By Charlotte Boynton
The town of Westport Island has two candidates seeking a three-year term as second selectman. One will have his name on the ballot while the other is running as a write-in candidate. Incumbent Gerald “Jerry” Bodmer’s name will be on the ballot and former Selectman Reginald Lee’s name will not be on the ballot.
Bodmer and Lee are both well-known in town. Bodmer is completing his second three-year term and seeking a third. Lee served a three-year term from 2003-2006 as second selectman and would like the opportunity to serve again. However, in order to be elected, voters will need to write his name in on the ballot, Reginald J. Lee.
Voters will decide on their second selectman during the municipal election Friday, June 26. The polls will be open at the historic town hall on Route 144 from noon to 7 p.m.
Gerald ‘Jerry’ Bodmer
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Westport Island town government consists of three selectmen working in agreement by a majority vote on town decisions that do not require a legislative vote of the townspeople.
Bodmer says he is not going to make any promises to encourage the people to vote for him because he is only one vote on a board of three. He can only stand on his performance for the past six years of service to the people of his community.
“I have learned a lot the past six years about how our town government works,” Bodmer said. “I feel that another term would be beneficial for both the residents of Westport Island as well as myself.”
Bodmer said he and his wife Carole moved to Westport Island three years after they were married 47 years ago. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary this past April. Bodmer, a Navy veteran, was employed by Bath Iron Works for 27 years, and after retirement was a consultant for 10 years for the company. He also has served the town for several years as the plumbing inspector.
He has worked to ensure the drinking water at town buildings is safe for drinking and to continuously support measures to keep the water safe. Being a hands-on man, when one of the three town wells needs chlorinating or shocking, the system used to clean a well, Bodmer takes it on himself to do the work.
“My wife and I have lived most of our lives on Westport Island and serving as a selectman gives me the opportunity to pay back what the island has given us,” Bodmer said. “A good life.”
One part of being selectman Bodmer enjoys is working with residents and trying to provide them with answers to the questions they ask of him.
“I look forward to continuing that support to the residents. I may not always be able to tell them what they want to hear, but I am always honest and forthright with them,” he said.
Bodmer also expressed concern about the resignation of the town’s current treasurer, Susan Partelow, who will be leaving the country later this year. His said his experience as selectman the past six years and working with the town staff will benefit the town moving forward.
“I have enjoyed working with the town staff and wish to continue that support whenever requested,” Bodmer said.
“The politics of state government are changing with the times and town must keep up with change” Bodmer said. “I wish to stay involved and would hope that others would offer to join in one of the town’s numerous committees and become involved.”
Reginald ‘Reggie’ Lee
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Reginald Lee says he knows he has to work hard and get the word out that he is a serious candidate for the second selectman’s seat and he is asking the voters to read every word of the letter he is mailing to every voter on the island.
Lee said he is running for the second selectman’s seat because the town needs a change, and because he wants to save the town money by buying salt in bulk instead of by the bag.
According to Lee, if he is elected second selectman, his goals will be focused on having the salt and sand shed operational in 2018, a task he started work on during his previous tenure; reducing property taxes by being more interactive with the Maine Legislature; presenting legislation that would contribute to lowering property taxes; and developing a relationship with Maine and U.S. lawmakers.
“I have a plan to significantly reduce property taxes, and if elected I will enact that plan,” Lee said.
Before moving to Westport Island, Lee graduated from Bryant University in Providence, R.I. in 1970, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in corporate management. After graduation, he was employed by the state of California. For eight years, Lee worked for the Polaroid Corp. in Cambridge, Mass. as the regional marketing manager responsible for 32 marketing representatives, before moving to Maine.
Lee said he was doing very well in the corporate world but he was not happy, and 30 years ago he moved to Westport Island and became a commercial fisherman, a decision that he has never regretted, he said.
In an effort to better serve the town, Lee said he has taken all required courses required by the state of Maine to become a certified assessor of residential and commercial properties.
“I am thankful that I live on such a beautiful island.” Lee said. “I am proud to tell people that have never heard of Westport Island that we do not have a store, police department, gas station, traffic lights, we do not even have our own zip code, and it is one of the most beautiful places on earth to live.”
