Lakes Region residents got a close look at local candidates last week as those vying for state Senate and House seats gathered for a candidates forum at Windham High School Oct. 2.

The 12 candidates in attendance took to the stage at the Windham Performing Arts Center to answer questions covering the state’s Dirigo Health program, rising fuel costs, school consolidation and the drinking age. The questions were prepared by Windham High students taking Peter Small’s contemporary issues class.

On the issue of how to continue the Dirigo Health program, the candidates spoke about rising health care costs and the need for more preventative care.

Anne Graham, a Democrat from North Yarmouth running for House seat in District 109, said people will misuse the emergency room at a high cost if they do not have insurance.

“They are using it for primary care,” she said. “We need to find a way to encourage people to have primary care.”

Her opponent, incumbent Rep. Susan Austin, R-Gray, said Dirigo’s price tag to this point, around $300 million, is too high for the number of people being covered.

“We could have done that in the private sector if we just went and bought the policies,” she said.

With the cost of heating fuel up significantly from a year ago, Rep. Gary Plummer, R-Windham, serving in House District 111, said local residents need to mobilize to help their neighbors, either through fundraising efforts or by otherwise offering their services.

“We can do a lot right here locally in Windham,” he said, referring to meetings he has held with other members of the Legislative delegation to gather local resources.

Democrat Michael Shaughnessy of Windham, Plummer’s opponent, said more needs to be done to promote and build the public transportation infrastructure. As it stands now, he said, people have no where to turn when gas gets expensive.

“We have very few options in regards to the rising cost of fuel,” Shaughnessy said.

The question asking if the candidates would support a recent effort by college presidents to lower the legal drinking age to 18, surprised the participants and generated some interesting answers.

Rep. Michael Vaughn, R-Durham, the incumbent for House District 105, said lowering the legal drinking age would lower the age of those drinking illegally as well.

Green Independent Michael Wakefield of Windham, running for House District 110, said in either case it is the responsibility of parents to teach their kids how to avoid making bad decisions.

One of Wakefield’s opponents, Republican Clayton Haskell of Windham, kept his answer short and simple.

“No,” said Haskell.

Also participating in the forum were: incumbent Mark Bryant, D-Windham, of House District 110. Republican Gerald Davis and Democrat Jeanne Hulit, both of Falmouth and candidates for the open seat in Senate District 11, attended and spoke, as did Democrat Michael Shaw of Standish, a candidate for House District 102. District 102 incumbent Gary Moore, R-Standish, withdrew from the race last month.

Incumbent District 12 Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland, was unable to attend due to the birth of his first grandchild, but Republican challenger Thomas Golebiewski of Raymond appeared. A third candidate for the district seat, Green Independent Lisa H. Willey was uable to attend.

Vaughn’s opponent in House District 105, New Gloucester resident David Van Wie, canceled his appearance due to a scheduling conflict.

The forum was sponsored by the Lakes Region Weekly, Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

Profiles of each Lakes Region candidate, candidates for the 1st District Congressional and U.S. Senate seats and coverage of local and state referendum questions will be featured in the Oct. 17 and 24 editions of the Lakes Region Weekly.