Party affiliation: Democrat

Date of birth:

Hometown: Bethel

Occupation: Self-employed logger; auditor, National Milk Producer’s Federation

Education: Bachelor’s in agriculture science, University of Maine at Orono; graduate work in economics, UMO

Community organizations: Former member, State of Maine Governor’s Agricultural Advisory Council; former member, Maine Dairy Program Board; former member, Maine State Farm Bureau Board of Directors; 1987-89 delegate, Milk Promotion Services, Inc.; former member and past president, Oxford County Farm Bureau; former member, SAD 44 Board of Directors

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):

Family status: Married; three children; three grandchildren

Years in the Legislature: None

Clean Election candidate?: Yes

1. I have always enjoyed helping other people. As the State Representative for District 91, I can work with others to help solve challenges of individuals and the state. My deep routes in this area combine with wide experience in business and government at all levels will assure success.

2. Employment opportunities that pay a true living wage. To do this we need to support education and provide good infrastructure. For a sustainable economy we need to promote businesses’ tie to our natural resources to ensure that they are with us for the long haul.

3. Maine needs comprehensive tax reform! In-state grown businesses and middle class working people need a more friendly tax structure. TABOR is not the answer. It is a cumbersome law to work with where the minority can thwart the wishes of the majority.

4. Mainers feel everyone should have equal treatment. The laws now in place reflect that and I agree with them. Maine’s law on abortion is well thought out and effective. There are always social issues to be addressed. I recently had a conversation with an abused woman seeking funding for rehabilitation in this area.

5. Dirigo Health is a brave innovative effort to deal with a national problem at the state level. To my knowledge it is the only effort with a multifaceted approach to deal with health care costs. To make it more effective it needs a solid funding source and more affordable options.

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