Hakala, Wessels run for Kurtz seat

PARIS — Voters may already know the two candidates running for a one-year term on the board of selectmen – both Jim Hakala and Robert Wessels tried for a seat on the board in the last election, just over a month ago.

The two candidates are running to replace Ted Kurtz, who abruptly resigned from the board in mid-June.

In the earlier election, Hakala ran against current Board Chairman Sam Elliot for a one-year term and lost by a thin margin – 306 votes to Elliot's 323.

Wessels came in second to Gerald Kilgore in a three-way race for a three-year term, claiming 261 votes.

Wessels said that his business acumen and corporate experience qualified him to be a selectman.

Wessels is the general manager of US Cellular in Paris and North Conway and has lived in Paris since 2003.

Hakala and his wife Paula became involved in town affairs during the town's controversial debate on ATV use of public roads in 2010. He is the manager of Hakala transport, a U.S. Postal Service contractor.

He has since sat on three town committees, including the road committee that developed the town's road improvement plan and updated the town's street index.

A special election for the one-year term will be held July 19. Polling will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Paris Fire Station.