HAMPDEN, Maine — With 15 people vying for seats in local elections on Nov. 4, town officials have decided to hold separate “meet the candidates” forums for Town Council and Regional School Unit 22 board of directors hopefuls.
This year, there are contests for every open seat, with the exception of a five-year opening on the Hampden Water District, which has no takers.
To that end, the forum for council candidates is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, and the forum for school board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, Town Manager Susan Lessard said last week.
Both sessions will take place in the council chambers and will be streamed live and recorded for future airings through Election Day, Lessard said.
Mayor Carol Duprey said last week she is pleased with the apparent uptick in interest in local elective posts.
“I just would like to say how excited I was to see how many people qualified as candidates for the Town Council and the school board,” she said. “There have been times in the past, as a lot of the councilors know, when it’s has been hard to find people to run at all.”
Up for grabs Nov. 4 are the expiring Town Council seats held by District I Councilor Ivan McPike, District II Councilor Thomas Brann, District III Councilor Jean Lawlis and District IV Councilor David Ryder, Town Clerk Denise Hodsdon said earlier this month.
McPike is seeking re-election to the council and is facing a challenge from Stephen Wilde. Brann opted not to seek another term, and Mark Gray and Dennis Marble have tossed their hats into the election ring. Incumbent Lawlis faces competition from Philip “Terry” McAvoy, while Ryder will face off against Andrew Colford.
A five-way race is shaping up for the three RSU 22 school committee positions held by Amy Faircloth, Jim Davitt and Niles Parker. Parker is seeking re-election. Lester French, Karen Hawkes, Kympton Lovley and Jason Sharpe have stepped forward as candidates.
Also to be filled is the remaining year of Jessica Scott’s unexpired school committee term and the Hampden Water District board post held by Shane Sargent, Hodsdon said.
Brian Duprey and Anthony Liberatore are seeking Scott’s seat. There are no candidates for the water district post.