Maine House 115

Social media accounts:
Facebook

Occupation:
Retired town manager.

Education:
Bachelor of Science degree, University of Maine.

Community organizations:
American Legion member.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Gardening, woodworking.

Family status:
Married, seven children, 20 grandchildren.

Years in the Legislature:                                                                                            Two.

Committee assignments (if elected):
State and Local Government Committee.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
I have supported legislation that makes Narcan more accessible at drug stores to 18-year-olds. I also voted to provide additional funding for treatment facilities.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
I vote to support LD 1923, An Act to Improve the Child Welfare System. The bill provides additional funding for 16 caseworkers and eight assistants to enhance the services available to children.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
Proficiency-based education works for some school districts but not for others. I support leaving it optional, to be decided by each local school district.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
I support legislation adopted by the voters to provide for an additional 70,000 residents of Maine to be eligible for MaineCare.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8 percent tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
The home care program needs additional funding, but taxing only one part of society is not appropriate.

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?                                                                                      The partisan politics in Augusta was a real eye-opener for me. I choose to be civil to all legislators.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I served in the U.S. Army as a salvage diver. Most people think only the Navy would have divers.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls?                                                No.