Isobel Moiles is running for Lewiston City Council Ward 3 on Nov. 3, 2015. Learn about more candidates and issues in our Election 2015 guide.
Name:
Isobel Calderwood Moiles
Email address:
isobelcm@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/isobelmoilesforlewistoncitycouncil
Occupation or primary source of income:
Legislative aide at the Maine State House
Education:
Bates College
Family information:
Newlywed
Public offices sought or held:
Seeking Lewiston City Council, Ward 3
Why are you running for office? Why should voters select you for this job?
I am running for City Council because I want to help contribute to the exciting changes taking place in Lewiston. I think our city is experiencing a lot of positive growth, but we need to do more to increase economic opportunity and help residents find good-paying jobs.
I’ve worked in the field of politics throughout Maine for more than three years, and I hope to use my energy and experience to help improve the city I love. I am enthusiastic about Lewiston and committed to working hard to make it an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.?
With a limited budget and knowing what you know now, what would be your top spending priority among these three services: road repair, education or public safety? Why?
While these are each important issues, education would be my top spending priority.
Investing in quality public education is key to growing our economy in the long term. It is an investment in our future workforce and the business owners and community leaders of tomorrow.
If we can successfully engage more children in school by supporting good teachers and improving the classroom experience, positive side effects include increased public safety and decreased need for public assistance.
What do you like about the city budget passed this year, and what don’t you like? Was it too high, too low, just right?
I like that there is an effort being made to hire more teachers and reduce class sizes.
I’m encouraged that the state increased its share of education spending, but it’s continued failure to fund education at the voter-mandated 55 percent puts a strain on local communities.
Furthermore, state-driven cuts to revenue sharing have contributed to rising property taxes.
I appreciate the work done by the previous council to mitigate the damage to local property taxpayers by eliminating more than $500,000 from the proposed municipal budget. I’m concerned about our over-dependence on our rainy day fund and bonding to pay for routine maintenance and capital investments.
Given our current economy, I think the budget struck the right balance.
What about land banking? Should the city be allowed to set aside parcels for specific kinds of development, say to promote retail or housing around the river front?
Yes, I do think the city should be allowed to set aside parcels of land for future use and I think this is an important strategy for redevelopment. The city can make strategic investments and build toward a long-term vision for Lewiston in a way that individuals and private corporations alone cannot. Land banking allows the city to have a voice in how our land is developed to best meet the needs of Lewiston residents, and it allows us to make thoughtful and strategic decisions about our city’s future.
What would you do to improve Lewiston’s downtown housing stock? Should the city even be involved in downtown housing? Why do you think that?
Our lagging property values are holding this city back. I absolutely believe that the city should invest in our housing stock. It is in the city’s best interest to increase our property tax base, improve the quality of life for current residents, and attract new families to settle down here.
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