Age: 71
Residence: Pittsfield
Party: Democrat
Present employment: Retired certified pipe welder
Highest level of education completed: Graduate of Eastern Maine Vocational Institute
Previous elected public office(s) held: Two terms in the Maine House of Representatives
Statement: My reasons for running for office are many, but the most important are to assist the residents of Burnham, Clinton, Pittsfield and Troy in any way that I can. It will be my wish, if elected, to fill every moment of my time in office with some action that will contribute to the pleasures and/or improvements of the lives of those aforementioned people.
We have a number of issues that need attention in Maine such as the need to invest in trade school education to address the shortage of women and men who are trained to work in the trade and technical fields. We need to expand available/affordable day care. Our local economy needs to be promoted, which will attract workers to Maine businesses and create new jobs and lower costs. We must focus on our future by funding public education at a rate to succeed. There is a need to advance local clean Maine energy. I want to assist with bringing these issues to a successful conclusion.
Lastly, I have thrown my hat in the ring because I have a great deal to offer in the way of experience and I know how valuable that is to any process. I will lean heavily on that experience in an effort to help Maine become the envy of the United States.
What are your thoughts on proposals to do away with Maine’s income taxes?
My thoughts on doing away with the state income tax are twofold. If we do away with it more people will come to Maine to earn a living and more of our young people will remain here. However, on the other side of the coin there will be a huge loss in state revenue by doing away with the state income tax. How do we make up for the loss? This matter requires much more thought and consideration before action is taken.
When it comes to the state budget, what do you see as top priorities for spending or cuts?
The state’s top spending priorities should be education, hydropower and infrastructure.
How can Maine best make health care affordable for its citizens?
Lowering the cost of health care is an issue that again requires a great deal of investigation. We need to find out what other states have done to lower their health care cost. We must also find out which states have been unsuccessful so that we do not make the same mistakes.
What policy changes would you support to protect the environment and respond to climate change?
My answer to many environmental concerns is hydropower. Let’s fix up our dams and build more of them if necessary.
Would you vote to support a woman’s right to obtain an abortion?
As for a women’s right to obtain an abortion, I do not agree with the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe vs Wade. At this point we must hold on tight to the state’s law on abortion. I support a woman’s right to abortion and would vote accordingly.
What changes would you like to see in the way police do their jobs in Maine?
I would like to hear from police. I want to know what they believe needs to change and what they believe we need to do to help that change come about.
