It is now the voters turn to decide who will manage Camden for the next few years. It is our opportunity to select the best new candidates with youth, energy, common sense, service on municipal committees and management experience. Based on Camden's needs and the attributes of the candidates, I recommend you vote for Bob Falciani, Alison McKellar, and Steve Beveridge.

Bob is currently chairing the Town's Rt. 1 North committee to make sure that Camden property owners and citizens are treated properly by Maine DOT. A career spent developing employment centers for companies engaged in information technology and health care is the perfect background for helping Camden generate good quality jobs to attract young people to town. Bob has specific plans to improve budget forecasts and increase communication among the committees and between the town and its citizens. He is a visionary and an experienced, detail oriented manager at the same time.

I've recently had the opportunity to work with Alison on a town committee. She is diligent in her research on the issues, passionate about reaching fair conclusions and group consensus, all the while paying special attention to respecting and preserving the environment. Her work on many Town committees and particularly her interest in improving the Town's communication and social media outreach make her well qualified.

Steve and his family are now in their fifth generation as Camden residents so he can provide the historic context so important to conserving the town's heritage. Of greater importance is his decades of experience as Director of Public Works in Rockport. This management and budgetary experience will be very helpful in providing oversight to many town services.

Bob, Alison, and Steve working together will move us forward as they blend their skills and experience to make the Camden Select Board a more productive and effective group.

Lowrie Sargent lives in Camden