Phil Gagnon, 30, is a Democratic newcomer running for one of the two councilor-at-large seats. He is vying for a seat against fellow Democratic incumbent Michael Foley and Republican incumbent John O’Hara. Gagnon was recently married to Tatia Munday, who ran against Tim Driscoll as a Republican in last year’s House District 126 race.

Gagnon is a risk analyst for Key Bank in Portland. He studied business and economics at Norwich University in Vermont and holds a master’s degree.

“I’m one of those few people who left the state to come back,” he said.

Gagnon is a fifth-generation Westbrook resident. He said his grandfather, who was a city councilor, taught him “service before self.” Gagnon has served on the Recruitment Committee for the Maine Real Estate and Development Association.

Gagnon is a proponent of recycling, though he plans to ask residents what their thoughts are on a pay-per-bag system while he is out campaigning. He said there are other communities that have successful recycling programs that Westbrook can look to for guidance.

Gagnon believes the best use of the soon to be vacated Wescott Junior High School would be a consolidated elementary school campus. He said consolidating elementary schools at the old building in conjunction with the existing Congin School would be highly efficient and cut down on administrative and transportation costs.

Gagnon supported the ordinance the city adopted restricting where sex offenders can live and work. “It’s almost equal to murdering someone,” Gagnon said about pedophile sex offenders.

However, he said the ordinance isn’t a solution to the problem. “It’s more of a reactive thing,” he said. Gagnon said on the one hand the restrictions don’t go far enough, but on the other hand that the restrictions could be challenged in court. He believes something needs to be done at the state level, such as more severe sentencing.

Gagnon declined to comment on the recent row between Human Resource Director Tina Crellin and City Councilor Michael Foley, saying he wants to focus on ordinances and development, “not petty squabbles.”

Gagnon is a proponent of addressing taxes and assisting the elderly and low-income, fixed-income and working class families. He stands by the saying, “A tax, no matter how noble the original intent, is still a burden on the citizen.” He wants more new businesses coming in to help offset the tax-base. He wants businesses to be “more generous in tax payments,” and for the city to use policies like TIFs to attract new businesses.

Gagnon wants revaluations done every three years to avoid the large property tax shift that occurred this summer.

Gagnon wants more financial accountability, with documents posted on the city Web site for ease of public access.

“With my education and experience, and being a resident of this fine city, I feel people should vote for me because I’m looking for change,” Gagnon said. He feels the city doesn’t always communicate as well as it could, and that many of the same people have been in elected offices for year after year, which does not lend a chance for changing the status quo.