Dear Editor:

There is nobody on the peninsula, working harder, day in and day out, to help these communities. Regardless of title, job or location, Stephanie cares more about these towns and its inhabitants than anyone else I have met here.  

There is nobody around who is volunteering their time, resources, and friendship more than Stephanie. The woman doesn’t say no, she doesn’t say can’t, she simply asks what can I do to help. She doesn’t have children in the school system anymore but she’s still involved, still putting the time in, still at the school to honor a teacher or student, when she could be home. She’s at the American Legion, serving breakfast, enjoying the company and social event, when she could be home. She’s at Rebuilding Together, raising funds, putting together lunches, organizing and helping, when she could be home. She's everywhere and she's active in the community.

Text messages, private messages, or phone calls get answered on a Friday night when you’re stranded out of town, when a fire destroys a home, when a family needs a hand. 

I am not a native of the peninsula, I grew up in Woolwich, but one of the reasons the decision to move here was easy is because of people like Stephanie. She epitomizes the selfless behavior required to serve the people. As a state representative she proved people come first, not an agenda, not a political party, not the latest political rage, we come first with Stephanie. Tough decisions need to be made, and she would be there making them. She has the drive, the energy, and the heart to represent us. She will be there when the phone rings, the email gets sent, or the need arises. 

District 89 needs Stephanie Hawke. 

Todd Barter 

Boothbay