EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the next in a series of articles previewing local races for the Maine Legislature. Election Day is Nov. 6.

TOPSHAM

Andrew Mason said he believes there’s too much ideology in Augusta.

Jean Wolkens said, “I believe we need to get common sense back into government.”

And that’s not the only source of agreement between two candidates running to fill an open seat in House District 60. Mason, the Democrat, and Wolkens, the Republican, sound common themes, especially on the economy, though they often diverge on solutions.

As he’s knocked on doors, Mason said there are three things he’s heard over and over: property taxes, welfare and jobs.

“That’s probably the trifecta of issues or challenges that are facing Maine to a great extent,” Mason said. The challenge going forward will be for state government to balance the budget, he said.

“When I’m at the door, I tell them, ‘I don’t have any magical solutions or bills in my pocket,’” Mason said, but that “we need more people being open-minded, making decisions based on facts and looking out for the best interests of everyone.”

In his role as a selectman, Mason said he “worked hard to get things done collaboratively,” such as finding a way to bring 24-hour EMS service to town.

“I’m willing to work across party lines,” he said.

Wolkens said the Republican-led Legislature has moved the state in the right direction, but more reform is needed.

“I believe because of my business experience and having to manage a profit-and-loss statement — I am aware that we can’t spend more money than we take in,” she said. “If Maine wants to raise more money, we don’t have to look at raising taxes on those who already live here; we need to get businesses and residents to move here and broaden the tax base that way.”

Mason has been involved in his daughter’s recreation league teams in town and said he’s knocked on 2,700 doors since May. “I believe if you want to represent the people of Topsham, you need to get out and meet the people of Topsham,” he said.

As a business manager and a working mom, Wolkens said she’s seen many sides of the issues facing Mainers.

“I’m not a lawyer and I’m not a bank owner,” she said. “I’m just a real person. I struggle just like everybody else.

“We need to streamline the process of moving a business into Maine,” she said. “It takes far too long right now. There are states where, within 48 hours you can have an approval to move a business into the state. Maine, we can take up to two years. That’s not OK.”

Mason agrees Gov. Paul LePage has put a focus on making the state businessfriendly, and that “we need to continue looking for ways to streamline government and make it easier and more responsive for the business person who wants to do business in Maine.”

There must be more focus on long-term solutions than short-term goals, he said.

Wolkens endorses the idea of oil drilling off Maine, which she suggested could reduce the energy costs she blames for preventing businesses from moving here.

“We can fix that,” Wolkens said. “We have all kinds of oil off our coast. … If we can drill far enough out where no one will see it, why not do it?”

Wolkens opines that Maine should be a “right-to-work” state, meaning workers shouldn’t have to join a union to work for a company.

On education, Mason said he speaks as a father and former teacher.

“I think there needs to be more innovation and less of a focus on testing,” he said. “There’s got to be models of educational programs that are successful in other states and other communities that allow more creativity, more innovation and less of a rigid focus on certain curriculums to get better outcomes.”

Wolkens — whose husband currently serves on the School Administrative District 75 board — said, “We need more local control,” with teachers given more flexibility and the state offering more charter schools. She has one child who went through the system and graduated recently and another child in fifth grade; both with very different educational profiles.

Mason said he would like to work to get a new high school for SAD 75, which has been high on several recent school construction priority lists but hasn’t received funding.

He said having a new high school is a good business recruitment tool in addition to the educational benefit.

dmoore@timesrecord.com