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Two council incumbents are challenged by a newcomer to elected office.

By ANN S. KIM Staff Writer November 1, 2007

Incumbents Michael Foley, a Democrat, and John O'Hara Jr., a Republican, are competing with Democrat Philip Gagnon Jr. for two at-large seats in the Westbrook City Council race Tuesday.

In Westbrook, the mayor and all seven members of the City Council are up for election every two years. The mayoral and the Ward 1 and Ward 2 council seats also are contested this year.

MICHAEL T. FOLEY

AGE: 20

ADDRESS: 21 E. Valentine St.

PERSONAL: Single

EDUCATION: Westbrook High School

OCCUPATION: Public safety dispatcher, Kennebunk Police Department; owner, Emerald Technology Management, computer maintenance company

POLITICAL/CIVIC EXPERIENCE: City Council, 2005-present; School Committee student representative, 2004-2006; appointed to the METRO Board of Directors, 2007

ON THE ISSUES: If re-elected, Foley, who is seeking a second term, said he would support public safety and schools. He said he'd also encourage economic development and work to keep taxes low while maintaining the best of services.

Foley said he'd always stay open to concerns, comments and criticism.

PHILIP T. GAGNON JR.

AGE: 30

ADDRESS: 135 Forest St.

PERSONAL: Married

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degrees in economics and business administration, master's in business administration, Norwich University, Northfield, Vt.

OCCUPATION: Banker

POLITICAL/CIVIC EXPERIENCE: First time running for elected office; has volunteered at various community centers, including the Preble Street Resource Center soup kitchen; member, Portland Regional Chamber and the Rotary Club of Portland

ON THE ISSUES: Gagnon said that a tax, no matter how noble its original intent, is still a burden on citizens. If elected, he said, his priorities would be to ease the property tax burden on Westbrook residents and encourage commercial growth. He said that as a fifth-generation resident of the city, his roots run deep in Westbrook. He said he wants to be able to afford raising a family in the city.

Gagnon said he wants to encourage more open communication with residents about all issues before the City Council as well as fiscal matters.

JOHN B. O'HARA JR.

AGE: 49

ADDRESS: 80 Cottage Place

PERSONAL: Married, three children

EDUCATION: Cheverus High School; attended the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham

OCCUPATION: Facilities director, Portland Department of Transportation

POLITICAL/CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Four terms on the City Council; co-chairman, Westbrook Middle School Development Committee

ON THE ISSUES: O'Hara, who is seeking a fifth term, said his priority will always be making sure that the citizen has a voice in local government.

O'Hara said he wants to make sure that Westbrook looks for creative ways to make tax dollars go further and to ensure economic stability. He said that as the state and federal governments look for more ways to shift costs, city officials must work to capture as many of those dollars as possible. Experience, he said, is needed to understand where the money will fall short and how to plan for the future.