Leroy Walker is running for Auburn City Council Ward 5 on Nov. 3, 2015. Learn about more candidates and issues in our Election 2015 guide.

Name:

Leroy Walker

Email address:

lwalker@auburnmaine.gov

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/leroy.walker.712

Occupation or primary source of income:

Retired

Education:

High school

Family information:

Single. Four children, many, many grandchildren and eight 8 great-grandchildren

Public offices sought or held:

I am seeking re-election to the Ward 5 seat on the City Council.

Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?

I am seeking re-election to the office that I currently hold. I feel it is vitally important that there is continuity on the council to assure that things that have begun are seen through to the end.

The people of New Auburn know me and know that I have a history of getting things done for the greater good of the citizens of the community.

What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?

I like the budget that was passed this year. Many hours of work were put into its preparation. I feel that it was pared down to where it needed to be for the new fiscal year, and I voted to pass it because I believe it is affordable and appropriate.

With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?

Road repair needs to be a priority in this city.

There are so many roads that are in serious disrepair that we can’t ignore them any longer. I feel that the education budget was adequate to fill the immediate needs for the new fiscal year. It is revisited each year. The roads can’t be allowed to continue to deteriorate.

Court Street could be narrowed from four travel lanes to two in 2016. Is that a good idea or not, and why do you feel that way?

Court Street is a connector to Lewiston. There are already bottlenecks with the four lanes. We won’t know what the results will be until traffic studies are done. Then the Court Street issue can be addressed.

Without a study to determine feasibility, and impacts, I would only be expressing an opinion. I want to wait to see the facts before making that decision. One’s knee-jerk reaction is not necessarily the correct one, so I won’t comment at this time.

What is your opinion regarding tax incentives to developers, such as Tax Increment Finance deals and state and federal grants? Should the city offer them or not?

Tax incentives are what draws big businesses to our city. Without them, our economic development would suffer.

It is vitally important that tax incentives be offered so that Auburn can continue to grow and thrive, bringing more jobs and better lifestyles to those who have a difficult time finding work. The more people who are working, the more they are spending. It is a circle that creates a successful community.

Again, if grants are available to developers who want to develop an area of Auburn, it only makes sense that the city should offer them, if we are going to survive in these economic times.