Rick LaChapelle
Name: Rick LaChapelle
Age: 59
Occupation: Self-employed, business owner
Political experience: Zoning Board of Appeals, Community Development Block Grant Committee, Lewiston School Committee, chair of Lewiston Bicentennial Committee, L/A Airport board of directors, vice chair of Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission, and Lewiston City Council.
Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate for this seat?
Working on Lisbon Street for the last 40 years, along with all the other boards and commissions I have been on, has given me the background and knowledge to see the changes needed and to effectively make the correct decisions for Lewiston.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Lewiston’s future, and how you would address them.
Economic development is a must. The new riverfront master plan will change the look and future of Lewiston. Approximately 26% of all property in Lewiston is tax exempt. We must expand our tax base to lessen the burden on the taxpayer. Once we accomplish this we will have the money to fund the other much-needed services our city so deserves. The continued crime in Lewiston must be addressed.
What actions will you take to support businesses and grow the local economy?
I have led the charge to make over 1,000 changes to our current rules, this has streamlined the process for all, from the homeowner to the major developer. We must have continued growth to expand the tax base. This will require more changes to an antiquated system to foster more and friendlier development. I have proven this can happen, we have just run out of time. Business growth is the backbone of all cities. We have adopted this way of thinking in Lewiston and must continue to assist them in any way possible.
What solution do you support to address homelessness in Lewiston?
Homelessness in an unfixable byproduct of the modern world, but the attempt to help will alleviate some human suffering. A new way of addressing the issue has to happen. Just warehousing people and enabling them is not solving the problem; 90% of the homeless have either drug and alcohol addiction or mental illness. We need a long-term care facility, similar to the Salvation Army program, that will be expensive. We must address this problem because doing nothing will not solve a thing. I would support a longer term solution.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I am proud of Lewiston, we have made many changes over the years. We adapted when we lost all the mills, we made the changes to remove all the foam from the Androscoggin River. We have improved our school system, we have made Lewiston a better place to live. But, we must not stop, we as a city must adapt and change for the betterment of our citizens.
Michael Roy Submitted photo
Name: Michael Roy
Age: 54
Occupation: I work for two local non-profit organizations
Political experience: None
Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate for this seat?
I have experience working with community providers to get results. I have held leadership roles that have taught me to listen to all sides to make informed decisions. I feel it is important to listen to all council members and work together to make decisions which will move Lewiston forward.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Lewiston’s future, and how you would address them.
Homelessness has come up when talking with many residents. Some ideas to work on the issue are to build a homeless shelter and or transitional housing with housing navigators and case managers to assist with housing, retention, and housing skills building for stability in housing.
Vandalism and crime are issues lately that have caught my attention. We need to work with our police force and do our best to provide funding to combat these issues. Police are the experts, and we should listen to their ideas. Mental health workers to assist police will be effective tools to help.
What actions will you take to support businesses and grow the local economy?
We need to partner with prospective businesses and offer incentives for opening a new business and create long lasting incentives to keep businesses growing. We can also offer grants for new startup businesses that encourage younger people. Identifying possible tax incentives and financial assistance packages could help. We can elect new leaders who put community first and listen to all ideas and make sure guidelines, codes, and zoning make sense for new businesses to start and grow. Lewiston needs to focus on local growth and reinvest in local businesses.
What solution do you support to address homelessness in Lewiston?
I feel we can identify buildings that could be rehabilitated into low-income apartments and transitional housing and/or a shelter. We should incorporate housing navigators who will work on finding permanent housing and retention services. We can develop housing-first programs with case managers that will work on stabilization. We can also provide an easier path to get mental health and addiction services. This will help with housing stability. We can also provide courses for (credit cleanup) and how to navigate first-time homebuyers’ programs.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I am here to work for you. I will listen and work with all council members to resolve the issues facing Lewiston. I will do my best to bring your voice to the council, so it is heard. I will always put community first and be transparent in my voting.
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