Longtime Greenville resident Burton Whitman, 47, resides on Lily Bay Road with his wife Pat and two of their three children, David and Kyle. Amber, their oldest daughter, recently graduated from Husson College. Whitman is employed at Indian Hill Trading Post.

Whitman is a former school board member and is currently on the town budget committee and a member of the Columbia-Doric Masonic Lodge.

Whitman feels that three major challenges currently facing town government are economic development, taxes, school and town budgets. If elected, Whitman said he would address these issues by becoming more involved in economic development and finding ways to attract new business. "If we attract new businesses, they can ease the tax burden," said Whitman.

Whitman is undecided whether or not to build a new municipal building or fix up the old one. "What is economically feasible for his town?" he asked. Whitman favors an increased police patrol downtown during the summer months but does not want to see the budget increased for the service. He is also in favor of mandatory recycling. "Eventually the town dump will run out of space. Recycling will increase the life of our town dump," said Whitman. "If we lose the town dump, it would be more expensive to go to a transfer station," he added. Whitman would also like to see the town accommodate those who cannot get to the dump for recycling pick-up.

To improve the quality of life in Greenville, Whitman would like to see an increase in economic development. "We have to keep the schools nice and the town looking good, but all of those things cost money. By bringing new business to town we defray costs of taxes, which are a financial burden to our taxpayers." Whitman added. Whitman also thinks that the Acadian Railway tours will bring additional money into the town.

Bruce Hanson, 52, is the maintenance supervisor of Greenville Schools. He and his wife, Carla, have three children: two boys who have graduated and one girl is still at home. Although Hanson has no public office experience, he served nine years on the fire department and is on the Greenville schools playground committee and building and grounds committee.

Hanson feels that finance and industrial problems are the biggest issues facing town government. He favors a new municipal building and feels that it should go in the industrial park. He also favors the increase in police patrols downtown and that it should be worked into the current budget.

"I am 100 percent in favor of mandatory recycling. It is hard to get started but is easy to adjust to once it's implemented." said Hanson.

"Greenville has a good quality of life for small town life. The (Acadian) train will help the economy and may bring even better things when it comes." Hanson said.

George Scammon is a familiar face in the selectmen's race since he ran for a seat last year. Scammon works at Hammond Lumber Company as a receiver, transfer and sales clerk. He is 29 and resides in Greenville with his wife, Tabitha and their three children: Donnie, C.J. and Catie.

Scammon currently is an engineer on the Greenville Fire Department, serves on the Moosehead Sanitary District Board of Trustees, is a director of the Greenville Housing Corporation and a member of the Moosehead ATV Club.

Scammon feels that major challenges facing town government are new businesses, the school system and taxes. If elected he would address these issues by getting new businesses to come into town, revamp the school system by adding more vocational programs and re-evaluating the school budget. He also feels that higher taxes are not motivating people to move to Greenville. "They are staying in the outskirts of town" Scammon commented.

Scammon would like to see a new fire station built, but not at the expense of the taxpayer. "Taxes would go up if a new fire station was built. It may be more feasible and less of a burden on the taxpayers if we fix up the old one," he said.

Scammon does favor an increased patrol by the police department downtown but realizes that two full-time officers are not enough. The current budget needs to be looked at closely and another part-time or reserve position should be added to cover the added shifts, Scammon said.

"Curbside pick-up of recycled items should be part of the mandatory recycling," said Scammon. "Recycling will help keep the dump open longer."

Scammon would like to see the downtown spruced up - including buildings and grounds - and the train station renovated. Tourists will bring money and business to town which means more money for restaurants, hotels and shops, said the candidate

Incumbent Alan McBrierty, 57, has served on the Board of Selectmen for Greenville for a total of four years. He was recently appointed as District Deputy for the 5th Masonic District of Maine and is a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

McBrierty said that there are many economic development proposals that "create a variety of visions for the area. While I am for a number of them, finding industry for local families is my chief concern. Preferably, we would like to find a non-polluting industry that will provide job opportunities for the families that make the backbone of this community." On the subject of waste disposal, McBrierty said, "The future of our landfill is challenged by a lack of education concerning what abusing rules will cost the town. I want to be a part of that educational process."

Another concern on the table is the airport. "I would like to continue working on the board to make Greenville a regional airport," said McBrierty "Having worked for over 30 years with heavy equipment, I feel not only qualified but comfortable working with the town crew and Board of Selectmen in making decisions about and setting specifications for town equipment," he added.

McBrierty wants the current municipal building renovated and would like to see the funds come from the sale of some town-owned property, such as the lot across from the American Legion post.

The police department should make a presence via foot or bike during the summer months but the budget should not be increased for that service.

"Mandatory recycling is good for the environment and will increase the longevity of the landfill," said McBrierty.

"We cannot beat the quality of life in Greenville, or even this county in general," said McBrierty. The Acadian Railways tour is a big addition, since it gives people the chance to see the area and it may convince people to move into the area, he added.

"There is a great deal of learning involved in being a committed and informed selectmen. I have enjoyed my term so far but would like the opportunity to see these and other things though one more term." McBrierty commented.

The fifth candidate, Robert "Bo" Howard could not be reached last week for an interview. His profile will appear in the May 29 issue along with the three candidates for Greenville School Committee.
"This content originally appeared as a copyrighted article in the Moosehead Messenger and is used here with permission."