Ogunquit News
Hokans withdraws from selectmen's race, supports Hoffman
By Melissa Wood
OGUNQUIT - Although his name will remain on the April ballot, Henry Hokans has decided not to run for a seat on the Board of Selectmen."I don't want to let anybody down," said Hokans, but said that there were three reasons behind his decision to quit the race.
Those reasons are short-term health problems, a professional opportunity and that another challenger, Herbert Hoffman, had also filed for the position currently held by Board of Selectmen Vice-Chairman John Abbott, who is running for reelection.
Hokans is currently recovering from double pneumonia in both lungs; a health problem he hopes will be temporary.
However, Hokans said he was concerned about splitting the vote two ways by having two challengers in the election since, in his words, he "most ardently" feels there is a need for change in the Board of Selectmen.
"I want to see this incumbent defeated," said Hokans. "I can't take my name off the ballot, but I can ask people, please, vote for Herbert Hoffman."
Hokans said that he believes members of the board, but not the entire board, have shuffled aside some important issues and not been as completely open as he believes they should be.
"I feel that the current power structure has not done a good job in the post," he said. "We need to restore the integrity."
The Ogunquit election will be held on April 7. Absentee ballots will be available in advance.
To view the entire warrant for the 2007 town election, visit www.townofogunquit.org.
