Portland Republicans Tap Donald Bascom for First Selectman

Donald Bascom has previous experience serving on the Portland Planning and Zoning Commission and he hopes what he learned there can be key to improving Portland's economy.  

He says the main theme of his campaign for first selectman is attracting economic development to expand the tax base.

"I'm interested to get water and sewer further out on Route 66," said Bascom, who went on to say it not only would it benefit the water and sewer department, but it would also bring new business into town, "which we drastically need."

Bascom, who was endorsed along with other candidates for the November races at the Republican caucus on Monday night, says we've had opportunities where we had firms express interest, wanting to move into Portland, "and it won't  happen because there's no public water out there," Bascom added fire safety as another reason to extend pressurized water further east.

Bascom was a Democrat before switching to the GOP. He said he hopes his background will attract independents and others who believe the town has to pull together to solve problems. He also listed schools as a major priority along with housing. 

Bascom will do battle with incumbent Democratic First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, and a third party candidate, Lambros Lambrinides. 

Republicans also endorsed four candidates to run for the board of selectmen. Incumbents Carl Chudzik and John Anderson were endorsed for re-election. Peter Clark and a political new comer, Ryan Curley, also were endorsed for the board.

The committee chose Brenna Kosicki to run for a four-year term on the board of education.

Peter Castelli and Matthew Rice were endorsed for board of assessment appeals and Cheryl Dion and Kurt Peterson for the zoning board of appeals. Dion will run for the 2011 term, Peterson for the term in 2012.

The Republicans did not endorse a candidate for town clerk.