Alna’s two candidates on the March 27 ballot for second selectman and the two seeking to be third selectman answered Wiscasset Newspaper’s uniform questions on why they are running; what traits, experience, etc. do they have that will aid their service as selectman; what their top priorities would be if elected, and why; and anything else they would like to get across to voters. The newspaper told candidates their complete response could total up to 500 words.

Second selectman candidate Linda Kristan 

As I gathered signatures on the application form for second selectperson in Alna, I heard many times, “Thank you for running.” This was not an impulsive decision on my part. I considered several other ways of serving in Alna before this,including the school board, planning board, and part-time town clerk. The timing was not quite right for those opportunities, but the opening on the select board connected for several reasons. I had the time, energy and relevant experience. I would not be running against an incumbent, and I really like to see two names offered for a position when I mark my vote.

I had the chance to work in town government while a resident of Richmond, where I served on the planning board for several years. In Alna I was anxious to do my part, so I joined the enthusiastic gardeners who volunteered for weeding and watering the plantings at the new town office. As a special education teacher, I spent many hours at parent/student meetings where listening and working in a collaborative and respectful manner was the foundation for all decisions. The select board consists of three members in Alna, so its effectiveness is dependent on the three members working as a team.

Priorities are driven by the needs of the town. My task would be to listen, learn and ask the questions that would lead me to a deeper understanding of each and every issue. This is what Alna residents deserve.

My husband and I love this beautiful town and the people who call it home. Serving as a member of the select board will give me the opportunity to support the community that has meant so much to us and our family.

Second selectman candidate Kyle Levasseur 

I grew up in Turner, just another small rural Maine community north of Lewiston. After graduating from high school, I joined the United States Marine Corps where I enlisted as an Infantry Assaultman. I quickly assumed escalating leadership roles both in training and while deployed to Iraq, and subsequently to Afghanistan. These experiences helped me to grow and to learn both about taking on responsibilities greater than myself, and how to work as part of a team of individuals with differing strengths towards a common goal.

Currently I reside in Alna, on West Alna Road where I live with my wife and our soon to be son. The transition into becoming a parent has made me start to look at what I am currently doing with my life and what more I could be doing to make this a better community for our children to grow up in. I enjoy taking pride in where I live and would like to have a hand in making our community continually better. Our current and previous selectmen have done a great job in making our town an amazing place to live, and I am excited to join and help continue these advances.

My top priorities would be to try and end this divide that is splitting the town into two camps. And to ensure that the town limits overall spending of tax payers money.  

I believe that I have previous experiences and knowledge that would be an asset to this town and would love the opportunity to do my share so future generations will continue to take pride in our community.

Third selectman candidate Christopher Cooper

I am not unknown to the voters of Alna. I was for 12 years first selectman. During those years we suffered the second school bus fight, the great street light debate, the school budget error, the first-ever outside revaluation fiasco, and the usual assortment of comedies and crises. Of particular note is that Ted Ross and I conducted the 1986-87 revaluation for a price about half of the then-going rate, and it received a high accuracy and equalization rating from the Bureau of Taxation, and very few complaints from our taxpayers. I believe most older residents will agree I acquitted myself well in those years. At length, I was voted back to civilian status, but have never been far from municipal government.

These are the offices I have been elected or appointed to: Treasurer, constable, town meeting moderator, chairman of the salary committee, snow removal committee, Emergency Management Agency director, and Alna Volunteer Fire Department grant writer. The following jobs I have been compensated for, some at my usual rates for my trade, others at a great deal less than market value: Old town office repair, new town office finishing, cemetery stone cleaning and restoration, road patching, brush cutting, road commissioner’s agent for the 2011 paving job, sand building repairs and improvements, Puddle Dock School refurbishing, Center School repairs and restorations, construction of original and enlarged food pantries, and Head Tide Dam site work. Additionally, I have volunteered for duty in the following areas: Annual Report editor, landscape work at town office and fire department, food pantry transportation, stocking and delivery, consultation with selectmen on warrants, meetings and general government issues.

So we agree I know the job, have done it, can do it; and I will do so capably, honestly, professionally, and most assuredly with a sense of humor if elected. I have been acceptable to First Selectman Melissa Spinney as a food pantry and garden and grounds-keeping assistant. I think she should find me a capable selectman, assessor and overseer as well. Our clerks are used to seeing me around the office, and other town officials have no objections to me that they’ve accosted me with, but you may certainly inquire of them.

If elected, I will carry out the duties incumbent upon me as third selectman to the best of my ability, as the oath requires. I want this town to function efficiently, honestly and, as I remember it from my long-ago tour as first selectman, with a sense of proportion, reasonableness, consideration and understanding, and not as the angry and litigious community of adversaries it has of recent times become. Selectmen are or ought to be common persons willing to accept responsibility and take on duties for the benefit of the town; understand that I am such a man and I will give you more and better service than the modest salary might suggest. I will hear your concerns and I will take the opinions of all and the good will of as many will give it.  

Third selectman candidate Charles Culbertson 

Community service has been an important value in my family for generations. I served as a federal civil servant for 41 years and look forward to continuing by serving as Alna’s third selectman. I understand that small-town government can include challenging problems, but am confident that I can contribute thoughtfully and fairly to the business and issues of the town and its citizens.

This position requires considering multiple views and weighing sometimes conflicting opinions while making decisions in the best overall interest of the town. I am a team player and a consensus builder, and am personally committed to bringing civility, compassion, respectfulness and honesty to my work with Alna’s citizens and fellow members of the select board. My career as a scientist has trained me to think critically, pay attention to details, and to identify and evaluate consequences. These traits and experiences have contributed to my success at managing large groups with differing agendas and limited budgets.

These are trying times. Even before the pandemic, many families and individuals in our town faced difficulties making ends meet, and simply putting food on the table and heating their homes. Addressing food, clothing and home heating insecurities are top priorities for me. Our First Selectman, Melissa Spinney, spearheaded the Alna Food Pantry Program, which has fundamentally reduced hunger in our town.  I hope to use this as a model for how the town can support other needs of its citizens by providing organizational structures and resources so that citizens who are able to help with time or money have an easy way to do so.

If elected as third selectman, my pledge to Alna voters is to be accessible, honest and transparent in addressing the issues confronting our town. I have no problem admitting when I don’t have the necessary expertise, and I am quick to do my research to get up to speed. Alna has a tremendous citizenry, with an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience. I won’t be shy about seeking their input. The major guiding principle for me is to remember that the select board is representative governance; I will do my best to be the best representative of the people of Alna.

Voting

Also on the ballot are unopposed incumbent road commissioner Jeff Verney and selectmen’s recent Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit 12 board appointee Kristina Verney, unopposed for that seat. The elections and town meeting by referendum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at the fire station. Absentee ballots are available for both the elections and referendum. Call the town office at 586-5313 about requesting an absentee ballot, or to make an appointment to vote in person. Any absentee ballots must be returned by 4 p.m. March 27, Interim Town Clerk Amy Stockford wrote in a town email.