BY LYNN ASCRIZZI

Staff writer

Not everyone can say they take the pulse of the daily rhythms of the Kennebec River.

But to Robert Sezak of Fairfield, living close to that river has become second nature.

"I live on an island in Maine," he said, of his home on little Bunker Island, located off Bridge Street in downtown Fairfield.

He moved to the island's tiny residential area eight years ago, and ever since, watching the Kennebec roll past his backyard is an integral part of his life.

"The river got high and went back down this spring. It left silt on the flood plain, which is good for the ground. We know its comings and goings," he said, of himself and his partner of 16 years, Norma Larsson, a dental hygienist.

"It's not a free-running river. ... The risings and fallings are as much manmade as determined by nature," he said.

He and Larsson often take their Old Town kayaks out for pleasant river excursions.

"I haven't gone out as much as I'd like to this year," he said, of kayaking jaunts.

Since spring, his activities have swelled beyond ordinary levels. Currently, he is beginning to launch his campaign to run against incumbent Peter Mills R-Skowhegan, for state senate, District 26.

"I'm running because I believe democracy is a dialogue, and the voices of the people of Somerset County need to be heard in Augusta," he said, a sentiment echoed at his Web site,

sezakforsenate.org

Sezak also was appointed this year as an alternate on the Fairfield town-planning board, a job that keeps him busy poring over zoning ordinances, he said. And he has served for two years on the town's budget committee.

He pointed out that Fairfield is made up of many little villages: Shawmut, Hinckley, Larone, Fairfield Center and Fairfield.

"It's a multi-faceted area. Right now, it's a sleepy hamlet, but it does bustle with activity," he said.

And, he sees room for improvement.

"The Gerald Hotel is now empty," he said of a historical building in downtown Fairfield. "I'd like to see a suitable use for that, whether it was based on a commercial enterprise on the first floor and a residence on the upper floor, or some other mix. You don't like to see those empty buildings. It leads to deterioration."

Sezak also has strong ties to Waterville.

For one, he owns and operates RE-BOOKS, a nonmainstream book store open six days a week on the Waterville Concourse.

On top of his pile of favorite reads is "Dragon Fire," by former U.S. Senator Bill Cohen, a spy novel about United States/China relations and intrigue at high levels of government.

"It's timely and shows you the possible inner workings of our government and China," he said.

"This is a free-thinking kind of place," he said, in a previous interview, about his bookish enterprise. "I have customers who engage in all sorts of talk. The whole spectrum comes here -- rightists, leftists and conservatives. There are a lot of rousing discussions. It's a free-speech zone."

And, he voices free opinions of his own.

"I'm in favor of our Constitution and Bill of Rights. If it wasn't for the second amendment, there wouldn't be a first amendment -- free speech. It puts the teeth into free speech," said Sezak, a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Another tie to Waterville: Sezak is vice president of the Kennebec Water District Board of Trustees. a board he has served on for six years.

Jeff LaCasse of Skowhegan, general manager of the Kennebec Water District in Waterville, has known Sezak for many years.

"He's been an active an interested member. He's done a good job of running meetings. ... Sometimes he comes from an innovation direction, and he's a free thinker. ... He has opinions and is always a good one for coming up with on-line information related to water and water issues," LaCasse said.

"We usually meet two hours every other week," Sezak said.

What makes him stick to all the civic-minded endeavors?

"In a way, you are giving back to the community. It keeps you in touch with the community at large," he said.

Lynn Ascrizzi -- 861-9245

lascrizzi@centralmaine.com