Name: Virginia Wilder Cross
Address: 11 Bramblewood Lane, Gorham
Education: B.S Psychology
Personal Infomation: Married; Gorham resident for 30+ years; Member First Parish Church UCC; Proud grandmother of five amazing grandsons; my garden is my happy place.
Employment: Retired; Before retirement: Technical Writing Instructor at USM and owner of Gorham business, Working Words & Graphics.
Political and community experience: Town Councilor, seeking second term; Gorham Comprehensive Plan Update Committee member, 2016 and 2021; New Year Gorham Planning Committee since its first year, First publisher of Gorham Times; Gorham Business Exchange, charter member, past president and past executive director; Gorham Market Place, past coordinator and planning committee; Gorham Business Directory publisher; actively involved with the Gorham Village Alliance
Why are you running for office and how will your experience benefit the Town Council?
I am running for a second term because I want to continue my work to make Gorham a happy, healthy, affordable place for families and seniors to live. The business and community connections I brought to the Council have been a benefit to our work over the past three years. In addition, on my first day on the Council, I was appointed to be a member of the Ordinance Committee as well as Gorham’s representative to the Metro Regional Greater Portland Council of Governments. Although I didn’t realize it then, those appointments provided a direct connection to my goals to make Gorham a good place to live. In addition, as Chair of the Appointments/Personnel Committee I have been fortunate to have connected with hundreds of committed volunteers who are actually the pulse of our community. I want to continue this work because I believe my contributions are making a difference.
What do you see as the major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
I have focused my efforts on two major issues, both related to making Gorham an affordable community. First, we must expand housing options, so regular people can live and work here. We must also continue efforts to attract businesses to support education and infrastructure costs. For those reasons, I am committed to balancing residential and industrial growth. For Gorham to also be happy and healthy (my goals), I believe denser, walkable Village areas and public transportation options are key. I am also committed to continuing our work to assure Gorham is a healthy community. The Council reactivated its Board of Health, responded to COVID-19 by being one of the highest vaccinated communities in the State, sponsored opium dependency educational workshops, supported the expansion of countless walking and biking trails, and provided a recreation program for all ages. I am asking people to vote for me so I can continue these efforts.
Name: Philip T. Gagnon Jr.
Address: 91 Gordon Farms Rd
Education: Master’s in Business, Degree in Economics, Degree in Business Administration
Personal Info: Married with three school aged children.
Employment: Senior Credit Officer – Vice President, Recipient of National Industry Award for Innovation in Banking from NACHA.
Political and community experience: Currently; School Committee Member, Member of Gorham Revolving Loan Fund – Vice Chair, Formerly; Town Council Chair, Vice Chair, and various committees, Gorham Economic Development Corp. Community; Gorham Celebration Committee of Incorporation 2011 (Gorham Founders Festival – Founder), Board of Directors Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Why are you running for office and how will your experience benefit the Town Council?
The need for leadership and thoughtful direction for our Capital needs, at the Town and School levels, will require someone with my experience and desire for accountability. I championed the creation of the facilities committee while on the School Board, advocated for joint collaboration with the Town Council, and await the Facilities Study presentation this fall. An example of how I am a solutions oriented and pragmatic leader; with full support from the School Board, I was able to find a solution during Covid to use the Municipal Building to bring students back to the High School as a campus. As a town, we will continue to grow, which means we need to plan better for that growth. I have emphasized sustainable growth while on the School Board, and feel I can continue to move Gorham forward with my return to the Town Council.
What do you see as the major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
The challenge for any community is maintaining its unique character, while meeting the needs of an ever-growing town. Our village centers and commercial areas should be a priority to attract business and diversify our tax base. Gorham is at a crossroads with residential growth, which is straining our capacity within our school system. The need to address and advocate for what Gorham can afford in school expansion, at all levels, should be the primary focus. As a former member of the High School Building committee, I am well positioned to help guide these projects forward. As a former Town Councilor and Chair, I sought committees to expand our Conservation and trail efforts, expansion and improvement of Little Falls fields and Community Center, all while minimizing impact to our property taxes. I continue to believe a tax, no matter how noble its original intent, is still a burden on its citizens.
Name: Lee Pratt
Address: 16 Elliott Road
Education: Cheverus High School 2000, Husson University 2004, BS Business Administration with a concentration in finance
Personal Info: I’m a lifelong resident of Gorham. My wife Nicole and I are raising two children, Colby and Maci, who are students in the Gorham School system.
Employment: CFO ODAT Machine Inc. in the Gorham Industrial Park
Political and community experience: I am the current Chair of the Town Council. While on the council I’ve served on the finance committee, jetport noise abatement committee, Chair of Capital Improvements committee, Chair of the Industrial Park steering committee, and as acting liaison to the Gorham Economic development committee. I also have recently been appointed to represent Gorham on the Cumberland County Finance Committee. I served four years on the Town Planning board. While on the planning board I served on the ordinance committee. I enjoy coaching youth sports in my free time.
Why are you running for office and how will your experience benefit the Town Council?
I am seeking reelection for Town Council because I love this town. My family has been rooted in this community since 1856. I cherish our community and want it to stay just that: a community. I also run a Gorham-based business and have children in the Gorham school system which gives me a unique perspective when it comes to financial matters. I’m the chair of the industrial park steering committee and would like to see that through to final approval and lot sales. I also was recently appointed to the Cumberland County finance committee to represent Gorham, which requires an elected official to hold this position. I enjoy working with all the town departments and coming up with solutions to issues that arise in our Town.
What do you see as the major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
The biggest issue that impacts our town is ratio of residential growth to business growth. We need to make it known Gorham is open and working for our businesses. I have diligently worked with businesses holding meetings during the pandemic, sponsoring items to assist with increased funding options and bringing the economic director from part time to fulltime. Residential growth can also be managed by incentivizing the growth with the least impact to our school system such as 55 plus housing and multiuse buildings where you attract a demographic that has the least impact.
Another issue I have found is citizens feel like their voices aren’t heard. Anyone who has ever contacted me has received a reply, usually in the form of a phone call. I believe people deserve the respect of having their questions answered, as that’s what elected officials
are here for. I believe in open communication with my fellow citizens, appreciate hearing their concerns, and answering questions about things happening around town.
Name: Paul Smith
Address: 46 Phinney St
Education: Graduated from Gorham High School and SMVTI
Personal Information: Married to Paulette Smith for 25 years. We have 5 children together, 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.
Employment: State of Maine, Gorham School Dept, Town of Gorham, Currently self employed contractor
Political experience: I served a 3 year term on the Gorham Town Council.
Why are you running for office and how will your experience benefit the Town Council?
I am running for office to work tirelessly for the residents and to uncover waste and inefficiency. My experience will benefit the Town Council, because I have lived in Gorham all my life. I care deeply about the town and the townspeople. I will work to reduce taxes so the older residents can afford to stay in Gorham. I will continue to find ways to manage growth in order to balance the impact of growth with the need for housing so that our kids and future generations can return to Gorham if they so choose.
What do you see as the major issue for our community and how might it be addressed?
Increased residential growth has been and continues to be an issue for Gorham. I think that we need to come together, council, town staff and taxpayers to work on this issue.