Party affiliation: Republican

Date of birth: February 27, 1948

Hometown: Poland

Occupation: Legislator

Education: Attended Franklin School of Science and Arts; attended County College of Morris, Randolph N.J.; attended ASU Tempe, Arizona; County School of Cosmotology, licensed hair dresser

Community organizations: Grand Benevolent and Protective Order of the Lewiston Elks; Duo membership of Pinecone and Dwinal Chapter of Eastern Star; Excelsior Poland Grange and the State Grange Pomona Chapter; member, Ambassador of Peace of the International/ Interreligious Federation for World Peace; member, Ambassador of Peace of the International Women’s Federation for World Peace; American LeadershipConference; American Legislative Exchange Council; National Conference on State Legislators; Maine Women’s Network, Androscoggin Chapter; study commissions on needs of children with mental health and behaviorally challenged, autism and behavioral disorders, and the needs for the unorganized territories.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Traveling, reading, pet owner, hiking and spending time with family.

Family status: Married; three step-children; eight step-grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: Eight years in the House; two in the Senate

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

Committee assignments: Health and Human Services Committee, Criminal Justice Committee, Insurance and Financial Services, Labor, Natural Resources

1. I think right now as Maine faces some very challenging times, from high health insurance premiums to high property taxes and a sputtering economy, that it is very important to have someone in Augusta who is going to continue to fight for these issues as I will.

2. I think right now that the soaring property tax increases are our biggest problem in Maine and it will continue to be my No. 1 priority to address this. Mainers shouldn’t be forced to move out of their homes because of taxes.

3. I think one of the best aspects of the referendum is that it really increases local control of tax increases and makes sure that we citizens have our say before any tax increase becomes law. I personally support this citizen referendum because it put power back into the voters hands.

4. While personally I am conservative, most of these issues are dealt with on a national level and state legislatures rarely has much influence on them. I think our time is better spent in Augusta addressing problems like the states out of control spending of our tax dollars.

5. While it was a noble goal, Dirigo Health has failed to meet any of the promises it made at it’s conception. We now have more people uninsured than before Dirigo Health began. We should focus on real solutions that make health insurance more affordable like allowing Mainers to buy inexpensive health insurance from other states.

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