AUBURN — The City Council’s list of goals might be too ambitious, staff said Thursday. Interim City Manager Don Gerrish asked councilors to thin their proposed to-do lists down to a handful of core items. He recommended focusing on three broad categories: transportation, economic development and education. “Those are the three things that I think […]
Jonathan LaBonte
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn considers rules, seating for council meetings, sets Saturday workshop
AUBURN — For Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, the table at the front of the council chambers became a symbol of compromise. The table was one of the first things LaBonte and the new council had changed upon taking office. The table and chairs were tucked away and a large podium rolled out to replace it. But […]
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Posted inbPlus
Talk of the town
Stocking stuffers I know where you are right now. You’re at a Rite Aid, a 7-Eleven or a corner gas station, looking for last minute gifts with all the terrified determination of a contestant on Fear Factor. You’ve become so desperate to finish your shopping, inane objects are starting to look like viable gifts. Do […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Lewiston-Auburn, The Franklin Journal
Reporters’ notebook: Remembering grandfather stirs emotions in LaBonte
AUBURN — During Mayor Jonathan LaBonte’s inaugural speech Wednesday night, he paid homage to his grandfather, who had a big influence on him. Normand Charpentier died at age 86 on Nov. 12, a few days after LaBonte was elected Nov. 8. His grandfather’s words of encouragement “led to my decision to seek this office,” LaBonte […]
Posted inMaine
Incoming Auburn mayor questions exclusion of city officials from jobs forum
AUBURN — The newly elected mayor of Auburn is calling out the LePage administration for excluding him and other city officials from Thursday’s job creation forum at Central Maine Community College. Jonathan LaBonte, elected Nov. 8, originally believed that LePage shut him out of the forum because LaBonte, a Republican, last year publicly supported independent […]
Posted inOur View
Auburn needs a mayor, council on the same page
We sometimes say a candidate for office really hit the ground running. Auburn’s next mayor, Jonathan LaBonte, seems to be off and running even before hitting the ground. LaBonte is unopposed in next week’s municipal election, so his victory is assured. But he has already met with City Council candidates to discuss their expectations for […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
LaBonte ready to transition into Auburn mayor’s chair
AUBURN — For most mayoral candidates, meeting with city department heads and chatting up prospective councilors in the run-up to next Tuesday’s election might just be campaigning. But not for Jonathan LaBonte. With no challengers for the seat in the Nov. 8 municipal election, he doesn’t really need to campaign. What he needs to do […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
LaBonte plans Auburn mayoral campaign
AUBURN — Androscoggin County Commissioner Jonathan LaBonte said he would give up the last year of his commission term if he’s elected Auburn mayor. LaBonte began passing nomination petitions this weekend, seeking to get his name on November’s municipal ballot. LaBonte said he’s collected 25 signatures so far — about one-quarter necessary to get his […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Franklin, River Valley, The Franklin Journal
Land conservation effort gets $259,000 state grant
JAY — A state land board has awarded a $259,000 grant to conserve nearly 1,300 acres in Jay and Canton along the Androscoggin River. Androscoggin Land Trust, Verso Paper Corp. and the town of Jay have partnered in the effort to permanently conserve the land. It will help continue to connect multiuse trails around the […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Mayors learn bass fishing from a pro
AUBURN — Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert didn’t exactly look like a natural easing into the Androscoggin River. He was sitting stiffly in a tiny craft called a kick boat, and he was wary. “What about those whirlpools?” he wanted to know. “Are those things dangerous? They look dangerous to me.” He was assured that the […]