In addition to electing a new mayor, Saco residents will elect councilors for all seven wards. Ward 7 has the only contested race.

Four candidates are vying for two four-year terms on the Regional School Unit 23 board of directors.

 

COUNCIL RACE

• Ward 1 – uncontested

DAVID TRIPP did not respond

 

• Ward 2 – uncontested

LESLIE TRIPP JR. did not respond

 

• Ward 3 – uncontested

MARIE DOUCETTE

AGE: 80

ADDRESS: 75 Clark St.

EMAIL: maried@gwi.net

PERSONAL: two daughters; one son

EDUCATION: bachelor’s in business administration from Westbrook College

OCCUPATION: retired

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: one term as councilor

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) keep property taxes from increasing; 2) revitalizing Saco’s Main Street; and 3) affordable housing for seniors and low income citizens.

 

• Ward 4 – uncontested

PHILIP BLOOD

PARTY AFFILIATION: independent

AGE: 64

ADDRESS: 6 Ocean View

EMAIL: pblood@myfairpoint.net

PERSONAL: married; two grown children

EDUCATION: master’s in education administration

OCCUPATION: retired

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: none

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) keep Saco focused during hard economic times to maintain a balanced and clear direction for the city; 2) help Saco River and Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project become a reality; and 3) work with Regional School Unit 23 to assure education standards stay high.

 

• Ward 5 – uncontested

ARTHUR TARDIF

PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat

AGE: 70

ADDRESS: 249 Lincoln St.

PERSONAL: retired Saco Police Officer

EDUCATION: graduate of Thornton Academy; some college

OCCUPATION: Prudential Prime Properties associate broker

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: over 21 years on city council

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) continue to hold taxes down; 2) deal with RSU 23 for better management; and 3) continue to give quality service to residents and still control spending.

 

• Ward 6 – uncontested

ERIC COTE

PARTY AFFILIATION: Democrat

AGE: 64

ADDRESS: 260 Beach St.

PERSONAL: married to Dorothy-Rae Cote and one son Ben

EDUCATION: graduate of Thornton Academy; Colby College; law degree from the New England School of Law

OCCUPATION: lawyer

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 18 years on city council and four years as mayor

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) reduce city’s use of fossil fuels and convert to renewable energy; 2) affordable housing; and 3) maintain high quality of service to the public.

 

• Ward 7 – contested

MARSTON LOVELL

PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican

AGE: 65

ADDRESS: 51 Nott St.

PERSONAL: wife Karen Lovell, two children, three grandchildren

EDUCATION: accounting, University of Southern Maine

OCCUPATION: accounting and computer systems management

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: city council since 2007; Maine Municipal Association executive committee member; Strategy and Finance Committee; Legislative Policy Committee

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) careful analysis in financing municipal operations and public services; 2) economic development to maintain current programs without tax increase; and 3) promote participatory government through soliciting citizen comments and participation.

NATHAN JOHNSTON

PARTY AFFILIATION: Independent

AGE: 28

ADDRESS: 7 Elm St

PERSONAL: single; no children

EDUCATION: graduate Thornton Academy; six years in the United States Marine Corps.

OCCUPATION: Vic & Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: served multiple campaigns and board member on the Saco Fire Station Ad hoc Committee

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) address the finances of the city, which has used the reserve funds over the past four years; 2) aggressively pursue companies to fill our industrial parks, promote our downtown as a place for small businesses and work with Biddeford to unite these cities; and 3) education is the single most important thing a community can provide to youth, the city needs to continue to work with RSU 23 to see this union work.

 

• RSU 23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS RACE

(two seats up for election)

BETH JOHNSTON

PARTY AFFILIATION: Independent

AGE: 59

ADDRESS: 62 Pleasant

PERSONAL: divorced; four children

EDUCATION: bachelor’s at University of Southern Maine

OCCUPATION: Vic & Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop wine buyer

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: current RSU 23 board of directors member; served on Saco Board of Education

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) continue work on the five year strategic plan and the authorization of a 10 year facilities committee; 2) determine how ot use resources across the district, including equalized class sizes; and 3) convey to the public we are united in our goals as a district.

 

RON MICHAUD

AGE: 64

ADDRESS: 143 Bayview Road

EMAIL: hmichaud@mac.com

PERSONAL: Family: married; two children; two grandchildren

EDUCATION: bachelor’s degree Keene State College

OCCUPATION: help desk at Thornton Academy

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: current mayor; five years deputy mayor; city council; coastal water commission; saco shoreline commission; comprehensive planning committee; Saco Bay planning Committee; planning board

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) ensure the city’s children are provided with education to equip them to deal with the challenges of an international workplace; 2) address in an equitable manner the cost sharing challenges within the school district’s communties; and 3) replace the Young School modular units.

 

ALAN SMITH

PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican

AGE: 56

ADDRESS: 364 Boom Road

OCCUPATION: Project Manager

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

TOP THREE PRIORITIES: 1) Equalize allotment of resources; 2) achieve a high level of operational efficiency; and 3) plan ahead for any contingency.

SHIRLEY JONES did not respond