Stefanie Mahr Damien Submitted photo
Name: Stefanie Mahr Damien
Age: 60
Occupation: Interior designer/home stager/renovator
Political experience: None
Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate for this seat?
My business experience as a small business owner and as a problem solver, has prepared me to gather and analyze information about issues and look at problems from many perspectives. I bring a transparent, fresh perspective for the citizens of Ward 5.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Auburn’s future, and how you would address them.
There is an urgent need for affordable housing in our community. This is a complex problem and will require multiple approaches and collaboration to develop and implement the best solutions. Developing a plan to make changes to zoning needs to include listening to the people. We want our children to be able to grow up and stay in their community. It is important to provide an education to our children that is well-rounded and work-based that is technically advanced and focused on the future needs of central Maine businesses that provide good jobs that can sustain a household.
What actions will you take to support businesses and grow the local economy?
First, we need a high-quality school system that prepares students for a successful and productive future. That should include collaboration with businesses so the students have the skills needed by businesses and for successful employment.
Secondly, we need to invest in the infrastructure and essential services that make a community an attractive place to work and live and provides a quality of life that will attract people to the community and will encourage businesses to locate and grow their businesses here.
Do you support the direction Auburn in moving toward with redefined development zones?
No, I do not support all of the rezoning that has taken place. I am concerned about the citizens’ perceived ulterior motives between developers and existing elected officials. Large developments are being planned. We need to slow down the decision making and consider how hundreds of housing units will impact public services and the increase in property taxes to expand the capacity of public services for schools, fire and police services and traffic management. Auburn is one of the largest cities in the county. Once the agricultural land is chopped up into housing lots, it will be lost forever.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I am a small business owner, community leader, mother of two adult daughters and caregiver to my mother and an older aunt. I am also active in several community organizations, including the Woman’s Literary Union. I am married to Steve Damien who has lived in Auburn since 1973.
Leroy Walker Sun Journal file photo
Name: Leroy Walker
Age: 74
Occupation: Retired superintendent of the Auburn Parks & Recreation Department
Political experience: 12 years on the Auburn City Council
Why do you think you’re the most qualified, or best candidate for this seat?
I have been instrumental in bringing New Auburn to where it is today, with its Anniversary Park, clock tower, benches on Main Street for walkers to rest on, getting the Auburn Senior Community Center up and running for our seniors from all over Auburn, and saving the St. Louis bells.
Please name two issues that you believe are critical to Auburn’s future, and how you would address them.
1. Housing for all levels of income: disadvantaged, middle income and for seniors.
2. Create a program to limit taxes for seniors who are 65 and older who own a home and are living on a fixed income.
What actions will you take to support businesses and grow the local economy?
To help the local economy and businesses we need to attract more families to the area and increase housing, to draw more workers for Auburn businesses. I’d like to see more students going to the trade schools in the area to provide more trained staff for those Auburn businesses.
Do you support the direction Auburn in moving toward with redefined development zones?
There are certain zoning issues that I am in favor of and certain issues which I am not in favor of. They cannot be bunched together and answered with one vote. Each issue needs to be addressed and voted on separately. I am actively participating in making the right decisions for the city of Auburn.
What do you want voters to know about you?
I am a lifelong Auburn resident, having built a home, raised a family, worked for the city of Auburn, been an Auburn business owner and retired in 2010. I have faithfully served as your city councilor in Ward 5 for the past 12 years.
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