A retired Greely High School teacher and running coach seeks public office for the first time, opposing a veteran town councilor in the Nov. 4 municipal elections.
In the only contested Town Council race, Bill Rixon challenges Rich DeGrandpre for an at-large seat. DeGrandpre has been on the council for 11 years.
District 3 Councilor Kristina Egan, the council vice chairwoman, and District 2 Councilor Sarah Tracy both are running unopposed.
DeGrandpre and Rixon answered questions regarding their candidacy for Tri-Town Weekly.
Rich DeGrandpre
Age: 62
Address: Timber Ridge Road
Occupation: Small business owner
Political experience: Town Council, 11 years; various town committees, including the Withdrawal Committee
Q: Do you believe that Freeport should withdraw from Regional School Unit 5?
A: The exercise we just completed was to determine whether we’re going to pay a lot more, a little more or about the same. What I’ve learned is the cost is about the same. On the Freeport High School bond issue, Freeport participated in the bond, but building committees in the past, made up of residents, made decisions and recommendations, and I think I’d be more comfortable with a single town committee making those decisions. With the RSU, there were high hopes that it would bring three communities together, and from what is appears, it brought three communities at odds with each other. We were far better off collaborating. I’m not troubled by a Freeport-alone school system. What it requires is a really good board of directors.
Q: What are the top two issues facing the town?
A: 1. Making these decisions about how we’re going to educate our kids is a very important one. It’s not just the governance issue, it’s a bond issue. Having a fourth body making decisions about how we use our buildings is odd. Meeting space always used to be available. It just seems it’s a different culture. It’s something I’ve heard from quite a few folks. Regardless of the decision we make, there’s a ton of work to do.
2. Town infrastructure. We have an Active Living Plan in place, but the town always has been concerned about safe roadways. As we have more severe weather, making sure that our stormwater system is up to the task. We have 50-year rain events every five years now. Also, public safety and how services are delivered.
Q: Do you believe the town should place a ban on the use of plastic bags for customers in businesses?
A: We don’t even have this in front of us with the Town Council. Almost everybody I know uses them more than once. I don’t know about this assumption that they’re single-use. My concern is what they’re going to be changing to. Paper is renewable, but I don’t think there has been enough done to have a strong opinion one way or the other.
Bill Rixon
Age: 68
Address: 66 Varney Road
Occupation: Retired high school physics and earth science teacher
Political experience: None
Q: Do you believe that Freeport should withdraw from RSU 5?
A: As a
retired high school physics and earth science teacher I am certainly a supporter of the highest quality education in our schools that a fiscally responsible budget will allow. There have been many compelling arguments made for and against withdrawal that I have heard or read recently. I will be listening with an open mind in the next several weeks as the discussion continues. My decision on the issue will be based on what I learn to be the better path to the highest quality education for our students that we as a community can afford.
Q: What are the top two issues facing the town?
A: 1. Whether or not Freeport withdraws from RSU 5, it is critical for the Town Council and the school board to communicate clearly and cooperate closely as the process continues.
2. Freeport is a beautiful town full of natural areas and rural neighborhoods. We need to ensure that that as Freeport continues to attract businesses and tourists, we protect our rural heritage, our farms and fields and shorelines, and our neighborhoods.
Q: Do you believe the town should place a ban on the use of plastic bags for customers in businesses?
A: I have great admiration for the students who have put forth this proposal. Their civic involvement and stewardship for the environment serves as an example to us all and is to be commended. I have heard that many in the business community could support the proposal. I would like to hear more from both sides of the issue on possible compromises short of an outright ban. I will be particularly interested in the results of the town survey on the issue that will be conducted at the polls on Nov. 4. We need to learn more about how the community feels on this.
A CLOSER LOOK
Polls at Freeport High School will be open Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot from the Freeport Town Office is Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m. For more information, call 865-4743, ext. 123.
Rich DeGrandpre
Bill Rixon
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