Mayor Levesque

Today is Wednesday.

October 25 was a Wednesday. One that we will never, ever forget.

Our community, our state, lost 18 beautiful souls that day. 13 more were injured. All of us were forever changed.

To honor those we lost, the beautiful Bells of St. Louis Church, now and forever at home in Auburn's Anniversary Park, will toll 18 times at 7:00PM each Wednesday for 18 weeks.

If you are near Anniversary Park on a Wednesday at 7:00PM and you hear the bells toll, we encourage you to pause, to remember, and to honor the fallen. 💙

One step closer to protecting Lake Auburn. Interesting that only one person spoke in opposition to the Lake protection ordinances prior to our votes.

Auburn council signals support for series of ordinance changes in Lake Auburn watershed In a first reading, the council approved a new septic design standard and rezoned 60 acres of land off Gracelawn Road owned by John Gendron.

It’s time that the State of Maine follows the City of Auburn, Maine (Official) lead and eliminate all permit fees for Veterans. That would be a great way to honor Veterans and encourage them to build or rehabilitate their homes!

News Post Detail

Unfortunately tonight’s results did not go our way but I still believe in Auburn’s future as strongly today as I did when I first became mayor six years ago. Representing auburn has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life.

We have endured many challenges over the last six years which we have weathered together and with honor by doing what’s right.

Sometimes dealing with what’s right is not what’s popular I wish the future City Council all the best and encourage them to continue to do what’s right.

I want to personally thank all of you that have supported Auburn over the last six years, and encourage you to have your voices heard at city hall. Voices for growth and opportunity. Voices that will make Auburn sustainable for the next generation not the last.

I’ll see you at the grocery store neighbor.

Good morning,

As we all get ready for Election Day(please vote!) I want to take a moment to thank my volunteers who, when my foot was broken this fall, knocked doors and put up signs.

To my supporters, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Whether it was financial contributions or words of encouragement, you gave me the ability and strength to carry on during our cities darkest days.

To those of you that are undecided, trust your gut. Look at all the new high paying jobs that have been created by private industry, new shopping and restaurants, innovative programs like sustainability Auburn and the victory garden program, the creation of Auburns partnership with CMCC so our high schoolers can now go to college and earn credits or a trade certification their senior year.

Simply don’t believe all the negativity from the other candidate’s campaign, they have no plans, or vision and have to resort to slinging mud. If you embrace how Auburn is becoming one of the best places in Maine then I ask for your vote and trust.

But more importantly- get out and vote!

Good morning,

As we continue to move past the tragedy of October 25th and get back to our normal routines, I would like to remind you that City of Auburn, Maine (Official) municipal elections are tomorrow.

This election is critically important for the future of Auburn and frankly the entire region. It’s clear that we are heading in the right direction. Are there still issues? Of course, but we know what they are and we’ve been executing plans to correct them.

The opposition has clearly stated they want to take us backward. Back to a time when they were in charge and Auburn was less prosperous and fewer opportunities.

For six years I’ve dedicated myself to ensuring that Auburn is a place where everyone can have opportunities. I respectfully ask you to grant me two more years to finish the job, to ensure the economic and personal success we have so long and hard worked for can never be derailed.

Please contact your friends and family and remind them of the importance of tomorrows election.

Election and Voting

I need to thank our local media for their professionalism, integrity and empathy while dealing with the events of October 25th. This segment on last nights game from WGME-TV by our friend Dave Eid is a great example.

https://wgme.com/sports/content/cities-lewiston-auburn-come-together-football-game-help-community-heal-mass-shooting-maine-robert-card-killed-tragic-gun-violence-just-in-time-recreation #

Cities of Lewiston, Auburn come together for football game to help community heal The cities of Lewiston and Auburn came together as one Wednesday night as high school football made its return to Don Roux Field.

Kindness is an essential component of community recovery. I encourage everyone in Auburn and the surrounding communities to take the City of Lewistons lead and show kindness and gratitude to those who are helping us through.

Today marks the one-week anniversary of the tragic events of October 25. Our sister city of Lewiston has announced today, November 1, as "Act of Kindness and Gratitude Day." Let's join the people of Lewiston in spreading acts of kindness and gratitude today (and always).

You can read Lewiston City Administrator Heather Hunter's thank you letter to the community: https://bit.ly/3Qn3HPs

There are so many people around the country who want to help the victims families through this tragedy but before you give online please see below from the Maine State Police

The outpouring of support for the victims and those impacted by the recent tragedies in Lewiston has been nothing short of amazing.

If people are looking to make donations to support victims and their families please make sure it is a vetted organization or charity.

Criminals commonly set up bogus charities to take advantage of the public's generosity during international crises or natural disasters. The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making financial contributions to established charities and humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations.

If you are looking to donate and are not sure where to go the Red Cross is referring people to the Maine Community Foundation.

https://www.mainecf.org/initiatives-impact/lewiston-auburn-area-response-fund/

Auburn should be proud of how our first responders responded during this crisis.

If you’ve been effected by our communities recent tragedy please see below and seek assistance.

Victims of the shootings in Lewiston, Maine will have a place to go to receive help and support. Officials are setting up a Family Assistance Center (FAC) at the Lewiston Amory located at 65 Central Avenue, Lewiston, ME. This will be one central space for victims and their support persons to gather so they don’t have to make multiple stops as they seek assistance. This space is also open for those individuals who were present at the shooting sites, but not physically injured. Media will not be allowed to enter the FAC out of concern for privacy of victims.
The Maine State Police in conjunction with the Maine Attorney General’s Office, the Red Cross, and the FBI Victim Services Division will open the space tomorrow, Saturday, 10/28. The hours of the FAC will be from 10am – 7pm. The FAC will remain open for an adequate period of time to allow access for all victims.
A separate site providing mental health assistance at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston, ME has been created for the larger community. For more information, please visit the City of Lewiston’s page.
Victims and their support persons will be able to access a number of resources to include mental health services, financial aid, spiritual care, and access to victim advocacy and support services.
The FBI Victim Services Division has set up a Victim Information Page to allow the public to access information regarding services 24/7. The link is FBI.gov/Lewiston
There will be a significant police presence at the FAC to address security concerns.

Breaking news with regards to the search for the suspect in our communities tragedy. We can now completely focus on helping our affected families and our community as a whole.

Please take note.

Please see below.

A STATEMENT FROM AUBURN MAYOR JASON J. LEVESQUE:

Dear friends and neighbors,

Over the last several days, our community has suffered a devastating tragedy resulting in the loss of 18 lives. Countless others lives have been changed forever. Over the coming days, as the victims’ names and stories are released, we will all be touched in some way. We will feel a flood of emotions – from heartbreak and anger, to grief, shock, and beyond. I urge anyone who needs help talking through their emotions to reach out to a professional, to clergy or call 9-8-8, the State of Maine’s crisis hotline.

To the families and friends of those lost: know that we stand with you during your time of grief. You are not alone; our community will be there for you now and forever.

As you learn more about the events of October 25, you'll hear stories of heroism and valor. Stories about our first responders, who selflessly responded to the scenes, disregarding their personal safety to rush the wounded to local hospitals. Stories of employees who sacrificed their lives in order to protect their patrons. Stories of individuals who valiantly protected children and guided them to safety regardless of what might happen to them. Let these stories be forever etched into the collective histories of our community for future generations to draw inspiration, and for us to gain the strength to endure.

While we wait for state officials to lift “shelter in place” orders, and while local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are focused on bringing the suspect to justice, together we begin the process of mourning our losses and ensuring that our community can recover and move forward together.

The FBI is in the process of setting up a victim services center to assist families affected by this tragedy. And the State of Maine is working to establish a community resource center. Details regarding both of these resources will be shared as they become available.

I have heard from many of you, wondering how you can help. Plans are underway to collect contributions to help with final expenses, medical bills, scholarships, and lost wages. We are also starting to plan for appropriate remembrance events and memorials.

The next several weeks will be difficult for our community, but I know in my heart that we will pull together, stand together, and take care of each other, putting aside differences and politics and focusing on what lies ahead.

Yours in service,
Mayor Jason J. Levesque | Auburn, Maine

Shelter in place order is now in effect for Auburn. Stay safe. Don’t jump to conclusions. More info shortly.

I urge you to research referendum question 3, a government take over of Maines electric grid. A large group of Maine Mayors, including me, have serious reservations.

Maine mayors come out in opposition of Question 3 Nine mayors of some of Maine's largest cities and towns came out against the overhaul of CMP and Versant.

Thank you Councilor Milks for stating facts. They are, stubborn things…

Steve Milks: The lake and Mayor Levesque

Nobody currently in Auburn leadership decided to put a gravel pit and two dumps next to Lake Auburn.

Luckily, there is no evidence that the dumps or the gravel pit are polluting Lake Auburn, thank goodness. Experts state the worst use of that land is a gravel pit and the best way to protect the lake is an environmentally engineered development.

Mayor Jason Levesque supports smart development.

Mayor Levesque’s leadership, like his lobbying at the State House to get millions of additional funds for the city to tear down the old Edward Little High School or his thoughtful guidance on ARPA funds, coupled with his tireless promotion of Auburn, directly benefits the people of Auburn.

In contrast, Jeff Harmon sued the City, accusing the Planning Board of incorrectly performing its responsibilities. The judge dismissed the suit, calling it “absurd” to confine development solely to land that borders Court Street.

That’s poor judgment.

Residents should vote Levesque for Auburn.

Last nights presentation of the third annual John Jenkins award was emotional and extremely fitting. Dan Campbell (aka Coach)serves as an inspiration to us all.

Auburn track coach, homeless advocate honored with Jenkins award The John Jenkins Hands & Hearts Leadership & Service Award was bestowed Wednesday night on longtime school track and ski coach Dan Campbell

Here’s a study illustrating what Auburn has been successfully working on over the last several years.

When you build more market rate housing and the cost of housing starts to drop.

Build less and prices go up.

It’s not rocket science. It’s economics. Those who oppose Auburn’s pro growth policies support higher home costs and rents. Or worse, have little to do no understanding of how supply and demand works.

Another, in a long list, of important Auburn reforms implemented. Recycling is only effective if what we put in the bins is being recycled. Now we will have education, communication, and reporting to the city.

Auburn council approves new recycling program The decision comes after months of debate over the city's recycling system and criticism of an evolving drop-off program.

Great to see how Auburn is yet again setting the standard for bi-partisan zoning reform.

Small City Zoning Reforms in Auburn, ME | Bipartisan Policy Center Auburn, ME, has plenty of job opportunities but has failed to grow its population over the last few decades due to restrictive zoning.

And this is what happens when we modernize zoning, a new mixed income, owner occupied neighborhood is created in partnership with private developers. City of Auburn, Maine (Official) - where opportunity IS closer than you think.

“A strong municipal leader needs to have faith in the people that create growth and ensure that government sets clear, simple policies and then gets out of their way,” Mayor Levesque told the Sun Journal in 2019. “This needs to happen throughout our city. In short, we must create opportunity, not set up roadblocks.”

Thanks Kip for the letter of support and reminding all of us of my key belief. Belief in people not government

Kip Elliott: Auburn must continue its momentum with Mayor Levesque I enthusiastically support Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque for reelection. We must continue the momentum and not revert to stagnation. Through his powerful and vibrant leadership, future generations will have a thriving community to call home. To ensure Auburn’s future growth, Mayor Levesque recognize...

This story should make us proud that we live in a city that identifies, and solves problems openly. This allows all of us the opportunity to contribute to the achieving the goal…in this case it’s ending childhood homelessness.

Auburn working with midcoast organization to house unaccompanied minors Minors tend to leave home because of adverse situations, such as drug use, conflict within the home and parents who are not accepting of the child’s gender or sexuality.

It was a pleasure to discuss homelessness and drug abuse in Auburn and Maine this morning on George Hale Ric Tyler Show and some of the positive steps were taking to ending generational poverty and helping those in need.

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