Elections 2020 results: An election cycle like no other in recent history

Might this be the time to recognize how we are all in this together? A philosophy of figuring it out for yourselves comes with dismissal of caring for those facing deep needs. The collective “we” of the past have not been planning systems that distribute assistance equitably.   Relying on private philanthropy does not cover needs predictably. Even local, small, humane, caring volunteer programs can collapse under the stinginess of big government. In addition to our history of unbalanced…

Four years of endless outrageous wickedness by the current president has set my 100-year-old mind into a plunge. I have lived through 25 presidential elections, and this time disbelief has nearly won. I have been sustained, barely, by the unbelievably courageous witnesses at the impeachment trial and the amazing load of people hoping to catch a chance at the presidency.

When I reflect on the kinds of citizens out there that they offer to represent if elected, I am astonished.

I…

BELFAST — A video featuring the Belfast City Clerk addresses a number of concerns and questions regarding absentee voting and the upcoming Nov. 3 election, in general. 

The video, titled 2020 Belfast Voter Information, is featured on Belfast Community Media’s Vimeo page and also on the…

ROCKLAND — The November 3 election ballot for Rockland residents will include a question regarding a possible minimum wage increase for businesses with 25 or more employees. Pending voter approval, wages could eventually rise to a starting point of $15 per hour by January 2024. 

The gradual increase of $1 per year ($13 by 2022, $14 by 2023) is designed to provide residents with a living wage as well as a boost over surrounding towns. However, retailers opposing the proposal are…

Molly Luce is running a political campaign that is a breath of sunshine and hope.  Every time I see one of her many cheerful bright yellow campaign signs I smile.  

Her campaign slogan is “Born in Union, Lives in Hope” and she means that literally and figuratively.

 I like the fact that Molly is born and raised right here in the district.  She runs a business, Safe Care, which transports special needs children statewide.  

Protecting and caring for our most vulnerable is…

I attended Chip Curry’s campaign announcement on a blustery day in Belfast on March 7.  It was freezing cold outside, but the energy in the room was running high with his spirited, genuine platform.  He talked specifically about meeting the needs of our education system and working families — two issues close to my heart.

I’e been an educator for over 20 years, and in this COVID world we need strong, passionate, motivated leaders like Chip more than ever.  Students and families are…

I am dismayed that Senator Collins refuses to comment on Trump’s documented disrespect to America’s fallen heroes and his admitted lying to the American people about the dangers of the Coronavirus.

Tim Hughes, M.D., lives in Belfast

I first met Chip nearly 10 years ago, volunteering together in Belfast’s local theater community. He was there not because of his passion for the stage, but because he saw a need and his instinct was to fill it.

Since then, I’ve encountered him countless times, because whenever an opportunity to serve Waldo County arises, Chip is almost always there.

As a young parent living and working in Searsport and Belfast, I’m impressed by Chip’s willingness to approach complex issues as…

The only Waldo County senate candidate that did not recently become a resident of the area is Chip Curry. This is just one of the important reasons that I'm supporting him. Having lived here for 25 years, he has a strong awareness of our community's issues to build viable solutions moving forward.

As an educator, Chip has already been a proven leader in bridging communication between the classroom environment and the legislature in Augusta. He served on the Maine…

In his two years as State Representative for House District 95, Bill Pluecker has proven to be a thoughtful, well-informed leader who takes the time and makes the effort to listen to his constituents.  As a member of the RSU 40 School Board, I have witnessed Bill take our concerns into consideration and make informed decisions based on what he learned from the School Board.   

While I have not agreed with every vote Bill has made in the last two years, I do trust that he will always…

I am writing to support Duncan Milne of Liberty for Waldo County State Senate.  Duncan is an excellent choice with 25 years of service as a US Marine, retiring as a Colonel.  Duncan grew up in Maine along with his wife, Therese. He is a decorated Marine with experience in economic development, pandemic response, and public policy now as President of the Dixon Center for Military and Veteran Services.…

Mainers are lucky this November, we have the chance to vote for someone  running for U.S. Senate who truly represents people, not corporate profits. Lisa Savage, who is running as an Independent, is a candidate who consistently speaks for the common good. She supports the Green New Deal, Medicare for all, and defunding the Pentagon. She is clear where the money to rebuild our infrastructure, support our schools and pay for our healthcare should come…

This November, we will both be enthusiastically voting to send Jan Dodge back to the State House to represent Belfast, Belmont, and Lincolnville for a second term.  We first met Jan when she was campaigning for the House District 97 seat in 2018.  She came to our door and spent a good half hour answering our questions and sharing her goals and priorities. We both have volunteered for years for Window Dressers.  As a customer and a volunteer, Jan has also demonstrated her devotion to…

I have found representative Bill Pluecker to be affable and willing to take questions and answer or find answers to  them. Consequently, I became interested in his stance on various bills presented in the last legislative sessions. I found his voting record on the following bills.

 Voted Against LD 1292-This bill would reduce the state income tax. Maine ‘s taxes are high now and we need to…

MIDCOAST — With less than three months until the 2020 General Election, officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties are ramping up efforts to register new voters across the nation, including in the Midcoast ahead of a pair of heavily contested races including the U.S. Presidential race and Maine’s U.S. Senate race.  

Those voter registration efforts, however, have been drastically altered amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the pandemic created a significant plunge in…

AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Thursday she has signed an Executive Order to protect the health and safety of Maine voters, poll workers, and election officials and to facilitate access to safe in-person and absentee voting in the November general election amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“The right to vote is the foundation of our democratic process, and I take seriously our responsibility to ensure that every Maine person has the opportunity to cast their ballot and to…

With the November general election rapidly approaching, two local candidates challenging incumbents for their seats in the Maine State Legislature withdrew from their respective races earlier this month, according to the Maine Secretary of State. 

Spruce Head resident Karry Leparulo, a Republican, withdraw Aug. 7 from the race against incumbent Ann Matlack, a Spruce Head Democrat, for House District 92. 

House District 92 serves the communities of Cushing, Matinicus Isle, South…

ISLESBORO — The Town of Islesboro will be holding its annual town meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25. 

Voting will take place at the town office meeting room from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Absentee ballots are available by calling the town office or visiting the town office window on the porch. No electronic absentee ballot requests are being accepted. 

Below is what residents will be voting on. 

Select Board (Vote for Two) 
Shey V. Conover
Archibald L.…

ROCKLAND — Standing at the edge on a former quarry, now filled with water and happily frequented by waterfowl, Rockland resident Michael Mullins told a group of supporters, and the larger public, that he is seeking election to the Maine State Legislature. He is running against Valli D Geiger, D-Rockland, in the Nov. 3, 2020 elections.

The announcement…

As Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local.” And in that frame, the Rockport voters last Tuesday decided not to re-elect Doug Cole. I have no issue with the will of the electorate, but I need to say that this little town is going to miss his spirit, his extraordinary volunteerism (well beyond his duties as a selectman) and his selfless devotion toward making Rockport the town that we all love.

My wife and I serve on town committees – I on the Harbor Committee, and Haunani chairs the…

AUGUSTA — The citizens'-initiated resolve “To Reject the New England Clean Energy Connect Transmission Project” will not appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap announced Friday afternoon.

The Maine Superior Court issued Friday its declaratory judgment that this citizens initiative fails to meet the constitutional requirements for inclusion on the ballot because it exceeds the scope of the legislative powers conferred by the Constitution, a news release stated…

ROCKLAND — Rockland Mayor Lisa Westkaemper announced this week that she will not be running for reelection to City Council.

Her seat is one of two seats to be filled on the five-member board this November; with the other upcoming vacancy currently held by Valli Geiger, who is campaigning for State Representative.

Westkaemper’s decision to refrain from another Council bid leaves the door open for two new councilors. Those entering the race have until September 21, 2020 to file…

APPLETON — The Appleton Select Board has determined, and announced through a Friday press release, that a programming error in the ballot machine resulted in a miscount of the votes for the two open seats on the Select Board.

All ballots were counted. There is no evidence that any other articles on the ballot were improperly programmed or that those results were wrongly determined. There is also no indication that any other state or local ballot results were incorrect.

…

Watching the virtual Democratic National Convention as it announces the first-ever woman of color VP candidate running on a major party ticket, it’s clear that this will be a historic election. Among many reasons, Democrats are poised to permanently repeal the Helms…

ST. GEORGE — The Town of St. George held municipal elections August 17 and annual town meeting August 18. 

Below are the results from both days. 

August 17 Results:

ARTICLE 2. To elect by secret ballot TWO (2) Select Board members, each for a three year term.

Position #1 Richard Bates 136 votes

Position #2 Wayne Sawyer 139 votes

ARTICLE 3.…

BELFAST — Votes on the Regional School Unit 71 school budget have finally been cast after a month delay.

RSU 71 includes the communities of Belfast, Belmont, Morrill, Searsmont and Swanville. 

RSU 71 Superintendent Mary Alice McLean said July 8 that district attorneys at Drummond Woodsum learned the referendum documents that the firm had prepared for approving the 2020-2021 School Budget for RSU 71 contained, “a very serious error.”

The district held an emergency board…

ROCKPORT — Annual Town Meeting 2020 in Rockport took an historic deviation from tradition Aug. 18 when all municipal business was conducted in the voting booth at the town office, instead of voting from the floor at the Opera House.

Despite the disruption of normal convention — voting at the polls and from the floor in June — approximately 550 voters went to the polls to cast their ballots, and ended up voting for two board members — Michelle Hannan and incumbent Mark Kelley — and…

AUGUSTA — Maine Attorney General Aaron M. Frey announced Tuesday he is joining a coalition of state Attorneys General led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro in filing a federal lawsuit challenging nationwide operational changes at the U.S. Postal Service, according to a news release.

The lawsuit seeks to halt unilateral changes at the Postal Service and ensure safe, secure vote-by-mail across the country.

Service and policy changes at the Post Office, including…

AUGUSTA — Maine’s newly redesigned online absentee ballot request service is now available for the Nov. 3 General Election.

The Elections Division, in coordination with the State's online service provider, InforME, has improved the design of the page to make the options clearer and easier to read.

In addition, Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is…

The currently proposed hotel for downtown Rockport has been receiving alarming and questionable support from Town functionaries, specifically members of the Select Board and Planning Board.

It is an effort by a few individuals, who happen to be temporarily empowered by their positions on these Boards,  to undermine the long-established ideals and rights of all Rockport citizens as embodied in our Town’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinance.

This small group is putting…

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Delores “Michelle” Hannan discusses her position on various topics.

…

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Mark Kelley discusses his …

On August 18, voters in Rockport will choose two of three candidates to serve a three-year term on the Rockport Select Board. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their position on issues important to the town and region. Here, Candidate Douglas Cole discusses his …

ROCKPORT — Town meeting in Rockport on Aug. 18 will not only be historic, but significant, as citizens are being asked several weighty questions that will influence development and parking regulations in town, and especially in the Village.

One land use ordinance amendment also calls for striking language that outlines criteria used for upgrading public ways, such as waiving portions of the design guidelines to preserve neighborhood character and holding neighborhood workshops to…

We are voting for Glen “Chip” Curry in the November election. Chip is a long time resident of Waldo County, who is well versed in the issues facing the people of our county. One of his greatest attributes is that he is a great listener, who is careful to make decisions after much thought and research. Thoroughly educated and well read, the greatest research Chip has done for this job is the 25 years of living and working in Waldo County.

His deep involvement in the community gives him…

ST. GEORGE — The Town of St. George will hold a municipal election Monday, Aug. 17 and its annual town meeting Tuesday, Aug. 18. 

Below is a rundown of what will be appearing on Monday’s ballots and what articles will be put forth Tuesday at the annual town meeting. 

Municipal Election Articles

Article 1: To elect a moderator to preside. 

Article 2: To…

PROSPECT — The Town of Prospect will be holding a municipal election and referendum Friday, Aug. 21. 

The town will not be a holding an annual town meeting this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Below are the articles appearing on the ballot that will be presented to voters. 

Article 2: Municipal Positions

Selectman Candidate: Calvin Cooper

Road Commissioner Candidates: Charles Boynton and Harland Gamble, Sr…

I am writing to support Jan Dodge’s re-election for House District 97.  I met Jan when she came to my house to ask for my vote in the primary election two years ago.  It was the first time a candidate had ever knocked on my door.  We talked for some time about her background and the issues she wanted to address.  As a…

The Rockport Select Board’s letter is what is misleading, inaccurate and very disheartening to see. 

Why does the Select Board care if the hotel is responsibly sized and maintains a view? It was originally proposed as 20 – 22 rooms, the same number of rooms as 16 Bayview, which is profitable but will fit better in Rockport. That is all the…

ROCKLAND — As of August 4, voters are able to begin requesting absentee ballots for the November 3 Election. The actual absentee ballots will be available at the beginning of October and will be sent to any voter who has requested one, according to the City of Rockland, in a news release.

To obtain an absentee ballot, you can stop by the Clerk’s Office and fill out an application for yourself and/or an immediate family member, you can call the Clerk’s Office at (207) 594-0304 and…

ROCKLAND — Nomination papers for the November 3, Annual Municipal Election will be available August 5.  The filing deadline will be September 21. 

Offices available and required number of signatures are as follows:

               City Council (2 Seats – 3 yr terms):  No less than 100 and no more than 150 signatures of registered Rockland voters.

               RSU #13 Board of Directors (1 Seat – 3 yr term):  No less than 100 and no more than 150 signatures of registered…

As a former community banker and lawmaker, I commend Senator Susan Collins for co-authoring the SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Senator Collins played a key role creating this program that has become a life saver for small businesses and nonprofits.

In the face of crisis, her quick action saved nearly 240,000 jobs and 27,000 small employers in Maine alone. Maine businesses received over $1.2 billion in PPP loans – one of the highest approval rates (per capita) in the country.…

In case you hadn’t noticed, there is a lot going on in Rockport these days.  While the coronavirus has certainly made operations difficult for all of us, the town continues to move forward with many projects that I fully support and have been active in developing.

The Town is in excellent financial shape. By working as a unified select board, we have done our best to limit the municipal budget growth for the last three years.…

I want to encourage every voter in House District 97 (Belfast, Northport and Waldo) to cast your vote to re-elect Jan Dodge as state representative.

Jan is well suited to serve on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, as she is a long time, well-respected educator.  She has worked tirelessly for our communities and as a freshman representative worked to pass several important bills including …

UPDATE: Glenn “Chip” Curry won the Democratic primary race for Senate District 11 via a ranked-choice tabulation.

In the first round of voting, on Election Day, Curry received 44.58 percent of votes, Charles Pattavina received 24.71 percent and Robyn Stanicki received 30.71 percent. 

In the second round of voting, using the ranked choice technique, Curry received 56.75 percent of the votes while Stanicki received 43.26 percent. 

Curry will face Republican Duncan Milne in…

HOPE — Voters in Hope cast their ballots July 14 for several municipal positions including select board, budget committee, school board and road commissioner. 

SEARSPORT — Voters in Searsport cast ballots July 14 on four municipal referendum questions. 

Each of those questions, ultimately, passed. Below is a breakdown of the votes. 

Question 1: Appropriation of up to $150,000 to fund items within the 2020 budget otherwise raised by taxes? 

Yes: 543 votes
No: 95 votes

Question 2: Appropriation of up to $100,000 from money drawn down in 2012 from Maine State Retirement to fund items within the…

PALERMO — Voters in Palermo cast their ballots July 14 on a pair of school budget referendum questions. 

RSU 12 serves the communities of Alna, Chelsea, Palermo, Somerville, Whitefield, Windsor and Westport Island. The towns of Palermo, however, is the only community within the Penobscot Bay Pilot coverage area. For more details on this proposed budget,…

ST. GEORGE — With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing uncertainty to the State of Maine and uncertainty over public education funding, the St. George Municipal School Unit took steps in its proposed 2020-2021 budget to address those uncertainties and put forth to voters the proposed steps. 

The proposed school budget of $6.2 million reduces the assessment, according to St. George MSU Superintendent Mike Felton, to the Town of St. George by about $40,000. 

“The proposed budget is part…