Candidates Bernard King and Paul Tworog each collected 347 votes for a three-year seat on the Bridgton Selectboard. Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne verified the tie, and has called for a run-off election on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Absentee ballots are now available, check the town’s website to request a ballot.

Polls at the Bridgton Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or one can vote absentee.

As a public service, The News is re-publishing the Q/A responses given by the two candidates prior to the July 14 vote (the answers are presented in alphabetical order):

Q. Why did you decide to run for office?

King: I decided to run for office because I spent six years on the Board of Selectman (2011-2017). I did not run for re-election just as the new waste water project and new ordinance was well underway as well as the streetscape project and I really miss not being involved. I want to be involved in the process of reviewing and setting the budget. I want to be involved again in policy making.

Tworog: I feel serving on the Selectboard presents a great opportunity to preserve the character and values that have made Bridgton such a great community. We can’t, however, preserve the past by living in the past. I am looking forward to being a very active and engaged member of the board who has the multiple skills necessary to navigate the real complexities of today’s world.

Q. What strengths do you feel you would bring to the position?

King: My strengths are that I don’t make quick decisions. I weigh very carefully the pros and cons of every issue that comes before the board and make my decisions accordingly. I believe I am fair and do not have an agenda. I don’t like to spend money on unnecessary things. If something comes before the board that costs money and it would benefit the Town of Bridgton then I would probably vote for it.

Tworog: I have an extensive knowledge of finance including auditing, banking and budgeting. Having run many large and small operations has given me experience in how to get things done. Another key strength is listening skills. I will listen to and work for all the people of Bridgton. I will not fall back on pre-formed opinions and the “old school” thinking.

Q. When faced with difficult decisions, what is your approach?

King: When faced with difficult decisions, I don’t make them quickly nor on impulse. I look at the issue in depth, research it and look at the possible outcomes, as well as possible legal ramifications.

Tworog: You should not be making a difficult decision until you have gathered all the pertinent data and talked to all parties to get their perspective on the issue. After that, you need to consider all the information and fit the particular decision into what should be a well-defined vision/strategy for the town. Decision making should not be a series of unique “one-offs” depending on who is making the request.

Q. Name three major concerns you have regarding Bridgton, and explain?

King: Three major concerns I have for Bridgton: Number 1 is the economy. If we had more businesses in town (not big box stores) it would raise the tax base and lower property taxes. It would add more local jobs. The second concern I have is the new waste water system to be up and running. It goes hand in hand with economy. The sooner that is done (but done right) the sooner we can get new businesses which would boost the town’s economy and thus lower property taxes. The third is the beautification of Main Street of which the streetscape project is doing.

Tworog: To pick three, I would say the local economy, the related local infrastructure and, most importantly, what the town can do to help meet the differing needs of the people.

Everyone talks about economic growth but there needs to be a clear vision as to what to do to foster growth. As an example, the recently passed Land Use Ordinance that started to establish rules for different uses and frameworks in different parts of the town, was gutted almost immediately because it changed some developers’ ability to do what they had previously done. Any type of development, any place, is not an effective long-term strategy. I think good economic growth will come by having a clear focus on such key topics as preserving and expanding the downtown area and recognizing the attractive recreational opportunities of Bridgton, especially by investing in winter and “shoulder” season events. 

The infrastructure of the town has moved forward with the waste water and streetscape projects. That momentum must continue with whatever help the town can provide to improving the aesthetics of downtown and gateway businesses. Two very important drivers of future business development and growth of full-time residents are investments in broadband and improvements to the school system.

Ultimately, the town needs to be first and foremost responsive to the needs of the people.  The first thing that comes to everyone’s mind is taxes.  This is an important item, not just for the many elderly in the town but also in enticing people to move here. A careful balance has to be struck between getting business to come here while still increasing the tax base significantly. The reality of today is that many companies want generous tax breaks and bargain with towns for the best deal. Having done many financial negotiations, I can be an important professional voice in those and many other discussions.

Beyond taxes are many other needs ranging from affordable housing to a myriad of social and recreational desires. That demand has surged in the current crisis. We are in a good position to meet these needs as long as we prioritize and implement in an orderly manner.

Q. Bridgton has undergone some major changes over the past few years. What do you feel has gone right, and what do you feel has gone wrong and what needs to be done to fix it?

King: Over the past few years, I feel that the new waste water system project and the streetscape project has gone right. I don’t agree with everything in the Land Use Ordinance and I think things could have been done under the Comprehensive Plan and not have a separate ordinance (Land Use) that in my opinion is too restrictive and not business friendly.

Tworog: Bridgton is heading in the right direction. It is a great community that can grow successfully if it sticks to a clear plan. Certainly, the investments in infrastructure have been important, even if they were more costly than one would like. As more and more changes occur, I feel it is crucial to always make sure we get the biggest bang for the buck.

In terms of what has gone wrong, it seems like there is a series of seemingly small decisions that were made with limited communication and input. Certainly, the sale of town land for the hotel behind closed doors fits the bill. Other items like the surprise initiative to attempt to repeal the Land Use Ordinance (LUO) fit that category. Changes to the LUO also were proposed in a fashion that was not clear and done to benefit specific projects. While the projects/changes may be beneficial, the process was poor. Even the use of Community Block Grant Funds to create a “pocket park” on the underserved Lower Main Street, proposed by the Community Development Director, was rejected.  This seemingly small infrastructure improvement may never happen now if the town gives up the small property on the water. These are all just examples of the need for better communication, more input and sticking to a vision for the town.

Q. Finally, if a person was to ask, “Why should I vote for you?” how would you answer?

King: If a person asks me “why should I vote for you” my answer would be I feel I did a good job when I was on the Board of Selectman for six years. I weigh everything that comes before the board very carefully. I tend to be conservative and tax conscious and if something comes before the board that costs money and I am presented with facts of why it is a good benefit to the town as a whole then I would be more in favor of it but only if it benefits the town and not a special interest group. I do not have an agenda and know that the board acts as a whole. I love Bridgton. It has been my home since 1977.

Tworog: If elected, I will be an active and engaged member of the Selectboard. The financial expertise that I bring to the table is particularly important. My focus will be on

listening to everyone’s concerns, with no preconceived agenda. I will focus on clear, consistent communication. Finally, I will stick to a clear long-range plan and not base decisions on the particular, narrow interests of a few.