Updegraph announces Brunswick council candidacy

I am running for Brunswick Town Council at large because I want to be an active participant in Brunswick’s future and because local office makes a great impact on day-to-day issues. Several years ago, I started listening to people in Brunswick express their concerns and thoughts about the town’s future. After 17 years here, I want to help lead the community and find solutions to local problems.

Property taxes are of great interest to many of us. I plan to support local business and encourage new businesses to locate here in an effort to broaden the tax base and provide property tax relief to residents. New businesses bring new jobs which stimulate local buying and investment. I support tax credit programs for seniors and those on fixed incomes.

Equally important is maintaining our quality of place by balancing thoughtful development with protection of our green and natural landscapes.

As a current member of the Planning Board and former trustee of the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA), and former member of the Village Review Board and Zoning Board of Appeals, I have a broad view of the challenges to development in town. I hope to meet these challenges by gathering ideas from a wide range of citizens and assisting the growth of collaborations to reduce costs and improve productivity.

My husband, Charlie, and I have three sons and one granddaughter. We are sad that none of them live in Maine. I am an avid reader — at least 1 book per week as well as magazines and on-line articles — and love creating and re-creating interesting gardens. Traveling is a real passion.

I ask for your support and welcome conversations about your areas of concern and interest. I can be reached at [email protected]. It’s time to stand up and speak out.

Sande Updegraph,

Brunswick

Vote Tepler

As a Maine-based healthcare advocate, I urge Topsham voters to re-elect Rep. Denise Tepler. Now, more than ever, we Mainers appreciate the value of broad access to evidence-based, high-quality healthcare. We decisively approved Medicaid expansion by referendum last November; Topsham voted in favor of expansion by an incredible 64-36 percent margin.

Despite such strong citizen preference, the LePage Administration has obstructed implementation of the law at every turn. Fortunately, Rep. Tepler has employed her voice, her legislative vote, and her understanding of healthcare issues to carry out the will of the people.

Denise Tepler works diligently to expand health access for Mainers. She has teamed with Maine Providers Standing Up for Healthcare (standupme.org), a nonpartisan group of hundreds of frontline healthcare providers advocating for improved access for all the people of Maine. Earlier this year, I saw and appreciated how she brought health policy expertise to a Medicaid expansion forum hosted by the group in Brunswick.

A Suffolk University Poll of likely midterm Maine voters during the first week of August found healthcare at the top of the list of important issues. Perhaps this reflects an improved understanding that a more comprehensive health system is not only a step towards justice, but also a meaningful investment in our economic and civic future. Making it a reality is one of our greatest challenges, so we are fortunate to have Denise Tepler among those leading the effort.

Sam Zager,

Portland