This election season, voters in Maine House District 38, which includes Brooks, Waldo, Swanville, Jackson, Monroe, Knox, Thorndike, Unity and western Frankfort, have an exciting choice in Steve Ellis.

Steve is running for State Rep because he is deeply concerned about the effect of fossil fuels on human health, the environment and climate. He knows that we must switch to a clean economy if we are to improve our situation.

After decades of being sold the idea that we can’t have a thriving economy without fossil fuels to power it, we are left feeling the very harmful effects of carbon pollution. We are told this is the unavoidable price of “progress”.

Steve Ellis has a sensible vision. He sees that a clean economy, with good jobs and fair wages goes hand-in-hand with environmental protection. We don’t have to choose between jobs and a healthy environment. We can have both. Clean energy solutions are already here. Solar power in Maine is growing so rapidly that solar businesses are unable to fill all the available job openings. Properly designed homes can make economical use of roof-top solar and passive solar heat.

Off-shore wind power is coming to the Gulf of Maine. If the port that assembles and services them is built in Searsport at Mack Point, which is already industrialized, Sears Island and other wild and scenic areas will be protected.

In Augusta, Steve Ellis will fight for both a thriving economy and a thriving environment. He will advocate for training programs, union apprenticeships, vocational school and community college courses in clean technologies plus more funding for Efficiency Maine, which provides rebates to homeowners for installing clean energy. He is endorsed by the Maine AFL-CIO, Maine Conservation Voters and the Maine Education Association.

For all these good reasons, please join me in voting for Steve Ellis to represent House District 38.

Judy Kaiser lives in Waldo