Age (on Election Day): 49
Party affiliation: Independent
Occupation: Registered Maine guide, small business person
Community organizations:
Vice president, Annabessacook Lake Improvement Association
Hobbies, activities etc.:
Family status: Married; 4 step children, 1 granddaughter
Years in Legislature: 0
Clean Election candidate? Yes
Committee assignments wanted:
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Appropriations and Financial Affairs
What is the most pressing problem in your district and what do you plan to do about it?
25 percent of the drinking water wells in Litchfield, Monmouth and Wales have arsenic contamination. Arsenic exposure causes learning problems in kids. Last session, a bill to help failed by four votes, one of which was cast by my opponent. I’m ready to fix the problem. That’s common sense.
Gov. Paul LePage wants to eliminate the state income tax. Do you support that? If not, why not?
Yes. Common sense tax breaks begin with middle-class Mainers in the lowest tax brackets. That’s where the greatest economic bang for the buck is. Substitute the sales tax for the income tax, starting at the bottom of the income scale and work up. No Mainer should end up paying more.
Are you willing to support raising the fuel tax to fix Maine roads? If not, why not?
No. The fuel tax is arbitrary. Start over with a tax that’s paid at the time that vehicles are registered which is based on mileage, weight and emissions. We need to have a tax that produces market-based incentives for road users related to the actual cost of wear and tear.
The relationship between the governor and the Legislature has deteriorated over the past six years. What can the Legislature do to improve that relationship?
Common sense includes respect. Responsibility begins with self-control and civility. The people of Litchfield, Monmouth and Wales are tired of posturing, positioning, fighting and finger-pointing. I’m independent because neither party has a monopoly on good ideas. Every elected official’s job is to solve problems and get on with it.
What methods do you support to reduce opiate addiction in Maine?
Common sense says more needs to be done leveraging law enforcement and increasing access to treatment, but the highest priority (and the most cost effective) should be given to prevention. That means focusing on preventative health care access, education programs for young people, and smart social work for Mainers at risk.
How are you voting on the referendum questions?
Question 1: Yes
Question 2: Yes
Question 3: Yes
Question 4: Yes
Question 5: Yes
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