Voter Primer for the 2014 General Election Covering candidates and questions on the ballot

November 4, 2014

the ballot to you. Only this person may handle the absen- tee ballot. Ballots cast in this way must be witnessed by a Where do I vote? notary public, a municipal clerk, a clerk of courts, or two Penobscot: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall. Registrar of other witnesses. Polling hours for area towns Voters Mary Ellen Gross, 326-4364. Office hours: Mon., 9 Polling hours and locations for the November 4 election a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m.; Tue. 4-8 p.m.; Thu. 9 a.m.-12 Registering to vote are noted for each town. Town clerks have absentee ballots p.m. and 2-5 p.m. According to the Secretary of State, it’s never too late to available; clerks’ hours and contact information is noted. register to vote in Maine. You can register in person at your Blue Hill: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., upstairs at the town office. Sedgwick: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town house. Registrar of town office up to and including election day. Town Clerk Etta Perkins, 374-2281. Office hours: Mon.- Voters Cynthia Reilly, 359-2275 or 326-9012. Office hours Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at town office: Wed. 1:30-6 p.m. and Thu. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Changing parties At home: Wed., 7-8:30 p.m. The deadline to change parties has now passed; however, Brooklin: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the town office. Registrar those currently unenrolled may choose to enroll in any of Voters Jeannine Hardy, 359-8394. Office hours: Tue. Stonington: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall, second floor. party up until and on election day at their specified polling and Thu., 2-5 p.m. Registrar of Voters Lucy Bradshaw, 367-2351. Office location. hours: Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Brooksville: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at public service building. Registrar of Voters Amber Bakeman, 326-4518. Office Surry: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall meeting room. Town hours: Mon. and Wed., 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Thu., 6-8 p.m. Clerk Angela Smith, 667-5912. Office hours: Tue.-Fri., 8 CONTENTS a.m.-4 p.m. Castine: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Emerson Hall. Registrar of Polling hours and absentee ballots page 1 Voters Susan Macomber, 326-4502. Office hours, Mon.- Candidate biographies and questionnaires: Fri., 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Voting by absentee ballot You do not need a reason to vote by absentee ballot and Governor page 2 Deer Isle: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at town hall. Registrar of you can go to your town office to vote in person as soon as U.S. Senate page 2 Voters Becky Knowlton, 348-6060. Office hours: Mon. ballots are available. If voting in person, you don’t need to Representative to Congress, and Wed., 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Thu., 4-7 p.m. complete an application. District 2 page 2 The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, State Senate pages 2-4 Isle au Haut: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Revere Memorial Hall. October 30, unless the voter completes a special circum- Registrar of Voters Susan MacDonald, 335-5577. stances application, stating one of four allowable reasons State House of Representatives pages 4-6 for requesting an absentee ballot after this deadline: 1. District Attorney page 6 an unexpected absence from the municipality during the County Officials page 7 Election entire time the polls are open on election day; 2. a physical Voting District Maps pages 3,4 disability; 3. an inability to travel to the polls because the Referendum questions page 8 2014 voter is a resident of a coastal island ward or precinct; or 4. an incapacity or illness that has resulted in the voter being Online at unable to leave home or a treatment facility. Absentee ballots are available at your town hall or October 23, 2014 office; upon request, one will be mailed to you. You may Supplement to Castine Patriot, penobscotbaypress.com also request an absentee ballot be mailed to you at maine. gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. All requests Island Ad-Vantages, and The Weekly Packet Our special Election 2014 archive, must be made by October 30, including ones completed at Information compiled and/or a town office. written by Anne Berleant consisting of interviews with the If you do not want to or are unable to come to the polls candidates and other and want someone outside your immediate family to han- Penobscot Bay Press stories, and this Voter Primer dle the absentee ballot for you, you must make a written request for that specific person to pick up and hand-deliver Community Information Services 2 Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 Candidates Voter Primer Director, Center for Family Business, Husson College, this a priority and how do you think the legislature can Maine Governor 1994-1996. Deputy State Treasurer, State of Massachusetts, work toward fulfilling its transportation infrastructure? Eliot Cutler 1993. New England Regional Director, United States Small 3. Passion for public office. What is your overriding Independent, Cape Elizabeth Business Administration, 1992-93. Staff Director, Senate passion for seeking this position? Political: Founder and former chairman of OneMaine. Subcommittee on Oversight Government Management, Associate director of Natural Resources in the Office of 1981-87. Staff, United States Senator William S. Cohen, Management and Budget under President Jimmy Carter, 1975-87. Senate District 7, formerly 28 1977-1980. Served as a member of Senator Muskie’s staff Education: BA, Saint Lawrence University. (Includes Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Deer Isle, for six years. Personal: Married. Sedgwick, Stonington, Surry and 22 other towns in Professional: Chairman of MaineAsia, LLC. Principal Hancock County) in Chamisa Energy, LLC. Co-founder and principal in Maine Seafood Ventures, LLC, 2010-2012. Partner and Ted Koffman co-founder, Cutler & Stanfield, LLP, an environmental Representative to Congress, Democrat, Bar Harbor and land use law firm. Merged with Akin Gump Straus Political: Representative, Hauer and Feld, LLP in 2000. Served as business advisor District 2 Maine State House, 2000-08. and lawyer for Skanska USA, a subsidiary of a large con- Emily Cain Professional: Director, struction company. Co-financed and co-created Thornburg Government and Community Democrat, Orono Relations, College of the Investment Company in 1981. Chairman, Board of Political: Senator, Maine State Senate, 2012-pres- Atlantic, 1976-present; Diver, Visitors, Muskie School of Public Service, University of ent; Member, Orono Democratic Committee; Minority Challenger Marine, 1975- Southern Maine; President, Emanuel and Pauline Lerner Floor Leader, 2012; Representative, 2004-12. Chairman 76; Administrator, Franconia Foundation. Government Oversight committee; member, Appropriations College, 1969-75. Education: BA from Harvard College, JD from and Financial Affairs committee, Maine State Senate. Education: MA, Goddard Georgetown Law. Professional: Coordinator of Advancement, Honors College, 1974; BA, Bloomfield Personal: Married, three children. College, University of Maine, 2005-present; Special College, 1968; AA, Franconia Ted Koffman. Assistant for Presidential Events, University of Maine Photo courtesy of the candidate College, 1966. Alumni Association, 2004-present; Higher Education Paul LePage (incumbent) Personal: Married, four Professional Special Assistant to the President for Republican, Waterville Political: Elected governor children. Communications, University of Maine, 2004; Associate, in 2010; Mayor, City of Waterville, three terms, 2004- Political Funding: Traditional. Honors College, University of Maine, 2002-03. 2011; Waterville City Council, two terms; worked on 1. Economic growth. Maine’s quality of place, defined Education: BME, University of Maine; MEd, Harvard Governor McKernan’s Tax Reform task force, chairman by its traditional neighborhoods; attractive downtown dis- Graduate School of Education. of Mid-Maine homeless shelter for 12 years. Director tricts; scenic beauty; access to diverse recreational experi- Personal: Married. of Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce. Waterville Elks ences; and safe and friendly communities is another funda- Lodge member since 1972. Board chairman, United Way mental competitive advantage, drawing visitors and settlers of Mid-Maine. Member of National Rifle Association, Bruce Poliquin alike. Protecting and enhancing this brand will strengthen Heritage Foundation. Republican, Georgetown Maine’s tourism economy and attract entrepreneurs. Professional: General manager of Marden’s, 1996- Political: Treasurer, State of Maine, 2010-12; candidate, The vision presented by Maine Farmland Trust, aimed at 2010; consultant, LePage and Kasevich. United States Senate, 2012; candidate, Governor of Maine, making Maine the breadbasket of New England, will rein- Education: BS from Husson College. MBA from the 2010. vigorate agriculture in Maine, as well as farmers markets University of Maine. Professional: Principal, Avatar Investors Associates and Farm to School programs. Personal: Married, five children. Corporation, 1981-96; Evaluation Associates, Incorporated, Ted Ames’ inspiring research and the work of Penobscot 1978; Harris Trust and Savings Bank, 1976; private sector East [Resource Center, Stonington] suggests that a rebound Mike Michaud business owner/manager. in river herring populations could help rebuild coastal Education: ground fisheries, while providing bait for the lobster Democrat, E. Millinocket BA, Harvard University, 1976, economics. Personal: One son, former board member of Natural fishery. Maine communities, private landowners, and the Political: Representative, United States House of Resources Council of Maine. State could develop and implement a coordinated plan to Representatives, 2002-present; Senator, Maine State expand access to river herring spawning areas. Restoration Senate, 1995-2002; President Pro Tempore, Maine State of an Atlantic salmon recreational fishery would also boost Senate, 2002. President, Maine State Senate, 2001; Blaine Richardson economy and attract more visitors from around the world. Representative, Maine State House of Representatives, Independent, Belfast Increasing the minimum wage will improve the lives of 1980-1994. Former vice president of United Paperworkers’ Political/Professional: United States Navy, 1974-2004; many lower income Mainers, while increasing their buying International Union Local 152. served as U.S. Naval Liaison Officer to the State of Maine; power as consumers in the Maine marketplace. Likewise, Professional: Millworker, Great Northern Paper code enforcement officer, Rockland; owner, B. Richardson expanding Medicaid to 3,200 Hancock County residents, Company, 1973-2002. Company (construction), 2000-present. facing unaffordable health care costs, would produce a Education: Schenck High School; graduate, Program Education: United States Navy Flight School. healthier workforce and reduce hospital financial losses, for Senior Executives in State and Local Government, John Personal: Married. while the savings might stimulate the state’s economy. F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. 2. Improving road conditions. Transportation has Personal: Single. always been crucial to sustaining competitive businesses Maine’s new legislative and providing security and convenience to residents. It’s a factor in attracting visitors and settlers alike. The legis- United States Senator districts lature could index the fuel tax to annually adjust the fuel Maine’s legislative districts were redrawn after the 2010 tax revenue based on inflation. This would give transporta- Shenna Bellows census. These are in effect for voters and candidates for the Democrat, Augusta tion planners more predictability about resources, help set November 4, 2014, general election, as they were for the priorities, and do long-term planning. If some older major Political: Organizer Mainers United for Marriage, June 10 primary election. The old districts, listed as “for- arteries, like Route 15, were rebuilt to higher standards the co-chairman Protect Maine Votes campaign, 2011. merly” in this publication, remain viable until the newly State would save money in the long run. Professional: Executive Director American Civil elected legislators are seated in early December 2014. The 3. Passion for public office. Public service, and striving Liberties Union of Maine, eight years. Former research redistricting also created two “new” districts in this area to make the democracy work better for the people, is chal- assistant Economic Incorporated 1997-99. Former Peace and those are indicated as “*new.” The maps on pages 3 lenging and uniquely rewarding. During my eight years Corps volunteer in Panama working on small-business and 4 show the local towns included in the new districts. in the Maine House, I found great satisfaction in working development. collaboratively with colleagues, using fact-based problem Education: Ellsworth High School; BA, Middlebury solving and putting practical, long-lasting solutions in College. place. And, working together with business interests and Personal: Married. State legislature candidates The candidates for state Senate and House of nonprofit organizations, I look forward to identifying and Representatives were asked by Penobscot Bay Press to pursuing economic development opportunities, introduc- Susan Collins (incumbent) respond to the following questions: ing efficiencies to government operations, and improving Republican, Bangor 1. Economic growth. How do you propose to help stim- the quality of life for citizens. I am committed to finding Political: Republican Deputy Whip, United States ulate economic growth in a way that will have a positive common ground for the greater good. Finding common Senate, 1997-present. Senator, United States Senate, effect on the pockets of working people? What markets, ground requires that all legislators be willing to make rea- 1997-present. Candidate, Governor of Maine, 1994. i.e., tourism, farming, small business, light and heavy sonable compromises that make progress. Citizens should Commissioner, Department of Professional & Financial industry, marine and fisheries, do you feel hold the most expect no less. Regulation, State of Maine, 1987-1992. potential, and how would you encourage those markets? Professional: Director, Husson College International 2. Improving road conditions. It’s no secret that the and External Exchange Programs. Founding Executive roads in this area are in very bad shape. Do you consider Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 3 Candidates Voter Primer Brian D. Langley (incumbent) successful legislation was based on creating partnerships, possible, do the processing here by our workers. This Republican, Ellsworth with the Bridge Year Program being at the forefront. will create jobs and keep money in the State. If vot- In a political world that is so full of partisan posturing, ers pass the small business stimulus package, we will Political: Senator, Maine I have spent my time building working relationships with be able to help start some of the businesses that want State Senate, 2010-present; my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. That effort has not to do this and grow those that already are doing it. Representative, Maine State gone unrecognized. In 2012, Educate Maine recognized the Tourism is going to grow as we continue to recover. House of Representatives, Education and Cultural Affairs Committee for their bipar- Making sure our schools are training for the tourist indus- 2008-10; member of Marine tisan work (I served as chair). In late April Representative try and teaching them how to start businesses and manage Resources Committee and Terry Hayes (D) and I sponsored a workshop for legisla- people will keep our kids here in the State and bring in new Chairman of the Education and tors on civil discourse at the statehouse. In June of 2013, folks who know the value of both our human and natural Cultural Affairs Committee. the Lewiston Sun Journal stated that “Langley saw 10 of resources. Farming is one of our growth industries. I am Professional: Owner, Union his 11 bills become law giving him a remarkable 91 per- encouraged that with our available land we can feed all River Lobster Pot; teacher of cent success rate.” On October 7 of this year, the Maine of New England and beyond. Much of this growth is in culinary arts, Hancock County Development Foundation President’s Award was given organic food which will protect the land, protect our health Technical Center. Brian Langley. Photo courtesy of the candidate to the Joint Select Committee on Maine’s Workforce and and bring down the cost of organic products. If managed Education: University of Economic Future for our two-year bipartisan effort to properly like the lobster industry has been, as other fish- Southern Maine, Syracuse address Maine’s economy and workforce issues. Lastly, eries recover we can manage them to create sustainable, University. the Sunshine Foundation that tracks every legislator in good paying jobs. I am going to try to bring more computer Personal: Married, two children, Maine Coast Memorial the country named me among Maine’s most effective and science technology to Maine. We need to get high speed Hospital volunteer. bipartisan senators. Internet everywhere in the State to support and encourage Political Funding: Traditional. In simple terms, my overriding passion is to be effective this clean, well paying part of our society. Tech hubs are 1. Economic growth. Hancock County was dealt an and serve the citizens of Hancock County. in large cities and as the folks who are successful mature, economic blow when the Verso Paper Mill in Bucksport they are looking for places like Maine to start and raise a announced its December closure. Nothing brings home the family. They will bring innovative, world class jobs and importance of economic development more than when a Senate District 8, formerly 31 pay if we support their movement here. Incubation and large employer closes its doors. Making targeted invest- (Includes Castine, Penobscot and seven other towns in support centers are necessary and have already been started ments to identify, develop, and sustain new and emerging Hancock County, as well as several towns in Penobscot at UMaine. We need to expand those around the State. industries as well as strategic investments in our existing County) The careful expansion of clean, renewable energy will industries are policy areas where legislators can have the Paul Davis cut the cost of energy to the State and bring jobs. We will greatest influence. Democrat, Brewer need to build, install and maintain those systems which is For the past two years the Joint Select Committee on Did not respond to questionnaire by press time. work that has to stay here in Maine. Solar holds the greatest Maine’s Workforce and Economic Future studied issues Political: Chairman Penobscot County Democratic potential at this time since the cost has been dropping and regarding economic growth in Maine. We listened to Party; State senate candidate, 2008; delegate, Democratic power can be fed into the existing grid. Wind needs to be experts from every sector of the Maine economy. The National Convention, 2012. sited properly so as not to diminish the quality of life for resulting legislation was entirely focused on economic Professional: Former political field organizer; former those nearby. Instream/tidal hydroelectric generators have growth by equipping our workforce with the skills needed group home manager, adolescents in the foster care sys- great potential as well. to succeed in a 21st century economy. The second compo- tem; former researcher, College of Education and Human 2. Improving road conditions. Fixing roads that sup- nent, through bonding, makes targeted investments in key Development, University of Maine; former night manager/ port most of the areas of our lives is a priority. The infra- sectors of the economy. To that end, bond question #7, “An business manager, homeless coalition; former consultant, structure maintenance plans need to be reviewed. The high Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Maine Department of Education, cost of oil has a big effect on state and municipal budgets the Growth of and To Build Infrastructure for the Marine Education: BS, History/Political Science, University of at a time when folks have not had extra money to pay for Sector of the State’s Economy,” is specifically geared to Maine. more projects. I want to make sure that at least part of the the marine economy which could have tremendous impact Political Funding: Traditional. money raised by taxing transportation goes to maintain- for this region. ing the infrastructure. I would also try to incorporate or Bond question #4, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund develop alternatives to the high cost of oil based paving. Bond Issue To Support Biomedical Research in Maine,” Kimberly Rosen I will be looking for the new technologies even as I try to will help keep and grow jobs at the Jackson Lab. Republican, Bucksport find ways to improve the worst of our roads. Bond question #5, “An Act To Authorize a General Fund 3. Passion for public office. Maine has been home for Bond Issue To Support Human Health Research in Maine,” Did not respond to questionnaire by press time. 40 years. Coming from an Air Force family, we moved is keenly designed to train students here in Hancock County Political: Representative, Maine State House of constantly, but when I chose to move to Maine after high in state-of-the-art biomedical research. Representatives, 2004-12. school, I knew I was home. I met my wife Dee and we 2. Improving road conditions. Over 100 residents Professional: Business owner, cosmetologist. raised our children here, made wonderful friends and have attended a “grassroots” forum in May at the Deer Isle- Education: D’Lor Beauty School; University of Maine, come to know every corner of the State. I knew that when I Stonington Elementary School to voice their concerns Orono. had a chance to solve some of the challenges we are facing, regarding the condition of the roads and specifically Route Political Funding: Clean Election. I would need to bring creative ideas. As a pilot for Delta Air 15. I listened as resident after resident told of the effect the Lines, flying around the country and the world, I started to condition of the roads had on their lives, from delays in getting to appointments to damage to vehicles. Business Senate District 12 *New (Includes Isle au Haut and 18 other towns in Knox owners spoke of the impact of the roads on their busi- Senate County) nesses, including time delays, damage to delivery vehicles District 8 Surry and the negative impression for anyone wanting to locate a David Miramant Castine, business on Route 15. Penobscot and Penobscot Democrat, Camden 7 other towns. It became crystal clear to me that the condition of the Political: Representative; roads was the highest priority for citizens and businesses Personnel Board, City of alike. In a follow-up meeting with town officials, I listened Blue Hill Camden, 2005-08; candidate, as representatives from MDOT outlined their work plan for Maine State Senate, District Castine Route 15. Town officials voiced their concerns that there 22, 2008; candidate, Maine must be a better way to take care of Route 15. In response, Brooksville State House, District 46, 2004; I have already introduced placeholder legislation to create selectman, City of Camden, a “Peninsula Partnership Pact” to give us time to develop Sedgwick 2000-03. legislation that addresses the unique needs of communities Professional: Pilot/owner, that are on a peninsula where there is just one way on and Brooklin Spirit Soaring Glider Rides, one way off. My experience has proven that collaboratives 2006-present; Captain, Delta and partnerships where all parties involved work together Airlines, 1985-2005; co-owner, David Miramant. Deer Isle for a common goal are much more successful than cookie Photo courtesy of the candidate Tufulios Restauraunt, 1987- cutter top-down legislation. I look forward to working with Senate District 7 97; pilot, Bar Harbor Airlines, our town officials in developing a model that I believe will Blue Hill, Brooklin, 1983-84. Brooksville, Deer benefit other communities that are on peninsulas. Stonington Education: BA, University of Maine, Farmington. Isle, Sedgwick, 3. Passion for public office. My passion for seeking this Personal: Married, two children; volunteer, The Stonington, Surry position stems from my nearly 30 years of being a public Community School; founding board member, Midcoast Senate District 12 and 22 other school teacher and my nearly 30 years as a small business towns. Boys to Men Conference, 2005; founding member, Maine Isle au Haut and owner in Hancock County. My career as an instructor 18 other towns. Isle au Haut Coast Men, 1990-2002. and administrator at Hancock County Technical Center Political Funding: Clean Election. hinged upon creating industry and education partnerships. 1. Economic growth. One way is to keep as much of I took those experiences to the legislature where my most the value of Maine resources here in Maine. Whenever 4 Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 Candidates Voter Primer look at what worked for people who might have already 1. Economic growth. District 131 is a beautiful, rural Karl Ward faced the same issues as Maine. When I was elected to area with a micro-economy. The cities and the larger towns Republican, Dedham the House of Representatives, this helped with introduc- around us provide jobs for commuters. Medium and large Professional: President and CEO, Nickerson & O’Day. ing ways to look at the challenges we were facing, and to businesses should be welcome to the area if they fit into Education: University steer the solutions toward proven ideas. The other skill that the environment. We should focus on developing our of Maine, Orono, Civil being an airline pilot taught me was how to bring a crew micro-business people: farmers, fishermen, artists, com- Engineering, Construction together to get the best out of everyone. By using this with puter programmers, craftspeople, restaurateurs and repair- and Management. my fellow legislators, we were able to move past rhetoric men who can make a living in District 131. Personal: Executive council, and to work as a team. I want Maine to stay unique for 1. Organizing a Peninsula Committee to seek out grants, Boy Scouts of America; Board both its people and natural resources. I want my children to loans and funding for area economic development. of Directors, Bangor YMCA; come back and raise their children here. We have one of the 2. Farming: provide opportunities for homesteading Trustee, John Bapst High best places in the world to live and I feel a strong respon- and low cost loans for farm equipment to young farmers. School; Board of Directors, sibility to keep it that way. I know I can be part of a team Farmers organize into economic units to seek out markets Maine Rural Partners. that starts to identify new ways to solve new challenges. for their products, share skills and expensive equipment, Political Funding: My children are optimistic. They tell me that government and produce value-added products for the Maine and U.S. Traditional. Karl Ward. has to stop using old ideas in a changing world—I agree! consumer. 1. Economic growth. Photo courtesy of the candidate 3. Aquaculture: The state and universities can provide The economic health of all the expertise and planning of sites for oyster, mussel, families and individuals depends on full employment in Paula Sutton salmon and all fish farming with local approval. More tra- good-paying jobs. This is only possible when businesses ditional fishermen should be able to make decisions about Republican, Warren are also healthy, growing and being created. Business will their fisheries. Did not respond to questionnaire by press time. go where 1) the environment encourages it to go and 2) stay 4. Excellent Internet connectivity is essential so that Political: Former Deputy Registrar, Town of Warren. where it is well-cared for. After 40 years of single-party the micro-businesses are in touch with the world for mar- Professional: Small business owner, real estate agent, rule in our legislature, Maine does neither. That has to keting their products, resources and our amazing natural partner in a wholesale seafood company. change. Obviously, tourism is tremendously important to environment. Education: Becker College, Maranacook Community our region. But we discourage it when we raise lodging 5. Tourism could be increased by creating several Travel High School. and restaurant taxes. Our burgeoning small rural farms Trails with themes for the peninsula and islands. Eco- Personal: Married, two grown children, two grandchil- want to deliver their home-grown goods to local markets adventure businesses should be encouraged and highlighted. dren. Twice named Volunteer of the Year by the YMCA. but are stifled by regulation. Our growing oyster farming 6. Marketing is essential for all the above. Providing Political Funding: Traditional. economy provides a hard but sustaining life to coastal ways to reach out to the county, country and beyond with communities and should be encouraged. And without our products and Internet services is essential. A Peninsula larger employers, all will suffer the ripple-effect of their Marketing Program could be developed for this area. House of Representatives departure. Energy costs and transportation to and from 2. Improving road conditions. With the exception of a material sources and markets must be improved. I will few road paving jobs this summer, the roads on the Blue District 131 *New work tirelessly to improve the business climate in Maine. Hill Peninsula need serious attention. Because so many (Includes Dedham, Orland, Otis, Penobscot, Prospect, We’re last on Forbes Magazine’s list. There’s nowhere to residents commute to jobs, the issue of safety comes to Verona Island and Stockton Springs) go but up. mind immediately. Holes, bumps, crumbling edges and no 2. Improving road conditions. I am a civil engineer and Veronica Garvey Magnan shoulders present constant dangers. Commercial trucking construction manager. I cut my teeth in this business build- Democrat, Stockton Springs supporting our small businesses also need decent roads. ing roads for the MDOT. I’m a member of the American Political: Former Road building, repair and maintenance have three fund- Society of Civil Engineers and that organization regularly Representative (41st District) ing sources—local, state and federal. Federal road issues “grades” the roads in each of the 50 states. Maine’s last grade 2008-10, member Maine are paid for with federal funds. State roads are under the was a “D” and we deserve it. This is ridiculous. Businesses State Democratic Committee State Department of Transportation and supervised by the look at this when they consider where to locate or expand. 2000-present. Transportation Committee of the Legislature. Legislation This is one of the many reasons they look past our state. If Professional: Curator of introduced to improve specific roads can be submitted and you ask the MDOT Commissioner, Dave Bernhardt (a UM Collections, Stockton Springs shepherded through to funding as a special case or at least friend of mine—we started at MDOT together in the mid- Historical Society; political move the road project to a higher spot on DOT’s list. As we 80s), he’ll tell you we have a several-hundred million dol- consultant. Former teacher and saw at the special meeting in Deer Isle with the DOT this lar structural deficit within the MDOT. Dave knows how administrator. spring, they like to stick with their plan, so special legisla- to “stretch a buck” when managing his meager budget, but Education: BA, History/ tion may be needed. Transportation bonds are the best way there’s only so much he can do when our current road bud- Sociology/Anthropology, Veronica Garvey Magnan. to provide money for infrastructure, though they have been Photo courtesy of the candidate get is a fraction of what it was as a percentage of the overall Rhode Island College; EdD, minimalized in the past four years. We need to prepare new state budget compared to 40 years ago. We have misplaced Boston University; MEd, Rhode bonds, send them to a vote and release them in a timely our priorities with the massive expansion of welfare in this Island College. manner. Finally, restoration of local revenue sharing will state, and that has led directly to the shrinking of our infra- Personal: Member MSAD #56 school board, Sandy go a long way to helping our towns meet their own paving structure maintenance budget and other critical spending Point Community Club. and maintenance road needs. We cannot be stubborn on the priorities. We MUST shift our priorities if we are to close Political Funding: Clean Election. need to spend money on transportation. Our connectivity the gap and catch up with maintaining our roads. A smaller and commerce depend on our getting around safely in the Department of Health and Human Services will build a present and for the future. better Route 15. House 3. Passion for public office. I am running as a Clean District 131 3. Passion for public office. I am a native Mainer. My Election candidate for House District 131 to serve the Penobscot and father quit high school to join the Navy in WWII. My 6 other towns. Surry people of the towns of Dedham, Otis, Orland, Penobscot, mother was born in a log cabin in a lumbering camp in Penobscot Prospect and Stockton Springs. I have served people as an northern Maine. We ran a family business in Maine and educator and community volunteer all my adult life. As a built it with our bare hands. I still have my father’s first member of the 124th Legislature, I know how to craft legis- dollar earned in a frame. I was the first in our family to Blue Hill lation for the benefit of people in my towns. I am prepared go to college, paying my way and graduating first in my Castine to work full time to represent the folks in District 131 with engineering class at UMaine. After taking over Nickerson information, intelligence and wisdom. I will reply to emails Brooksville & O’Day, we paid off its debt and now we are very strong. and phone calls ASAP and will read all bills before I vote Our people are good. If there ever was a story of what on them. This election is not about personality or signs. perseverance, good decisions, long-term thinking and dis- Sedgwick This election is about issues and I know how to address cipline can do to better a life, this may be it. But we’ve them at the state level. I have written about a number of Brooklin not followed that path as a state. Party politics, short-term issues in blog essays at my website veronicamagnan.com thinking and single party rule for 40 years has created and I urge you to go and read them. As a person of moder- a state where our best and brightest leave, our energy, Deer Isle ation—call me a Margaret Chase Smith Democrat—I can worker’s compensation, medical insurance, and taxes are House District 133 help to restore the confidence of Mainers in our govern- Blue Hill, Brooklin, too expensive. Our roads and Internet infrastructure are ment in Augusta. I’ll do this by working across the aisles Brooksville, Castine, inadequate. Business cannot grow here and we’ve become Stonington Sedgwick, Surry. to find the best solutions to our problems. I believe that the oldest aged state in America. Our population has now my opponent, Mr. Ward, who supports Governor LePage actually begun to shrink. My two oldest children have also and has already spent more than $42,000 on his campaign, House District 134 left Maine. I want to change that. I will donate my legis- Deer Isle, Isle au Haut, provides a completely different ideology and a clear differ- Isle au Haut lative salary to youth organizations and schools. I will put Stonington and ence between us politically. It is time for us to shake off the in my time, work hard for our economy and, like every 8 other towns. doom, gloom, scapegoating and blaming of the past four charitable, nonprofit and business endeavor I undertake, I years and plot a course toward a better, more optimistic will leave it better than I found it. future for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 5 Candidates Voter Primer bear on problems of public policy. Having witnessed the is also an opportunity to make alterations to how munic- House of Representatives operation of Maine’s legislature first-hand over the past ipalities contribute their portion to state projects through four years, I now recognize that the fundamental oppor- more collaboration and cost sharing among affected District 133, formerly 37 tunity for improvement is increased citizen involvement communities. (Includes Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, in the legislative process. I believe the greatest goal of 3. Passion for public office. I have always been inter- Sedgwick and Surry) government is the democratization of our society, that is, ested in public policy and serving in state government and Ralph Chapman (incumbent) empowering the citizenry to collaborate and decide on have often said, “I’m just not quite ready.” But, I could Democrat, Brooksville matters of common interest for the efficient and effective continue to complain or step up and be part of the solution. Political: Representative, betterment of all. A significant obstacle to a well-func- Thanks to the encouragement of many supporters, I felt Maine State House of tioning government of, by, and for the people, is the that, ready or not, it was time for me to act. My reason for Representatives, 2010-present. intrusion of corporate influence. We see the results of wanting to go to Augusta is not to represent my own per- Professional: Solar the Supreme Court’s perverted definition of “person” to sonal interests but to do what’s right for our communities Energy-Related Researcher, include corporations in the vast sums of money pouring and the state of Maine to move us all in a more positive MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory; into our elections from non-human entities. Overturning a direction. Solar Energy-Related Constitutional Supreme Court decision requires amending Researcher, Tufts’ Electro- the Constitution through the authority of its Article V. I am Optics Technology Center; the only State Representative in Maine in the past 25 years House of Representatives Coordinator, United to bring an Article V resolution, under the authority of the Technologies Center. U.S. Constitution, to the Maine Legislature. I did so in the District 134, formerly 36 Ralph Chapman. last session for the purpose of overturning the Citizens (Includes Deer Isle, Stonington, Isle au Haut, six other Education: BS, Applied Photo courtesy of the candidate Physics, Tufts University. United decision which further opened the flood gates of towns in Hancock County and two other towns in Personal: Married, two children, board member of the corporate campaign spending by prohibiting the govern- Knox County) Environmental Sector of the Maine Technology Institute. ment from restricting independent political expenditures. I hope to be able to continue this effort and to inspire our Walter Kumiega (incumbent) Political Funding: Clean Elections. Democrat, Deer Isle 1. Economic growth. Our government has a role in area citizens to become more active in our government and our legislative processes, in particular. Political: Representative, enabling our economy to respond to the needs of all our Maine State House of people. The decline of the middle class, the stagnant or Representatives, 2010-present. falling wages of working people, and the tax burden shift Susan Walsh Professional: Self-employed away from the wealthy corporations and individuals to carpenter. middle and low income people have contributed to our cur- Republican, Blue Hill Political: Blue Hill Planning Personal: Married, two chil- rent economic condition. Our economy is doing very well dren, board member of Child for the very wealthy, it is doing very poorly for the poor. Board, 2012-present. Professional: Self-employed and Family Opportunities. Recognizing our State’s assets of a beautiful, relatively Political Funding: Clean clean environment and proximity to large out-of-state business and event manage- ment consultant, 2007-pres- Elections. urban areas, tourism, now our biggest industry, should be 1. Economic growth. I think enhanced with further value-added components. Enabling ent; Community & Economic Walter Kumiega. Development Consultant for that our coastal communities Photo courtesy of the candidate statewide infrastructure, such as Internet (preferably giga- need a combination of a good bit per second), roadways for light freight, and ports and the Town of Castine, 2012-13; Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber educational system, economic opportunities, affordable rail for heavy freight would help all businesses, especially housing and good infrastructure to thrive. The state has small and micro businesses that make up most of Maine’s of Commerce Executive Director, 2006-10. Susan Walsh. a role in ensuring all four conditions exist and it is up to employment. Maine’s tax structure, a possible attraction or Photo courtesy of the candidate Education: BS in Hotel, the community to take that opportunity and run with it. deterrent for businesses, needs modification. Transparent, Traveling throughout House District 134 I see many suc- simple, and progressive tax structures would be most help- Restaurant and Travel Administration, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, cess stories but also people being held back by bad roads, ful. Transparency would be enhanced by examination of poor Internet service or a number of other things that we the effect of tax-break incentives: increasing those that are 1990. Personal: can and should fix. working and eliminating those that are not. Our recent shift Married, two children; Castine Community Partners Board Member & Secretary, 2012-present; We must fund education properly and have programs in to more regressive taxes (by off-loading state spending to place to ensure that property taxes don’t force people out of local municipalities, for instance) is hurtful to the long- Blue Hill Sculpture Committee (Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium), 2011; Castine Community Child their homes. Our educational system needs to start before term viability of our economy. Investments in education kindergarten and extend well beyond high school. and workforce development have high rates of return. Development Center (aka Otter House) Board Member, 2005-07; University of Southern Maine Corporate Businesses need access to capital and support from our Finally, it is a shame that our government has not been able state university system in R&D to help them innovate and to solve the nonpartisan goal, yet, of increasing the viabil- Partners—Partnership Committee Chair, 1998-2000; Margaret Chase Smith Maine State Quality Award— add value to our resources. They also need workers, and ity of Maine’s small diversified farms. having good schools and affordable housing are keys to 2. Improving road conditions. Our roads are in bad Awards Committee Co-Chair, Banquet Chair, 1998- 2000; Portland Bayside Task Force—Arena Feasibility attracting and retaining young families in our communities. shape because our governor chose not to release voter- Infrastructure is the base we all build on, and ours is approved construction bonds, prevented any bonding in Committee, 1998-99. Political Funding: crumbling. In addition to the roads, our Internet, cellphone, his first two years in office, and restricted the bonding in Clean Election. 1. Economic growth. First of all I think we need to get landline and power systems are not what they should be. the last two years, all during a period in which he and his There are investments and regulatory changes that need to party chose not to increase the transportation budget. The organized and plan ahead rather than react as we go—a business plan for the state with specific and measurable happen at the state level. result was reduced spending on transportation infrastruc- The best way to improve our economy is to create a ture. Unfortunately, deferred maintenance of the roads goals. We need to make better use of our current resources as well. There are some 30 agencies and organizations with condition where small businesses, small farms, fishermen, costs us more in the long run: first with increased vehicle restaurants, hotels and whatever other passion community repair expenses, and secondly with higher road repair costs economic development and/or job creation in Maine as, at least, a part of their mission with too little cooperation members have has a chance to succeed. Government can’t when repairs are made. The legislature can try to increase guarantee success for all but we can make the opportunity transportation infrastructure spending through both the among them. We need to gather our resources together and make the highest and best use of these assets. I would also there for everyone. transportation budget as well as publicly financed bonding, 2. Improving road conditions. Maine DOT is well but it will require cooperation from the governor and both support any efforts to establish tax incentives for compa- nies seeking to do business in Maine in proportion to their aware of our road problems and is working on solutions, the majority and minority parties, a cooperation which we but long-term fixes are not happening soon enough for have not had in the past four years. If we could use our anticipated economic impact. As for what markets have the most potential? All of them. One of the biggest mistakes residents and businesses that are tired of lost productivity, frustration at the condition of our roads to affect our ballot wasted time and broken vehicles. choices this November, and if our elected officials could our state and our communities can make is putting all of our eggs in one basket. Just look at the towns that have The real issue is that gas and diesel taxes are not gener- understand their obligation to work together to solve this ating as much revenue as they used to, and it is declining. problem, then I would have confidence the problem will suffered mill closures which have devastated their econ- omies. The smartest thing Maine can do is to broaden our Every day new vehicles roll off dealers’ lots, and the new be solved. The nature of wise public spending is to make cars and trucks get better mileage than the ones that get long-term investments that provide a return, such as in economic base and encourage as much variety as possible. We should not turn away from any opportunity to diversify junked. Many young people living in our cities drive very transportation infrastructure. Even at a personal and pri- little or not at all. We need to have an adult conversation our economy. vate level, whether it is home mortgages or transportation about how we fund maintenance and improvements of our 2. Improving road conditions. I do feel it is a prior- bonds, entering into debt for the purpose of a long-term roads and bridges. Partisanship, anti-tax pledges, sacred ity, particularly in towns such as many in our area where return is both necessary and desirable for a functioning cows and me-first attitudes must be set aside. We have a there’s really only one way in or out. I believe that we need economy, not to mention the increased enjoyment of trav- broken system that has to be fixed. to change the way transportation projects are funded. An eling on good roads. The transportation issues in HD 134 are not limited to unfortunate consequence of having more fuel-efficient 3. Passion for public office. At first, I sought to bring the roads. The ferry system that the seven outer islands vehicles on the road is that receipts from the gas tax are my scientific research background (MIT Lincoln Lab, in the district depend on has to be maintained and prop- declining which means less money in the transportation Tufts Electro-Optics Technology Center, and industry) to erly funded. The Maine State Ferry Service does not pay fund, putting us further behind on critical projects. There 6 Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 Candidates Voter Primer competitive wages and therefore has trouble hiring and Mathematics, Next Step Domestic Violence Project and following through with prosecution because of an ongoing retaining staff. If this is not fixed soon, passenger safety First Congregational Church of Blue Hill. Married, three relationship. In most cases, the victim is the only witness, and island sustainability will be at risk. children. and without that witness, there is little likelihood of the 3. Passion for public office. My passion for doing the Political Funding: Traditional. prosecution winning the case. That is why it is so import- work of your state representative comes from the people of 1. Greatest challenges. The district attorney is the chief ant for prosecutors to stay in contact with the victims, to our communities. Knocking on doors and talking to voters prosecutor for Hancock and Washington counties, respon- be diligent in their work, and to ensure that cases are not is one of the best things I have done in my life. From those sible for the work of six assistant district attorneys in compromised by careless errors like discovery violations conversations, I learn about what is and isn’t working for offices in Ellsworth, Machias and Calais. We review every or witness tampering. As your district attorney, I will the community. Sustaining island life is good work if you case that is submitted by law enforcement before charges ensure that the prosecutors working these cases give them can get it. I’ve done it for four years and I’d like to do it are filed with the court for prosecution. In 2013, over 3,000 the highest priority. for two more. cases were filed in the district. I am proud of the work our The majority of other crimes in our community can be office has done. I expect to build on our successes and to attributed to drugs and/or alcohol. I will make it a priority Frank Stanley learn from the things we could improve on. The biggest for my prosecutors to be aware of the signs of substance challenge facing the next district attorney will be to con- abuse, and in those nonviolent cases where it is warranted, Republican, Tremont tinue to find efficiencies to better manage our caseload in seek to get treatment for defendants who take accountabil- No photo provided. a court system that is now designed to move cases more ity and want help. If we can treat the underlying issues Political: Candidate, Maine House of Representatives, quickly. Now, we are working with our police agencies that caused or contributed to the criminal behavior, we can District 129, 2002. to have even our most complex cases ready for trial more prevent repeated criminal behavior (recidivism), and we all Political Funding: Traditional. quickly, without any additional prosecutorial resources. I win as a society. We have wonderful programs like Drug 1. Economic growth. We here in Maine appear to have have been an attorney for 26 years, and a prosecutor in this Court in Hancock and Washington counties that are being healthy tourism. Acadia National Park is the number one district for the past 11 years. I am the candidate who is best severely underutilized. As your next district attorney, I will tourist destination. Our boat yards are busy with storage equipped to meet this challenge. endeavor to take full advantage of, and advocate for more and repairs. Our small industry such as home building and 2. Priorities. The district attorney doesn’t have the of these programs. And if treatment doesn’t work—the jail repair is starting to see more growth. Our lobster fisher- luxury of choosing to prosecute certain types of cases is always open for business! ies are enjoying exceptional catches. None of which any over others. I will manage the resources in the office to 2. Priorities. It will be my priority as the next district legislator is responsible for. I believe we need to keep pro- give every case the attention it deserves and to prosecute attorney to prosecute crimes in which the impact on a moting Maine and its people and what we have to offer all types of crime. As a prosecutor for the past 11 years victim is the greatest. Crimes such as domestic violence, in order to keep promoting a growing economy. We need I have gained experience and insight into managing a drug trafficking, embezzlement, sexual assaults, burglar- to find ways to lower our energy costs. In 2005 a Maine heavy caseload, and assessing when a case doesn’t have ies, exploitation of minors, arson, thefts and non-support Economic Growth and Stimulation bond was passed by enough evidence for prosecution. I have successfully han- of dependents. Time and resources are certainly limited, 58.41% of the voters to be used for a variety of purposes. dled thousands of cases during my career as a prosecutor. and protecting the victims who are directly impacted by Question 3 on this year’s ballot questions Economic I have also declined to prosecute many cases because of crime should take priority over crimes where there is no Development-Capital investments to insure portions of insufficient evidence. My office will vigorously prosecute identifiable victim, other than the State. Given a choice loans to small businesses to spur investment and innova- all manner of cases when the facts and the law support us. between concentrating my time on a non-support of depen- tion, to make loans to small businesses to create jobs, revi- The interests of victims will be respected and honored. We dents charge (17-A M.R.S. § 552), where a child is suffer- talize downtowns and strengthen the rural economy. We will seek appropriate sentences so that offenders are held ing from a parent not providing support, and a possession need to explore ways to lower taxes in general and more accountable. Justice and public safety are the hallmarks of of marijuana charge (22 M.R.S. § 2383), where the state specifically personal income and self employment tax. an effective prosecutor. Justice means being fair as well is entitled to recover a fine, my choice lies with the child 2. Improving road conditions. Our roads are in very as being a strong advocate. I have the experience and a every time. Given the choice between concentrating my bad shape in many areas. The Transportation Fund is a des- thorough understanding of how to manage our resources to time on an operating under the influence of intoxicants ignated fund. It never has enough to facilitate the necessary fight to keep our communities safe. (OUI) charge (29-A M.R.S. §2411), where the public is put repairs that are needed. As a Representative I would lobby 3. Passion for public office. I am running for district directly in danger, and an unlawful gambling charge (17-A Congress to prioritize my District to repair roads and repair attorney because I am committed to justice and public M.R.S. § 954), where the state is entitled to recover a fine, infrastructure. I would be reluctant to raise taxes, rather safety. I have had the satisfaction of serving the people of my choice lies with keeping the drunk drivers off our roads to revisit some existing funded programs that are stagnant Hancock and Washington counties as an assistant district every time. It is those types of decisions that the district and eliminate as necessary to free up tax dollars. attorney for the past 11 years. I am asking for the opportu- attorney must make every day. I have a strong sense of 3. Passion for public office. My passion for seeking this nity to continue that service as the district attorney. In my justice, fairness and integrity that I will use when making position is my passion for the people I represent. I am a career as a prosecutor I have handled cases of domestic those important decisions. As your district attorney, I will very civic minded person, everything from a Little League violence, burglaries, illegal drugs, assaults, drunk drivers always be mindful of the taxpayers whose money is being coach to a two-term selectman in Tremont, to being the and animal abuse; I have handled cases with the Marine spent by my office and of where to best use those limited Master of Lygonia Lodge of Masons, the Commander of Patrol, Warden Service and Forest Service to protect our resources. The American Legion Eugene M. Norwood Post 69 in natural resources. I understand what it takes to be an effec- 3. Passion for public office. Justice and fundamental Southwest Harbor. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran having tive district attorney. I will be an effective leader of the fairness. I have been frustrated in recent years by the cur- served in the Coast Guard. I believe my good common office, and will work effectively with all 21 law enforce- rent administration’s poor policy, lack of communication sense and my desire to see some balance in state govern- ment agencies in the district. I have been fighting for public and ineffectiveness. I believe my experience as an enlisted ment make me the best person to represent the people of safety and holding offenders accountable for the past 11 soldier; my education, which includes a bachelor’s degree District 134. years. I have established a record of having compassion, in Psychology and a master’s in Business Administration; being a strong advocate, of standing up for victims, and of and my experience as a criminal defense attorney, make having solid judgment and knowledge of the law. I am the me the best candidate. I have spoken with police chiefs and District Attorney, District 7 best qualified candidate and I am asking for your support officers from Eastport to Bucksport, and the overwhelming (Hancock and Washington counties) and your vote on November 4! complaint is of a lack of communication and responsive- The district attorney candidates for District 7, Hancock ness from the DA. We need someone with a fresh perspec- and Washington counties, were asked by Penobscot Bay Matthew Foster tive willing to look at current policy and make necessary Press to respond to the following questions: changes to breathe new life into the office. The DA’s office 1. Challenges. What are the greatest criminal challenges Republican, Ellsworth needs to win the cases that it takes to trial. The rules of eth- Political: to District 7? City of Ellsworth ics and procedure which are designed to protect the victims 2. DA priorities. Every job requires prioritizing, as time Zoning Board of Appeals, of crimes as well as the accused, need to be followed. That and resources are not infinite. As district attorney, what 2004-06 and 2006-09; Former has not been happening. Over the past two and a half years, type or types of crime would be priorities for the DA’s Ellsworth City Councilor, the District Attorney’s Office has lost over 90 percent of its Office to pursue? three-year term. jury trials in Washington County. That is not acceptable. Professional: 3. Passion for public office. What is your overriding Attorney, Law That is not justice. I will work diligently for you, every day passion for seeking this position? Offices of Matthew J. Foster; of my term. I would appreciate your vote on November 4, U.S. Army, Combat Medic, 2014! 82nd Airborne Division. Bill Entwisle Education: University of Maine, Orono; Suffolk Matt Foster. Democrat, Sedgwick Photo courtesy of the candidate Professional: Assistant University; Suffolk Law District Attorney, Hancock School. County, 2003-present; private Personal: Master Mason, Lygonia Lodge #40; former practice, 15 years prior. member Anah Shrine. Outdoor enthusiast. Married, one Education: Bates College, daughter. Franklin Pierce Law Center. Political Funding: Traditional. Personal: Board member 1. Greatest challenges. Domestic violence and drug/ Downeast Family YMCA, alcohol crimes. In many domestic violence cases, the vic- Bill Entwisle. Maine School of Science and Photo courtesy of the candidate tim is either scared of the perpetrator, or feels guilty about Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 7 Candidates Voter Primer Hancock County Mike Sealander planning of our roads, telecom, and institutional capacity Democrat, Brooklin are all investments in our future. That’s what we should be doing with the wind farm money. Commissioner Political: Chairman, Brooklin School Board; former District 2 recording secretary, Brooklin (Includes Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Planning Board. Hancock County officials Penobscot, Sedgwick, Stonington) Professional: Co-owner The candidates for Hancock County Commissioner Sealander Architects. Judge of Probate were asked by Penobscot Bay Press to respond to the Education: BA, Wesleyan William Blaisdell University; MA, Columbia following questions: Republican, Ellsworth 1. Stimulating economic growth. How do you propose University. Mike Sealander. Professional: Attorney, Blaisdell & Blaisdell. to help stimulate economic growth in a way that will have Personal: Married, three Photo courtesy of the candidate Education: University of Dayton School of Law. a positive effect on the pockets of working people? What children; President Downtown Personal: Married, three children. markets, i.e., tourism, farming, small business, light and Ellsworth Association, Political Funding: Traditional. heavy industry, marine and fisheries, do you feel hold Ellsworth Noontime Rotary Club; past president Blue Hill the most potential, and how would you encourage those Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. markets? Political Funding: Traditional. Valerie Chaisson 1. Economic growth. When I was chairman of the Blue 2. Improving road conditions. It’s no secret that the Democrat, Brooklin roads in this area are in very bad shape. Do you consider Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, we held a strategic Professional: Attorney, Giunta & Chiasson, LLC. this a priority and how do you think the legislature can planning session on exactly this question: What role could Education: Assumption College; JD, University of work towards fulfilling its transportation infrastructure? we play to stimulate economic growth? What markets Maine. 3. Passion for public office. What is your overriding should we focus on? Political Funding: Traditional. passion for seeking this position? The conventional wisdom was that the extractive indus- tries (fishing) and the tourism industry (bed and breakfasts) were the areas where the Peninsula had strengths, so we Percy L. Brown should encourage their growth. I was beginning to do work Sheriff (incumbent) with the Maine Development Foundation, whose Measures of Economic Growth provide an annual metric for Maine’s Scott Kane Republican, Deer Isle economic success. It was clear to me that prosperity on the Political: Served as county Republican, unopposed, Brooksville Peninsula could not be had by increasing the number of commissioner 1998-2002 and Professional: Sheriff’s Deputy since 1991; DARE coor- jobs available in seasonal industries. Restaurants, markets, 2006 to present. dinator for 11 years; contracted sheriff, town of Blue Hill, farmers, the healthcare industry, were all trying to make Professional: Vice president 2002-06; co-founder camp POSTCARD. a living during the summer months, and hoping they had of Percy Brown and Son, Inc. Education: Graduate, Criminal Justice Academy, 1992; enough money to last through the winter. What we really Personal: Served on Deer attended University of Maine, Presque Isle and University needed was a more robust year-round economy. Economic Isle planning board and appeals of Maine, Orono. success could be measured when TradeWinds did not board, the board of advisors Personal: Married, outdoorsman, high school baseball ratchet back their hours after Labor Day. for the Washington County Percy “Joe” Brown. coach. Economic growth happens when there is a year-round Community College and the Photo courtesy of the candidate economy. This is a regional question, and I believe the Plumbers Examination Board. county is actually in a very good position to provide a Political Funding: Traditional. forum for growing our population, and therefore our econ- 1. Economic growth. The biggest setbacks to economic Treasurer omy. My proposal is to have the county be that forum, that growth in the area are the lack of available high speed brings the towns of Hancock County together, so that we Janice Eldridge Internet and dependable cell phone coverage. It is essential can work on a shared vision of economic prosperity stem- Republican, unopposed incumbent, Ellsworth for the development of environmentally friendly business, ming from a growing population. Political: Past co-chairman and vice chairman, Hancock home based small business and marine fisheries. I was 2. Improving road conditions. I am not running for a County Republican Committee. pleased to recently award a $25,000 grant to the Town of seat in the legislature. I am running for county commis- Professional: Office manager of Birdsall & Birdsall, Stonington to improve their Internet coverage. The com- sioner. It may seem the commissioners can’t do anything Ellsworth. missioners are currently working to extend Internet ser- about the state of roads in the county. I think otherwise. vices into the Unorganized Territories of Hancock County. Dozens of people have told me the state of our roads is The funding for these grants comes from the wind farm impeding their ability to go about their lives and their jobs. project on Bull Hill in the Unorganized Territories. I will I know this is true. It’s true for me. I am going to use my continue to support the use of these funds for these type of Registry of Deeds position as commissioner as a bully pulpit to get our roads projects. moved up on the priority list. Julie Curtis As a Commissioner I represent Hancock County on two Road repair is a perfect example of a great economic Republican, unopposed incumbent, very important organizations: Eastern Maine Development development goal. Sure, we create construction jobs when Eastbrook Corporation (EMDC) and as a Tri-County Workforce we repair roads. But we also make it easier to move goods, Professional: Has held position since 2006. Has owned official. EMDC is a nonprofit organization that assists to move people. We put money in people’s pockets because and operated two beauty salons in Ellsworth. and counsels small business owners and individuals who their car suspension doesn’t get toasted. People get to work Personal: Member of Maine School Administrative may wish to start up a new business in procuring loans. faster, or pick up their children from soccer faster, and that District 26 board of directors and president of the Cave Workforce Investment provides funding for retraining and makes their day more productive. The damage on Route Hill School. Has also worked with the Cub Scouts and Boy relocation of unemployed workers. We are already work- 15 is probably responsible for thousands of hours of extra Scouts. ing to address the Verso mill layoffs. To stimulate growth driving time. Prioritizing road repair is a no brainer. in small business you must have a viable workforce and 3. Passion for public office. In 1930, the population of workers who are paid good wages. This will stimulate the Brooklin was 2000. Today it’s 900. The problem we have local economy. Our greatest market assets are marine fish- on the coast is one of declining population. Schools are in eries, small business, tourism and local grown products. fear of closing. Kids leave for greener pastures in southern 2. Improving road conditions. The lack of good roads Maine, or in other parts of the country. This does not have is not only an economic issue for transporting our products, to be the case. Our future can be bright, but we have to Editor’s note: Information was compiled from nonpar- but also to the people who depend on them for travel to have a vision that includes growth within the context of tisan, nonprofit votesmart.org, as well as from official medical facilities, grocery stores and other personal ser- being an incredibly wonderful, semi-rural place for fami- candidate websites, party websites, interviews and press vices. Something needs to be done. As county commission- lies. This will require regional thinking. I believe Hancock releases, to the extent that information was available. ers we have no jurisdiction over the state roads but as a County can do this thinking as a region. Augusta is not taxpayer and a local business owner I will continue to insist going to solve the long-term macroeconomic issues facing State officials address this problem. Hancock County. The individual municipalities cannot do 3. Passion for public office. My passion for seeking it by acting alone. There needs to be a regional forum for this position has not changed over the years: Providing executing a vision. Let’s make it so. the necessary services of Hancock County government at We need to think of economic development not as a a reasonable cost to the property taxpayer by making gov- series of opportunistic moves—let’s build more retail ernment more efficient. capacity, for instance—but as an investment strategy. Child and Family Opportunities is an investment in our future. Quality education is an investment in our future. Regional 8 Penobscot Bay Press Voter Primer, October 23, 2014 Referendum Questions Voter Primer Voters face seven referendum questions in the 2014 FAME. With these additional funds, the program The purposes of the modernization and expansion general election. Question 1 is a citizen initiative would be targeted to businesses with 100 or fewer of infrastructure are to increase biotechnology work- that seeks to amend bear hunting laws. Questions 2 employees or annual sales of $10 million or less. The force training, retain and recruit multiple biomedical through 7 are bond issue questions, representing $50 maximum allowable loan for any business would be research and development groups to Maine, and million in principal and $11 million in interest, with $350,000. create a drug discovery and development facility to such bonds to run for a period not longer than 10 A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $12 mil- improve human health and stimulate biotechnology years, according to materials prepared by the Office lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- job growth and economic activity. The bond proceeds of the Attorney General. The following descriptions ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond awarded through the competitive process are to be are excerpted from the intent and content prepared by issue in its entirety. matched by $5.7 million in private and public funds. the Office of the Attorney General. A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $3 mil- Question 4: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- Question 1: Do you want to ban the use of bait, issue, to be awarded through a competitive pro- ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond dogs or traps in bear hunting except to protect cess and to be matched by $11,000,000 in private issue in its entirety. property, public safety, or for research? and other funds, to build a research center and This Act amends state laws to prohibit certain bear to discover genetic solutions for cancer and the Question 6: Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond hunting practices currently allowed. The legislation, diseases of aging, to promote job growth and pri- issue to ensure clean water and safe communities if enacted, would prohibit hunters from: 1) using food vate sector investment in this State, to attract and across Maine; to protect drinking water sources; as bait to entice, attract or hunt bear; 2) using a dog or retain young professionals and make the State a to restore wetlands; to create jobs and vital public dogs to hunt or pursue bear; or 3) setting a trap to hunt global leader in genomic medicine? infrastructure; and to strengthen the State’s long- or capture bear. Exceptions apply to state and federal This Act would authorize the State to provide funds, term economic base and competitive advantage? employees in circumstances relating to public safety, to be administered by the Maine Technology Institute This Act would authorize the State to provide protecting livestock, domestic animals and threatened within the Department of Economic and Community funds to improve the State’s water resources through or endangered livestock, or research not to include Development, to expand the State’s research capa- investments in drinking water systems, wastewater killing the bear. A hunter found to have violated these bilities in the areas of mammalian genetics and treatment facilities, wetlands restoration and public prohibitions would be subject to a mandatory one- murine biometric analytics, make the State a global improvement projects such as upgraded culverts and year suspension of his or her hunting license. resource for precision medicine, improve the State’s stream crossings. A Yes vote approves this legislation. A No vote capacity to attract and retain young professionals, A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $10 mil- opposes the proposed legislation. and bring additional grant funding, private sector lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- investment, job growth and economic activity to the ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond Question 2: Do you favor an $8,000,000 bond State. “Murine” refers to mice and rats, and “murine issue in its entirety. issue to support Maine agriculture, facilitate eco- biometric analytics” and “mammalian genetics” are nomic growth in natural resources-based indus- areas in which the Jackson Laboratory on Mount Question 7: Do you favor a $7,000,000 bond tries and monitor human health threats related Desert Island specializes. “Precision medicine” and issue to facilitate the growth of marine businesses to ticks, mosquitoes and bedbugs through the “genomic medicine” are terms that relate to the use and commercial enterprises that create jobs and creation of an animal and plant disease and insect of advanced genetic research to analyze the cause of improve the sustainability of the State’s marine control laboratory administered by the University an individual patient’s disease at the molecular level economy and related industries through capital of Maine Cooperative Extension Service? in order to tailor medical treatment to the individual investments, to be matched by at least $7,000,000 This Act would authorize the State to provide funds characteristics of each patient. in private and other funds? to create an animal and plant disease and insect con- The funds must be awarded through a competitive This Act would authorize the State to provide trol laboratory for the purpose of supporting Maine process and are to be matched by $11 million in pri- funds for capital investments to facilitate the growth agriculture, facilitating economic growth in natural vate and other funds. of marine businesses and commercial enterprises resources-based industries, and monitoring human A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $10 mil- that create jobs and improve the sustainability of health threats related to ticks, mosquitoes and bed- lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- the State’s marine economy and related industries. bugs. Proceeds from the sale of these bonds would be ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond Proceeds from the sale of these bonds would be administered by the University of Maine Cooperative issue in its entirety. administered by the Department of Economic and Extension Service and used to create an animal and Community Development in consultation with the plant disease and insect control laboratory. Question 5: Do you favor a $3,000,000 bond Department of Marine Resources and the Maine A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $8 mil- issue, to be awarded through a competitive pro- Technology Institute. The legislation specifies that lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- cess and to be matched by $5,700,000 in private the funds are to be awarded through a competitive ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond and public funds, to modernize and expand infra- process, following a request for proposals, and result- issue in its entirety. structure in a biological laboratory specializing ing in a single award to be matched by at least $7 in tissue repair and regeneration located in the million in private and other funds. Question 3: Do you favor a bond issue to provide State in order to increase biotechnology workforce To be awarded these funds, the applicant must $4,000,000 in funds to insure portions of loans to training, retain and recruit to the State multiple include: a marine-based research program at a private small businesses to spur investment and innova- biomedical research and development groups and or public university or nonprofit research institution, tion and to provide $8,000,000 in funds to make create a drug discovery and development facility commercial fishing or aquaculture interests, commu- flexible loans to small businesses to create jobs, that will improve human health and stimulate bio- nity-based organizations committed to the growth of revitalize downtowns and strengthen the rural technology job growth and economic activity? the local economy, and private sector businesses. In economy? This Act would authorize the State to provide funds addition, the application must include proposals for This Act would authorize the State to provide funds to modernize and expand infrastructure in a biologi- growth in each of the following areas: traditional to insure portions of loans to eligible businesses cal laboratory specializing in tissue repair and regen- commercial fishing, aquaculture, value-added sea- made by financial institutions as well as to provide eration located in Maine. food processing, and market development for Maine- funds for state, regional and local economic devel- Proceeds from the sale of these bonds would be based products. opment agencies to make flexible loans to eligible administered by the Maine Technology Institute A Yes vote approves the issuance of up to $7 mil- businesses as described below. Proceeds from the within the Department of Economic and Community lion in general obligation bonds to finance the activi- sale of these bonds would be administered by the Development. The funds are to be awarded through ties described above. A No vote disapproves the bond Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), with $4 million a competitive process to institutions that have been issue in its entirety. used to insure portions of loans to eligible businesses designated as Centers of Biomedical Research made by a participating financial institution in order Excellence by the United States Department of to spur investment and innovation and $8 million Health and Human Services, National Institutes of used to make flexible loans to eligible businesses to Health and the National Institute of General Medical create jobs, revitalize downtowns and strengthen the Sciences, and have also received IDeA Network rural economy. These loans would be issued by state, of Biomedical Research Excellence grants. This regional and local economic development agencies describes a collaborative network of 13 private and through an existing program known as the Regional public colleges, universities and research institutions November 4, 2014 Economic Development Revolving Loan Program, in Maine led by the Mount Desert Island Biological which is established in statute and administered by Laboratory.