Merrill and Chase rematch for commissioner seat

Photo:

Charleen Chase (D-Bethel)

Photo:

Steven Merrill (R-Norway)

COUNTY —  Charleen Chase (D-Bethel) is running against incumbent Steve Merrill (R-Norway) for a seat representing District 1 on the Oxford County Commission.

District 1 covers Bethel, Lovell, Stow, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Fryeburg, Brownfield, Porter and Hiram.

This isn't the first time the two have contended the seat. In 2008, Chase ran against Merrill in a very tight race and almost won – getting 5,360 votes to Merrill's 5,404, after a recount. 

Now the two, who have known each other for years and currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Western Maine Economic Development Council, are getting ready for a rematch on November 6.

Merrill

Merrill says he's always been interested in local government – he calls it his "main hobby."

He has served for 18 years as a commissioner, about half the time as chairman. He also represents Oxford at the Maine County Commissioner's Association.

He remains active in a number of local organizations alongside working 60 hours a week as a modular home sales representative.

The incumbent stands on his record on the commission. He says that during his tenure, county government has kept costs down and the mil rate stable.

Merrill says the commission has actively made change in the county. The commissioners maintain an "administrative task list" of nearly 100 items they continually review to look for areas of improvement in the county.

Even with all the work done in the county offices the scope of it's work remains a "well kept secret," Merrill says.

"People just don't understand or realize what vital services are provided up there and how it affects nearly everyone in the county."

During his tenure, county government has been renovating existing buildings to provide more space and avoid new construction costs.

Over the years, it has also increased patrols by the Sheriff's Office in District 1, upgraded technology in the county offices and improved roads in the county's unorganized territories. 

Overall the current commissioners work well with each other, the budget committee and county employees, Merrill says. If reelected he will continue to work in the best interest of the county.

Chase

Chase says the 2008 campaign was a learning experience and she's ready for another try. She's convinced she has a good chance in the race but can't say if the outcome will be as close as 2008.

Chase worked at Community Concepts for 32 years, starting in the Head Start program and working her way up to executive director.

Chase is a strong supporter of Norway Main Street and community projects. She serves on the CMP Board of Directors and is active in the senior college in Bethel.

Chase says her experience in CCI has given her an inside look at the unique needs and challenges faced by different communities in the county and she will transfer that experience to the commission. 

She says she wants to expand the presence of county government to facilitate inter-community cooperation, particularly in areas like transportation.

From her experience, Chase says people aren't aware of the role county government plays – she'd like to increase communication with and invite input from communities.

By acting as a facilitator and raising the profile of the commission in the county, Chase says the commission can find resources it wasn't aware of and help move projects forward.

It's important for the commission to plan long-term, Chase says. The administrative list Merrill references isn't enough – the commission needs to be more forward-thinking and focus less on the "paperwork of the day."