Age (on Election Day): 68
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Retired
Community organizations:
Healthy Community Coalition; High Peaks Alliance; past president, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce; Kingfield POPS; Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine
Hobbies, activities etc.:
Photography, cooking, gardening, raising chickens, farming, hunting and beekeeping. I also have a sugar house with my son in Vienna. A lifelong interest of mine is breeding and racing homing pigeons.
Family status: Married to Brenda; 7 children, 7 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter.
Years in Legislature: 0
Clean Election candidate? No
Committee assignments wanted:
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Insurance and Financial Services; Environment and Natural Resources
What is the most pressing problem in your district and what do you plan to do about it?
The economy and good-paying jobs are the biggest concerns in our area. Manufacturing jobs have left our towns. We need to attract business to the area through promotion of the quality of life we enjoy here. We have a great university and vocational school in Forster Tech.
Gov. Paul LePage wants to eliminate the state income tax. Do you support that? If not, why not?
I feel that eliminating the income tax is of greatest benefit to the richest. The income tax is the most progressive tax, you pay according to what you make. Eliminating it will certainly increase the property tax and that will be devastating to those who can least afford it.
Are you willing to support raising the fuel tax to fix Maine roads? If not, why not?
Yes, while fuel prices are low we should take advantage of the opportunity to repair our roads. I would want that money to go to a fund designated for roads and bridge upgrading only.
The relationship between the governor and the Legislature has deteriorated over the past six years. What can the Legislature do to improve that relationship?
It is a two way street. When both Republicans and Democrats have concerns over the governor’s behavior, I believe the ball is in his court. Legislators and the governor were hired to work for the people, they need to work together. Compromise is not a bad word.
What methods do you support to reduce opiate addiction in Maine?
The prescribing of opiates needs supervision. With the technology available today it can be accomplished. We have created addicts who were given drugs to alleviate pain, they did not choose to be addicts. Counseling and treatment has to be provided to those who need it.
How are you voting on the referendum questions?
Question 1: Yes
Question 2: Yes
Question 3: No
Question 4: No
Question 5: Yes
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