NORWAY – The board president of Norway Downtown Revitalization, the nonprofit dedicated to enlivening the downtown, has stepped down to avoid a conflict of interest when he runs for state Legislature.
Roy Gedat of Norway has served as president for one year.
He said he does not want to undermine the credibility of the downtown group by mixing it up with his political activities.
While it is fairly certain he will run for a legislative seat, Gedat said Thursday he will officially announce his campaign in March.
During his tenure, the group has seen some ups and downs.
Most recently, the group temporarily lost its affiliation with the program, Main Street Maine, because of financial difficulties that resulted in its manager being let go last summer.
The downtown group also organizes the summer festival, which is a longtime tradition in town. Members are currently organizing this upcoming summer’s festival.
Gedat said that Norway, too, has had an eventful year, with investors like the Libra Foundation and the Sun Journal buying properties on or near Main Street to redevelop.
But the loss of the sports store New Balance will be keenly felt by neighboring businesses.
“Things are looking up, but it’s fragile,” Gedat said.
Replacing Gedat are Katie Letourneau, Norway branch manager of Norway Savings Bank, and Ken Morse, head of Healthy Oxford Hills, who have agreed to be the downtown group’s co-chairman and co-chairwoman for one year.
Gedat is executive director of Maine Personal Assistance Services Association and previously worked as executive director of the Child Health Center in Norway for 19 years.
House District 95, which covers Greenwood, Norway, Waterford and West Paris, is represented by Sawin Millett, R-Waterford. Gedat ran in 2004 against Millett and lost by 94 votes.
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