Mike Wakefield

Party affiliation: Green Independent

Age: 35

Town: Standish

Occupation: Sales representative

Political experience: Two-time candidate for state representative (2008 and 2010), Windham Planning Board (2008-2009).

1. What do you think the three most important issues are? Please identify at least one of those issues specific to your district.

Education is a concern for all of us. Not just the quality of the education that our kids receive but also educational opportunities for adults who are seeking new careers or are trying to further their current careers. Schools are faced with budget shortfalls and, in some cases, the ability to make necessary improvements to the systems in place that can sometimes hamper the learning process. I’ve heard too many stories about teachers having to go into their own finances to get some of the basic materials needed for class. Sometimes the actual education becomes less important than the statistics that are reported and the funding that is tied to it.

Government spending affects every one of us. No matter how hard you try there will always be waste in government. However, there should be an intense effort from those who set and utilize the budget to curb waste as much as possible. The money comes from fees, taxes, fines, etc., so it only makes sense to conserve and be creative in finding ways to fill the budget. Special interests and lobbyists usually find a way to influence how some of those tax dollars get spent. Also, a lot has been said about the welfare system and the way government assistance is used and abused. It is important to help those in need but also to find ways to help families become more self-sufficient for the future.

The poor economy affects everybody. It costs more to heat homes, fill our gas tanks, and pay for medical coverage. And, of course, the cost of food and other basic needs is higher than ever. Even though Maine’s unemployment rate is slightly below the national average, more people are having to rely on the government or friends and family for help. This has a negative effect on families and on whole communities. This is when communities can establish their own local programs and help maintain productive activity that will motivate and create opportunities to improve. Relying on local programs and community involvement will allow for more control over the local economy and less reliance on the government.

2. What do you think the solutions are?

The problem with the No Child Left Behind Act is that children and whole schools are being left behind. It is a standardized way of judging progress and learning that isn’t realistic or accurate. Schools need more control over their own curriculum and spending priorities, with measures in place to be sure that tax dollars are spent efficiently. I also agree with more options for parents, including vouchers and charter schools, but I think the details need to be worked out so that tax dollars aren’t being wasted and the system isn’t being taken advantage of further. There needs to be some real accountability from students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

There needs to be constant oversight to reduce and eliminate waste and redundancies in government spending. Special interests and lobbyists shouldn’t be able to abuse the system for their own interests. There is also a lot of criticism about the misuse and abuse of the welfare and assistance programs, including corporate welfare. There is criticism of the management and oversight of those programs as well. These programs need to be more focused on teaching skills and empowering families with tools to become more self-sufficient, which is really what families want.

We need more local programs to help unemployed and underskilled workers to develop the skills they need to compete. There are manufacturing jobs in Maine that are waiting to be filled but not enough skilled or willing workers to fill the positions. There need to be a lot more on-the-job apprenticeship programs where the unemployed can learn the skills they need while employers’ needs are met. Also, every school district in Maine should grow their own vegetables. These gardens could be used as an educational tool for kids and adults, as a way to promote healthy eating, reduce the budget, and be expanded to include the entire community and be used to support community-based programs.

3. Do you support same-sex marriage?

I support same-sex marriage. Despite religious or moral objections, marriage is a legally binding contract between two people in a committed relationship. Same-sex couples should be allowed the same right to enter into that contract that straight couples have. However, churches or other groups should not be forced to participate in these ceremonies if it goes against their beliefs, as that would infringe on their rights. From a financial standpoint, there would be a boost in revenue from marriage licenses, etc. and the economy would see a boost from all of the ceremonies, receptions, dress and tuxedo sales and rentals, lodging, etc. that go along with it.

Mike Shaw

Party affiliation: Democrat

Age: 40

Town: Standish

Occupation: Railroad conductor for 22 years.

Political experience: 124th,125th Legislature.

1. What do you think the three most important issues are? Please identify at least one of those issues specific to your district.

Economic development, jobs. Education. Government transparency.

2. What do you think the solutions are?

Economic Development:

Economic development isn’t a one size fits all answer. Maine needs to work on many complex solutions. One solution is Maine’s Pine Tree Development Zone law. One major improvement that I worked on was to make all of Maine available for its benefits instead of very small pockets up north and Downeast. The Pine Tree Development Zone law exchanges huge tax breaks to businesses that expand or move to Maine. In exchange for the benefits the business must provide a livable wage, a health insurance benefit and 401K retirement.

We need to reduce the cost of energy for Maine’s businesses and residents. With smart planning, I believe tapping into Hydro Quebec’s massive energy production could significantly reduce our costs. The problem in the past has been that if we bring in low-cost energy from Quebec and drive the cost of energy down, our small power producers already in Maine such as S.D. Warren could suffer. Smart legislation is needed to balance this difficult problem and bring rates down.

Education:

We need to make smart investments in education and job training that will prepare our students for the jobs of the future. Maine currently has hundreds of vacant high-tech manufacturing jobs available. Businesses need to have a trained workforce and residents need good jobs.

Government transparency:

A lot of work has been done on Maine’s freedom of information law. We need to keep working to make sure that there is open access to all residents that would like to see what is going on with their government. Public hearing notification, notice of board meetings, etc. must be available in ways where the people of Maine will know about and have access to voice their concerns and opinions.

3. Do you support same-sex marriage? Please explain your position.

People have very strong opinions on this issue. I think it is best left up to the voters. We will find out where the people of Maine stand on this issue this November.

Todd Delaney

Party affiliation: Republican

Age: I have been out of college for 20-plus years but I am quite young at heart.

Address: Standish

Political experience: I have been involved in number of campaigns since 1970s and been delegate for Standish to several Republican Conventions. I currently serve the Standish Republican town committee as its secretary. I have been on the SAD 6 school board since 2010 when I was appointed to a vacant seat. I was recently elected to another full two-year term in June.

1. What do you think the three most important issues are? Please identify at least one of those issues specific to your district.

Budget/tax reform. Small business burden. Welfare reform.

2. What do you think the solutions are?

Budget/tax reform:

The 125th Legislature of 2011-2012 passed the largest tax cut package in Maine’s history as a part of the biennial budget. The Republican-led tax cut package of 2011 is not slanted toward the rich, but does benefit all Mainers by providing real tax relief that puts more money into the pockets of hardworking Mainers and more money into the private sector economy. This is what Republican legislators promised on the campaign trail in 2010, this is what they delivered, and this is what I will continue to support, period!

Small business burden:

We need to reduce the burden on small business, which is the main engine of our economy. Need to reduce the burden of over-regulation and reinvent supporting small businesses. Augusta can nurture business to take advantage of a future where work/home surrounding will be our greatest asset to being destination for small businesses.

Welfare reform:

We all recognize the need for welfare reform; it is one of the top priorities of Maine voters. I understand the importance of making welfare a safety net of last resort, not a way of life. I know this first hand. We must change a culture of dependency and entitlement, whereby people expect government handouts. This does not help them in the long-term. Second, it cripples government budgets. I will continue the work of the 125th Legislature to continue the reform that is so overdue!

3. Do you support same-sex marriage?

I do not support this type of difficult legislation by referendum as there is no way a ballot even in simplest form can encompass all aspects of such a tough topic. You elect people to resolve these issues and make sure that laws are fair and reflect our culture at the same time protecting institutions and organizations from threat of forcing them to undergo changes they do not want to do due to threat of legal action.

Personally, I can fully support full legal civil unions between loving couples so that each partner would have the same legal rights as married couples. I do however have a problem with changing the definition of the word marriage. This word has had a special meaning to me and for thousands of years.

Three candidates are vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 102 seat in Standish: Republican Todd Delaney, Democrat Michael Shaw, and Green Michael Wakefield.
Three candidates are vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 102 seat in Standish: Republican Todd Delaney, Democrat Michael Shaw, and Green Michael Wakefield.
Three candidates are vying for the Maine House of Representatives District 102 seat in Standish: Republican Todd Delaney, Democrat Michael Shaw, and Green Michael Wakefield.