BROWNFIELD – Marlee Turner has announced her candidacy for state representative in House District 97.

The district includes the western Oxford County towns of Fryeburg, Brownfield, Hiram and Porter, plus Parsonsfield in York County.

“Jobs and affordable health care are my key issues,” she said.

Turner, a small-business owner since 1980, said Maine must help get the economy back on track and work to develop and keep good-paying jobs. Maine’s tax structure is outdated in today’s world and needs an overhaul by legislators, she said.

“We must more fairly rework taxes, without bankrupting local schools and town government,” said Turner, an elected member of the Brownfield Budget Committee. She has operated Northern Pines Health Retreat for 21 years.

Too many Mainers still cannot afford adequate health care, she said. Turner said she supports measures such as the bipartisan Dirigo Health plan, due to begin this summer.

“Our beautiful environment, which draws needed tourist dollars, must be protected from poisons in air, water and land,” she said.

A former elementary school teacher, Turner applauded Maine’s excellent local schools. She supports the promised federal and state education funds, including money for special education needs. “We must find more ways to encourage our young people to expand their skills in higher education,” she said.

“Having visited over 3,000 homes in my 2002 run for state representative, where I received 42 percent of the vote, I know some of the pain and needs of our people,” she said. “I am committed to work hard to help our people get what they need.”