ROCKLAND, Maine — A veteran community activist has entered the race for a single seat on the City Council.
Deborah Atwell of Pleasant Street took out nomination papers Monday.
She is the third person to take out papers for the three-year seat. Incumbent Mayor Frank Isganitis took out papers two weeks ago in an effort to win a second term. Lake View Drive resident and political newcomer William Jillson returned his papers Monday and has qualified for the Nov. 3 ballot.
Candidates have until Sept. 21 to file their papers to get on the ballot.
Atwell said she is running because the current council has silenced citizens at meetings by limiting the time in which they can speak. She also criticized a meeting on natural-gas fired plants last week in which citizens had to submit questions in writing.
The Pleasant Street resident said she is an opponent of the proposed natural-gas plant that is being eyed for city property where City Hall and the adjacent public services garage are located.
Atwell has worked on grassroots issues during the past 20 years or so, including fighting a proposed Wal-Mart superstore for Camden Street, opposing a proposed Samoset Resort marina adjacent to the Rockland Breakwater, helping to lead a successful repeal of a zone change that would have allowed a Walgreens store to build at the busy Camden-Maverick streets intersection and raising the issue of unhealthy emissions from idling trains at the railroad station.
The two incumbent Rockland representatives on the Regional School Unit 13, whose terms end this year, have taken out papers to seek re-election. Nancy Jeffers and Esther “Tess” Kilgour have taken out papers. Both are three-year seats.