BIDDEFORD — Three candidates, none of whom have served in the Legislature before, are running in the Maine House District 12 race in the November election. Democrat Martin Grohman, Republican Perry Aberle and undeclared candidate Barbra Jean Thompson are all competing to represent Biddeford.

”¢ Aberle, 39, is single and works as a cook at Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford. He served one term on the Biddeford City Council from 1993-95. He has also served on the city’s recycling committee, the school district’s code of conduct committee, and other boards and committees.

Aberle said in an email that he is running for office because he wants to offer “real representation” to the people of Biddeford.

“Too many initiatives in the past decided by the voters have been blocked by the current delegation,” he said. “Because of this, taxes were increased, debt was increased and (there was a) loss of jobs.”

Aberle said if elected, he would work to end partisan politics in the Statehouse.

“There is so much we need, and yet the two-party system is destroying us,” he said. “The two parties only care about taking control of the house, and the state’s work doesn’t get done. We need to remove ourselves from parties to compromise to move Maine forward.”

In addition, he said, “We need to take care of our elderly and veterans better than we do.”

“I’m just like most of you,” said Aberle. “And I want to bring our message to Augusta.”

Ӣ Grohman, 46, is married with two children. He was the founder of Duralife Decking, formerly known as Correct-Deck, which was based in Biddeford, and is now the manager of a roofing company. He is the chair of the Biddeford Solid Waste Management Commission. He said he has received endorsements from the Maine League of Conservation Voters, Maine Education Association and Maine State Employees Association.

Grohman said in an email that he supports both business friendly and employee friendly policies.

“I believe Maine is a great place to start and grow a business,” he said, “and at the same time, I am an advocate for the working men and women of Maine. I am also a strong believer in apprenticeship and on-the-job programs that create career opportunities for capable people in new fields. I will champion efforts to expand and diversify the workforce through the recruitment and hiring of women and minorities.”

Regarding taxes, Grohman said, “I am especially concerned about rising property taxes.”

If elected, he said, “I will also work to reduce the costs of government and to bring property taxes under control. At the same time, providing infrastructure like roads, bridges, and broadband is important, because our state needs to provide that infrastructure to help business grow and run smoothly and with minimal delays. The revenue structure to provide this infrastructure is a must. However, selected reductions such as a reduction in business property tax, which businesses must pay on new equipment, provide an economic incentive for growth.”

Grohman said there are a number of issues for which he will advocate, such as the expansion of health care and dental care benefits, apprenticeships and on-the-job training to fill existing jobs, creating public-private partnerships and initiatives to spur economic development, revitalizing neighborhoods, and continuing to support the state’s growing downtown business districts.

”¢ Thompson, 46, is married and has six children. The Biddeford native of French heritage said in an email that she formerly worked in purchasing management “where I personally controlled a $20 million annual budget successfully.” Currently, she owns the Biddeford fitness studio Body By Barbra.

Thompson said that Forbes magazine, which has rated Maine as the worst state for business four years in a row, puts “much of the blame ”¦ on the state’s high corporate tax burden.”

“We must have a healthy and balanced corporate tax structure that promotes symbiosis between labor and business, not divisive partisanship,” she said

Another needed change, said Thompson, is bolstering “our energy grid with smart, renewable energy.

“We are investing in our education system as we should,” she said, but “unfortunately, our children grow up to learn the jobs are elsewhere. Let’s bring smart jobs to Maine, and keep our families here and increase the quality of life for all.”

Regarding revenue sharing and its relation to taxes, Thompson said, “Revenue sharing is designed to be complex. Five percent of (the) state’s monthly sales, income and corporate taxes are divided to municipalities. … If we lower the sales, income and corporate taxes by 5 percent, and raise property taxes by the same amount, the numbers do not change. It puts control in the municipalities’ hands and forces municipal governments to be healthy and balanced stewards of our tax dollars.”

Family court reform is a priority for Thompson.

“Our current system gives unchecked authority to Guardians Ad Litem. Guardians are required only 16 hours of training … The system provides no punishment for false allegations and often rewards false claims with custody and state benefits, while lawyers and guardians collect huge fees. We must protect families and limit false claims bogging down our system, which impedes authorities from catching the real abusers.”

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