Camden Select Board Candidate Don White
Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate running for the Camden Select Board, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region
1) Please provide a concise (paragraph) biography of yourself.
I grew up in southern New Hampshire. I have lived Camden for 26 years. Professionally I was in the on air broadcast industry for 20 years followed by a career in advertising sales. I retired as Sales Manager of the Maine Tourism Association and have enjoyed serving as a Camden Public Library volunteer and a member of the Camden Rotary Club. I have served 6 years as your representative on the Camden Select Board and I'm seeking my third term.
Finalizing the submission documents to secure approved funding for work approved fromthe Downtown Master Plan to include more work at the public landing. Work with the new Camden Town Manager to bring about changes to the town's planning/development department and prioritize projects needing grants and diligently apply for more grants. Complete the Maine DOT sidewalk projects and the Route 1 north project.
Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate running for the Camden Select Board, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region.
There are three seats available on the Select Board, two three-year terms currently held by Jim Heard and Don White, and one one-year seat, following the untimely passing of Select Board member Leonard Lookner, last winter.
Heard is not seeking reelection, but White is.
Both Jenna Lookner and Steve Beveridge are seeking to fill Leonard Lookner’s seat.
The candidates have responded with their individual written answers.
3) How will you protect the Camden taxpayer as you shape and govern a municipal budget, and juggle various interests that request municipal funding throughout the year?
Working with staff, as a Select Board member, I will review the town's financial statements monthly. Work with the Board members and staff to prioritize spending and seek more grants to relieve the burden on taxpayers. Also work to bring in new businesses.
4) Camden has refined and promoted itself as part of an outdoor recreational economy for several years and if so, how so?
The 77-acre Ragged Mountain Recreation Area, home to the Snow Bowl, is a revenue generator in the winter. Improvements in snowmaking equipment and paying closer attention to the budget has resulted in a profit this year. The 4 Seasons Committee, created last year, has plans to launch a Friends Group. They have also applied for grants to improve and update the hiking, biking and other recreation facilities at the site. With the harbor, Penobscot Bay, the lakes, the state park and loads of hiking biking trails, Camden continues to attract recreation enthusiasts.
5) How do you see Camden positioned in the larger regional Midcoast economy?
Camden has and always will play an important role from our 'where the mountains meet the sea', our marine trades, and downtown businesses.
6) A proposal has been made to transform the 77 acres of town-owned Sagamore Farms, on Route 1, to a park with trails alongside a business center, or some other entrepreneurial use. It has also been suggested that such a building have a green roof, and the farm becomes a model for business/park land development. What is your opinion on that idea?
The town has hired the Midcoast Regional Planning Commission to work with town officials and local businesses to create a model for Sagamore Farms. A solar farm approved by the Select Board is planned for the site. Hiking and biking trails exist. Working with our new Town Manager I will be diligent in implementing an action plan to bring a 'green' business park to the site too.
7) What municipal committee would you like to be a liaison to, and why?
The 4 Seasons Committee, the Pathways Committee, Route 1 North Committee, Sagamore Committee, Historic Resources Committee.
8) How will you protect the town-owned Ragged Mountain Recreation Area from overuse as the region becomes more attractive to biking, skiing and hiking?
An expanded 4 Seasons Committee needs as members; the Ragged Mountain Foundation, Hosmer Pond Association and an at-large member to keep development at a reasonable level.
9) How do you envision the future of solid waste processing for the four towns; i.e., recycling, waste stream reduction?
The Midcoast Solid Waste Board has been addressing this issue. Management needs to begin implementing environmental changes, a more user friendly recycling system and increasing the education program with EcoMaine.
10) Various municipalities in Maine have invested in solar farms. Should Camden?
Soon Camden will have a Solar Farm on the Sagamore property. More such projects should be investigated as well.
12) Is it important for municipalities to invest in high speed internet infrastructure (as Rockport and Rockland have explored) or should it be left to market forces?
A combination of private public initiatives should be employed to improve the internet infrastructure.
13) Camden and Rockport now share a police chief and an assessor. Are there other cost-sharing arrangements that Camden could do, with Rockport or other towns, to spread the staffing responsibilities; e.g., share a planner? Public works director?
Camden continues to explore other partnerships with neighboring communities.
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