Ward 4 runs along the southern center of the city, from downtown to the Poland and New Gloucester town lines and from the Little Androscoggin to Broad Street.

Bruce A. Bickford

Address: 64 Cameron Lane

Occupation: Manager, Irving Truck Stop

Community Service: Board of Directors, Small Property Owners of Auburn

Education: Edward Little High School

Personal: Married, two children

Why are you seeking a term as a city councilor?

“After being at the City Council meetings earlier in the year, I realized that there was real divide in the council. It seems like you had four councilors that, although they seemed to work independently, they still seemed to have a real rift with the other three. And the other three seemed to be a merry band, or just really close-knit. If one voted no, they all voted no.

“You have to have an independent person on that council, who thinks independently on the tough questions without attacking.”

What can you do to provide relief for Auburn property taxpayers?

“I can ask the tough questions that have to be asked. For example, we have 13 TIFs in Auburn right now.

“And they have three bonds out now; one’s a roundabout and another’s a parking garage. They put a $5 million bond on them. Well, what if it costs $8 million? What if it costs $13 million? Nobody on the council has asked, how do we know those numbers are accurate. How do we know it’s only going to cost $5 million? At least some data. Show me an engineering study. Show me something that shows this is only going to cost me $5 million.”

Please rate the incumbent (Donna Lyons Rowell). What could Ms. Rowell have done to make things smoother for the city, the citizens or the City Council?

“I have a lot of respect for her. I think she works really hard for her ward. I think in Donna’s case, she needs to have a much more professional approach in the council meetings. Not be attacking, be able to be independent and share a point of view, whether it agrees or disagrees with her two counterparts.”