Scarborough Town Council one-year term. (Art Dillon is an official write-in candidate)

Municipal spending:
Ronald Ahlquist: Last year served on the finance committee and were able to keep spending in check with inflation.
Art Dillon: I would like to see municipal spending remain at it’s current level or lowered if possible. Tax reform would be nice, but being realistic, how we run the town, and welcome business to town will help in this area.

Tax-reform priorities:
Ahlquist: Last year introduced a property tax relief program for senior citizens which passed through the council unanimously and this year I would like to expand that program to all eligible seniors.

Growth and development:
Dillon: Growth continues to be a hot topic. We need to continue to monitor and pace its pace, with diversity to have a good manageable balance. This is tied into economic development as Scarborough continues to lead and attract businesses.
Ahlquist: We have a good balance between residential and commercial growth, however, I believe the council needs to place a greater importance on how development is impacting our roads.

Education funding:
Ahlquist: This is going to be an issue in the near future and we need to work closely with our state representatives to make sure that we are getting the maximum amount of funding allowed to us.

Economic development:
Ahlquist: We need to continue to encourage businesses to locate in our town to help keep our taxes low.

Infrastructure priorities:
Ahlquist: The schools will have to be addressed again and the Wentworth school replacement will be a top priority.
Spending priorities:
Dillon: Keeping costs as low as possible while maintaining the standards we or our customer/ citizens have become accustom to are paramount. Without meaning to overly simplify things, running a business has many similarities (on a smaller scale) to the governance of a town. You are always looking for the best product to offer, at an affordable price. There always seems to be a way to do more with less. It may in be how you order the supplies, how they are utilized, how much waste there really is, and what can be done about it. It’s also about listening to our customers. You can have the best things in town, but if the people don’t want them or use them you have capital tied up that can be used for something else that is wanted.
Ahlquist: Replacement of Wentworth School, building a Senior citizen community center, traffic issues and problems.

Goals to accomplish:
Ahlquist: Continue to improve circuit breaker program for senior citizens; develop a senior citizen community center and keep the property tax stable.
Issues voters bring up most often:
Ahlquist: Increased flow of traffic; Scarborough Downs project – on these items I am willing to listen and have no stand yet.
Ways voters can differentiate you from your opponent:
Ahlquist: I am running on my record and able to keep property tax stable and we implemented a circuit breaker program for senior citizens.