PARIS – Richard “Rick” McAlister has announced his bid to run for the Board of Selectmen.

“I am running for the position of selectmen for the town of Paris because I want to ensure decisions made by the select board are based on fact, without bias and emotion, and are in the best interests of all the citizens,” he said. “I believe I have the ability to hear all sides of an issue and make decisions based on the best interests of all Paris citizens.”

McAlister, 47, has resided in the Paris with his wife, Mimi, and two children for more than 23 years. He is a 23-year veteran of the Maine State Police and holds the rank of sergeant. McAlister is a senior crash reconstruction specialist, system administrator for the statewide electronic crash reporting system, and principal instructor in crash investigation with the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He was recently elected to serve as a board member with the National Association of Professional Accident Reconstruction Specialists

McAlister has also been involved in coaching youth sports for more than 10 years, and has served on the Planning Board as an alternate for the last year. Recently, he was appointed to a working group to address the current subdivision ordinance concerns.

McAlister is a graduate of Oxford Hills High School in Paris, Unity College in Unity, and was the president of his 1986 Maine State Police graduating class.