Robert Stone is running for Auburn City Council Ward 2 on Nov. 3, 2015. Learn about more candidates and issues in our Election 2015 guide.
Name:
Bob Stone
Email address:
bstone04210@gmail.com
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/BobStoneWard2Auburn
Occupation or primary source of income:
Retired
Education:
BS in economics, University of Maine at Orono
Family information:
Married to Susan Stone for 41 years. Three grown children and six grandchildren.
Public Offices Sought or held:
Board member, Maine Turnpike Authority, finishing fourth year of 6-year term
Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?
I’ve long had an interest in politics. I follow politics at the federal, state and municipal level.
I recently retired from a long career in banking and my final assignment was to create and build a government banking group. Our team was very successful and the bank has scores of government entities, from state government to the smaller towns of Maine as clients.
I enjoyed working with and providing solutions to many Maine citizens who staff these government entities. Why not use some of that knowledge and financial experience to help my fellow citizens of Auburn?
What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?
There is always room for improvement. The current council gave it their best and I look forward to improving on their budget in the next cycle. There is much risk out there in the financial world today and I will be constantly looking to safeguard the “other people’s money” that the hard-working taxpayers send into the city every year.
With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?
While a number of our streets are in deplorable shape (Hampshire Street and Park Avenue are two examples), it is imperative that the safety of our residents is supported by an excellent police department, rescue/fire and treated streets and roads.
We have also been infested by drug trafficking from the greater Boston and New York metro areas and we must locate and eradicate this threat to our younger residents. I am a big fan of large jails with little in the way of amenities. If you want to come to Auburn to deal, you operate at considerable risk.
Court Street could be narrowed from four travel lanes to two in 2016. Is that a good idea or not, and why do you feel that way?
I am opposed to narrowing Court Street to two lanes. I will vote against it if provided the opportunity.
Cutting average speeds to 7 mph will block up not only Court Street, but Main Street in Lewiston as well. It will impact all of the connecting streets, such as Turner, Union, Main, Spring, etc. This is a bad idea.
What is your opinion regarding tax incentives to developers, such as Tax Increment Finance deals and state and federal grants? Should the city offer them or not?
Tax Increment Finance deals are complex and must be considered on a deal-by-deal basis.
Generally, the recipient of a TIF benefits from a tax break while all other taxpayers subsidize the TIF recipient by paying higher taxes. Citizens need to understand that fact.
Again, it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis and risk. What is the city of Auburn gaining by offering a TIF, or a grant? Is the investment going to generate economic benefits that far offset the cost of the taxpayers’ contribution to the project under consideration? How certain are we of the ability of the project to sustain itself? How does the public feel about the project? Every project is different and requires solid analysis.
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