Name:

Lee Fellman

Email address

leefellman81@gmail.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

81

Occupation or primary source of income

Carpenter/soldier

Community organizations

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

I am a general outdoorsman and enjoy hunting, hiking and camping. Carpentry is a hobby, in addition to my vocation. Music is also a passion, studying drums for the past 15 years and playing in several bands.

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Taxation; Energy, Utilities and Technology; Veterans and Legal Affairs; Appropriations and Financial Affairs.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

I do not favor MaineCare expansion as it saddles Maine with future obligatory debt and does nothing to fix current MaineCare problems. Instead of focusing on current underfunded Medicaid programs, the expansion would likely only serve citizens who should be able to obtain low-cost health insurance through the marketplace.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Not much is yet known about the statewide impact of marijuana legalization. Therefore I would prefer a thorough study on the effects of marijuana legalization in Colorado and Washington states to be fully prepared before any vote on the issue.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Maine is known for its beautiful outdoors and clean environment. I will work with companies to see what they can offer the people of Maine for renewable energy sources and high-efficiency utilities. In the meantime, we must focus on reducing the cost of electricity and heating oil/propane in the state.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

I understand the necessity for a living wage for every worker in the state. That said, forcing our local businesses to lay off employees they could no longer afford will have a negative impact on our economy and increase unemployment.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

As I’ve met with hundreds of voters in Readfield,Winthrop and North Monmouth, it’s become clear that high property taxes are the number one issue facing the voters in House District 81. Other prominent issues are high energy costs, welfare reform and government spending.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

As a small business owner, construction foreman for another small business, and Army vet, my experience has taught me how to work as a part of a team with responsibility and integrity. I work until the job is done and those who I am working for are satisfied.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

Name:

Craig Hickman

Email address

craighickman@rocketmail.co

Party affiliation

Democratic

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

81

Occupation or primary source of income

Organic farmer, small business owner

Community organizations

Winthrop Area Rotary Foundation, chair; Winthrop Community Gardens, director; Winthrop Hot Meal Kitchen, secretary; Annabessacook Lake Improvement Association Board of Directors; Theater at Monmouth Board of Trustees; Western Kennebec Economic Development Alliance Board of Directors; Sons of the American Legion; Kennebec Land Trust; Readfield Historical Society; Winthrop Historical Society

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Community activist, farming, fishing, hunting, chef, poet, writer, artist, public speaker, consultant.

Family status

Married

Years in Legislature

2

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Government Oversight; Citizen Trade Policy Commission; Health and Human Services; Veterans and Legal Affairs; Judiciary.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

Yes. If you are a hard-working veteran or farmer, you should have health insurance. If MaineCare is all you can afford then it ought to be available to you. It’s the least we can do for those who have served in uniform or who have raised our food.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Yes. We do not need to be incarcerating people for possession of any herbal medicines, marijuana included.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Yes.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

Yes. Enough to raise a family on, put food on the table, pay the rent/mortgage, and save for your child(ren)’s college education.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Jobs, hunger, clean water, and property taxes.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I listen, I respond, I stand up for what I believe, I will never be for sale, and I tell the truth.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

Craig Hickman is a jack of all trades, master of many.

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