Dave Duguay seeks re-election to County Commissioners

REGION -- County Commissioner Dave Duguay, an Independent from Byron, has announced that he will seek re-election to the Board of Oxford County Commissioners representing District 2.

The district includes Andover, Byron, Canton, Dixfield, Gilead, Hartford, Lincoln Plantation, Magalloway Plantation, Mexico, Milton township, Newry, Peru, Roxbury, Rumford, Sumner, Upton, and townships in northern Oxford county.

A graduate of Mexico High School, Duguay is the store manager of Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy in Jay and co-owner of Amato’s Restaurant/Fielder’s Choice Ice Cream Shop in Rumford. He has been in the service industry for nearly 40 years.

“I feel the residents of Oxford County deserve an experienced, qualified business professional to manage over $8 million being spent annually through continuous improvement and innovation.”

Since being elected in 2004, and to be more transparent, available and accountable to Oxford County residents, the County Commission often meets in the evening to better accommodate county residents. The Commission operates a county website which includes agendas, minutes, and information on county government activities and decisions.

The sheriff’s patrol has been increased by over 25%. Passports are now available in South Paris. Multiple departments have updated technology and the county has taken over most of Rumford’s police dispatching saving tens of thousands of dollars per year in that community. The county has also assumed fire dispatching in Rumford and Dixfield creating additional savings for both communities.

The county recently replaced its oil burning furnaces with wood pellet furnaces, cutting the annual heating bill nearly in half. This saves Oxford County taxpayers money, while also improving job opportunities in Maine.

Dave Duguay initiated structured monthly department head meetings avoiding silos, improving communication, increasing networking and creating synergy.

“We have a great group of high performing professionals working in county government, and I’m very proud of the hard work they do every day to make Oxford County a better place to live, work and play. I look forward to continuing to be a part of that effort.”

Duguay has an extensive record of public service in several community organizations. He serves on the boards of Rumford Hospital, River Valley Growth Council and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. In the past, he has served on the SAD 43 School Board, the mill’s Community Advisory Panel, the Western Maine District Coordinating Council, as treasurer of the United Way of Oxford County, and on the Rumford Finance Committee.

He is also involved in many volunteer activities to include the Rumford Rotary Club, Hope Association and the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition.

Duguay is in line to be the chairman of the Oxford County Commission for 2013.

Duguay does not believe in bi-partisan government. He believes in NON-partisan county government. That is why he is the only Independent County Commissioner running in this election, financing his own campaign with no public or private money. He believes that as an independent, he is more versatile, nimble and responsive in working with local officials in all of the towns.

Duguay is married to Patricia Duguay, who is the executive director of the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition. They have been married 32 years and have two adult daughters, and two grandchildren, all residing in Oxford County.

Anyone interested in helping Dave with his campaign can contact him at 357-9923.