We are at a crossroads with our town government. Should we retain our local Camden Police Department with a full-time Chief? I say definitely yes. I do not want to cede control and future costs of our policing to the County Sheriff, who only reports to the Governor. Turning over policing to the County Sheriff we will defer budget decisions to the Sheriff and County Commissioners and let the 16 other county municipalities decide who supervises our local policing every four years.

We read what Rockport did with reining in its annual town budget. We need our Camden Select Board to corral in the yearly runaway budget increases, which easily outpace inflation and social security annual increases. These increases are not sustainable.

We should have a new, critical review of the paid parking program and keep Camden a welcoming destination. We should be pro-business. I look forward to a new Select Board that surveys the town residents before moving ahead with any new, significant programs. That makes common sense but has not been the reality in Camden.

When prudent, I expect to have a Select Board that will follow the law and honor certified citizens’ petitions. Not a Board that hides behind an attorney’s biased judgement and dismisses citizen participation in our town government. Do we want a town attorney that said, “I’m not a big believer in citizens petitions?”

I want all of these things, so I am voting for Christpher Nolan and Bobbi Oxton Blake for Select Board. Only they will have the independence and courage to ask the tough questions and the follow-through to make sure residents’ voices are heard and valued. They will hold the town manager accountable and not be a ‘rubber stamp’ for the Town Manager’s agenda. 

Steve Mischissin lives in Camden