Occupation: Student, Stonecoast MFA Program for Creative Writing at the University of Southern Maine. Previously, 20 years working with individuals with behavior problems, with experience working with government agencies and government-funded organizations.

Education: Bachelor of Science, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Master of Science, Behavior Analysis, University of North Texas

Political History (Board, Committees, other): Selectboard, Vice Chair - 2021-2023 term, including Selectboard Liaison to Airport, Broadband, Budget, and Finance Committees. Maine Municipal Association Legislative Policy Committee 2022-present. Lincoln County Budget Advisory Committee 2022-present. Community Resilience Partnership Climate Action Team 2023-present.

Considering the office you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues (350 words or less): The theme for Wiscasset’s present moment could be Growth and Professionalization. As the state’s northward population growth reaches us, fresh energy and new opportunities come with it, and my time on the Selectboard has been spent, it seems, doing a lot of Spring cleanup. Last year, we scheduled $1.3 million in long-neglected repairs. This year, we’ll do another $2 million on our 10-year, $10 million capital improvement plan. Last year we replaced an old ambulance and two police cruisers. This year, we’ll replace two fire trucks that could qualify as antique automobiles with one new truck (Art. 55) that can do the job of both. We’re also asking voters to approve some much needed road repair (Art. 49), and we’ve raised salaries for town employees, making them more competitive in our region, especially for EMS. Through judicious use of our assets, we’ve been accomplishing these goals while lowering the town’s property tax rate for the first time in years. Work is underway to turn the old elementary school into a new assisted living center. Article 27 on our town warrant asks voters to approve funds for Planning and Economic Services to pursue more of these opportunities. Article 51 asks voters to approve a grant match to help Wiscasset compete for a town-wide fiber optic network. This is critical infrastructure (commercially owned, worth around $5-7 million) for work, education, healthcare (access to services and preventive care via telehealth, decreasing dependence on EMS, etc.) and new forms of commerce. Articles 63, 64, and 65 will approve medical and adult-use cannabis sales, as the State works on legislation to share valuable tax benefits with towns hosting cannabis cultivation and retail. Our participation in the State’s Community Resilience Partnership will help improve our waterfront through federal climate adaptation initiatives, plus we are pursuing enhancements to our piers to attract businesses, boaters, shoppers and diners. As with all Maine towns, we are stretching a tight budget through challenging times. I am committed to keeping that going while working to lower taxes further, which takes innovation and discipline, both of which Wiscasset people have in abundance.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? (150 words or less): When I began this job, I said the seat I had been elected to was the property of the people of Wiscasset. As such, I made a commitment to represent the entire multifaceted population of our town. This is not always simple, especially as that representation is often expressed in a single vote. It has meant studying matters thoroughly, consulting all available information and data, and listening to everyone who has something to share with sensitivity and interest. My focus has been on encouraging discipline in our budget process to lower taxes, while supporting economic growth and a high quality of life in a community that values its nature, art, education, history, industry, and its people. It is an honor to do this job.