As former chairman of the Community and Economic Development Committee, I am writing to testify to John Cleveland’s essential role in economic development in Poland.

From the beginning, he has been a leader in Poland’s development successes. Without his leadership, skills and knowledge, Poland would not have acquired more then $5.2 million to construct water and sewerage lines, while saving the town more than $1.2 million in costs and securing $135,000 in grants.

He was responsible for developing the plan, securing the funding and implementing the construction of the water and sewerage lines.

These improvements have set the stage for new businesses and job creation in addition to the new bank, local natural foods store, and farmers’ market that he brought to Poland.

That is the kind of real job creation experience that is needed in Augusta.

That is why I will voting for John Cleveland for the state Senate.

Chuck Finger, Poland