WELLS — Long-time Selectman Robert “Bob” Foley and Rotary President Peter Leon, both of Wells, are running for House District 7, which represents parts of Wells. Rep. Kathleen Chase currently holds the seat, but is not eligible to run this year because of term limits.

”¢ Foley and his wife, Maryanne Coughlin Foley, have two grown sons. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine in Portland and has worked in the insurance industry for 38 years. He is currently employed as an agent and partner at Cole Harrison Agency in Kennebunk.

Foley has served on a variety of town boards and committees, including the board of selectmen from 1992-98, 1999-2003 and 2009 to the present, as the chairman for eight years; the charter commission; the comprehensive planning committee; and the harbor advisory committee. He is a member and former president of the Wells Rotary and a member of the Wells Chamber of Commerce. He has served on local and state committees dealing with coastal and environmental issues, including as member of the state board of environmental protection, and has been the chairman since 2012. He is also on the York Hospital Board of Trustees.

Foley said he decided to run for the Statehouse after being approached by Chase and state Sen. Ron Collins, who urged him to consider it.

“Having served as a selectman, which is a nonpartisan position,” said Foley, “I’ve learned to work on issues that best solve a problem rather than from a political perspective. I think anyone going to Augusta needs to be willing to listen to any ideas that help solve this state’s problems, no matter whose idea it is.”

Foley said his three top concerns include improving the economic climate in the state, lowering energy costs and welfare reform.

He said he believes improving technology in the state, especially access to the Internet in rural Maine, would go a long way to improving the state’s economy, providing access to jobs for rural Mainers and new markets for small businesses. He also supports the idea of creating incentive zones to encourage companies to expand or relocate to Maine.

“As a partner in a small business, I understand the issues and concerns facing many small businesses and the difficulties of growth and expansion,” said Foley.

To lower energy costs to homes and families, Foley recommends reducing the reliance on heating oil and providing access to Canadian hydro power as well as expanding access to natural gas.

On welfare reform, Foley said, “The best welfare reform is providing people with a good job and an opportunity to succeed.” He also recommends, “improving access to online education and job training skills, incentives to businesses to hire and train those who are unemployed, making sure that those who truly need assistance are getting it and those who defraud the system are punished.”

Ӣ Leon, 63, and his wife Allison are the parents of one grown son and two children who are deceased. He is a minister, teacher, counselor and property manager.

Leon has served the Wells community in a variety of ways. He is the president of the Rotary Club, a volunteer firefighter, vice president of the Branch Community League, and a member of the York County Coalition on elder care/abuse, child abuse, domestic violence and animal welfare. He also works with Meals on Wheels and is the tennis coach for Wells High School and the town’s recreation department.

Like Foley, Leon said Chase also approached him to consider running for the House District 7 seat.

“I desire to be elected and be the people’s representative who will serve the residents and taxpayers of Wells in Augusta,” said Leon. “I would like to develop a productive team that can create positive consensus between the parties to accomplish the best for the Wells taxpayers.

“If elected,” he said, “I would seek to return the government to the original intent of our founding fathers: ”˜A government of the people, by the people, for the people.’”

The issues Leon said he feels are most important in the state include: lowering taxes, financial accountability, quality employment and education, and getting money for town infrastructure.

A top priority for Leon is to “lower taxes for all Maine citizens by ensuring fiscally responsibility and by maintaining a balanced budget. This would assist both the individual taxpayer and the local business owner.”

“Financial accountability in all areas” is also important, he said. He would like to “establish periodical, thorough auditing of all designated tax dollars to avoid misdirected (funds) and misappropriation of all funds.”

Leon said he would like to provide “quality employment opportunities by bringing in high-quality businesses that offer high-paying jobs for all Maine residents.”

Also important, he said, is access to “quality education, by increasing the standard of education in academics, technology and business. This will prepare our students to receive the best possible education to enable our citizens to secure the better-paying jobs and enable them to be competitive in this ever-evolving global market.”

Leon also said he would work to secure funds through the Department of Transportation “for our town’s infrastructure of all primary and secondary roads and bridges throughout the Wells community.”

Foley and Leon will be on the June 10 Republican primary ballot.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or [email protected].