Sonja Sleeper, R-South Thomaston, is seeking to represent District 92 — Cushing, South Thomaston, St. George, Thomaston, Matinicus, Criehaven and Muscle Ridge islands — in the Maine House of Representatives. 

Born to a military family I grew up in the U.S. and abroad. I am not married and have no children, but have four nephews, three great nephews and one niece. I have college degrees in political science and fine arts. I am a lifelong learner and can be counted on to know something about and or understand any topic under discussion. My family is from Maine, one of the earliest to settle South Thomaston in 1788, so my roots go deep in this community.

I have been working locally, looking after my mother, developing an art career, well trying to, and getting involved in the community. Currently, I am a member of the budget committee for South Thomaston and I am a new member on the Planning Board. I have been politically active since about 2001, the result not of 9/11 but of the housing bubble. My candidacy is the result of a long process of getting involved and learning as I go. I earn my living as an administrator/office management professional and have extensive experience working with both private, government and public firms of all sizes.

What are the most pressing issues facing Maine today, and how would you like to see them resolved?

As I see it there are only two issues facing the people of Maine today, lack of opportunity and the high cost of living, and it affects everyone. It is harder on those individuals and families as they start out in life, those with low wage or lower incomes and the retired who manage on a fixed income. I believe addressing the high cost of living will be the best way to achieve more opportunities. It is essential that we focus on getting the costs down in local communities and the quickest way is by addressing property and excise taxes. I have a few reform ideas and have been in conversation with current members of the tax and appropriation committees. Planning ahead to be more effective when elected.

How will you protect the local (municipal) taxpayer as you help shape a state budget?

At the state level there are 151 members in the house all are representing different communities and economic interests and everyone has their hands out. A lot of the spending is mandated, or already committed i.e. obligations the state has to meet so very little of the budget is manageable. I can answer that it is my intention to pursue tax reform with goal of reducing taxes for the individuals and businesses in my district. I can promise that I believe it is my duty to represent the district as a whole making decisions for the benefit of everyone. I will promise to use my skills in debate to convince that now is the time to focus on tax reform, keep it simple and do my best to work out a solution. I cannot promise success only that I will do my best and I do have confidence in my abilities to achieve some reform and to start us on our way down a better path. I will also promise to fully understand the budget as a whole and what impact any changes would have.

What policies would you create and promote to build Maine's natural resource-based economy?

As a Republican, I believe in private enterprise and individual initiative. The majority of District 92’s economy involves boat-building, storage and repair, fishing, tourism, retirees and summer residents. The term, natural resource, is not relevant per se. The nature part of our communities seem to be overly protected, one cannot remove a tree on the shoreline without a permit so the trick is to figure out how to make a living within the strict boundaries now established and it will take compromise. The shores and lands are protected for the view mostly but other uses, quarrying, lumber, farming are there to varying degrees and heavily regulated, but essentially, with the exception of fishing and tourism there would be no economy. I believe that for the future of the communities in District 92, it is essential we begin to diversify our local economy so it is not so dependent on fishing and tourism or the summer residents and retired people. As it is now opportunities are rare, pay is low, and year-round work hard to find for many. As there is not a lot of money for investment and our working population not large for now it would be wise to avoid large scale projects and focus on ways to free up existing cash so individuals can invest in ways to earn extra money out of the garage, basement or attic. In short, we need to build up a small scale economy to coexist with the environment of our district.

What policies would you create and promote to sustain the natural resources of this state (fisheries, timber, mining)?

Question implies one has control of destiny, not so because I am not a governor, head of a department or a manager. I am a representative and speak for the people in my district. If there is something they want to promote as a whole, it would be my job to present it to the legislature. I would reserve the right to argue for some changes or reconsideration if it looks like the idea will not be well received or if compromises have to be made. I will take the initiative from those I represent and I believe they know their business best and I will do my what I can to see that their interests are well represented.

What is your position on alternative energy and public investment into it?

I am not in favor of public investment into large scale alternative energy projects, because I do not see the sense in paying for it to be developed, paying for it to be transmitted and again paying to use it. I am also surprised to learn that with all the investment to date, alternative solar only contributes one percent of the power in the state! I see so many people who cannot afford to heat their homes, pay the electric bill and one after the other businesses have been closing due to the high cost of energy. Leaving whole communities without a source of income. We need to look at other development alternatives those that would bring costs down and supplement our current resources. I would rather monies are invested on something that is of direct benefit for local communities and individuals. For alternatives maybe development less the grid and more local. I also believe when there is public investment into private projects i.e. utilities and businesses, the taxpayer should be getting rebates or dividends for those monies invested. I also do not buy the argument that it won’t happen without it because someone says so-for me it just means we have to work a little harder on other solutions.

What is your position on the five citizen initiatives that are before voters Nov. 8?

There are six questions on the ballot, which being a $100 million transportation bond request. I have read and researched all of these and urge all voters in my district to do the same. As this a ballot issue I exercise my right of privacy and my vote is my own business.

 What issues are emerging from your conversations with the public as you go about your campaign, and what solutions do you envision?

Door to door discussion is not in depth, however, my impressions are that a lot of people are tired, fed up and do not believe there will be any difference from their vote, while others are passionate about one cause or another, and for some it is a vote for the party. As to issues, again not a lot comes up, but mention taxes, lack of opportunity and the cost of living, you hear from everyone that everything costs too much. When I decided to run again, I had a better understanding of the district and have built my campaign around the issue of opportunity, taxes and local development because it is the only and best thing can be done for the community. National is in D.C., the state is in Augusta, we are a tiny piece of that puzzle, here we have better control of our affairs to have the community we want.

A recent Maine Dept. of Labor report indicates the work force will get even older, and more jobs will require post-secondary education. How will you work to build a knowledge-based economy when so many of Maine high school graduates do not seek higher education?

I keep hearing this on the news and from other organizations and I have to say it is never explained what a knowledge based economy is, what post-secondary education is needed, and no mention of what those jobs will be. Well to answer this question, I did a little searching, and now understand that it is not really understood by those who promote it, either. This is best understood as a way to describe an economy in flux, and we have to spend money to be prepared for something.

Promoters also say that a high school diploma is no longer useful. Personally, I would add the liberal arts baccalaureate to that list, too. Based on this information, I would not recommend spending on a concept for an unknown future and would instead recommend responding to what opportunities are currently available to young adults, those making career changes or returning to the job market.

We should also examine what possible existing employers could be attracted to this area and what skills would be needed for that employer or trade. We as a community would need to decide that course. I would further argue it is a good time to example the structure of our education system and ask if there isn’t a better way because we will have to address the now huge cost of our current system and the potential increased costs in the face of continued declines in revenues.

Is Maine doing enough to accommodate the successful assimilation of immigrants?

What kinds of immigrants? Refugees, professionals, laborers, craftsmen, artists, adolescents, orphans? Hard to answer this one, too many variables. It is also unknown what the readers expectations are. To keep it simple, my basic position would be that for most who immigrate here, they should have a way to earn a living, speak the language or be able to communicate at a basic level and have the resources to start a new life here. Those sponsored by organizations or individuals should receive support from those organizations until they are “settled in and working.” Assimilation is a matter for the immigrant, they need to be sure they speak the language and understand the laws and the customs of their new home and doing their best to adjust.

What is the best legislative activity that has occurred in Augusta over the last six years? This does not have to mean legislative action, but can include collaboration, research, etc.

I do not think there has been any best activity, if you wish to discuss activity with the most impact it would be the passage of Municipal Revenue Sharing, Shore Land Zoning and the Current Use Taxation System although this was all passed in 1972, revisions have been made throughout the years and all activity and budget discussions, revenues center around the “system” that was set up by this legislation. This system needs to be reformed, some say do what it was intended, after all it was formed to provide property tax relief.

How would you define "good state government?"

First we need to define what is the responsibility of the state and what the responsibility of the municipality is. It is roughly defined, with in boundaries is local and that which crosses boundaries is the county/state. I believe local municipalities should have more control of monies generated and the state having monies it needs to operate the shared responsibilities, traditionally roads, borders, trade and commerce. Can add the extras such as centralized control of federal program monies, or statewide initiatives, prisons, courts and law enforcement. Locally traditionally that would be jails, sheriff, police, county/town roads, commerce and trade, local/county schools. I choose more emphasis on local because government better serves the public at a local level rather than a state level.

Is there any other topic or issue you'd like to talk about here? Have at it!

I have been running as an anti-candidate, trying to redefine how a run for office is done. I also wish to explore how best to reach the community. Most people are fed up, feeling it is the same thing over and over again, they hate getting mailers, calls and hate the signs that are everywhere. I even took the summer off, seeing how people were fed up due to the presidential race, also too early to be thinking fall elections.

I started again after Labor Day and have just been going door to door with the exception of a few events. I will not send any mailers except for my push cards when unable to locate an address or they have the no trespassing sign at the drive. I will have a robocall to remind people to vote on November 8 and if there is a debate with my opponent, or an interview or a place to promote my campaign, I will but that is the extent of my campaign. I am leaving it to the voter to take the initiative. I have even taken some time to pursue my own interests, photography and history, also to study up on the legislative process, and learn more about the communities here.

My goal is not to have a career in politics but to see if anything what can be done, this is me seeking answers to my own questions and doing my bit for my home. All I know is that we need to put our hands back in our pockets, look at new ways to conduct business, change the arguments and learn how to work more for the communities we represent regardless of the party or causes pushing past the rhetoric to focus on what is needed. To change things, one has to just start and keep at it. If possible in the course of things I would also like to see what can be done regarding elder care, help people understand how things work in the legislature, and reform the property tax system.