Two races contested in Dresden

Sun, 05/28/2017 - 8:00am

    Two positions in Dresden local government will be contested when residents go to the polls on Tuesday, June 13. Challenger Shirley Storkson will be running against incumbent Patricia Theriault for a one-year term as town clerk. Storkson is also running unopposed for a one-year term as treasurer, a position now held by Kim Rzasa.

    Incumbent Allan Moeller Sr. will attempt to retain his seat as third selectman. Michael Nylen is challenging him for a three-year term. “I enjoy working with the town,” said Moeller. His specialty is in road maintenance and construction, which dovetails with his day job with Richmond’s public works department.

    “My experience is with the roads,” he said.

    Previously, he served eight years on the planning board. “I wanted to learn more about the ordinances,” said Moeller.

    For recreation, Moeller served six years as trailmaster for the Dresden Snowcrawlers snowmobile club. He has also been racing for two years at Wiscasset Speedway in the modified division. He is married with three grown children and six grandchildren.

    Nylen has been a Dresden resident for the past 22 years. “They need a change,” Nylen said about why he is running.

    Nylen works full time as an Internet equipment installer for Redzone out of Rockland. He has been a member of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department for the past eight years. If elected, he plans to take the Maine Municipal Association course in preparation for the job.

    “It is worth a shot,” said Nylen, who is married without children.

    Theriault is looking for a fourth one-year term as clerk. Her favorite part of the job is helping people look up personal family histories using town records. “I love history,” said Theriault.

    Theriault is a member of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department and has been a First Responder for 16 years. She is a docent at the Pownalborough Courthouse and is on the Summerfest Committee.

    She has been a Cub Scout and Girl Scout leader and a pee wee sports coach. She is married with two grown children and four grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, cooking and knitting. “I love working with the people,” she said.

    Storkson would bring administrative experience from work in both federal and state government. She worked for the Veterans Administration as a medical administrative assistant for 30 years, a job from which she retired in 2007. She currently works year round part time in the packing department at L.L. Bean in Freeport.

    “I want to work closer to home,” said Storkson. She and her husband David are former members of a local motorcycle club. She has been a member of Maine’s Rabbit Breeders Association.

    “All my family history is here,” said Storkson, who hopes to spend less time commuting by working close to home.

    Polls will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Pownalborough Hall. Absentee ballots are available at the town office during office hours.