Alna voters have two candidates on the March 23 ballot for the first selectman’s seat. David Abbott did not seek re-election. Second Selectman Melissa Spinney faces Shanon Cotta for the two-year term.

Spinney has completed one year of her second term. She decided to run for first selectman at the encouragement of residents including the rest of the board. Spinney holds a doctorate in neuroscience and said she is on a semi-permanent break from science that gives her a flexible schedule. She said her three years on the board have given her experience crucial to being a first selectman.

She said she has paid attention to how Abbott does things. “I’ve learned a lot from him so I think it would be a great next step,” she said. 

“I want to do it like David did, doing all the administrative work the right way, and giving people a voice. I think most of the decisions should be made by the town, not by the selectmen, and we’re just here to carry everything out.”

Spinney said as first selectman she would try to save the town money and ease the tax burden; for example, she supports seeking grants to fix up the town’s old buildings, she said. “Our taxes are very high, so any means I can find to reduce the burden on people is number one.”

On the proposed change in K-8 school choice, Spinney said, “It’s in the hands of the town now, which is where it should be, and however they vote, I’m going to support.” Spinney said.

Spinney, a wife and mother, has lived in Alna eight years. She enjoys playing softball.

Cotta, a husband, father, jogger and, he said, a passionate supporter of Wiscasset Little League, has lived in Alna 14 years.

He has a master’s in education and is a major in the Maine Army National Guard. Asked why he decided to run, Cotta said he's dedicated his life to service and has been in the military more than 24 years.

“I just felt it was time to get back and serve my community ... I deal with complicated environmental issues and I manage personnel, so I feel like I'm perfectly equipped to deal with the challenges of local and state government.”

Cotta said he wants to lower property taxes so residents on fixed incomes can afford their homes. “Taxes are way too high, especially for people who are the most vulnerable in our society.

He said he wants to reduce wasteful spending and advocate for support of public and private schools. Choice allows families to make the best decisions, he said. As for the proposed change on the ballot, he said, “I'm totally confident in where Alna families will vote, in terms of voting it down.”

Cotta served as a combat medic in South Korea. He said he strongly supports first responders.