GORHAM – Gorham voters will select three town councilors from a field of five candidates.

Town Councilors Burleigh Loveitt and Phil Csoros did not seek re-election. Those running for council seats are Philip T. Gagnon Jr., Charles E. Haws, John A. Pressey, Matthew J. Robinson, and Ronald H. Smith. Robinson is an incumbent. All seats are three-year terms. On this page are the candidates’ responses to an American Journal questionnaire.

Two School Committee members, Kyle Currier and Roger Marchand, are seeking re-election in an uncontested race.

Matthew Robinson

Age: 43

Marital status: Married to Melissa, one child, Samantha

Occupation: Employed by Standard Motor Products for 22 1?2 years as a territory sales manager.

Political experience: Served on the Gorham Town Council for nine years; served as the council Chairman; council vice chair for three years; served on the Gorham Finance committee for two years, chair once; the Gorham Ordinance committee for six years, chair four times; the Gorham Capitol Improvements Committee for eight years, chair three times; serve on the Cumberland County Budget Advisory committee; also, coach for the Gorham Recreation Department; member of the Gorham Lions Club; board of directors for the Dingley Springs Water Association

Q: What are the top two issues facing Gorham and your comments?

A: The challenge in these economic times is to try to balance what the needs are for the whole town. What does it cost to run the town and schools to keep a high level of service? How do we keep up with infrastructure and road maintenance while trying to keep the tax rate flat?

I have shown over the past nine years I’ve been able to do this by making tough decisions. I’ve always tried to spend taxpayers money wisely, not supporting words like research, review, study, [which equal] money and staff time. Councilors need to be well informed, do lots of homework on their own and realize there is more to Gorham then their own neighborhood.

People who know me or watch the town meetings realize I always speak open and honestly but also keep the Gorham residents best interest in mind.

People feel that I’m fair and honest. My past history shows that I’m hard working and will work very hard for you. The reason I’m the best candidate running is that I’m here for you; I never vote on emotions or let personal beliefs interfere with the way I vote. I have no hidden agenda. I always vote for what is best for all 17,000 residents of Gorham. My goal is to lower taxes and to make Gorham an even better place for my daughter.

If anyone has any questions for me before you vote please let me know. Contact me at 839-7101 home 450-9180 cell or e-mail me at smpmatt@yahoo.com.

Charlie Haws

Age: 53

Marital status: Partner, Jane; children Michael 25, Casey 24, Sarah 16, Kyle 24, Amy 21, and Abby 16

Occupation: Wright Express, 12 years

Political experience: Zoning Board of Appeals, Gorham Community Access Television Committee, Dallas Adopt a School volunteer for three years, Committee to Repeal the Wright Amendment, Dallas

Q: In 200 words or less, what are the top two issues facing Gorham and your comments?

A: Gorham has been a well-managed town and frankly, if it weren’t for the departure of councilmen Loveitt and Csoros, I would feel content and appropriately utilized by the town committees I am a member of. With the vacancies, however, I’d like to ensure that the responsible, conservative approach to our governance continues. I’ve found no consensus among citizens around our most pressing issues, which I see as a good thing. In my opinion, they are: 1. Minding the budget and controlling taxes. Gorham property taxes have remained steady for four years. The direction of our economy is very uncertain. It has been proposed that 9 or 10 percent is the “new norm’ for unemployment, and that the housing market may take eight years to recover. Hopefully, these predictions are wrong, but until the picture becomes clearer, my bias will be toward fiscal restraint.

2. Attracting new businesses to our community. Tom Ellsworth of the Gorham Economic Development Corp. reports that over the last 12 months, there have been 35 to 50 projects around potential business moves into Gorham. This number is down from a more typical 75 to 100 projects. When the economy improves and business activity increases, it will be important to continue to attract desirable new business.

I have never held elected office, but I believe the skills I’ve developed over 35 years in the business world will transfer to a role on the Town Council. I will work hard to thoroughly understand issues and make the best decisions possible.

Ronald H. Smith

Age: 49

Marital status: Married to Laura W. Smith for 17 years; children Alex 12, Anna 10

Occupation: Sales/customer service, Creative Imaging Group, Scarborough.

Political experience: None

Q: In 200 words or less, what are the top two issues facing Gorham and your comments?

A: The top issues facing Gorham are taxes and traffic/roads. We need to prioritize our spending and maintain services to best meet the needs of our citizens and ensure the integrity of our roads.

The future council has a major challenge on its hands with keeping the tax rate low, balancing the needs of the citizens, and finding the funds to repair our roadways. In order to maintain our tax rate, we need to attract new businesses to Gorham with a strong economic development plan. We need to continue working with the MDOT on the tow’ns traffic issues. The improvements in South Gorham, routes 22 and 114, are now in the planning stages, which is good news and the East-West Corridor studies are under way.

I have been a member of the Gorham community for nine years. During this time, I’ve gotten to know the people, the needs of the town, and its challenges. I have the energy, dedication and communication skills needed to serve the community. I will always give 100 percent and will act in the best interest of the people of Gorham. I will bring a common sense approach to all issues facing the town of Gorham.

John A. Pressey

Age: 41

Marital status: Married to Gina, two children ages ages 31?2 and 6

Occupation: Public administrator, landscape architectural associate, landscape and site designer, digital image editor/digital photographer

Political experience: Not political, but leadership experience in positions of responsibility in the U.S. Navy. Participated in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm and received several military awards and decorations. Also, earning a master’s in public administration; completed a one -year town management internship with the town manager of Mechanic Falls; am a state-certified land use and zoning code enforcement officer and MDOT certified local project administrator

Q: In 200 words or less, what are the top two issues facing Gorham and your comments?

A: Our first issue is economic. With the state of the economy as it is and the state’s Revenue Sharing program taking continuous and drastic cuts over the past 10 years, the economic stability of any municipality is uncertain, which leads to our second big related issue – the traffic congestion and the need for improved transportation infrastructures negatively affect the economic development opportunities of the municipality. Business and industry would be more able and willing to utilize areas north of downtown, creating new jobs and economic stability, if there were an efficient major transportation corridor in place. Convenience for our citizens would also be improved.

Clearly the bypass has helped our downtown traffic issue, but actually only relocated that portion of the congestion to the Portland end of the bypass. It has done nothing to alleviate the Westbrook-bound congestion.

From my observation, Google Maps (satellite view) reveals a potential logical corridor that could connect the bypass directly to I-295, passing to the north of the Gorham Country Club, and then proceeding in a southeasterly direction, finally aligning with the present terminus of 295. A feasibility study would, of course, be necessary, and a right of way acquired.

I am a husband and a father, interested in making a positive impact on the world in which we live; helping to create a better future for all of us and for our children. I do not believe that pure public administration is actually political nor should it be. We are all in this together, with the best interest of our society as our priority. Realistically, it is not possible to please everyone on every issue; the goal is to make life better for everyone in the bigger picture. I will approach each proposal, issue, and/or decision with this in mind.

I believe in making decisions based on the evidence and the merits of the variables involved. I will ask, “How will the possible alternative solutions affect our community, and its future?” Right and wrong are not political concepts, but human ethical and moral concepts. Let’s make our decisions, not by party lines but by utilizing ethical and moral judgment.

Find more information on my opinions, and qualifications on Facebook at John Pressey for Gorham, Maine Town Council.

Philip T. Gagnon Jr.

Age: 33

Marital status: Married to Tatia Gagnon, expecting first child in March

Occupation: Risk officer for KeyBank

Political experience: Currently serving on the Gorham Economic Development Corp.

Q: In 200 words or less, what are the top two issues facing Gorham and your comments?

A: The challenge for any Town Council candidate will be to effectively identify and refine existing ordinances in order to maintain the character of our town. I believe that we can do this while being able to positively attract new business. As Gorham approaches its 250th anniversary (1764-2014), I would like to create an exploratory committee that looks at the possibility of expanding our recreational areas and revisiting our village concept. Pedestrian/bicycle friendly paths, improved athletic fields, and the expansion of existing parks are some of the things we will need to consider as our town continues to grow. I would like to further preserve Gorham’s agrarian heritage, through the expansion and addition of village areas like Village Center and Little Falls.

With my background in economics, I feel that I can spur economic development in our town. In my opinion, Gorham’s prosperity begins with a diversification of its tax base, along with a well-defined infrastructure plan. The encouragement of responsible development, while maintaining Gorham’s rural character, should be any councilor’s priority. As many families continue to be negatively impacted by a slow economy, it is imperative to continue a disciplined approach to spending while maintaining a reasonable debt burden.

And I continue to believe that a tax, no matter how noble it’s original intent, is still a burden upon its citizens.