Political experience

Have served as assessor and town manager (2 towns) over a 25 year period. I have been a code enforcement officer, general assistance administrator, grant writer and administrator, bail commissioner, as well as formerly working at times for US Fish and Wildlife, University of Maine and Vermont Fish and Game. I was elected Chair of the Dexter Charter Commission, Vice-Chair of Penquis CAP, President of CMAAO, Chair of Abbott LIbrary Board and am currently on the MMA Legislative Policy Committee and Chair of Dexter Board of Appeals.

Why are you running for office?

I want to represent the best interests of my area and have been disappointed for years with the way our elected reps get more excited about their party politics than local needs.

• 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?
  • No

    Maine relies too heavily on property tax and the cuts to income tax have translated directly to property tax increases. Income is taxed on a progressive rate, property and sales are regressive. There are sales tax loopholes that could be closed, but what has mostly been happening is a tax shift not relief. Economists recommend an overall revenue system of 1/3 sales, property and income tax. Maine has gone to 50% property tax and this is burdensome to many with lower incomes.

• Background Checks: Do you support background checks for privately sold firearms in Maine?
  • No

    I think the law is written poorly since it will leave the concept of “transfer” to future litigation due to its vagueness. It strikes me as unenforceable since no firearm registry is established and will accomplish very little compared to the litigation it will inspire. It is a “swing and a miss” in sports terms.

• 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?
  • Yes

    My area needs to have a minimum wage that will be one that can provide a living. We are losing ground in the past decades for the working poor and, unfortunately, my district has a high percentage of poverty. In other states that have raised minimum wages economic gains have occurred. This is a stimulus and I wish the opponents would actually research the issue and not dogmatically accept the “wisdom” of the conservative groups protecting their own narrow interests.

• Marijuana: Do you support legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
  • Yes

    This is overdue. This form of prohibition has resulted in persecution of average persons, expensive incarceration costs and costs of prosecution. Just like the original Prohibition Era a black market has been created and the people of Maine do not benefit from having marijuana that is not regulated, may be tampered with, and generates no tax revenues. I have concerns about persons driving while stoned but let’s be honest and admit that is happening already and is a problem with alcohol abusers and abusers of other legal mood altering substances like painkillers and stimulants.

• 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?
  • I believe that State has been striving to find the best response and many good things are being attempted. I wish the Governor brought the same advocacy to counselling that he brings to law enforcement but overall I am glad that he recognizes that size of the problem.