For Kenneth Chances, it's very simple. He wants to help out his community.

Although Chances has never ran for public office before, he wants to take a chance for a seat on the Boothbay board of selectmen.

“I've had people tell me I'm crazy to run,” Chances said. “But does that mean it's crazy to help people? It's crazy to get people to have year-round jobs in a fishing community? No.”

Chances said he comes from Lewiston where his parents both taught at Bates College. Four years ago Chances moved to the Boothbay region where he lives with his family. He said he believes there is room for his town to grow and become more active.

“I've seen in the community that there are a lot of people who are very restrictive. I want to see them loosen up, you know, relax and not be afraid to grow.”

Chances said his main reason for running for office is to try and develop more year-round business around the region. He said there are too many jobs that are located off the peninsula.

“A lot of people are locked into fishing and they want to break out,” Chances said. “Why can't they? Because there are no jobs.”

Chances is an active member of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, and he currently works at the Boothbay Harbor Hannaford. During the summer he works the parking lot booth for Captain Fish's Boat Trips.

When it comes to local government, Chances said he hasn't followed the politics very closely, but he said he hopes he can be part of the solution to better the town of Boothbay.

“I'm not the cure all, but I'm open for ideas,” Chances said.   

May 5 is election day and voting hours will be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Boothbay Town Office at 1011 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay.