Party affiliation: Democrat

Date of birth: April 1, 1939

Hometown: Rockwood

Occupation: Real estate sales agent

Education: Bachelor’s, Colby College; master’s, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Community organizations: Jackman Chamber of Commerce; Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine; Maine Snowmobile Association; Somerset County Economic Development Corp.; East-West Highway Association

Personal information (hobbies, etc.): Skiing, reading, politics, work (yes, I enjoy working!), traveling

Family status: Married; four children; seven grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: Six

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

Committee assignments: Legal and Veterans Affairs, Joint Select Committee on Research & Development, Appropriations and Financial Affairs

1. Serving in the Legislature provides an opportunity to work to improve the state and local municipalities. It is satisfying to look back at my previous service and see positive results. For example, I obtained funding for the Somerset County Economic Development Corporation in 2002. Four years later this organization has help bring in $4.1 million in private funds and $3.1 million in public funds for economic development.

2. As I campaigned door to door, the issue of the cost of health care insurance was the number one topic. Thus this has to be my highest priority. Secondly, my district needs economic development opportunities and the creation of good paying jobs. I have 13 years experience in economic development and will put that to good use.

3. I am opposed to TABOR as a method of reducing taxes. Of course, I would like to see a reduction in taxes, but this failed program being imported from Colorado is not the way to do it. A bi-partisan committee within the Legislature is the means I favor.

4. I have not experienced any concerns over current social issues as I have campaigned. I personally do not have any difficulty of the anti-discrimination legislation passed to date. While I am personally opposed to abortion for religious reasons, I don’t believe I can impose this belief of others.

5. The federal government has chosen not to act in this health care crisis, so states have had to deal with it on their own. Maine has chosen Dirigo Health. The primary fault of Dirigo is that few citizens fully understand it and the benefits it may provide. To succeed, this must be corrected.

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