CANDIDATE PROFILES

Town Council – 3-Year Term

Kelly L Dearborn
kede172@gmail.com
(207) 831-4220

172 Flaggy Meadow Road, Gorham
Resident since 1972

Gorham High School Class of 1985
Andover College
Owner of Northeast Sewer & Drain Service
Realtor for Greater Portland Realty

I care deeply for the Town of Gorham and feel we need to get our spending under control, limit residential development and foster commercial partnerships that benefit Gorham.  The town cannot keep spending money it doesn’t have and put the burden on the taxpayers year after year.  A vote for me will bring fiscal responsibility back to Gorham. 

Photo Credit: Focus Photography

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Philip T. Gagnon, Jr.
gagnon_jr@yahoo.com
(207) 650-8182

91 Gordon Farms Road, Gorham
Lived in Gorham 16 Years

Education:
Master’s Degree in Business
Degree in Economics
Degree in Business Administration

Employment: Senior Credit Officer – Vice President, Recipient of National Industry Award for Innovation in Banking from NACHA. Married with three school aged children. 

The need for leadership and thoughtful direction is needed to continue to move Gorham forward.  As I began this last term on the Town Council, I championed the creation of an Economic Study for Gorham, which will help guide our community’s discussions as we begin looking at the Comprehensive Plan.  As Gorham continues to grow residentially, we must identify and properly zone areas that will protect established neighborhoods and their character, while making adjustments that will diversify our Tax base with new business development.  As a former Council Chair, and School Committee member, I understand the need for town planning to reduce the tax burden.

Photo credit: uncredited

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Charles A. Hamblen

chamblenps@gmail.com
(207) 839-6770

26 Hamblen Drive, Gorham
Lived in Gorham 52 years

Personal Info: Charles Hamblen, 26 Hamblen Dr, retired still farming, graduated: GHS 1977, SDSU 1983 (BS accountancy), CPA, CPCU.  Married with 4 children. 7th generation Hamblen living on a bicentennial farm purchased in 1783.

Gorham is a town in transition. Taxes are high, schools are crowded, and traffic is bad. Some things never change. Recent town decisions expanding industrial operations close to neighborhoods and significantly increasing residential housing concerns me.   We may be growing at a pace exceeding our ability to absorb it. A new voice, a new vision, with roots in Gorham is needed to ask tough questions, balance revenue needs with citizens ability to pay. I have over 40 years of business experience. I am an analytical person and problem solver. I can help through these challenging times.

Photo credit: Deidre Hamblen

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Timothy J. O’ Leary
tim3oleary48@gmail.com
(207) 233-7206

257 Main Street, Gorham
Lived in Gorham 47 years

Tim OLeary, 257 Main Street, Gorham, ME, US Army (Ret.), B.A. Sociology, M.Ed./ED.S. School Administration, (GSU), Ed.D. Candidate (UVa), Vietnam/First Gulf War Veteran, Helicopter Pilot.

Gorham needs a representative who stresses accountability and transparency when committed to doing the business of the Town’s people.  We need to insure that taxation is fair and that communication between the Town Council and the citizens of Gorham is timely, informative, and complete.  The town budget requires a reflection of the town’s needs rather than what it cannot afford.  It should be realistic and dynamic to maximize the demands to support current cost of living expenses for all residents.  We need a focus on what we can afford and not try to compete with other towns so that we can be like them.  Gorham needs to be Gorham and not another Portland.

Photo Credit: The candidate

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Samuel R. Purinton
samforgorham@gmail.com
(207) 650-1543

184 South Street, Gorham
I’ve been here 3 years, but my family (Quinn) is from here.

Grants and Contracts Associate at USM, Bachelor’s in Economics from Eckerd College and Master’s in Public Policy, Planning, and Management from USM (in progress)

I will listen to our residents and work to maintain Gorham’s rural character, add the housing we need, and fund our schools, and do all of that while slowing tax increases. This can be done by making better use of the infrastructure (roads, sewer, etc) we’ve already built. Instead of mega-developments, we can empower current residents to add to their properties, and instead of big companies from away, we can empower current residents to start their own businesses. This approach can grow our tax base with minimal costs to the town while preserving more of our beautiful land.

Photo Credit: Angie Bordeaux

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Seven R. Siegel
sevenRsiegel@gmail.com
(207) 200-7341

238 Main Street, Gorham
Resident for 5 years

High School STEM Teacher. Master of Public Policy & MBA from Brandeis University, Bachelor of Science in Game Design from Champlain College. I’m married to the amazing Becky Wartell. We have a beautiful baby girl, Vi, who is almost two!

I’m running for re-election because of this phrase I keep hearing from constituents: “You were the only councilor who responded to me.” I know how it feels to be the person on the other end of the email or phone call trying to find someone to listen. That’s why I make it a priority to respond to every message I get, including people who disagree with me! I believe it’s very important that people feel they can always communicate with their elected officials and always get a response. If that’s important to you too, please vote for me, Seven Siegel.

Photo credit: Mo Terry

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School Committee – 3-year term

Jeffrey C. Ballard
jeffery.ballardrn@yahoo.com
(603) 923-9353

92 Gordon Farms Road, Gorham
Resident since 2021

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Franklin Pierce University; Registered Nurse and Paramedic; retired U.S. Army veteran with extensive healthcare and service experience.

Gorham voters should cast their ballots for me because I will bring balance, accountability, and dedication to our schools. As a Registered Nurse, Paramedic, and retired U.S. Army veteran, I understand the importance of discipline, compassion, and service. I will work to ensure every decision reflects both the needs of students and the responsibility we share as taxpayers. My goal is to strengthen education while respecting family budgets, support our teachers, and promote thoughtful growth in our community. I am committed to listening, collaborating, and putting Gorham’s families and future first.

Photo Credit: Self

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Lowansa S. Tompkins
lowansatompkins@yahoo.com
(207) 570-8103

36 Mighty Street, Gorham
Resident for 7 years
BA Art education, resident of Gorham. 

As an educator and artist I think that the goal of schooling is to support learners into becoming curious, resilient and empowered adults who can think critically, understand themselves, navigate challenges and contribute meaningfully to the communities around them, and I’m willing to listen, learn and work collaboratively to make that goal a reality. 

Photo credit: Selfie by Lowansa Tompkins\

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School Committee – 1-year term

Paulette M. Tateishi
pmtateishi@gmail.com
(207) 551-8389

6 Brookfield Court, Gorham
We bought our Gorham property in 2014. We relocated here permanently in 2019.

Retired educator. BS from University of Maine. Graduate Diploma from South Australia College of Advanced Education. Taught in public schools for over 30 years – about half of my career in Queensland, Australia and half in Aroostook County.

I have experience working on committees and in organizations. I understand the power of teamwork. I bring institutional knowledge about education from two countries. I currently serve on a committee for our homeowner’s association. I believe the sum total of my life experiences will be an asset to the school board. The school board serves a host of stakeholders: students, faculty, administrators, staff, parents and caregivers, Gorham taxpayers, and governmental bodies. 

Photo Credit: Cell phone selfie

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