November 09, 2024
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Four residents file candidacies in Brewer races

BREWER – Four residents met Monday’s deadline for submitting nomination papers for candidacy in the annual city elections, which will be conducted in conjunction with the statewide referendum election Nov. 6.

Up for grabs are two City Council positions, one seat on the school committee and one post with the high school district trustees. Unlike the past few years, which saw heated competition and numerous candidates, this year’s Brewer elections will feature no contests.

Incumbent Councilor Manley DeBeck Jr. is seeking re-election to another three-year term. Joining DeBeck on this year’s Brewer ballot is Gail Kelly, a member of the staff in Sen. Olympia Snowe’s Bangor office, making her first run for council.

Kelly is seeking the position vacated in April by Eddie Campbell. Campbell stepped down from the council and the mayor’s position, citing financial difficulties with the family construction company. The city’s remaining councilors opted not to immediately fill Campbell’s position, which expires in November, preferring to save the thousands it would have cost to hold a special election to fill a vacancy of about half a year.

School committee member Mark Chambers is unopposed in his bid for re-election to another three-year term. Alan Kochis, a member of the high school district board of trustees, also faces no opposition in his pursuit of another five years with that panel.

After a brief meeting late Monday during which candidates gathered at City Hall for City Clerk Arthur Verow’s annual briefing on the rules of engagement for the city elections, the office seekers took part in the annual drawing for ballot positions, a tradition officials believe is unique to Brewer.

Most Maine municipalities list candidates alphabetically on election ballots. In Brewer, candidates draw wooden disks with numbers on one side that signify the order in which their names will appear on the election ballot.

In the council race, DeBeck picked the No. 1 spot and Kelly drew the second position, resulting in an alphabetical listing in the end. As unopposed candidates for single vacancies, Chambers and Kochis did not need to draw for ballot spots.


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