By David Harry
Staff Writer

Name: Mark Johnston
Age: 59
Address: 17 Elm St.
Phone number: 284-6710
Family: Divorced, one grown son
Email address/web site: vicwhits@hotmail.com
Occupation: Owner of Vic & Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop
Previous political experience: Six terms as mayor of Saco, served one term as city councilor, represents Saco on Saco River Corridor Commission. Also served on Traffic Committee and Zoning Board of Appeals.

In looking to return as mayor of Saco, Mark Johnston expects experience and visibility will boost his chances of getting elected.
“I’m in the people business, chances are I know you,” said Johnston, owner of Vic and Whit’s Sandwich and Wine Shop on Main Street.
Johnston, who will be 60 this month, has been involved in local politics for 40 years. He was mayor for 12 years until 2007, served one term as a city councilor and on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Johnston is opposed in the Nov. 8 election by Jeff Christenbury, 26, an instructor at Thornton Academy and a former city councilor. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Saco Community Center at 75 Franklin St.
Away from elected office for the last four years, Johnston remained involved by working to scale down the plan for a CVS pharmacy along Elm Street and to preserve the former Central Fire Station on Thornton Avenue. He planned to return to elected office all along, he said.
“My intent was to always come back,” Johnston said. “I think we need direction with a mature, steady hand, and a vision of where we want to be in 10 years.”
Johnston said his campaign is based on his experience and ability to work throughout the city for growth while ensuring municipal services are maintained.
“No one seems to have a financial plan,” Johnston said. “People say cut, cut, cut, but there are things you don’t anticipate that will happen.”
Johnston said the city infrastructure, including the wastewater treatment plant, is already in place to attract business when the economy improves.
“You can’t have jobs unless the infrastructure is prepared,” he said.
His support for preserving historic areas downtown is pronounced, and Johnston said he also is aware of the different areas of the city and needs of the constituents there.
He supports placing the Central Fire Station on Thornton Avenue on the National Register of Historic Places as a way to attract investors and funding for its preservation.
Away from downtown, Johnston said he would work to preserve farms in rural areas as a way to spur local economic growth and try to limit development along the coast and mouth of the Saco River because of the potential strain on roads.
“The downtown is the soul, but our rural areas and farms will be the breadbaskets of our needs,” Johnston said.
“The mayor is a CEO and spokesman for the city. The role is to bring people together and find common ground,” he said.
Local politics is also a family affair for Johnston – his ex-wife, Beth, is seeking re-election to a three-year term on the Regional School Unit 23 School Board. Johnston’s son, Nathan, is running against incumbent Ward 7 Councilor Marston Lovell for a two-year council term. Lovell is the uncle of Courier Managing Editor Molly Lovell.
Johnston said he supports keeping the city in RSU 23 and is comfortable with the share city taxpayers contribute to operate the district comprised of Dayton, Saco and Old Orchard Beach schools. He supports some collaboration between Thornton Academy and Biddeford High School to teach advanced placement classes that might have small enrollments when taught separately.

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