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Linda Chase and Christopher Rheault are competing in a special election.

By ANN S. KIM Staff Writer November 1, 2007

Linda Chase and Christopher Rheault are competing in a special election in New Gloucester on Tuesday. The two are vying for the Board of Selectmen seat formerly held by A. Wayne Cobb, who died in August. The term expires in June 2009.

The location of town elections has been changed to the gymnasium at Memorial School on Intervale Road.

LINDA D. CHASE

AGE: 45

ADDRESS: 554A Snow Hill Road

PERSONAL: Single, three children

EDUCATION: Gray-New Gloucester High School; associate degree in medical laboratory science, University of Maine at Augusta

OCCUPATION: Laboratory information systems coordinator, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center

POLITICAL/CIVIC EXPERIENCE: New Gloucester Parks and Recreation Committee; School Administrative District 15 project team committee; president, New Gloucester Little League

ON THE ISSUES: Chase said she wants to be more involved in the community because of the challenges posed by growth in New Gloucester, such as pressure on infrastructure, natural resources and SAD 15, the school district that serves the town and Gray.

Chase said she looks forward to serving the community and tackling the balancing act of meeting the needs of both new and current residents. She said the town needs to attract new residents without forgetting the needs of those who already live in New Gloucester, particularly the elderly.

Affordable housing will be key in that effort, especially for the elderly and young families, she said. Chase said it's also important to control taxes as expenses rise with growth.

CHRISTOPHER STEPHEN RHEAULT

AGE: 30

ADDRESS: 16 Cobbs Bridge Road

PERSONAL: Single

EDUCATION: Master's degree in history, University of St. Andrews, Scotland; teacher certification from the University of New England

OCCUPATION: Former teacher; currently unemployed but volunteering with various statewide organizations

POLITICAL/CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Ran for the District 105 seat, Maine House of Representatives, 2006; vice president, Board of Directors, Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, Lincolnville

ON THE ISSUES: Rheault said New Gloucester faces issues concerning growth and the strains it puts on services. He said the town needs to be proactive about where growth takes place, encouraging new businesses and welcoming new residents. Rheault said New Gloucester needs to work more at preserving open spaces that are a major part of what makes the town special.

He said he is very aware of issues facing New Gloucester as it prepares to follow the state mandates for school district consolidation. If elected, he said, he would work to make sure that students' needs are met should they enter a new district.

Rheault said New Gloucester's growth also means that the town will have to review its services and see if there are ways to cooperate with neighboring communities, particularly in regard to trash and recycling. Building, repairing and maintaining roads should also be a priority, according to Rheault.