WATERBORO — Veterans issues, the drug epidemic, the labor force and more are among the issues in House District 17 – as they are on much of York County this election season. House District 17 includes Waterboro and part of Lyman.

Incumbent Republican Dwayne Prescott is challenged by Democrat Gerry R. Gibson in the Nov. 8 race. Both candidates live in Waterboro.

Both have served on municipal planning boards – Prescott in Waterboro and Gibson while living in New Hampshire.

They answered questions posed by the Journal Tribune in an effort to give voters a look at their philosophies.

Prescott, 55, served on the Insurance and Finance Committee during his first term in the Legislature. He is a sports bus driver for Cheverus High School. He is single.

Gibson, 41, is a U.S. Air Force veteran. Married, he is the father of four children. He holds degrees in workforce education and development and public administration, has a life insurance license and works for a private security firm. He said he’s worked with children and families suffering from trauma and neglect, and with families of the autism spectrum. He has been a member of the state’s Democratic platform committee.

Prescott said he believes protecting the labor force, small business and homeowners are top issues in the largely rural district.

“I have been deeply concerned with the lack of accessible mental health, disability and medical services for our veterans,” Prescott said. “I have a simple philosophy in the Legislature: If a (proposed) law will help those in Maine who get up every day and work in our communities then that law should be given serious consideration by everyone who is elected to serve. We need to help individuals and families who want to achieve the American Dream and eliminate government barriers that limit achievement.”

Gibson listed the opioid epidemic as an issue that requires attention, along with services for veterans and a job-ready workforce.

“We need to find the right mix of mental health treatment and law enforcement to address this issue,” said Gibson. “Additionally, finding the right mix of jobs and the people to fill them is always a concern in rural Maine. This starts with a well-trained, well-educated workforce. As a veteran, I am dedicated to ensuring that our military veterans and families have access to the services they need.”

They were asked if the Legislature can get work accomplished in the 128th session.

“Much of the work in the Legislature is unseen and there is cooperation and disagreement, which is done with respect,” said Prescott. “I have worked my whole life, so my loyalty lies with the people in Waterboro and Lyman who get up every day and earn a living and give their children and elderly parents a chance at a quality life, and I believe most members of the Legislature share that view, if we can be civil and intelligent and not get caught in name-calling and posturing.”

Gibson said he’s optimistic that the parties can put aside their differences.

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know several state Legislators, and have been pleasantly surprised at the ability and willingness to work across the aisle at the state level,” Gibson wrote. “Our system is designed to be slow and messy. Having the ability to have the necessary adult conversations to move forward and accomplish sensible legislation for the citizens of our district and our state is what I hope to contribute to Augusta. It will be difficult, but it can be done.”

Their thoughts on the seeming labor shortage in York County as evidenced by listed vacancies from retail to manufacturing:

“While it is true that some industries in York County have a labor shortage, this is more about finding a way to link our vocational and community colleges with employers and providing families with the resources to receive the training and education required for our modern economy,” said Prescott. “None of this is easy to do. We have seen Maine lose manufacturing jobs for decades and struggle to change our educational and vocational systems to meet the job skills available for the 21st century, from manufacturing to food services to banking to engineering to computer skills to construction to submarines and shipbuilding.”

“If we have the right kinds of good-paying jobs, I have no doubt we can fill them, and get our citizens to work,” said Gibson. “I grew up in central Maine. Madison, where I graduated high school, just lost their paper mill this year, another in a long list for Maine. Unfortunately, we may not get some of those jobs back. We do, however, have the ability to introduce more jobs. Just last session, we had the opportunity to introduce renewable energy jobs into the state. That measure was shot down by some of the very people that lament job losses in our state.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].