By David Harry
Staff Writer

Name: Jeffrey Christenbury
Age: 26
Address: 20 Cleveland St.
Phone number: 590-3943
Family: Unmarried
Email address/web site: jeffforsaco.com
Occupation: Teaches at Thornton Academy in Saco
Previous political experience: Saco City Councilor 2009-2011 (resigned after moving from Ward 4)

Jeff Christenbury credits departing Saco Mayor Roland “Ron” Michaud for opening the door to his candidacy for mayor.
“I would not have run if Ron was running again,” said Christenbury, 26.
Christenbury is a relative newcomer to Saco politics. He served a partial term as city councilor from Ward 4 before he moved from the ward last spring and resigned his seat.
He is opposed in the race by political veteran Mark Johnston, a six-time city mayor who looks to return after a four-year hiatus. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Saco Community Center at 75 Franklin St.
Christenbury said he prefers not to frame the race in terms of youth versus experience. He said he has remained attentive to city affairs even after his resignation.
“I am happy it is a two-man race to have the discussion. Competitive races make me get on my game,” he said.
Christenbury, an instructor at Thornton Academy, has said he believes the city is in good shape despite a tough economy, but needs some focus on the future and its younger residents.
“There is lots of good stuff going on, but think about the under-30 crowd and what they will be doing in 10 years,” he said.
Enticing existing downtown businesses to stay open later and attractions like a paintball or air-soft (shooting air-powered soft projectiles) gallery would draw younger people to live, work and play in Saco, Christenbury said.
Christenbury also urged business owners to make use of social media to advertise and said he will set up a blog as mayor to keep residents informed of city issues.
“I want to be able to shape the conversation, run meetings and be the face of the city,” he said.
Christenbury said he is a fiscal conservative, but annual 1 percent or 2 percent tax increases are reasonable, especially if a flat budget eliminates police or fire department positions, reduces services such as plowing or maintaining recreational areas or reducing library services.
Christenbury said he does not envision enacting a fiscal year 2013 budget will be easier, especially because city services have already been pared.
“We have tough choices coming. I trust myself more than anyone else to get the job done,” he said.
Christenbury said he and Johnston agree on a variety of issues, including the need to preserve municipal services.
“The biggest problem for citizens is jobs, but the budget is always the biggest problem for the mayor and council,” he said.
They disagree on the future of Regional School Unit 23, how to implement green energy sources in the city and how much historic preservation may be needed, Christenbury said.
“Main Street is the face, but not the backbone of the city,” he said, calling for a case-by-case evaluation on preserving local properties and for sticking with proven technology for greener energy sources.
He has not supported the preservation or demolition of the former Central Fire Station, but said he will support the decision that makes the most economic sense.
“Look at it as a practical matter,” Christenbury said.
The same practical view is evident as Christenbury talks about RSU 23 that includes Dayton, Old Orchard Beach and Saco schools.
“The pretense of the RSU is false,” he said. “We are in it to avoid fines.”

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