Two seats on the five-member Oakland Town Council are up for election this fall, including the seats of incumbents Michael Perkins, the council chair, and David Groder, who also serves as the Augusta Fire chief.

Perkins, who is seeking a seventh consecutive term on the council, will face three challengers: real estate professional Su Leigh, Vietnam veteran Ed Roderick and automotive parts store driver Rodney Williams, Sr. Groder is not running for reelection.

The Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel asked candidates about their background and what they hoped to accomplish on the council. Here’s what they said.

These interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity. Early voting is open, and election day is Nov. 4.

MICHAEL PERKINS

Why run for Oakland Town Council again?

What do you see as Oakland’s biggest challenge in the next three years, and what would you do to address it?

Keeping the taxes down. Not overspending. There’s a lot of old people who live in Oakland. We can’t tax them to death and tax them out of their houses. That is our biggest challenge.

Why are you more qualified than other candidates? Why should an Oakland resident vote for you?

I am fiscally conservative. I know the ins and outs of what’s going on in town. I know the history of the town. We have some good candidates running, but at the same time, I know exactly what’s going on. And like I said, I do have two businesses in town, so I’ve got a lot of skin in the game.

I’ve been there. I know how things work, and I know how to get things done. And when people call me, I immediately jump and try to take care and solve their problems. I know the majority of people in town, so what more could you ask for someone who’s always giving back to the community?

What, if anything, should the town do to encourage economic development?

We had a good Tax Increment Financing program downtown. We’ve had people come in to look at FirstPark.

Like I said, I know it’s a small thing, but you drive into Oakland right now, we have a flower committee that just makes the downtown so pretty. We have the OakFest parade that’s been going on for years, and that draws people in. You come downtown, and it’s a small little downtown, but it’s thriving. All the shops are full. There’s one empty building right now that is constantly being worked on. I encourage business any way we can. We got people looking at Memorial Hall to rent part of that out — more business in town.

And we keep our taxes low. When you have someone fiscally conservative, you’re going to keep taxes low so people can afford to live here.

Is there anything else you want voters to know about your candidacy?

My family lives here — my grandchildren, my son and his children live here. I’ve been a very active person in my town for years.

Win, lose or draw, guess what I’m gonna do next week? Continue on being a very active person in my town.

I just I hope people get out and vote. I really hope people get out and vote.

SU LEIGH

Leigh responded via email.

Why run for Oakland Town Council?

I was asked by neighbors to run for this office, and to serve our town in this capacity.

What do you see as Oakland’s biggest challenge in the next three years, and what would you do to address it?

We need to encourage more businesses to invest and operate in our town. The housing market has been robust in Kennebec County, and we need to continue that momentum with builders and new homeowners.

ED RODERICK

Why run for Oakland Town Council?

I’ve been on the town council before, back in the late ’80s, early ’90s. I served nine years. I was the chairman one year, and I got off because everything was going pretty good. We had a good town manager, and we set some pretty good sightings for the future.

And the reason I’m running this time is because the taxes, the way they are, they seem to be out of control. I think maybe the wants of the town and the needs of the town are two different things right now.

What do you see as Oakland’s biggest challenge in the next three years, and what would you do to address it?

I do have the experience of being on the council for the nine years.

I consider myself a common-sense, conservative, independent voter. I don’t take sides. I listen, and the people of the town need a little bit more representation, I think, as far as the person on fixed income.

What, if anything, should the town do to encourage economic development?

The town has done very well over the years, as far as making it a welcoming place. We have the parks, we have the waterfront properties, we’ve got hiking. We have reason to bring people in. We’ve got the four wheelers clubs, and they’re very active.

We’re bringing in people that are more active — and as far as the downtown businesses go, they’re going to benefit from from the people that are coming in to visit us, whether it be on the lakes or on the trails.

Is there anything else you want voters to know about your candidacy?

I’m there for them. That’s my thing. I always was before. Sometimes I’ve actually gone and
met with people with needs and try to help them out. We have people that are struggling.

I get out quite a bit. Every year that it was on the council, once a year, I drove every mile of town roads that were paved. And actually, while I was in office, we got all of Oakland’s roads paved.

We’ve done pretty good over the years, but we’ve done it in spurts. We didn’t do it all at once. I was one that was always wanting to keep the taxes low, but still get things done. Things don’t always happen overnight.

RODNEY WILLIAMS SR.

Williams responded via email.

Why run for Oakland Town Council?

I am running because, as I was told when I complained about my tax bill: “You can complain all you want but no one is listening.”

I personally believe council members should at least listen. We may not agree but we should at least listen. We should find solutions to the tax burden on all residents.

What do you see as Oakland’s biggest challenge in the next three years, and what would you do to address it?

Over these next three years, I would like to see the tax increases decline, and put a hiring freeze in place on the town and school departments.

Downsize the departments through retirement. Increase the Town Council from 3 members to 5, and have term limits. We can’t keep electing the same people and expect changes. We will get the same tax increases.

Elect our Town Manager during the November election, so more taxpayers can have a say in our leader and they would be held accountable for the way they run the town.

Why are you more qualified than other candidates? Why should an Oakland resident vote for you?

I offer a new voice with a willingness to listen to others and come up with solutions to the future tax needs, not wants.

What, if anything, should the town do to encourage economic development?

Reasonable tax rates would help bring in new business and allow older town people to keep their homes. We don’t need a $3 million town office. There are other options.

Is there anything else you want voters to know about your candidacy?

Vote.