seeing rising property taxes resulting from higher property values. What can Auburn do to address this issue?

Developing housing and businesses will generate property tax revenue, especially if we use approaches proven to minimize the costs for additional city service needs that result from expansion. Building denser neighborhoods located close to city infrastructure can reduce costs for plowing, trash, fire and police. Business development is important, as city services for businesses tend to cost less than services provided to residents.

In addition, Auburn city staff can keep implementing innovative, cost-reduction strategies. For example, bringing together multiple organizations that help homeless individuals at 121 Mill St. streamlines support and in turn reduces police and EMS calls (and costs).

Thomas Page

Age: 64

Occupation: Physician

Political experience: First time running for office

Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate, for this seat?

As a self-employed physician I’ve got to compete against a wide array of established and well-funded hospital systems while still paying my bills and making a productive living. Auburn, and more importantly the tax-paying citizens of Auburn, also compete in a world dominated by larger, and better funded entities like the state and federal governments. The citizens of Auburn need an advocate for their collective interests who understands these complicated systems and speaks to their interests. We need an innovative approach to the problems facing Auburn’s future. I can provide that.

Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Auburn’s future, and how would you address them. Be specific.

If Auburn is to set its own path into the future, the citizens of Auburn need to discover that path of their own accord and not at the behest of the state and federal governments. A sustainable budget and a practical plan to move Auburn forward as a community that reflect the ideals of the working men and women of our community are critical to forging a future here in our home. We should limit spending to practical issues like functional roads, excellent schools, and other services that allow us to grow at our own pace and in our own way. 

Auburn, like many other municipalities, is seeing rising property taxes resulting from higher property values. What can Auburn do to address this issue?

Rising property taxes are not mysteriously uncontrollable as we are led to believe. Our civic leaders first calculate the amount of revenue/taxes desired to fund the city then work backwards to divide that number by the various sources and make up for any shortfall by increasing the property tax. They can either increase values or the mil rate. It’s a shell game. I think property taxes should be requested by the city at a fixed rate for a specific time. The revenue generated is what the city can spend. There should be an upper limit to the tax rate.