VAN BUREN — Bernard R. Cyr, a Van Buren businessman, is running for the District 148 seat to the House of Representatives, challenging Rep. Hilda Martin, D-Van Buren.

Cyr said he is running was because the state needs leadership from business people. “The business (sector) should have gotten involved 10 years ago,” he said. “I have lived, worked and been educated in this state. This state has been good to me and I feel a responsibility to help our government.

“It’s time for a change,” he said. “The work done to date by our representatives is good, but new ideas and a new businesslike approach are needed to ensure the progress of the state of Maine and District 148 in particular.”

Born and raised on a farm in Hamlin, Cyr is a graduate of Van Buren schools and the University of Maine at Orono. He has worked as a potato inspector and was a town policeman for five years.

He owned an insurance firm for 33 years and in 1977 was the first agent north of Bangor to be certified as an insurance counselor. He sold his insurance agency in 1986 but stayed with it until 1990.

“I feel I certainly could help with the workers’ compensation problem after being in the insurance field for 33 years,” he said. “It’s got to be fixed, there’s no doubt about it.”

He is manager of Gateway Federal Credit Union, a position he has held for two years. He was GFCU’s treasurer for 28 years, was a director of the Maine Credit Union League and is a trustee and past chairman of the MCUL’s Insurance Trust. Cyr also was president of the Aroostook County Independent Insurance Agents, a Board of Realtors’ director and chairman of the Northern Aroostook March of Dimes.

Locally, Cyr is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a past grand knight and district deputy; a charter member of the Lions Club and chairman of the Van Buren Library Building Fund.

Cyr is married to the former Aline Beaulieu and they have six children.