Bill Diamond is running for re-election for State Senator in
district 26. He is married to Jane Estes Diamond, has two adult daughters and
has eight grandchildren.
He is the co-founder and president of Windham Neighbors
Helping Neighbors (fuel assistance for those in need); Treasurer and member of
Board of Directors Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, and a
member of the Windham Land Trust.
Q1: Why
are you qualified to represent the citizens in Augusta and what inspired you to
run?
I’ve been a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools
for 20 years - former Maine Secretary of State for 8 years – small business
owner for 36 years, employing hundreds of people in the area – long time
volunteer in the community. I understand
the concerns and needs of the people in my senate district, including the
problems facing small businesses. I have the energy and desire to do all I can
to help solve the problems facing my constituents, including helping
individuals who have problems with the governmental agencies.
Q2: What
do you feel is the most important issue facing your district? What can you do
to help overcome that issue?
Providing the best educational opportunities for our
children, keeping property taxes under control by supporting Revenue Sharing to
the towns from the state, and doing everything possible to keep the high cost
of health care under control for middle income working families.
Q3: Windham
and Raymond are made up of many small businesses. How will you help small
businesses be successful in the area?
As a small business owner in Windham for 36 years, I
understand that finding trained employees is difficult and is a problem facing
most businesses. The cost of health care will rise significantly next year for
employers and employees and that needs to be addressed. Finally, regulations
need to be fair and based on common sense and the agencies need to work
cooperatively with our businesses.
Q4: What
is your position on drugs and crime? They are inexplicably linked. What will
your plan be?
The abuse of drugs and the resulting increase of crime in
our area and state has reached a epidemic level and only getting worse. The
state needs to develop long term plans that include strengthening law
enforcement, developing and expanding treatment programs for those addicted and
creating and implementing prevention strategies based on education and
outreach.
Q5: From
a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is the single most important
issue that the governor and legislature should be addressing?
The economy and jobs is number one. We have much more to do to both attract new
businesses and jobs to our area and to support our existing businesses. I would like to see more partnerships between
the state and communities developing strategies that seek companies to come the
lakes region. We have much to offer,
especially in our beautiful region of the state, to attract prospective
companies to come here.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
I have a great deal
of energy and desire to work for the people in my senate district and I look
forward to using my extensive experience to get the best results as we face the
many problems before us. Supporting education is important, especially in the
area of technical training in the areas of skill development; keeping control
of local property taxes and working on the drug crisis in our state.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
I can be contacted by my home telephone – 207-892-8941;
cell: 207- 650-4713 or by email at diamondhollyd@aol.com
Ryan
McDonald, 37, is running for the senate seat in district 26. He is
married and they are expecting a child soon. Ryan has two brothers, five
nephews, his parents and grandmother who all live in the area.
He attended Greely High School, SMCC and Liberty University.
He is involved with the Windham Planning Board and LUOC.
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I meet the
qualifications to serve as a State Senator as set forth in the Maine State
Constitution. Somewhere along the way people have begun to think that a person
must be a professional politician in order to be “qualified”. If you are happy
with how things are being done and feel well represented, then stick with the
“qualified” incumbent. If you want more vigorous representation, if you want
someone who isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers and will never sacrifice your
liberties, then I am your guy. I was inspired to take up this challenge because
Senator Diamond doesn’t represent me and I feel he doesn’t realize that there
is a clear and present danger to our freedom and our right of
self-determination from every layer of our ever expanding and increasingly
oppressive government.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
The biggest issue is the erosion of personal freedoms,
property rights and the ability to enjoy the fruits of our own labor. I will
not support new legislation that will support or expand the current government
over-reach. I will not agree to funding for programs that are wasteful and
ineffective, I will do everything possible to represent the interests of the
people and nothing more.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
We need to restore real free market capitalism and refrain
from burdensome and un-necessary government interference.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
It is all about personal responsibility and consequences for
your actions. Blaming drugs for crime is too simplistic. We have laws in place
that need to be enforced. There must be an even and fair application of the
law. I can see that there is a need for rehabilitation services and that in
some cases offenders should be given a real second chance. Our first priority
should be to keep offenders of the street, second should be to rehabilitate the
offenders and do what we can to keep them from reoffending.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
Reduce size and scope of government.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
I don’t have any loyalty to any PAC or special interest. My
loyalty is to the people of the district and the Constitution. I will do
everything possible to return power to the people, place limits on every layer
of government and reduce (and eventually eliminate) the unaccountable
bureaucracy.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
Website: www.mcdonald4mainesenate.com
Twitter: @ryanmcdonald426
Mark
Bryant, 60, is running for re-election for state representative in
district 24. Mark is married to Diane Bryant and has been for almost 40 years.
He has three granddaughters and a grandson due any day.
He earned an associate’s degree in computer science from Andover
College and graduated high school from Glen Cove Christian Academy.
Some of Mark’s volunteer activities in Windham over the last
30 plus years include: Windham
Neighbors Helping Neighbors co-founder and board member; Windham Human
Services, chair; Windham Public Safety Committee, Windham Computer Policy
Committee, Windham Board of Voter Registration, Windham youth sports rec
basketball and soccer coach; little league, coach, manager and umpire.
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I am qualified to represent the citizens
of Windham because I have been actively involved in Windham for the last thirty
years and understand the needs of the town. My experience of representing
Windham as our State Legislator, adds to my qualifications to run for reelection.
I was inspired to run for office because I enjoy the
political process and believe that we can work together to make positive
changes for all the people of Windham.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
I believe the biggest issue in Windham is dealing with the
rapid growth and development in the town. Windham is one of the fastest
growing communities in the State of Maine.
I will work with the town council and economic development
committee to help implement Windham’s Comprehensive Plan.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
I will help Windham and Raymond’s
small businesses by continuing to support education for workers, advocating for
buying local to help our small businesses flourish.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
I believe that drugs and crime are inexplicably
linked. We have a major opioid crisis and can’t arrest our way out of
this situation. My plan is to balance law enforcement with more
opportunities for prevention and treatment.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
From the state-wide position, in my opinion, the single most
important issue that the governor and legislature should be addressing is
livable wage Jobs. The baby boomers are going to be retiring and we
need living wage jobs to keep our young adults working in Maine.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
Windham
Residents should cast their ballots for me because I have a proven record of
advocating for Windham residents and 100 percent attendance and voting record
for the last session in Augusta.
My three biggest issues are:
Living wage jobs, security for our seniors and education.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
Citizens can contact me
anytime: Home phone 892-6591, email MarkBryantWindham@gmail.com or by
mailing to my home at 166 Albion Road.
Ben
Martin, 32, is running for a state representative seat in district
24. He is married to Amanda and has a 14 month old son, Henry.
He is a graduated of Edward Little High School and earned a
Bachelor’s of Science in business administration from the University of Maine.
His volunteer activities include numerous philanthropic and
service activities.
“Philanthropy and service have always been an important part of my life, including collecting and wrapping gifts for underprivileged children at Christmas as member of DeMolay when I was much younger, serving as the Employee Campaign Coordinator for the United Way during my days at L.L.Bean, and now running to serve my community here in Windham as state representative.”
“Philanthropy and service have always been an important part of my life, including collecting and wrapping gifts for underprivileged children at Christmas as member of DeMolay when I was much younger, serving as the Employee Campaign Coordinator for the United Way during my days at L.L.Bean, and now running to serve my community here in Windham as state representative.”
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I love Maine, and so having to leave for two years in search of opportunity after graduating from college was a difficult decision for me. I see so many of our young people having to make that same decision, and it’s heartbreaking. I want my son, Henry, to be able to make his life here.
I have developed the right experience over a great career, and as a small business owner, and I can help get Maine back on the right track economically.
I love Maine, and so having to leave for two years in search of opportunity after graduating from college was a difficult decision for me. I see so many of our young people having to make that same decision, and it’s heartbreaking. I want my son, Henry, to be able to make his life here.
I have developed the right experience over a great career, and as a small business owner, and I can help get Maine back on the right track economically.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
The issue most critical to Windham’s future is the economy. We need a leaner government which inspires investment and entrepreneurship, and encourages job growth. This means adopting a more reasonable tax policy, lowering the cost of energy, and adopting commonsense reforms which improve our job climate.
The issue most critical to Windham’s future is the economy. We need a leaner government which inspires investment and entrepreneurship, and encourages job growth. This means adopting a more reasonable tax policy, lowering the cost of energy, and adopting commonsense reforms which improve our job climate.
Q3:Windham and Raymond are made up of many small businesses.
How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
I would like to help our area businesses thrive first by lowering taxes. That means more money in their pockets, and in the pockets of their customers. I also think there is a great opportunity to further brand the lakes region as a premier destination for tourism, right outside of Portland.
I would like to help our area businesses thrive first by lowering taxes. That means more money in their pockets, and in the pockets of their customers. I also think there is a great opportunity to further brand the lakes region as a premier destination for tourism, right outside of Portland.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
Our communities are facing an epidemic of opioid and
methamphetamine addiction, leading to deaths, crime and broken lives. We need
to ensure we are allocating the proper resources so that law enforcement and
our courts can effectively combat the issue, however, we cannot simply hide
this problem away in our prisons. We need to provide treatment opportunities
for those suffering from the disease of addiction.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
I think the tenor and tone coming out of Augusta have the
people here in Windham concerned that their representative government is
incapable of getting the hard work done on behalf of the Maine people. I think
fresh faces and fresh perspectives would be a very good start to repairing our
broken government. If elected, I will focus on ideas, not politics, and get to
work solving problems.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
My single biggest priority is ensuring our kids and
grandkids have the opportunity to not only live here in Maine, but to prosper
here in Maine. That means we need to improve our economy, and prepare ourselves
for the jobs of the future. I also think we need to improve the efficiency of
government, and reduce waste. The people of Windham deserve a government which
will strive to spend the people’s money as wisely as we’d spend it ourselves. I
also intend to be a dedicated defender of our individual liberties.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
Phone: (207) 518-8475
Email: ben@benmartinforme.com
Facebook: facebook.com/benmartinforme
Website: benmartinforme.com
Mail: PO Box 1550, Windham, Maine 04062
Patrick
Corey, 42, is running for re-election unopposed in district 25.
His is married to Sheila (Boyden) Corey. Patrick has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts
from the University of Southern Maine. He volunteers with the Windham Land
Trust, Windham Neighbors, Windham Historical Society
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I currently serve in the 127th Maine Legislature
and serve on the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. My interest was
spurred by leading several community efforts that would have resulted in the
loss of property rights and higher property taxes. Working with my neighbors on
these issues made me realize that I would be a good voice for them in Augusta.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
Growth. Many of my constituents live in Windham because they
like its rural character, which is disappearing. They’re also concerned about
the increase in property taxes this brings due to potentially building a new
school, necessary municipal infrastructure, and town services. To help overcome
these issues I’ve sat on the Comp Plan team to develop a better understanding.
I’ll also be looking at solutions at the state level, like Land for Maine’s
Future, programs that promote agriculture and forestry, and planning tools that
can assist communities like ours.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
First and foremost it’s important to get our community
connected to the Three Ring Binder, a fiber network that provides high-speed
Internet service. Not only is this a necessity for our small businesses to
remain relevant and competitive, but also we have so many people in Windham,
working from home and contributing to our state, it’s become a must for them as
well. I will continue to remain focused on lowering our tax burden, workforce
development and retention, and the regulatory obstacles our businesses
face.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
We need to cut off both the supply and demand for drugs in
Maine. Maine has taken significant steps in response to our opiate/opioid
crisis on the treatment, law enforcement, and prescribing fronts, as well as
putting Narcan in the hands of our residents to treat overdoses. We can do more
with regard to long and short-term charity care for those who cannot afford it.
When addicts leave detox or jail, it’s important for them to enter treatment
programs.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
Building Maine’s middle class is the most important issue
for our state. A middle-class income provides the means to take care of oneself
and a family. To do this we need to keep the cost of education affordable for
people starting out and those who want to better their skills, allow folks to
keep more of their hard-earned money so they can spend it in our economy, and
do everything we can to make Maine competitive with other states in attracting
business.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
I’m unopposed this year, but I am not taking this for
granted. I’ve knocked on many doors in Windham during this campaign season
giving people the opportunity to put a face with a name, express their concerns
about what’s going on in Maine, and have a discussion about the issues. My
three biggest issues this session will be the implementation of any referendums
that pass as each presents a number of concerns, the opioid epidemic, and
working on Maine’s brand, which partially relies on both our natural resources
and long-standing traditions surrounding hunting and fishing.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
My phone number is 207-749-1336. I’d be happy to speak with
you prior to Election Day, but if we can’t catch up by then, feel free to call
me after November 8 as well.
Michael
McClellan, 56, is running for re-election in district 66. He has been
married for 33 years to Michelle, an education administrator; their children
are Maggie and Pat. Mike is executive director of a non -profit. He has a
degree in therapeutic recreation and has worked towards a Masters in organization
development. Mike moved to Raymond in the 1980s and has been a volunteer in
schools in Raymond, Poland and SAD61. He has volunteered continually in the
community and also coached both boys and girls sports (baseball/softball,
soccer and basketball). Mike was previously elected to both the Raymond School
Board and the Raymond Select Board.
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I was asked to run by the Raymond Republican Party when a
surprise opening occurred. I prayed and talked with family prior to
running. My faith, core values,
background and life lessons prepared me for this time. I am qualified because I am a neighbor to the
people of Maine House 66. We have volunteered together, coached together and
helped each other when needed. The people of this district are unique. I have
been available, responsive and a good communicator. We know each other. You
have trusted me before to represent you in Augusta. At this time, I am the best
prepared candidate to lead in Augusta for Maine House 66.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
What a blessing it is to live in this district, we have
great leadership, our fire departments and public safety are strong and our
neighbors help each other. Perhaps, the biggest problem is that state and
federal governments continue to make laws and rules that we are expected to
follow and that do not make sense for us. Our select boards and our town
managers are experienced and wise. We need to support local control. Raymond recently had discussions on making
the town a destination versus continuing as a pass through. There are good
ideas and opportunities on the table, but the fear that our state and federal
government will make positive change difficult is always hovering. As your
representative I have and will continue to value local control, and that you
know best how to spend your money and run your community. I am proud to live
here and share that in Augusta often.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
Simple, letting them do what they do. They are the experts.
I can best help them by relieving them of too many regulations on their work,
lowering their taxes and allowing them to have more money to create more jobs
and the local economy. I will be voting no on the Minimum Wage issue because I
know I cannot promise to create jobs and then support something that will
historically cause job loss.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
I am against illegal drugs and crime. Of course. I have said
before that the societal move to government control and away from the
traditional family structure has caused so many of our public issues to be more
pronounced. This one for sure! A move back to strengthening the family is a
start. We need to toughen the laws on dealers and businesses who poison our
kids and our people. The risk of
punishment needs to be too high to take. In terms of addicts, we need to fund
programs to support their return to self-control and health. I am aware of some
faith based programs with amazing results, I hope we will look at what is
working for these faith based programs. If drugs and crime are linked as is the
question’s premise…supporting the addict to heal will remove the need to steal,
the need for suppliers. This one will be a process.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
Perhaps education? Our schools have become for many kids -
daycare, doctors, social workers, transportation, restaurants, parents and then
we get upset that we don’t see them teaching our children. The policies and
laws put on our schools are a large barrior as well. In Augusta, it would seem
the most unfunded mandates (laws enforced but not paid for by the state) fall
on schools. The locals have little control on the content, but must pay the
costs. I plan a series of bills to address this issue in 2017. The funding of
schools does not make sense and is not fairly enforced.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
Education, local control and regulatory reform. I have
served you over the past few years in Augusta. I currently am on the Education
and Cultural Affairs Committee and Government Oversight Committee (House
Republican Leaders). I am in line to be House Republican lead on education. My
experience is a plus, having known so many of you through past activities, I am
accessible to you and so will continue to be responsive. District 66 values local
control, being careful with taxpayer monies and less government oversight. That
aligns with my beliefs as well and my core values make me the candidate you
should support.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
I am the executive director of a nonprofit and often work
from home in District 66. I will see you shopping and in town! By email at
mmcclell@maine.rr.com, by
phone at 329-6148 or online at www.mikemcclellan.com.
Jessica
Fay,
48, is running for state representative in district 66. She is married to Kevin
and has a Bachelor’s of Arts from Simmons College.
Jessica volunteer for many organizations: Raymond Village
Library Trustee, Raymond Village Library volunteer, Pleasant Mountain Ski Club
volunteer, Raymond Vitalization Committee volunteer, Raymond Elementary School
volunteer for World Community Arts Day, various classroom activities and
business tours.
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I am a business owner and concerned citizen who takes the
initiative to become informed about issues facing our community. In Maine, we
are fortunate to have a citizen legislature that is open to any one of us,
should we choose to run.
I was inspired to run by my family and my community. I was
raised in a family that believes right-sized government is necessary to a civil
society. My family has a multi-generational history of public service: Elected,
civil, volunteer and military. Two years ago, my mom passed away, and during
the time she spent in the hospital, I learned how important advocacy is. An
advocate can amplify and clarify our voice.
As the owner of a small business, I understand we can do
more to encourage Maine businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and create good
paying jobs. Local businesses are more connected to their communities and are
more likely to stay. I would like to be an advocate for Maine’s small
businesses.
We all need a voice in our government. We deserve a representative that will work
hard and understands that while we should be guided by our personal beliefs,
government cannot function without compromise.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
The most important issue depends on each voter’s individual
story. For the senior citizen who is worried about how she is going to afford
to stay in her home, property taxes are a huge concern. The state needs to live
up to its obligation to fund schools and increase revenue sharing so that
burden isn’t passed on to property taxpayers.
For the small business owner who is trying to thrive, having
workers trained with the skills to do the jobs they are hiring for is
essential. We can continue to improve collaboration and communication between
the business community and educators to make sure we are educating our kids for
the jobs of tomorrow.
For the hunter, fisherman or hiker who loves our quality of
place, making sure we adequately protect our natural resources from degradation
is a priority. We can make sure that those resources are available for the next
generations to enjoy by promoting sustainable energy and water quality
protections.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
The success of a business depends on many different
variables, including plan, accessibility to capital, well-trained employees,
location, transportation and technology infrastructure. Each business’ needs
will be unique.
What government can do is make sure that there is the best
support and infrastructure in place to allow for success. Access to broadband
Internet, sewers and good roads, in addition to making sure that schools are
educating students for the jobs of the future, will be necessary for success of
small businesses in Casco, Raymond and Poland.
Maine has made some movement towards simplifying both
regulatory and administrative processes that businesses must follow, but there
is still room for improvement. Advocating for small businesses will be a
priority for me.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
intrinsically linked. What will your plan be?
We need to make sure that law enforcement has the tools to
stop dealers. From a cost standpoint, it
is more expensive to lock up people who are addicted than it is to treat them;
from a moral stand point we need to make sure that effective treatment is
available to anyone who wants it. Educating
kids and our communities as to the very real danger that drugs pose will be an
important piece to solving the problem of addiction.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
I think the governor and the legislature should focus on
creating a comprehensive economic development plan for the state. Maine has an
amazing brand and in order to move our state forward, to create new, good
paying jobs and to reverse the trend of young people leaving the state, we
should be capitalizing on that brand.
Let’s focus on supporting entrepreneurs who will grow the
businesses that will fuel that new economy. Small businesses are more connected
to their communities and less likely to pull up stakes and leave the state.
People want to live in Maine, and with a good, sound,
integrated plan we can create the environment that will allow them to.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
It shouldn’t be about what issues are important to me. I
feel that a representative’s job is to identify what issues are important to
the people in her district and advocate for them in a balanced way.
Just this week I have heard concerns from voters about
health care costs, young people leaving the state looking for economic
opportunity, the failure of the legislature to work together in a bipartisan
way to pass meaningful legislation on domestic violence, our environment, gun
rights and rising property taxes.
I take the word “representative” very seriously. I will
listen respectfully to constituents. As state representative for Casco, Raymond
and Poland, I plan to be available and accessible by having regular “office
hours” so people feel comfortable sharing their concerns. We need to close the
gap between government and the people.
My areas of interest are with small business advocacy,
Maine’s quality of place and sustainable energy. But when someone brings a
problem to my attention that doesn’t involve those issues, I will educate myself
and do my best to help that constituent resolve those concerns.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
I’d be honored if voters would be in touch, any time before
or after Election Day.
jess4maine@gmail.com
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Fay4ME/
Susan
M. Wilkinson Austin, 68, is running for re-election
for state representative in district 67. She is married to Ernie Austin, has
four children and 11 grandchildren.
Susan has an associate degree of science. She has held many
leadership positions elected and appointed: Gray-New Gloucester School Board,
Gray Town Council, Pineland Campus Conversion Committee, Maine State House of
Representatives 2002-2010 and 2014-2016
(Traditional Financed Candidate), State Labor Commerce
Research & Economic Development Committee.
She has worked at Marden’s Inc., as a management
assistant/safety and staff training.
Present civic organizations: Crystal Lake Association,
Gray-New Gloucester Optimist/ambassador, Crystal Lake Ice Fishing Derby
director, Liberty Family Foundation, Maine Wildlife Park advocate, Gray-New
Gloucester Summer Meals Program, St. Gregory's Church/Eucharistic Minister
Interests: Personal Fitness/Walking Program, Recycling/Reuse
Interests
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
I enthusiastically engage in this work which is primarily
people, policy, law and information intensive. I follow through on the
responsibilities I accept. I can rely on an abundance of acquired patience in
some very emotionally charged and difficult issues which have to be followed
through to the end. I am a worthy conduit of valued information. I can be
counted on to share important facts at the appropriate time and I can be a
confidant as well. This seat affords me the opportunity to engage, assist, and reach
out to people. There are constituent's personal challenges and there are state
financial/policy initiatives that need weighted, critical thinking with valued
decisions. I have been able to give my time and attention to these things, as
attested to by my 100 percent attendance in the chamber and my committee for my
years of serving. I’m engaged with a strong desire to continue working for our
district.
My folks were caring people with family and neighbors on
Shaker Road. I think who may have influenced me most for this work was my Dad
who was constantly sought by folks for help. He was approached when people
needed something fixed on heavy equipment/machinery that no one else seemed
able to repair. There were days when someone needed money, someone was stranded
in a snow bank or broken down… they sought him out for his helping good nature
and fair way. His garage doors were always open day or night. He was a true
“fix it” guy! I thrive on helping by fixing things torn, tattered, broken and
just plain not working right here at home and at our capitol!
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
Two citizen groups of Gray are working toward succeeding
from our town to go to two other towns. One group wants to join Raymond, and
the other is exploring joining Windham. When they reach a certain point in
these proceedings.
I will be available to assist them with the necessary state
portion of this process. The Town of Frye Island is also working through a
process to appeal to SAD6 for a realignment in their funding formula. I have
worked with them at the state level through submission of a bill to the
Education Committee in 2015, and I have continued working with them to date on
this issue.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
My towns of Gray, Raymond, Casco and Fry Island are made up
of small businesses; how will I help them be successful?
One of the best ways to help my towns and actually, all
towns is to do everything I can in my state committee (Labor Commerce Research
and Economic Development) to promote, support and encourage sound business
practices and if needed, reasonable common sense regulation that fits small
business. In an ongoing basis I work to acquaint our businesses with
opportunities that are available at the state level such as grant submission to
Maine Technology Institute or opportunities with Maine International Trade,
Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s Lean Process, forums, showcases,
and Labor Department work place trainings.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
intrinsically linked. What will your plan be?
I do support medical marijuana. However, from my years
serving on the Gray-New Gloucester School Board supporting curriculum for good
health habits and drug awareness for our students, I find it counterintuitive
to support legalizing this drug for recreational use. Present Drug conditions
are so deadly that we should not enhance a gateway drug that leads to the multi
mix of lethal substances and the crime that cohabitates and supplies our
current flow of drugs into this state. We are facing a severe drug crisis in
Maine. We are part of the terrific epidemic that exists across the United
States. The sitting members of both chambers need to work to identify the
resources necessary for enforcement oversight and the attention to successfully
targeted treatment options.
Q5: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
Most important issue for Governor and Legislature to
address: One of the most immediate is work on our epidemic drug situation as
well as continue to work to be fiscally sound so our most needed expenditures
such as this can be adequately addressed while still “paying” all our bills! We
must not return to a path of indebtedness! It has been rewarding to find that
we have not had to address continual supplemental budgets in the past two
years. That takes discipline and perseverance.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
I thrive on working to accomplish positive outcomes for
Maine. I am thoughtful and have a tremendous amount of patience while working
with a sometime impatient/imperfect process. I utilize a, more often than not, calm
demeanor to bring sensible, reasonable thinking to the table. I believe I have
shown my ability to listen and learn from folks who share their thoughts on
important issues. I’m well aware of policy procedures and avenues best used to
get needed attention and answers on their challenges. What we consider, decide
and pass judgment on has significant impact on people's living and people's
lives! I am ever mindful of the consequence of our decisions and my final vote.
Her three important issues are education: Address our state’s presently
identified needs for educated/trained targeted professions/trades, i.e.
dentists, nurses, engineers, loggers/timber-trade. Aging: Additional beds in
nursing homes/skilled care for aging-mental health and home health services to
enable more seniors to stay at home. A lastly, Drugs: Concentrate on identified
successful treatments and appropriate dollars.
To reach Susan M. Wilkinson Austin
136 Yarmouth Road
Gray, Maine 04039
Home: 207-657-4100
Rachel
Lyn Rumson, 44, is running for state representative in district 67.
She is an entrepreneur. She has a partner with whom she shares one child, an
11-year-old. She also has two aging, divorced parents.
She graduated from Gorham High School in 1990,earned a BA in
sociology from the University of Southern Maine and a Master of Arts in applied
behavioral science from Bastyr University.
Her current volunteer activities are: Planning board for the
Town of Gray, End of Summer Fest for the Town of Gray; education committee
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.
Q1: Why are you qualified to represent the citizens in
Augusta and what inspired you to run?
There are a lot of people like me that are not represented
in politics. People are working pay-check to pay check, raising a family make a
living, struggling to run small businesses. Some are caring for their aging
parents. Some have student loans or other debt that keep them out of the market
for homes and vehicles. Meanwhile we are nickel-ed-and-dime-ed twelve ways to
Sunday. There are those whose retirement accounts are drained because
of mortgage fraud, who worry that their children and grandchildren will not
have it as good as they did. There is real poverty and real addiction that
leaves us all traumatized.
With the help of hundreds of residents in the district, I qualified to be a Clean Election Candidate. This has helped me to keep my focus on the people, not special interests.
With the help of hundreds of residents in the district, I qualified to be a Clean Election Candidate. This has helped me to keep my focus on the people, not special interests.
Q2: What do you feel is the most important issue facing your
district? What can you do to help overcome that issue?
There is an incredible challenge to try to reduce our issues
to one. Partly because each town in our district faces unique challenges. The
median individual income in our district ranges from $44,000 to $55,000 for
three of our towns. One town that has a median income of $141,000. Measured by
income per household that range dips lower, because many people in our communities
are single earner households. The elderly in one town are the largest group
living below poverty line, the children in another town are the largest age
group suffering.
We have enough poverty in our district that it is impacting
our learning outcomes for our school districts. We have an old housing stock
that is too expensive to heat. Not enough senior care. Expensive childcare. We
have health issues and social issues that people are self-medicating for with
opiates. And a huge recreational marijuana lobby that wants to encourage more
self-medication instead of cultivation of medicinal cannabis!
One issue is hard to define but if I had to I would say that
it is a lack of connection and community. We have to practice being in
community and making decisions together democratically for our common good. We
have too many holes in our bucket. We need a long-view on things. When we learn
together, we will lead together. I plan to be an active legislator not a
passive one.
Q3: Windham and Raymond are made up of many small
businesses. How will you help small businesses be successful in the area?
Small businesses are the muscle of our economy. They are the
innovators and the niche finders, the real job creators. I support them with my
business and I am one of them. I plan to stay in the game and use my standing
as a business owner to speak up in Augusta about taxation, regulation and
advocate on their behalf.
Maine's small businesses are significantly smaller than the
federal definition of a small business. In Maine, a small business is 50
employees. In D.C. it is 500 employees. We need leaders at the state level that
know the ropes of Maine small business. Someone that can help them see what is
coming and to illuminate opportunities for future development. Small business
have not seen support from Wall Street investment since the TARP deal was
enacted. Municipal TIFFS are negotiated for very profitable, very large
corporations to access prime land in our towns, while small business are don't
have the time, or the budget to negotiate these deals. I would like to see more
business development in our communities, more skilled trades, more makers and
producers, as I said before, that means we have to invest locally in our small
businesses.
If the minimum wage passes, I plan to introduce a low-profit
exemption. I also plan to encourage minimum wage earners to simulate their
local economies with that increase. Our business owners are smart and they are
able to see both self-interest and community interest.
It would be an honor to bring forward policy that will help
small business succession and encourage conversions to cooperative models to
help keep small business in business. Cooperatives are something I know a lot
about though my work with the Cooperative Design Lab and Cooperative
Development Institute. They are more resilient in the face of turbulence in the
global economy, they are democratic, and they are often crowd-funded.
Q4: What is your position on drugs and crime? They are
inexplicably linked. What will your plan be?
Let me tell you a story. Veterans in our district have told
me that they patrolled the poppy fields of Afghanistan only to come home to
find that their buddies addicted to opiates and their friends kids, too. The
connection here is significant.
I see the problem two ways, systemically and personally. We
need to give law enforcement the tools they need to stop opiate trafficking.
Yes. I can get behind simple things like a longer time in jail for possession,
so that the DEA can get the names of the dealers, or a program to reduce the
amount of opiate pills on the street and in our homes. Do I think that we need
to support treatment? Yes, I do and we need to have post treatment pathways for
people also to engage with the community. One factor in the drug problem that
is over looked is a cultural one. There is a lack of connection and meaningful
purpose in people’s lives. That leads to addiction, fuels the relapses and
leads to overdoses. We have a societal ill that is perpetuating people to escape
from suffering with drugs. It is not only about substances, traffickers and the
black market system of drugs. People are addicted to food, media, tobacco and
alcohol for the same reasons. Let's do the culture work.
Q5: From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is
the single most important issue that the governor and legislature should be
addressing?
We have so many problems and challenges, but we have assets
and opportunities, too. We have to re-frame our problems as solutions and our
challenges as opportunities. Changing our scope can make a huge difference.
My platform is threefold: Economy, education and
environment. We have challenges in all of these areas. At the intersection of
these three, we have the best opportunities for leveraging change for the
better.
I see a more resilient local economy for Maine in the
future. At the state house, I can introduce legislation that bolsters the local
economy and helps shift our economic activity from pure consumption back to
production, at a scale that makes the most sense for our communities. Systems
change is my field. I have honed skills in holding space and harvesting the
voice of the many. I facilitate dialogue that engages people in their own
problem solving. I teach people to cooperate. I will work to make Maine more
resilient in the wake of a global economy.
I see our students having a place in their communities that
has meaning. I see dirty hands. I have a teaching background, I have taught
teens at Wayfinder School in New Gloucester, and adults both at Maine General
and Kaplan University. Engagement in real problem solving, hands-on learning
and creative thinking are sorely under-embraced by top-heavy consolidated
school systems. I think we are in the middle of a transition toward more relevant
education even while we seem to be headed straight down the teach-to-the-test
model.
The year before that, I helped bring early childhood
educators and daycares across the state together to collaborate for the dual
purpose of ensuring their financial success as businesses, and improving
quality standards. It is amazing what people can do to solve their own
problems. The Maine Educators Association gave me their endorsement because I
understand how people learn, and I see the challenges educators face.
The environment is such a large scale system that people
generally have a hard time getting on the same page about it, or they talk only
about one aspect like energy cost, recreational use, and some look at the food
system. Energy is a significant climate factor in Maine. I am eager to get to
work on the demand side of the energy issue, as well as diversifying supply.
Recreational land use will always have my support as well. Agriculture and
fisheries are facing the impacts of climate change all ready. There is not
debate in those fields. Temperature and rainfall changes have already impacted
our land and sea producers.
We have the fastest growing small farm sector in all 50
states. We also have a large number of new farmers without access to land while
our aging farmers are in semi-retirement producing only a few staple crops like
hay, syrup and apples. We need to address land access with innovation and
cooperation to weather the changes in our environment.
Do I see a future in green energy? Yes, I do. Finding the
right scale for people not just investors matters. I also see a future in
agroforestry for Maine producing more fuel faster. Do I see a future in
manufacturing? Yes I do. Trades and traditional skills need a place alongside
right-scale technology to foster a vibrant localized economy for greater
resilience in the face of globalization. Do I see a future for tourism and
fisheries? Only if we can adapt.
Q6: Why should voters cast their ballots for you? What are
your three biggest issues?
A vote for me is a vote for a candidate willing to work for
them in Augusta and at home, not because they are family or because they have
known me all their life. My platform is based on knowing our limits and
maximizing our assets, it is about education for all ages to enrich our people,
and it is about our relationship with our environment.
Federal politics is a drag. I applauded both the tea party
and the occupy wall street movements because people exercising their First
Amendment right to assemble in public and to take office is the most patriotic
thing we can do to honor our forebears and live our constitution. We don't have
to agree on everything, either. It is a republic. We need strong state
leadership now because the federal consolidation of power (call it big
government) and the influence of special interests (call it the 1 percent) are
a working together against us.
How can citizens contact you prior to Election Day?
207.657.4085 - landline
207.332.RACH - cellular
8 George Perley Rd, Gray Maine 04039
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