BRUNSWICK
Brunswick Town Council Chairman Benet Pols said he would like to step aside to make room for new blood on the council, that is if there are candidates willing to step up and run for his at-large seat in November.
“I’m serious when I say I don’t anticipate running,” Pols said on Monday. “I would like to see a couple, three people come out and take this on.”
Earlier this month Pols said he was unsure of whether he wanted to run for a third term. He noted that some individuals may be hesitant to run because the idea of competing against other candidates can be unappealing to a lot of people.
He also left open the possibility that he could still enter the race if a serious, committed candidate does not come forth.
Pols on Monday said he’d like to see multiple candidates emerge so that they would “state their case” to the public, as opposed to one candidate “sliding in” to an open slot.
Pols said he would also be happy to speak to anyone considering a run, and letting them know what the work and time commitment is like on the council.
Pols is finishing his second, three-year term. If he completes a third term, he would have spent close to a decade on the council, he noted.
“Staying on too long can bring staleness,” said Pols.
Councilors Steve Walker and Jane Millet were elected last year and have brought in ideas and an enthusiasm that Pols said was “good for the body of the whole.”
“I think there’s definitely something to be said for new blood,” Pols said. “That’s why we have elections.”
Nomination papers for seats on the town council and school board are now available from the town clerk’s office for the November elections.
Seats in Districts 5 and 7, and one at-large seat, are up for grabs for both boards.
For the council, District 5 is currently held by Councilor Gerald Favreau. District 7 is held by Vice Chairwoman Sarah Bray- man. Both have reportedly indicated their desire to run for re-election.
The at-large seat is held by Pols.
On the school board, the District 5 seat is held by James Grant. District 7 is held by Chairwoman Michele Joyce. The at-large seat is held by Vice Chairman William Thompson.
Three school board members said they are running for re-election.
“I think I have experience, which is a good thing to have on the board,” said Grant.
Grant said he wants to continue his work with the Maine School Board Association.
At large candidates will need to gather signatures from 100 registered voters. Others will need 25 signatures from within their districts, according to Town Clerk Fran Smith.
Nomination papers need to be returned no later than Sept. 5.
AT LARGE CANDIDATES will need to gather signatures from 100 registered voters. Others will need 25 signatures from within their districts, according to Town Clerk Fran Smith.
NOMINATION PAPERS need to be returned no later than Sept. 5.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less