POLAND — Zakk Maher, vice chairman of the town Budget Committee and past chairman of the Community & Economic Development Committee, is running for Androscoggin County Commission for District 6, which encompasses Poland, Mechanic Falls and parts of Auburn.

Androscoggin County commissioners are responsible for the fiscal operation and policy decisions affecting county government. The District 6 seat is held by Beth Bell, who is retiring and is one of the commissioners involved in a legal dispute between the county and 12 municipalities.

Maher, a Republican, was born and raised in Poland. Aside from attending college in Vermont, Maher has never left. He has run a small farm and a family retail business in his hometown.

“People don’t need to move away to find prosperity, nor should they be driven away by property tax adjustments,” Maher said. “Opportunities to improve ourselves and our community are all around us — we just need to be creative.”

Maher volunteers as treasurer of Fiddlehead School of Art & Science, a charter school in Gray, where the oldest of his two daughters attends.

As commissioner, Maher said he will draw from his experience on various committees and board of directors over the past eight years. He works as a loan officer and business adviser for a local nonprofit. 

His full resume and personal references can be found at www.ZakkMaher.com.