3 seats on Belfast council contested

BELFAST – The Nov. 8 ballot includes three contested City Council races.

When the filing deadline closed at 5 p.m. Thursday, the city ballot included seven candidates for two council seats and the mayor’s post.

Two-term incumbent Mayor Michael D. Hurley of High Street will be challenged by fellow downtown business owner Paula J. Rehlander of Pine Hill Drive.

Carlton “Mike” Rauch, who is completing a term as the Ward 4 councilor, is running for the Ward 3 seat. Due to redistricting, Rauch’s home on Bridge Street is now in Ward 3. Incumbent Ward 3 Councilor Catherine A. Heberer of Edgecomb Road will oppose Rauch in the election.

Making it a three-way race for the Ward 3 seat is the candidacy of Alan M. Wood, a former councilor, who lives on Main Street.

For the Ward 4 seat, another former councilor, Anita M. Robertson of Head of Tide Road, will face off against Robert R. Gordon of City Point Road.

City voters will also elect representatives to the SAD 34 board at the Nov. 8 election.

City Clerk Roberta Fogg said Thursday two one-year terms are available on the board because of resignations. Seeking those two seats are Raymond K. Moore and Nathan G. Spectre.

Moore has served four years on the board, being elected to a one-year term and a three-year term.

The SAD 34 board also has three three-year seats open. Seeking those are incumbents Robert Andersen and Albert Douglas, and Kenneth Jerome Joondeph.

Fogg said there are no candidates for an open seat carrying a two-year term. Barring a successful write-in campaign, the council will probably recruit and appoint someone to serve on the board for that term.