RUMFORD – Four people are seeking two selectmen’s seats in the June 12 election.

One seat, that of exiting board Chairman James Rinaldo, is open. The other is being defended by four-term incumbent Jolene Lovejoy.

The past year has been tumultuous for the board, which often found itself mired in controversy and dissent.

Issues often swirled around the town’s charter and ordinances, previously known as by-laws. Some challenged the manner selectmen interpreted the charter, including a court challenge that prompted the exit of Town Manager Stephen Eldridge because he did not move into the town, as the charter dictates.

Besides Lovejoy, seeking a board seat are Brad Adley, Frank DiConzo and Ronald Theriault.

Voting takes place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Congress Street.

Each of the candidates was asked to answer the following questions:

• Why should someone vote for you?

• What question would you most like to ask one of the other candidates? Why? What would you do on this issue? What in your past history prepares you for this position?

• What is the biggest issue facing Rumford? What would you try to do about it?

• Other comments

A brief biographical profile on each candidate and their answers are below. Candidates appear in alphabetical order.

Bradford Adley

Age: 42

Address: 29 Wyman Hill Road

Occupation: owner/operator Adley Auto Sales and Service

Education: 1983 graduate, Rumford High School; associate degree, Central Maine Technical College

Family info: Married, Susan Zinck Adley, three children

Relevant experience: Rumford Planning Board, 13 years; Black Mountain of Maine board, 4 years; business owner.

Answers:

• I have the town’s best interest in mind. I would like to see Rumford grow, to ensure opportunity for our youth. I will bring a business viewpoint to the board.

• Business experience, Planning Board, Black Mountain of Maine

• Economic development. We need more opportunities for our youth to work and live here.

• I believe with my past experience with local boards and running a business, I could help the town of Rumford.

Frank DiConzo

Age: 58

Address: 392 High St.

Occupation: retired postal worker/educator

Education: graduate of Stephens High School in 1967 and University of Southern Maine with B.S. in education, 1976

Family info: father of three, a son and two daughters

Relevant experience: Rumford Finance Committee since ’89 and vice-chairman; SAD 43 Finance Committee chairman; Region 9 vice-chairman; Board of Directors Oakdale Country Club and treasurer

• Have always put citizens of Rumford first. I truly believe in our community. Believe in open government, freedom of information and citizens involvement. Will live by town charter, Constitution and by-laws. Will look at our future options and make decisions based on facts.

• No comment.

• Leadership. Return accountability to town leadership by making sure that mistakes of the past are not repeated.

• I will encourage community involvement for revitalization and growth by taking a long-range look at the future of Rumford. I will listen to elderly/retirees on fixed incomes and low-income people so fiscal spending will be more responsible. I will hear all sides of an issue and encourage differing opinions in order to make the right decisions that affect all citizens.

Jolene S. Lovejoy

Age: 64 (who asks this question these days?)

Address: 78 Porter Ave. West

Occupation: retired office manager, self-employed

Education: two years of college, but I consider myself to be a life-long learner as I continue to take courses and involve myself in seminars and other offerings

Family info: born here at Rumford Hospital to Cecil and Geraldine Burns; I am married to Dick Lovejoy; I have two adult children, Kristin and Stephen Boerger, as well as two stepchildren, Bill and Jonathan Lovejoy

Relevant experience: I am completing my fourth term as a member of the Rumford Board of Selectmen; I am vice-chairman of the board. I am a former member of the Rumford Finance Committee and I have previously served as a SAD 43 director for nine years.

• I believe that I am one of two candidates who has no hidden agenda. I am running to represent the everyday person who lives and pays taxes in the town of Rumford. I am not seeking to represent any particular “group.” I am here to serve my community. I promise you that my decisions will be “informed decisions.” I am passionate about my community and the people who live here; I am honest, hard-working, with a great deal of well-earned integrity and good old common sense.

• I would like to ask them how they feel they will best benefit the town of Rumford if they are elected. I feel that running for office (any office), but particularly the position of selectman, should have people that are interested in service to their community and this service should not be about SELF but rather above self! I have never run for any office because of an agenda of my own or one that was set by someone else. I believe to best serve your community you must have an open mind. Above all, you must have integrity.

• One of the biggest issues is the board’s lack of experience. As of the election on June 12, two members of the board will have only two years experience, and the other member will have only one year. We will also have a brand new town manager and he will need some help not only from selectmen, but also from the general public. I am the only candidate, of the four who are running, that has previous selectman experience. I do believe that we need to move on – and all of this negative talk, as well as inappropriate behavior, needs to stop! We all need to work together to begin again and hopefully begin to rebuild what we have lost this past year! I also think that getting some outside help for our board is essential! Boardsmanship is not a skill that everyone possesses; it is, however, essential if we truly wish to be serving the members of our community.

• Level of service, regionalism, recreation, the Puiia Business Park, economic development, are but a few of the items that also must be looked into.

Ronald Theriault

Age: 45

Address: 612 Pine St.

Occupation: Owner/financial services business

Education: high school; enrolled in FEMA degree program

Family info: married, two adult children

Relevant experience: 21 years of financial services; 12 years of hiring experience and managing the staff; 4.5 years Department of Homeland Security; Four years Rumford Fire Department call force; member of Comprehensive Planning Board.

• I will act on behalf of the taxpayers of Rumford and I will follow the rules as outlined in the charter, by-laws and state law.

• No comment.

• Job growth. I would encourage the town to hire a full-time economic developer.

• No response given.