PLACE OF RESIDENCY: Bath
PARTY AFFILIATION: Republican
PREVIOUS ELECTED EXPERIENCE: University of Maine, Orono, General Student Senate
What do you think the legislature should do to reduce energy costs in Maine?
There is only so much the government can do to effect the costs of services or products. In the marketplace, competition has always worked to reduce costs for the consumer. While competition currently exists for the delivery of power from large energy producers, alternative energy supplies should also be allowed to compete. Personally, I like deriving energy from kinetic sources such as our rivers with classic Hydro Electric generators, and new technology that looks to the rising and falling tides as well as wind driven waves. Certainly wind and solar are viable energy sources and these should be considered as well.
What can be done to help aging seniors in Bath age in place or secure safe, affordable housing?
Not all seniors need government assistance as many in Bath have managed to successfully provide for themselves through savings and investments. Many are generous and provide financial support to local charities that support the less fortunate and that should be appreciated and recognized. Other than supporting the current programs such as Section 8, we need to keep an eye on the economy. In 1935 Social Security and Disability Insurance Act was put in place in order to allow less fortunate U.S. citizens to retire with dignity. We consider these folks who rely on this benefit as being on “fixed incomes.” These folks are therefore vulnerable to cost fluctuations and inflation. Property tax increases can hurt those folks who own homes, and that is why we have to manage how property taxes are spent very carefully. Another current issue is regarding the minimum wage and the Democrat effort to increase it, forcing employers to pay their employees more even though the employer may not be able to afford it. Clearly, a small business, a grocery store for example will have to increase prices in order to offset the bigger paychecks they will have to pay brand new inexperienced baggers and cashiers. People on a fixed income can be hurt from this forced inflation of goods and services. Improving the economy is the best way to care for and continue programs that support our aging seniors.
What challenges are facing the Greater Bath area that must be addressed by the next legislature?
What the people of Bath have told me is that what was discussed in Question 2 (regarding property taxes in Bath) are a major concern. If the State of Maine manages the income they receive from taxes better, there will be no reason to raise them. The biggest difference between a Democrat and a Republican when considering fiscal responsibility it that the Democrat’s favorite solution to providing services is to increase taxes while the Republican’s solution is to do a better job managing what we get. The middle of the road is a place where the taxpayers are not overburdened and the essential services are being delivered. The voter must decide where we are currently and vote Democrat (if they feel that not enough services are being provided and citizens and businesses can afford to pay more) or Republican (if they feel that current services are sufficient and/or they need to be managed better, and that the average citizen and business in Maine cannot afford a tax increase). As Bath has had a Democrat representing the city for the past 4 years, I offer Republican representation for citizens and businesses in Augusta.
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