LEWISTON — A local businessman and lifelong Ward 4 resident thinks he can help the city as city councilor.

Shane Bouchard, 35, of 28 Perley St., took out nomination petitions Thursday from City Hall to seek the soon-to-be vacant Ward 4 seat.

“I’ve seen Lewiston going generally in the right direction,” he said. “I think there still needs to be some tweaking done. As one of seven people on the council, I think I can really make a difference.”

Ward 4 City Councilor Doreen Christ announced last week that she would step down from the position sometime this month. She was elected to a two-year term in November 2013.

Bouchard is the second potential candidate for the seat currently held by Christ. Darcy Reed, Christ’s challenger in the 2013 City Council race, took out nomination papers last week for the seat.

Would-be candidates have until Friday, Sept. 26, to collect at least 50 signatures from registered Ward 4 voter and guarantee themselves a spot on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Bouchard owns Bouchard Enterprises LLC, the umbrella company for Bouchard Lawn Care and Landscaping, as well as Maine Home Recreation at 705 Sabattus St.

“I know everybody on my street,” Bouchard said. “I have lived here legitimately my whole life. I grew up with their kids, or I grew up with them. I have a lot of landscaping customers in my district and a lot of neighbors. So I think I should able to hand in my nomination pretty quickly.”

Bouchard said he thinks he can count on broad support at the polls.

“I’m representing a large chunk of people,” Bouchard said. “There are a lot of demographics in Ward 4. As someone who grew up on welfare, I now own two businesses and I own a home. I think I can do a good job relating to everybody in the district.”

Lewiston’s Ward 4 is in the center of the city’s landmass, bordered by Webster, Farwell and Sabattus streets in the west, Pond Road in the east and Old Greene Road in the north.

staylor@sunjournal.com