UPDATE: Hoffman won by 151 votes.

Original post: Only two people are on the ballot for three opens seats on the Boothbay Harbor Board of Selectmen (current Chairman Bill Hamblen and former selectman Denise Griffin).

The third open seat will be decided by write-in; and two contenders have stepped up to seek votes at the election on Friday, May 3. The candidates are Russ Hoffman and current planning board chairman Michael Tomko.

Tomko has been a member of the planning board for the past five years. He has held the position of chairman for the last three. He runs his own contracting business, Create Estates.

Hoffman has been involved in the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor with their school and choir. He is a naval architect and manager of an engineering group at Bath Iron Works.

“As the minister’s husband, you know I am involved with anything that needs doing,” Hoffman said. Hoffman is married to Pastor Sarah Foulger of the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church.

Tomko is involved with many organizations in Lincoln County besides the planning board; these include the executive board of the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, the Boothbay Harbor Comprehensive Planning Committee, the Boothbay Harbor Bicycle Pedestrian Plan, Route 27 Corridor Committee and Lincoln County Sea Level Rise Committee.

Tomko also helped launch a Walkability Workshop in fall of 2012 with the help of Jane Lafleur from Friends of Midcoast Maine. During the workshop, Dan Burden of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute and around 50 local residents explored Boothbay Harbor on foot to see how pedestrian-friendly it is, and suggested what kind of improvements could be made.

“The Walkability Workshop’s goal is to grow the local economy, and enhance community livings standards,” Tomko said. “To further those efforts, I applied for and recently won a $2,000 grant, along with monies pledged by the town of Boothbay Harbor, to launch the recommendations from the workshop.”

Hoffman said he has no particular agenda right now, but has an open mind and will listen to all ideas brought forward. He said he will encourage collaboration between towns and local businesses wherever it makes sense.

“I bring some skills, talents, and gifts to the selectmen’s position. I am a good listener and a compassionate person,” Hoffman said. “I can see and understand both sides of an issue.”

“I try to approach every problem logically to make a decision, and want all the facts before I decide.” Hoffman said he also sees being a member of the board of selectmen as a chance to give back to the community. “When we moved here, when we were building our house, and when our son got sick a few years ago, people were there to help with open arms. We have a special community here in Boothbay Harbor, and this is an opportunity to give back.”

Tomko also said a collaborative effort is important. “I'm excited about the many opportunities facing the Harbor,” he said. “It's time to move forward and work collaboratively with our merchants, the fishing community, and neighboring towns.

“We need to engage our citizens, from school children to seniors, for their ideas and critiques. With your support, I hope to help foster the passion I've seen in our town, and help energize the livability and value of this incredible region we call home,” Tomko said.

Katrina Clark can be reached at 207-633-4620 or katrinaclark@boothbayregister.com. Follow her on Twitter: @BBRegisterClark or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BBRegisterKatrinaClark.