Two run to fill Allen's seat on B'field board

Photo: Peter L. McGuire

Warren Wright

BUCKFIELD — Two candidates are running to fill a seat on the board of selectmen left vacant after the sudden death of Selectman Rodney Allen in November.

Warren Wright and William Sullivan, Jr. have turned in nomination papers for the position. The winner of the election will finish Allen's term, which expires in 2014.

Wright, a retired GE employee, has lived in Buckfield for the last 21 years and has been involved in town affairs for the last 15.

Wright has served on the town budget committee for at least 10 years and is currently the committee chairman.

He has also served one term as selectman between 1995 and 1998 and sat on the town planning board and the RSU 10 budget committee. 

Wright says his interest and experience in town affairs and his desire to help the town grow and develop in the right direction makes him a good candidate.

He says a number of people encouraged him to run to fill Allen's seat.

There are some concerns Wright has, including the future of the town's aging fire-rescue building, developing a flat budget for the town and the uncertain future of RSU 10.

Sullivan, a semi-retired small business owner has lived in Buckfield since 1975 and just recently found the time to become involved in town affairs and give back to the community. 

If elected, Sullivan says he'll bring his moral and fiscal conservatism to town government.

"After the tragedy of November 6, [election] I thought a good place to start would be town government and try to just bring a fair and conservative governance to town government," Sullivan says.

Sullivan admits his experience in town affairs is limited to a seven-year stint as a volunteer fire-fighter, but he thinks his 35 years as a small business owner gives him the budgeting and fiscal experience to make good decisions as a board member.

While there are no specific town issues that concern Sullivan, he says he wants to make sure the people of Buckfield aren't "wasting their money."

The election is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23. Polling will take place at the town office from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo: Peter L. McGuire

William Sullivan