Political experience

I am currently serving my second term on the Damariscotta Board of Selectmen, and serving my second year as its chair.

Why are you running for office?

The midcoast has an aging population, with the average age above 50. Taxes are getting out of control for the many people in District 90 who are on fixed incomes or who are working 2-3 jobs to make ends meet. Current tax burdens makes it nearly impossible for many to stay in homes they grew up. Older citizens on fixed incomes are having to go back to work in their late 70s to be able to keep their homes. Entrepreneurs and small businesses have are discouraged from moving to Maine to start up a business because of the tax structure, high energy costs, unavailability of a skilled workforce, etc. Something must be done to attract business to the area, we cannot survive on tourist dollars alone.

• Income Tax: Gov. LePage would like to lower Maine’s income tax rate and eventually eliminate it, by increasing the state’s sales tax and expanding it across a broader range of goods and services. Do you support this proposal?
  • Other

    To encourage economic growth and increase the potential for businesses to locate in the state, the tax structure must be changed to be more inviting to those who want to come to Maine (or stay in Maine) for business purposes. We cannot survive as a state on the backs of wealthy retirees moving to the state and tourists. We’re a small business state, and must do what is necessary to attract small business — which will bring well-paying jobs and young people — to the state.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • Other

    I support background checks, but do not support the current referendum question, which includes any ‘transfer’ of a firearm between two parties.

• Minimum Wage: In light of the ballot question facing voters this fall, do you support raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour by 2020?
  • Other

    While I agree that raising the minimum wage would be good for Maine, I do not support the referendum question. Many businesses already pay more than the minimum wage to attract and retain good employees. As demonstrated in other states that have increased the minimum wage, if the question passes, a number of small businesses will either cut the hours of employees or lay off employees to make up the difference in wages paid. They may also increase prices, which will hurt the consumer. The question will also result in a reduction in pay for “front of house” employees, which shouldn’t happen. There are better ways to increase the minimum wage without penalizing a certain class of employees. The unintended consequences of this question far outweigh the benefit.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • No

    Maine is experiencing a drug problem, and we don’t need to add to it. Marijuana use has already been decriminalized, and it should remain so. Legal marijuana will just add to Maine’s drug (including alcohol) problems.

• Addiction/Overdoses: Do you believe the state is doing enough in response to the rise in heroin/opiate addiction and overdoses? If not, what else should be done?
  • The drug problem has to be addressed through enforcement combined with treatment. Local programs, such as Project Hope in Scarborough and a similar program in Lincoln County have demonstrated some success and should be replicated across the state. Increased enforcement against those who traffic in drugs, the increased used of drug courts to more appropriately deal with offenders, the use of Narcan for overdose victims, all must be used to reduce the drug problem. Further, I would not limit the problem to heroin/opiate use–addicts and dealers will switch from drug to drug as state/local agencies are successful in clamping down on a particular drug.