Address: 417 Montsweag Rd., Woolwich​

Occupation: retired history teacher at University of Maine at Farmington, current state legislator

Education: High School, B.A., Ph.D

Political History (Board, Committees, other): Currently: Woolwich selectboard since 2012, Communications Committee, Special Events Committee, Climate Resilience Committee. Prior: Planning Board, Comprehensive Plan Committee

Clubs/Organizations: Currently: Bath Area YMCA Board, Bath Farmers Market SNAP volunteer, Local Emergency Planning Committee for Sagadahoc County. Prior: Patten Free Library Trustee, Woolwich Historical Society Board (still active volunteer), Maine’s First Ship Board (still active volunteer).

Considering the office you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues (350 words or less): 

Property tax relief is high on my list. While the municipal budget is not the largest part of the tax bill, it’s often the place where residents experience the impact most directly. I want residents of all ages to be able to live here. I’m proud of the tax relief ordinance we created for Woolwich seniors, and more recently, a tax club to help residents pay their tax bill on a monthly basis. We need to stay focused on budgets that reflect priorities and values, balanced against impact on Woolwich taxpayers.  While we do not control the school or county budgets, our job is to remind the school board and county commissioners of the impact of their budgets on our residents.

Access to services of all kinds is also important. I’m worried about higher costs as we head into the heating season. The Town can’t solve everyone’s challenges but we can point to services that are available in our wider community. I’m also proud of my role in creating a Town heating assistance fund, funded by donors rather than with tax dollars. The generosity of our community inspires me every day. We’re also exploring access to a local wood bank for those who heat with wood. Finally, the Town is partnering with a local church and the school to provide for families who might need a little extra this holiday season.

Transparent oversight is key to good local government. Not everyone is going to agree with you but you need to bring issues to the table for full and open discussion. 95% of what we do on the selectboard is done in public and I’m proud of that. I respect the people I work with and the people I serve. Final decisions are made at Town Meetings, which I love. As a retired teacher, I feel my job is also to talk a lot with residents about public finance, local governance, and the relationship between local and state government. Our community is all the better the more we share that information. 

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? (150 words or less):

First, I bring experience to the selectboard. I helped develop 15 municipal budgets, three years with a flat mill rate, and one year of a decrease. I also helped create two new town committees to increase communication and resources. I enjoy tackling new projects, such as the George Wright Road/Back River Marsh project. That’s been multi-faceted and multi-year, and I’d like to see it through to the end.

Second, I’m accessible. Being part of the community is important to me, and in addition to the selectboard, I’m an active volunteer in many community organizations, and a regular participant in the Town’s Veterans Day, Woolwich Day and Tree Lighting events. People know how and where to find me.

Finally, I love Woolwich and I love municipal government, and have been and will continue to be an active advocate for towns at the state level.