Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate running for the Camden Select Board, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region.

1)  Please provide a concise (paragraph) biography of yourself.

I grew up in Delaware and moved to Maine after graduating from the University of Delaware in the mid-1990s with a B.A. in history. I lived in Bangor for four years, during which time I worked as an Ed. Tech. at an elementary school in Enfield, and completed my master of arts in teaching degree at the University of Maine in 1998.

I was then hired as a teacher in the Camden-Rockport school system, and moved to the area in the fall of 1998. During the spring of 1999, I moved to Rockport, and except for a brief stint living in Camden while my house on Forest Glen Dr., in Rockport was being built, have been a Rockport resident ever since. During my career as a teacher, I have earned a second Master's Degree in European History form the University of Maine, National Board Teacher Certification, and various other post-graduate endorsements in the field of Education. I am also a semi-professional musician, currently working with the new Funk/R&B soul band called "The Right Track." I have been married for 23 years, have three children, and am committed to preserving the family-friendly lifestyle that Rockport has always maintained.

2)   What are the 3 most pressing issues facing Rockport today, and how would you like to see them resolved?

Our primary issue is relationships. It is essential that we cultivate a neighborly spirit in Rockport, ensuring that residents of all areas of the town and all walks of life are invested in the life of the town. Our goals as a town should flow from a collective spirit of nurturing these relationships.

Second, we must preserve and enhance our critical infrastructure. Rockport is a town with a special charm-- this is why people choose to live and visit here, and why businesses locate here. There are a number of pressing infrastructure needs in Rockport --from rebuilding the crumbing seawall under Pascal Avenue to re-roofing the Harbormaster's building-- that require our attention. We need a long-range plan that prioritizes critical maintenance and sensible upgrades of our existing infrastructure. Failure to address these needs would not only diminish the aesthetic quality of Rockport-- in many cases it will create public safety risks. 

Third, we need an active and constructive visioning process for careful development of new projects. The process needs to invite the participation and value the perspectives of various stakeholders in the town. It must be effectively and carefully communicated. Above all, it must be forward-thinking. It must strike the right balance between business and residential life. And it must be ongoing work-- not an end unto itself. This is a healthy and necessary function of any Select Board.

3)  How will you protect the Rockport taxpayer as you shape and govern a municipal budget, and juggle various interests that request municipal funding throughout the year?

Taxpayers are protected when government has a careful plan that addresses long-range needs in a cost-effective way. I will protect the Rockport taxpayer by working hard to establish a vision for the town that grows the local economy in a sustainable and meaningful way, and which attracts the right kind of jobs to the town. I believe that it is important that Rockport maintain an infrastructure and a lifestyle that will encourage dynamic professionals to establish themselves here both as business owners and residents. 

4) Does Rockport need a new town library, and if so, where should it be built?

Obviously this has been one of the most difficult issues facing Rockport in quite some time. I have a great deal to learn about this issue before making a final decision about it. In past referenda, as a Rockport resident I have voted in favor of moving the Rockport library to the RES location. To put it plainly, if we are going to spend a great deal of money on a new library, I feel that the RES location will allow us to build a facility that meets more of the town's overall needs. This is all part of protecting the taxpayers. With that said, I am aware that there is a great deal about this situation that, at present, I don't know. I will certainly commit myself to learning all the facts and hearing all perspectives.

5) Should Rockport invest in a municipally-owned fiber network so that all residents have access to high-speed internet?

I believe this is a very wise step for the town. To be sure, it would require an investment of tax money. However, this is money that will come back to the town because it will facilitate business. More than this, it will facilitate the kinds of business that will be a complement Rockport's lifestyle. It will encourage innovative, hardworking people, especially young people who would like to remain in Maine but often struggle to find a way to work here. I believe that a municipally-owned fiber network should continue to be a priority in our visioning process.