Robert Sezak of Fairfield has announced his  candidacy for Somerset County Commissioner for the District 1 towns of Fairfield and Norridgewock.

“I am running for county commissioner because  I believe a person working very hard can make a difference in finding solutions to the problems facing our towns and county,”  Sezak said in his announcement.

“The communities of Somerset County offer a diversity that is envied by many.  We have the best of hunting and fishing, large and small businesses, hospitals, educational facilities, and economic opportunity.  It is important that we can continue to enjoy the resources and vital services Somerset County has to offer without losing those qualities we have come to know and appreciate.  This will be more difficult with the closure of the Madison mill and the devaluation of the Skowhegan mill, making the shrinking tax base  the most important issue in Somerset County.  I will work to find means of increasing County revenue, outside of taxation, by attracting and expanding craft-industries and other businesses in Somerset County, ”  Sezak said.  “The county also needs to lower the costs of jail indebtedness through legislation in order to ensure that payment for the debt on the jail will come mainly from boarding out-of-county inmates, as was originally intended. “

“Our county government can play a greater role in alleviating the legislative and economic pressures imposed upon the people and municipalities of Somerset County. “

Robert Sezak, 63, currently chairs the Somerset County Budget Committee and the Fairfield Town Council, and has been a small business owner for over 22 years.