Although Denmark, Harrison and Bridgton are each unique towns with their own specific issues, they share one priceless asset: their healthy lakes, ponds and waterways. I am proud that Bridgton’s current Selectboard has charged a volunteer task force of local property and business owners to draft a harbor master proposal to augment Harrison’s strong existing program. Our neighboring towns will benefit from a seamless and comprehensive Harbormaster program to ensure both continued environmental protections of our watershed while maintaining strong property values for our shoreland home owners.

I have learned in my years of public service that regardless of the particular issues at hand, every aspect of a thriving community is enhanced by supporting the overall well~being of our residents by continued focus on community volunteerism, public/private partnerships, mutual aid and ongoing support of our local law enforcement through collaboration and outreach. We all succeed when we support each other and create a healthy environment for all our citizens to prosper. I am proud to enjoy the respect of my fellow municipal representatives as well as our civil servants and administrators, and I pledge to bring that collaborative spirit with me to Augusta.

Providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children to thrive, while ensuring equitable allocation of our tax dollars. District 83 encompasses three distinct school systems: MSAD 72, MSAD 61 and MSAD 17, all with their own strengths and challenges. School budgets will always take the lion’s share of municipal taxes, and we need to fight for our students by providing educational opportunities that allow them to excel intellectually and develop into thriving, productive adults. I have discussed these issues with the hundreds of constituents I’ve met from all 3 towns during my door-to-door campaigning, as well as the town managers of each respective municipality and other state level legislators. I commit to doing all I can to ensure our districts maximize educational opportunities for our children and their futures while contributing an equitable amount of taxes per capita to their respective MSAD’s.

As a local small business owner and residential and commercial property owner, I have a vested interest both personally and professionally in the fiscal and environmental health of our district. I have worked on several annual Bridgton budgets and understand the importance of judicious use of our tax dollars in upgrading existing infrastructure balanced with smart and sustained growth. By investing in streetscape and wastewater infrastructure upgrades we can assure potential business owners and future residents that we are willing to invest in our towns, and allocate their hard earned tax dollars to their maximum good. I believe that Comprehensive Plans are important tools in setting building and design standards to keep us heading in a positive direction during these developments. Our efforts on easing zoning constraints with the recently passed LD 2003 has made it easier for property owners to build accessory dwelling units on their land, creating both added value to their assets and more accessible housing for residents to live closer to where they work. By incentivizing smart development we can create more affordable workforce housing for our essential service workers, educators and hospitality employees, as well as affordable senior housing for our growing number of over~55 residents.