PARIS — Steve Merrill, an Oxford County commissioner for 18 years, is in for a rematch against Charleen Chase, the former CEO of Community Concepts, after a narrow victory in 2008.

In the 2008 election, an initial count found Chase and Merrill just 25 votes apart with Chase at 5,351 and Merrill at 5,376. Chase requested a recount, which upheld Merrill’s victory at 5,404, compared to Chase’s 5,360.

This year, Democrat Chase, a Bethel resident, said she wants to see Oxford County meet its potential. “I think we’re not dreaming large enough,” she said. She said the county needs to attract more jobs, help families and bring communities together.

As a former CEO, now working as a consultant, she said she wants to bring her business experience to county government. Chase worked for 32 years at Community Concepts, joining in 1973 as director of the Head Start program and working her way up to CEO.

She said that working with Community Concepts gave her insight on the individual needs of the different regions in Oxford County. “I know what the issues are,” she said.

She said she wants to bring change to county government by making it more inclusive. “My driving interest is to work for the community and help not only towns but families move forward,” she said. Although she’s running as a Democrat, Chase said she’s “not a political person.”

Chase said she misses working and negotiating to meet the needs of Oxford County residents. “To me these things are fun.”

Steve Merrill, of Norway, has a similar view of his work on the county commission, calling it his main hobby.

He was appointed in 1994 by Gov. John McKernan when a former commissioner was elected to the state Legislature. This is Merrill’s fifth time running. He has served as the board’s chairman for about half his time there and also represents Oxford County at the Maine County Commissioners Board, where he has served as board president.

Merrill said the experience he’s gained over the years has made him a stronger commissioner. He said the job has a steep learning curve. “There’s so much that goes on within that building that people don’t realize,” he said.

“It’s really kind of daunting when you get in there and find out what each department is in charge of and how it impacts people locally. These are vital services that they’re providing.”

He said he’s proud of the commission’s work, and said the department heads have been careful with their money in setting budgets this year. “The morale up there is pretty good this year.”

District 1 includes Bethel, Brownfield, Fryeburg, Hanover, Hiram, Lovell, Norway, Porter, Stow, Sweden, Waterford, Batchelder’s Grant and Mason Township.

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