By David Harry
Staff Writer

Name: Alan M. Casavant
Age: 59
Address: 22 Meetinghouse Road
Family: Engaged
Email address/web site: alan@casavantformayor.com, www.casavantformayor.com
Occupation: Former teacher at Biddeford High School
Previous political experience: Former Biddeford city councilor, currently represents Maine House District 137

Maine Rep. Alan Casavant emphasizes change as he runs against incumbent Mayor Joanne Twomey.
“A mayor sets the tone, creates the environment and is the focal point,” Casavant said about his role in city government as he seeks a two-year term.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. next Tuesday. Ward 1 and Ward 2 residents vote at Knights of Columbus Hall on Pool Street. Residents of Wards 3, 4 and 5 vote at J. Richard Martin Community Center Gym on Prospect Street. Ward 6 and Ward 7 residents vote at Rochambeau Club at 329 South St.
If he defeats Twomey’s efforts for a third term Nov. 8, Casavant also will fill his political plate as he intends to keep his Maine House District 137 seat. The mayor of Biddeford also presides over the School Committee.
His ambitions have been criticized by Twomey, a former legislator who said Casavant will be unable to effectively serve all three offices.
“I have only stayed in Augusta one night in five years,” Casavant said. “I find it manageable, at least in my head,” he said. “This is not a fulltime job. I will be connected, I’ll have office hours.”
Casavant also said he would not seek re-election to the House seat in 2012 if he felt the demands of city and state politics were too great.
A history teacher at Biddeford High School for nearly 30 years, former city councilor and member of the city Charter Commission, Casavant said he wants to emphasize the positive aspects of Biddeford while dispelling the image of a failing mill town.
“Biddeford won’t be the Biddeford of the ’50s and ’60s. So who can we attract and what can we do?” Casavant asked.
Criticized by Twomey for his Maine House vote against allowing a racino in Biddeford, Casavant said he wants more information about how the project will affect traffic on Route 111, more definitive statistics on the types of jobs a racino will create and how many of the jobs are construction or more permanent jobs.
Casavant’s reticence to endorse the racino is due in part to his experience initially supporting the Maine Energy Recovery Co. project and accepting unfulfilled promises about reduced energy costs for residents and the economic benefits from the facility.
“I don’t buy into promises until I see them in writing,” Casavant said.
His support for Maine Energy was a point Twomey used repeatedly as the candidates debated Oct. 5. It contrasted Twomey’s political roots as an activist determined to improve air quality emissions at the plant.
With the trash to energy incinerator now a permanent part of Biddeford’s landscape, Casavant said the city should consider how it could be a benefit by powering redevelopment.
Casavant said the city should consider a charter school designed to help students who do not adapt to traditional classroom settings. He envisions a school setting centered around the Community Bicycle Center and said he already has discussed the idea with Maine Department of Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen and staff at the University of New England.
Casavant said a key to growth in Biddeford is a return of civility.
“A good, respectful form of government springs out into other avenues,” he said.

Staff Writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.