Two candidates unopposed for Windham Town Council

By Ed Pierce

One incumbent and one newcomer will earn seats on the Windham Town Council during the general election on Nov. 3.

Candidates on the ballot for Windham Tow Council seats in
the Nov. 3 municipal election are Mark Morrison (East
District), lefgt, and Mark Cobb (At-Large). 
SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Current Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison will now represent Windham’s East District after serving as an at-large councilor. He will succeed incumbent councilor Brett Jones as East District councilor after Jones decided not to run for re-election to the council seat. First-time candidate Mark Cobb will serve in an at-large position on the council replacing Morrison as an at-large councilor.

Both Morrison and Cobb are unopposed on the ballot and are assured of positions on the nonpartisan town council in the election.

Profiles of Maine legislative candidates from Windham and Raymond will be published in the Oct. 23 edition of The Windham Eagle newspaper.

CANDIDATE PROFILES

MARK G. MORRISON

Position Sought: Town Council East District

Occupation: Independent Financial Advisor

Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: Town Councilor since November 2020, served two 3-year terms, Chairman 3 years, Vice Chair 1 year

What do you believe is the most pressing issue for the Windham Town Council and how do you intend to handle it?

“Provide town services to residents in a fiscally responsible way while in an inflationary economic environment. Keep our taxes tight without impacting programs and services. Recent tax increases have been heavily impacted by the school and county budget (both exceeding or about 10 percent). The schools represent two-thirds of our budget. Councilors have oversight of one-third of our budget, which has held to approximately 4 percent. Windham still has one of the best tax mill rates when compared to our neighboring towns, and this is one of the reasons why we are seeing strong growth. Windham is a safe and quiet place to live, and by comparison affordable. Manage growth at a sustainable pace. Council developed a growth ordinance for our town’s growth and development, so growth did not get ahead of our infrastructure. This has been in place for six to seven years. The State of Maine has passed legislation recently, limiting our ability to have local control. Fellow councilors and I are advocating to keep our control which has been working. Maintaining local growth control policies is critical to long term sustainability, and we continue to advocate for our ability for such controls. Development concentrated in our growth zones per our long-term planning (commercial zones) so we may preserve our farms and rural open spaces so we may continue to maintain our rural character outside of our growth zones. We are a growing town. We must continue to manage and balance rural character with growth. We have a strategic comprehensive plan which we are managing against, and we must strive to preserve our rural farms and open spaces. That is why I moved here over 30 years ago, and why we have many multigenerational residents. Once you move to Windham, you want to stay. It’s a great place to live. We must do all we can to preserve what makes us a friendly, neighborly safe town.

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I am seeking re-election to continue making Windham a safe and affordable community where children, seniors and families are well served in a fiscally responsible way. Windham is a desirous community to live and have a business. We are experiencing growth which we must manage and find the right balance for long-term sustainability. This is an ongoing issue requiring our continued focus. We must invest in ourselves in alignment with our long-term goals and objectives as detailed in our strategic plan, better known as our comprehensive town plan. We are investing in needed infrastructure so we can continue to grow and serve our residents optimally. I want to continue to be involved with updating our comprehensive plan for the future, continue with the sewer implementation, and going to “Phase 2” serving more businesses, with sewer expansion along Route 302. Further, we will be breaking ground on the Windham Moves Project (1.6 miles of new roads designed to relieve traffic stress in North Windham) which I want to be a part of as well. Sewer and Windham Moves are two big investments which will help to significantly improve our town for many years to come. I want to continue to have a hand in both.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of Windham?

“We must stay on top of our budget and spend wisely. Our two infrastructure projects of sewer and Windham Moves will greatly improve our business district in North Windham. The sewer will allow current businesses to expand and to also attract new business to our town. By growing our business base, we are increasing town revenue from businesses. This will have a positive impact over time, providing some relief to our residents and homeowners. Growth. Wise, strategic growth helps shift the burden from our resident taxpayers as businesses shoulder more of the overall tax burden. These two projects will make our North Windham business center more attractive and efficient – first for our residents and second for our out-of-town visitors. The “moves” project (making Route 302 traffic safer and less congested) will improve business in North Windham which has a positive spill-over effect to our resident taxpayers.”

What is your definition of teamwork and what makes you a great team player? 

“Definition: Working with others productively and effectively to meet a common goal. Working together to find the win-win. To do this, it requires first analyzing the current situation and separating fact from fiction. Dealing with the facts and collaborating on viable solutions requires working with others respectfully. In sports, we call this good sportsmanship. Winning with good moral character. The same applies in business and government. It is working with others collaboratively who may have different perspectives. It is all about individuals working together to achieve a common goal. If the team is clear on the goal, then it is a matter of finding the best path to get there. To get there effectively is less about the individual and self-interest and all about common interests. How do we help each other get what we both want. Listening respectfully to others is more than half the battle. People work together well when they feel heard and respected. If they feel valued, it’s even better. My entire professional career has been focused on team and a reason for my success. Collaborating respectfully whether in management, sales, financial advising or town government leadership. I would say serving on a team comprised of seven councilors and being elected as Chairman by my councilor peers for 3 years, and 1 year as Vice Chairman is testament to me being a good team player as one example.”

What would be your ideas for improvements to Windham Town Council?

Voter participation. One big improvement is how we conduct our annual town meeting. This is one of three items that our residents will be voting on this Nov. 3 on the local ballot. For over 20 years we have had Town Meetings each June with our seven councilors and manager, where our town budget is approved. The meeting in the past has been held on one day, a Saturday, spanning about 3 to 4 hours, in an open and public forum. It is a very small window for such important decision making. Attendance for our Annual Meeting has averaged only 87 townspeople in 20 years, with a low of about 25 citizens and a high of 135 citizens – obviously not ideal for a town of almost 20,000 people or approximately 14,000 registered voters (less than 1 percent participation rate). We as a council analyzed the situation and considered solutions. Council, including my involvement, has recommended we go to a similar process that the school uses for our town meeting with respect to voting on the budget. We have proposed that the ballot be available for multiple weeks to vote early, including a full election day with a secret ballot – well communicated in advance. By adopting this voting process, hopefully we can get the participant count in the thousands with many more citizens participating. Citizen participation is key to a healthy town. Next is finding ways to boost council meeting participation. Working on how to improve town meeting attendance (second and fourth Tuesday each month at 6 p.m.). I would like to see an open forum for townspeople to ask questions of councilors – held once a quarter on a Saturday morning. Hopefully such a forum will get more citizens curious about the town’s activities and goings on, leading to more residents in the seats at council meetings. Last week we did this with our business community, and we hope to make this a quarterly event as well (coordinated by the Windham Economic Development Corporation – WEDC). We had 40 or more business people attend.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and if elected, how do you plan to build bridges with members of opposing viewpoints?

“Being an effective councilor is working with residents from all backgrounds and viewpoints. That also applies to fellow council peers. Working with people with whom you disagree needs to be focused on having a respectful dialogue, stick to the facts and don’t make it personal. It’s a simple model, but often it can get off track. You just have to be aware when things are starting to go sideways and then make a correction. Often times, if you listen some common ground can be found and then that can be used as a means to go forward. Again, it’s simple but powerful. I have built a reputation for working with people with whom I may disagree. It’s all about fairness. Sometimes we end and agree to disagree, and that is OK too, so long as each person feels heard and respected.”

MARK COBB

Position Sought: Town Councilor at-Large

Occupation: Entrepreneur/Business owner 43 years

Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: None

What do you believe is the most pressing issue for the Windham Town Council and how do you intend to handle it?

“Rising Property Taxes: Working with the information available and full council input and support, I will closely examine the current budget – both revenue and expenses, all fixed costs and all variable costs, and all current projects and capital improvements – to project 5, 10, and 20 years out to pinpoint needs and the likely impact on Windham taxpayers. Many factors go into rising property taxes, and it will take extremely close examination to identify any areas that might be able to be adjusted, minimized, or eliminated, if possible. I will also look at what possible additional revenues the town could see with public-private partnerships, and other possible areas that could offset the expense side of the balance sheet.”

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

The Town Council at Large seat is the only seat I qualified for in this upcoming election based on the location of my home. My decision to run stems from over a decade of observing rising property taxes, accelerated growth, decreasing lot sizes, and the conversion of commercial properties into housing – all occurring with minimal oversight. Having served on the 21st Century Downtown Committee, I believe this latest rapid development does not fully align with the concepts our committee discussed for Windham's long-term future. If elected, I will work to manage this growth and enhance oversight. I plan to review our current development frameworks and listen to suggested revisions that could ensure residents retain a meaningful voice in our community’s future. Ultimately, my goal is to lessen the burden on taxpayers while ensuring municipal services are delivered at the highest possible level.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of Windham?

“I think my statement above highlighted some of them: oversight, increased revenues from sources outside property and excise taxes, close examination of all expenditures, and strong control over capital improvements and building projects can all help keep the tax burden lower. Public involvement is a big part of this. We need many minds brainstorming, and the council needs to hear any, and all ideas. The council may not be able to implement a particular idea because of legal requirements or other limitations, but some part of an idea might spark a process or procedure that could help. It is time for people to get involved. I welcome and encourage input on every issue. I will listen, and I will do what is legally possible to implement sound ideas.”

What is your definition of teamwork and what makes you a great team player?

“To prevent any misunderstanding, I define the "Team" as the tax-paying residents of Windham, whereas the Town Council serves as the supporting squad. If entrusted with the voters' confidence to serve on the Council, I believe all councilors must actively listen, learn, and participate. Effective collaboration requires engaging with opposing viewpoints. While councilors need not compromise their core beliefs or agree on every issue, we must maintain civility, professionalism, and respect for everyone's right to an opinion. Ultimately, the Team – our taxpayers – establishes the strategic goals. The Town Council’s role is to execute that vision through well-researched, strategic planning. Every stakeholder deserves a voice, and I deeply respect those who bring constructive solutions to the table.”

What would be your ideas for improvements to Windham Town Council?

“If elected, I will observe current operations while actively addressing the complex challenges facing Windham. There is no simple fix for our town's issues, and I will not hesitate to speak up firmly on all current matters or advocate for changes to past decisions wherever legally permitted. I respect the dedication of the Town Council, but my role would be to offer constructive, independent input using my business background and life experiences. Every councilor begins as a rookie, but new members must participate dynamically from day one rather than sitting back. Beyond following Robert’s Rules of Order and maintaining professional conduct, our focus must remain entirely on what is best for our taxpayers. I am fully prepared to challenge the status quo to ensure my contributions have a lasting, positive effect on Windham.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and if elected, how do you plan to build bridges with members of opposing viewpoints?

“Throughout my adult life, I have worked with people who held different opinions from mine. In my business, I help consumers recover what they are entitled to by carefully reviewing documentation, gathering relevant facts, and presenting evidence clearly. This approach has helped me resolve disagreements, and reach successful outcomes, even when others initially viewed an issue differently. If elected, I will bring that same approach to public service. I plan to listen respectfully to opposing viewpoints, focus on shared goals, and rely on facts and sound evidence when evaluating proposals. I believe bridges are built through open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to consider information that may challenge our initial perspectives. While I will stand firmly by my principles, I will remain professional, approachable, and committed to finding practical solutions.” <