My name is Josh Gerritsen and I want to serve you on the Lincolnville Board of Selectmen. I grew up in Midcoast Maine and left to pursue a career elsewhere, like most young people do. After a decade away, I realized Lincolnville was where I wanted to settle down. I came back and started a farm called Donkey Universe Farm.

I became active in the political process quickly, becoming a member of county and state committees. I currently serve on the Lakes and Ponds Committee in Lincolnville and have been proud of the work we have accomplished together.

I want to serve the people of Lincolnville on the Board of Selectmen. I will bring a new voice to the board and share a fresh perspective that is sorely needed. Back in June, I stood up at the Lincolnville town meeting and advocated for our town to send our solid waste to MRC/Fiberight instead of ecomaine. I defended this position in the face of overwhelming opposition. I am never afraid to stand up for what's right, even if that makes me unpopular. I knew this was a better choice for Lincolnville, saving us and the other three towns over $80,000 a year in trucking fees alone, not to mention the substantially smaller carbon footprint. That issue is coming to an end and I will vigorously work with whomever our four towns choose so that it serves Lincolnville the best.

The future of solid waste is only one of many issues that I care about in our community. As a member of the Lakes and Ponds Committee, I am dedicated to preserving the water resources in our town. We need to ensure that our lakes and ponds stay healthy for years to come while ensuring public access for our community to enjoy them.
I also care deeply about expanding renewable energy in Lincolnville. The Energy Committee is looking at the possibility of installing solar panels at the Fire Station. These would power a substantial portion of our municipal energy needs, and I strongly support this initiative. Over time, the savings to our community would be substantial.

The future of our harbor is another issue I care about. I attended the stakeholders meeting at the beach and LIA building on Sept. 1 and learned a great deal from all sides about what's at stake. It's crucial that we balance the needs of our local fishermen and public access to the pier, meeting the needs of everyone while ensuring we all pay our fair share. These are just a few examples of the critical issues I would focus on if elected.

In short, I want to be your selectman to serve you and the community we all love. I will work my heart out for Lincolnville, listening to all sides carefully and making decisions thoughtfully with the good of our town in mind. I would love to hear from you and your concerns about the future of Lincolnville. Please reach out to me at josh.gerritsen@gmail.com anytime.