Some folks have just about seen and done everything on this peninsula in the last half century, and Selectman Douglas Burhnam certainly fits that description.

Having served the town of Boothbay on municipal boards and committees since the 1970s, Burnham is seeking another three-year term on the Boothbay board of selectmen.

“I've been here my whole life, and I've seen a lot of changes in Boothbay,” Burnham said. “I'd like to keep serving and keep things moving.”

Over the years, Burnham has seen a fair share of controversies erupt in Boothbay politics. He said nowadays, however, the Boothbay Town Office seems a bit tamer.

Known as the “good old boy” by his fellow selectmen, Burnham consistently says that the selectmen need to be good stewards of local tax dollars. Staying informed about local issues and making good decisions that affect Boothbay's residents is what keeps Burnham involved in local government.

There are a few issues Burnham finds bothersome: the closure of St. Andrews Hospital, and the region's declining youth population.

“We've got to get some infrastructure so we can get some younger people,” Burnham said. “The hospital closed, and we're losing kids and we're losing everything. We got to do something to try and keep the young people in town.”

Burnham is a former member of the Boothbay Region Lions Club, the Boothbay Region High School Boosters Club, and he is actively involved in the American Legion and the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

While Burnham is certainly a well known figure around town and local government, he said it's good for elected officials to alternate positions once in a while in order to draw from different perspectives.

Although there are two new candidates vying for his selectman's seat, Burnham believes he is better suited candidate for Boothbay selectmen.

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.