The Town of Rockport will be holding a Special Municipal Election Tuesday, August 30, to fill an unexpired term for the Select Board. The vacancy was held by John Strand, who has resigned. The term will expire on the June election of 2024. The polls will be open at the Town Office from noon to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots are available August 1. The last date to get an absentee ballot will be at the close of the business day on Thursday, August 25. All absentee ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on election day, August 30.

In advance of the election, Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Dana Jackson discusses his position on various topics.

1)  Please provide a short biography of yourself and explain why you decided to seek a seat on the Select Board.

I grew up in Belfast and have lived in Rockport for the past 15 years. My wife, Sierra, and I have a son, Jude, who is nine. We enjoy the outdoors, sports, gardening and spending time on Islesboro in the summer months.

I enjoy coaching my son’s teams and also serve on the Five Town Little League Board of Directors.

I was also a member of the Rockport Fire Department for six years before resigning due to family medical issues. Serving on the Select Board would be a great honor and I decided to run so that I could serve all the citizens of Rockport.

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

Jobs, Housing, Infrastructure. These three go hand in hand and will keep our young people from moving away for opportunities.

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?

I believe that we should do all that we can as town officials to ease the tax burdens on our citizens, through new business ventures and being fiscally responsible.

4) Housing is at a premium for most middle class working families, and like most other places in the country, Rockport has few homes or land parcels left for families who want to put down roots in town. What should Rockport do to encourage alleviate housing pressures? Adjust zoning to encourage housing density? Allow accessory dwellings on residential lots? Encourage affordable housing? 

5) A housing project with 18 units, and 28 bedrooms, is under review by the Rockport Planning Board for former physicians offices on Route 1. Across the highway and closer to Hoboken, a gymnastics facility is also under review for construction. Housing developments have been sited over the past decade further down Route 1, and there will certainly be more. This means more pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The Camden-Rockport Pathways Committee and the 2004 Rockport Comp Plan both urge the town to place more importance on pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure for the sake of public safety and public health. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Housing and rental costs are sitting at some of the highest rates in decades and I feel that the town should explore housing opportunities that help young families, single income and low wage earners.

6) Should the sewer system be expanded along Route 90 to West Rockport?

I am in favor of sewer expansion to better serve the citizens of Rockport and would be open to exploring other areas as well.

7) How do you see Rockport positioned in the larger regional Midcoast economy?

8) What is your opinion of the NewHeight idea that presents 84 housing units on the RES parcel?

I am on the fence on this issue. I feel that this should be brought before all citizens to vote on. One aspect of the RES site that I would like to see happen is the ball field staying in place and improved upon, and maybe adding a playground with adaptive features for children with disabilities.

9) What are your thoughts on the current impasse with Camden concerning wastewater disposal? And what is your assessment of the idea of building Rockport’s own facility, as opposed to sending wastewater to Camden and Rockland?

I am interested in building our own facility so we do not have to depend on other towns. I would have to have the costs analysis to make a better decision that would benefit Rockport for the long term.

9) There is a longtime perception that Rockport Village receives more financial investment and attention from the town than the other areas of Rockport — Glen Cove, Rockville, West Rockport and Simonton Corner. Do you find that to be the case? If so, how should the town address the imbalance? 

As a citizen that lives in West Rockport, I too have shared this concern and that is one of the reasons I decided to run. I bring a blue collar/ working class voice to the board.

10) Should the town build a parking lot at the head of the harbor near the Goose River Bridge, as currently proposed?

Parking is a major issue (as it is in most towns) I am in favor of building a lot and ultimately would like to see it as a ballot item to let citizens vote on this.

11) Would you like to see the Goose River bridge overhauled or rebuilt, and Pascal Ave. reconfigured?

I am in favor of restoring/repairing the Goose River bridge but not reconfiguring Pascal Ave.

12) Where is your favorite place in Rockport?

I enjoy the Beech Hill trails!

13) Free space! Please add additional thoughts as you see fit.