Patrick McCafferty: ‘When I see a problem I want to fix it’
My name is Patrick McCafferty. I am running for the school board in Camden on June 12.
I grew up in Camden and consider myself downright lucky to have done so. I went to school in School Administrative District 28 from my first day of kindergarten to my high school graduation in the year 2000. I have the fondest memories in the world of all of these buildings and more importantly of the teachers and administrators who helped make me the man I am today, and it is them in particular I would like to have the opportunity to serve.
I also have three sons who are in the school system and I have a deeply vested interest in their education and their future.
After high school I went to UMaine in Orono and studied finance. During and after college I worked for 14 years here locally with MBNA America where I had the privilege of working for Mr. Charles Cawley and all of the talented people at MBNA. During my time there I became proficient in banking regulations and modern administration.
While I worked at the bank I also started a project in diplomacy and lead a team of multinational strategists from around the world to leverage innovations in communications and multimedia to improve and modernize U.S youth cultural exchange programs.
In 2013 I was invited to share my ideas with world leaders at the World Justice Forum in the Netherlands.
I left banking to be able to work outdoors and to spend more time closer to home. I now own a masonry company here in Camden and with a great team of guys we fix chimneys, build fireplaces, repair foundations, and even have the honor of working on some of our local institutions. We hope to soon establish mentorship programs for youth to work with their hands.
Sometimes while I work I get to see my friends and even my family roaming around the town with the ocean in the background, Mt. Battie in the foreground, and the greatest community you could ask for all around and I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.
I don’t see myself as liberal or conservative. I see myself as pragmatic. When I see something that works I want to do the same thing and improve upon it if I can. When I see a problem I want to fix it.
I don’t approach the School Board as a reformer or a hard charger. I approach the position with modesty and with the commitment to learn as much as I can about the community’s vision for the school district and about the teachers who do the most important job in the world. I want to do my part to take any unnecessary burden from them. I will also strive to be a responsible decision maker.
I also have a brilliant wife and I think a lot of people would vote for me just because they believe that she would influence me. I would encourage you to vote for her instead of me if she were running but she is a bit busy at the moment with the three boys so I am going to take this one for the team.
Thank you all for your consideration and thank you to everyone in the school district who had such a big impact on my life.
There were times you literally carried me on your shoulders and I am forever grateful for you all!
