As I drive around Harpswell I’ve just started seeing some large, crudely fashioned, signs supporting Byron Watson for State House District 51. The underlying theme of these boards is to “vote local,” whatever that means.

I’ve done some research into Mr. Watson’s platform and it appears that he thinks a local birth certificate is an election credential.

His opponent, whom I support, Mrs. Joyce “Jay” McCreight and her husband Tim have resided and been employed in Maine for a quarter century. Jay’s husband is a small business owner in Brunswick. This is their chosen home, not an accident of birth.

Mr. Watson’s platform repeats the platitude that he is “able to reach across the aisle” for which he presents no evidence. Mrs. McCreight however was a valued social worker for 30 years, the majority of that time in South Portland, Maine schools. The very nature of social work is collaborative, helping people resolve their problems, improve their relationships with others, and come together to create solutions.

In addition she has been actively participating in local campaigns, serving as Volunteer Coordinator for our current Representative’s last campaign and was elected Chair of the Harpswell Democratic Committee.

I have traveled with her on door-to-door campaign visits and seen how well she engages with future constituents from all political viewpoints and socioeconomic groups. She is sincere in her interest in their issues and after each discussion notes what she might do to assist them once in office. This is grassroots politics at its best.

Lest we forget: Mr. Watson’s personal judgment was seriously called into question in 2010 when he was removed from the Chairmanship of the Brunswick School Board for writing, in his official capacity as Chair, what many considered highly chauvinistic remarks to then Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Hannah Pingree. I quote from an article in the March 11, 2010 Forecaster newspaper:

“The e-mail message, which Watson said he wrote to seek help in reviewing a $3 million loss of state aid, began, “Let me start off by stating you are the most gorgeous member of the Legislature.” He ended the first sentence with a smiley-face emoticon, then told Pingree he wasn’t writing to “hit on her.”

Perhaps this is how he plans to “reach across the aisle” again if elected in November. Be safe from embarrassment, vote for Jay McCreight, she’ll do us proud.

Ellen F. Toomey
Harpswell