My wife and I will be voting for Vicki Doudera on November 8 to represent District 41 (Camden and Rockport) in Augusta and this is why:

We’ve spent our professional lives working to protect public health and the environment. We are aware of the challenges facing public servants when they work to balance the range of interests in these areas. Running for her third two-year term, we believe Vicki is up to this task. During her first two terms, she has been a leader both locally and at the State level in advancing meaningful environmental initiatives that also support sustainable economic development.

We met Vicki as new Midcoast residents in the spring of 2018, and since then have frequently noticed her out and about Camden and Rockport talking with both individuals and community groups while discussing the issues that concern us most. This is what a representative should be doing in order to understand her constituents. She is a long time resident of the area and recognizes the opportunities and challenges faced by our communities.

But we have been most interested in tracking her work in Augusta to ensure a healthy environment, energy sustainability, and the health and economic well-being of Mainers. We are proud of her votes and accomplishments in these areas. As we all know, especially in Maine, economic sustainability and the environment are tightly bound together.

Vicki continues to be a tireless advocate for Maine’s environment, now serving as the Maine State Lead for the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. She has passed legislation banning harmful chemicals in our environment and decreasing the amount of plastic in beverage bottles. As a member of the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, she has worked to address the growing crisis of PFAs (“forever chemicals”) in our drinking water and soils. She appreciates that we must protect Maine’s biodiversity, including our pollinators and native species, while controlling the invasive species that threaten the health of our woods and waters and the well-being of Maine’s residents.

Also a member of the Maine Climate Council, Vicki is working hard in the Legislature to address the growing effects of climate change, including sea level rise, ocean acidity, and species loss.  She has helped our local communities with plans to make them more resilient, and passed a bill in the Legislature dealing with the important issue of equity when it comes to climate and environmental decisions.

Vicki is also a strong supporter of clean energy. In her first term in the Legislature, she served on the joint standing committee on Energy, Utilities and Technology, and helped pass important bills to jumpstart solar and offshore wind in Maine.  She has also worked to increase energy efficiency in homes and businesses and provide incentives that can move homeowners away from expensive, carbon-emitting fossil fuels.

Finally and not the least important, Vicki has worked hard to fight inflation and improve the financial well-being of Mainers in several ways. Her advocacy and votes in Augusta have supported an increase to the homestead exemption, made sure that the state pays its fair share to local governments, increased the amount of help offered from the low income energy assistance program, and given $850 in direct relief to taxpayers.  These are important accomplishments that help improve both the financial health of individuals and the overall well-being of our communities.

For the above reasons we plan to vote for Vicki Doudera. Her experience, concern for District 41 residents, and interpersonal skills are a strong combination of assets that promise success in Augusta and real progress for Camden and Rockport.

Bruce and Beth Means live in Camden