Elections 2024: Candidates, referendums, local warrants

Abortion is a very difficult subject for a lot of women. Unfortunately, it's not for men. With all the controversy surrounding “Roe versus Wade” and other commentary about who should get an abortion, and who should oversee that decision? The main factor is, the men who have impregnated these women, are not being mentioned.

There are lots of reasons why a woman will need or request an abortion. From non-viable pregnancies to rape, or she simply cannot afford yet…

As this election season unfolds, some Republicans have contended that while they find Trump to be morally and ethically reprehensible, they will still hold their noses and vote the Republican ticket because they support his policies.  As self-appointed leader of the GOP one would assume that the policies espoused by Trump are ones that GOP members support. Yet, those holding their noses conspicuously avoid advocating strenuously for many of Trump’s policies. 

As examples, three of…

I am writing to support David Statman’s candidacy for City Council in Rockland.

The first time I met David and his wife Melissa was around sesven years ago while volunteering at the Community Christmas Dinner organized by Adas Yoshuron, the synagogue in Rockland, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for more than 25 years.

That wouldn’t seem to be so unusual as dozens of folks turn out to help the synagogue put on the Christmas and Easter community dinners, as well as a monthly soup…

I recently read a letter in the PenBay Pilot from Tracy Thombs, the wife of Ray Thombs who is running for the state to represent Hope, Union, and Warren.

What struck me most was her sincerity and heartfelt tribute to her husband of 37 years. The glimpses of their story that she shared through her various letters have touched my heart. It stirred me to write in support of him, too. 

Ray’s been a true servant in our community for…

When we cast our vote, we’re choosing the kind of leadership we want to guide us. Positive leadership stands for hope, unity, and a commitment to progress. It’s about leaders who listen, who value every voice, and who inspire us to work together for a future we can all be proud of.

Why Vote for Positive Leadership?

   •   Integrity and Trust: Positive leaders prioritize honesty, creating a government we can believe in.

   •   Community and…

Growing up, my dad, Ray Thombs, was always my hero — and still is. I loved hearing stories of his first job washing dishes, or the pride he took in painting racing stripes on his 1972 VW Bug.

Despite growing up impoverished, he worked hard and always put family first. When he was just 12, he came home and declared, “I’m going to marry that Tracey someday” — and years later, he did, carrying that commitment through his Air Force service and beyond.

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A few days ago in Camden, I attended one of the public contact sessions conducted by the Megunticook River Citizens Advisory Committee, to inform the public about options to remove obstructive dams and restore the river for fish passage. The committee has done some great work and the presentation was very informative. 

One piece of information that was not discussed, however, was how the Maine Dept. of Transportation's planned replacement of the…

Thank you, Lynda, for covering the ordinance changes scheduled for Nov. 5 in Rockport on October 10 in the Pilot. It was quite a treasure hunt to find the wording of these proposed ordinance changes somewhere or anywhere. Contrary to the statement on the town website regarding the whereabouts of these proposed ordinances, I finally found the…

Quite simply, Scott Rocknak is a special man. Successful as a leader in the boat industry, he has taken time away from his business in a tireless effort to bring about change in the Maine Senate to restore truly responsible government in our state. He is running for Senator in Maine District 12.

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Camden has seven articles on its municipal warrant for the Nov. 5 general elections, and one of them is a citizen’s initiative. 

Article 1 is to elect a moderator for the special town meeting, even though the questions will appear on a written ballot and be before voters at the polls.

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Along with General Elections 2024, Rockport is asking voters to consider nine municipal warrant articles when they go to the polls Nov. 5, including two bond proposals that total approximately $5 million of borrowing money.

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PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to the two candidates, Nicole Kalloch and David Statman, seeking one open seat on the Rockland City Council. As candidates return responses, we are posting them on the Pilot's front page, and then they will reside on the Elections 2024 Voter Resource Page, which also includes letters, opinions, stories about state and…

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PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to candidates seeking office in Midcoast Senate and House District. As candidates return their responses, we are posting them on the Pilot's front page, and then they will reside on the Elections 2024 Voter Resource Page, which also includes letters, opinions, stories about state and local referendum questions, and more.

Incumbent William…

Transparency in governance is incredibly important. It’s not always required but when officials don’t reveal their truths publicly, constituents are left wondering how they feel about ordinances, or if they fully understand what they are voting on. It can break down trust and even raise questions about a conflict of interest.…

Voters in House District 38 (Brooks, Knox, Jackson, Monroe, Swanville, Thorndike, Unity, Waldo, and western Frankfort) have a clear choice for their State Representative to the Maine House.

Voters can choose Steve Ellis, who has the vision, knowledge and skills to make progress for all of us on the environment, accessible healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs with fair…

I'm writing in support of Mike Ray, who is running to represent House District 40. The included towns are  Appleton, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Morrill and Searsmont.

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PenBayPilot.com has circulated questions to candidates seeking office in Midcoast Senate and House District. As candidates return their responses, we are posting them on the Pilot's front page, and then they will reside on the Elections 2024 Voter Resource Page, which also includes letters, opinions, stories about state and local referendum questions, and more.

Stephen J.…

As election season approaches, it's crucial to choose wisely, not simply take sides. For me, two key factors shape my decision: finding a candidate who respects every individual and has a clear vision for a brighter future for everyone in our region.

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With the official Maine early voting date upon us, I’m writing this in support of Reagan Paul’s re-election to represent Maine House District 37. As a freshman legislator, Reagan quickly learned the process in Augusta and was diligent in getting involved in issues and bills affecting her constituents. While she worked on bills which…

We support Gordon Page for Knox County Commissioner

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 As someone who has been directly involved through the years in key organizations and committees intended to bring improvements and positive attention to  Rockland, I support Nicole Kalloch in her campaign for reelection to City Council. 

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I moved to Maine just over 10 years ago and was fortunate to be able to settle in the place I’ve visited every year of my life—Owls Head. I am writing to endorse Gordon Page for Knox County Commissioner.

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Maine is in a critical juncture in our state’s history. The majority in Augusta have put legislation in place that has created higher energy prices (research the energy cap) and a housing crisis while allowing our children’s education to be among the worst rated in the nation (one survey has us at 51). 

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As Mainers living in a mostly rural setting far removed from national politics, it tends to be our local governments – at the town and county levels – that affect our day-to-day lives. This is why our local elections and elected officials are so important, and this is why I am voting for Elise Brown for Waldo County Commissioner in…

As Nov. 5 General Elections approach, more citizens are voting, either by absentee ballot or at the one or two temporary voting booths that some municipal offices have set up to accomodate the trend. The New York Times reported Oct. 22 that 15 million voters, out of the approximately 161 million voters, across the country have…

Our good friend, Laura Baker, is a candidate for the RSU 71 School Board. We value the commitment of all those who are willing to put in the time to make sure that schools are run both successfully and efficiently. 

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I live in the beautiful town of Jackson. There is a calm and natural beauty here that, like all nearby communities, belies much struggle and poverty. Many people here do not have good economic opportunities or affordable access to housing, medication and other basic needs.

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I want to share an insight of who Jamie Hopkins is as a person. I was fortunate to meet Jamie in the capacity of a caregiver and a child care provider for a family member.  Immediately, her gentle spirit and compassionate heart were obviously present. She has blessed and touched many other folks in our community with her sacrifice and kindness as well.

Raised as a Maine girl, her work ethic is amazing.  There is not a job she couldn’t do, giving it her all.  As a single mother, she…

I'm writing to tell you why the citizens of Union, Warren and Hope should elect Ray Thombs for their State Representative.

My family has been closely associated with Ray and his family for 10 years now. In the 10 years we have known Ray, he has been a source of support and comfort for our family.

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Elise Brown’s experience running her own business, being an EMT, firefighter, a fire chief, and currently the Emergency Manager in Liberty, as well as serving on the town budget committee, gives her a great perspective on the management of a lot of the county services. As volunteer firefighters and Fire Chief of Montville, we know Elise fully understands the stressors of our work.

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I’m writing to share why I believe Elise Brown is the best choice for Waldo County Commissioner in District 3.

Although I don’t live in Waldo County and can’t vote for her, I’ve worked closely with Elise for over 15 years at Evergreen Home Performance and have seen firsthand her character, work ethic, and deep commitment to her community.

As a co-owner with Elise, I’ve valued her leadership in our energy efficiency business of more than three dozen employees, serving customers…

The future of Maine’s economy needs policy makers who value civic participation and investment in our public institutions, like Stephen Ellis.

Ellis is a product of public schools, supported his children through public schools, and worked in public universities. He coached community cross country, track and field, soccer and baseball. Rural communities…

Dedicated. Caring. Involved. These three words best describe Ryan Harnden, of Belfast, who is running for re-election to the RSU 71 School Board. We are fortunate to have a local candidate with Ryan’s dedication to quality education for our kids. Ryan is a past chair of the RSU#3 school board for Mt. View where, over a decade ago while living in Waldo, Ryan became one of the youngest school board chairs in Maine. Now, married and…

Coastal communities are doing their best to build infrastructure resiliency and to devise adaptation strategies as the future destructiveness of climate-induced weather disasters becomes clear. Many are doing their best to adopt household changes to limit greenhouse gas emissions, but feel frustrated by the…

I am writing to express my appreciation for the efforts of Representative Vicki Doudera in supporting local businesses and manufacturing in Maine. Her recent actions have demonstrated a genuine commitment to keeping Maine's procurement funds within our state, directly benefiting our local economy and workforce. 

A prime example of Rep. Doudera's dedication came to light recently when she intervened in a situation involving Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding, the company I work for and a well-…

I met Gordon Page six years ago, and I couldn’t be happier to endorse him for Knox County Commissioner for District 3. Gordon has served the town of Owls Head and Knox County with dedication and integrity, drawing from his extensive background in municipal, nonprofit, and private sectors to every role he takes on. His time as Interim County Administrator has…

In preparation for writing this letter, I glanced back at my email correspondence with Valli Geiger.

Our very first exchange, from around 10 years ago, was about walkability in Rockland, which led to further conversation on civic engagement, environmental concerns, and of course — as the housing crisis deepened — housing and affordability.

When my husband and I decided to retire to Maine, we weren’t sure which town would be best for us. So we bought a small house in Rockland to try it out. As it turned out, our neighbor was Valli Geiger! We never expected that this choice would jump start what has become  the best move we ever made.

Valli and her husband welcomed us, introducing us to not…

I have diligently voted in 14 presidential elections since 1968, and countless other local, state and federal races. Over those fifty-six years, I have never felt the tension, bitterness, and frankly, downright fear, that this year’s races engender, especially on the national level.

And yet, our decisions at every level, especially in selecting our own…

This November election, Camden can take a huge step forward in preserving town history and character by voting yes on Article 7: a nonbinding advisory vote that is the community’s opportunity to endorse drafting a Historic Preservation Code to be developed with input from the public in concert with the Select Board, Town Planning, and the Historic Resources Committee. Once that language is finalized, the new code will appear on a future ballot for voter approval.

Historic Preservation…

Knox County needs elected leaders who truly understand the scope and responsibility of their position. The county needs elected leadership that possesses skills that bridge both private and public employment and a person who excels in building consensus. Gordon Page is that person. 

Gordon Page, who is seeking a seat on the Knox County Commission representing District 3, has a depth of…

Ray Thombs and I have been married for 37 years. Like you, we’ve walked many tough roads and celebrated countless wonderful moments. I want to share another example of why Ray would make a wonderful representative for us at the State House.

This battle, wrapped in blessings, shaped who Ray and I are today.

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I am supporting Ryan Harnden in his re-election candidacy for the RSU 71 school board. Mr. Harnden currently sits on…

When Senator Chip Curry came to my committee, the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee, to address his bill we were hearing last winter, he came because his bill was to address an important issue for his constituents.

The bill dealt with a transmission line that would bring wind energy from Aroostook County to meet other transmission lines in the south. It was needed to bring…

I first met Scott Cuddy from a distance in a local restaurant. I admired the way Scott interacted with his two young sons, always fully present and engaged, very refreshing in this age of cellphones. 

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Voting for change can be hard. Sometimes it is easier to stick with a familiar name or someone you know.

In House District 45, we have a chance to choose a new course by electing Jennifer Stone from Waldoboro to represent Bremen, Friendship, Louds Island, Waldoboro, and Washington. 

I have spoken with Stone and feel like she understands how difficult it is for families right now. Whether it is the high cost of groceries, fuel, rentals, or the lack of health care at so many…

Over two years ago a beautiful, bright young lady came to our home for a visit. Her name is Reagan Paul and she was running for representative of Maine District 37.

Having been very much up on politics, I fired off many questions to see what her response would be. I was amazed then and continue to be so today on her ability to fully research a subject and sit down with anyone in her district to thoughtfully and factually discuss the issue.

It is particularly relevant at this…

Coming in and out of consciousness, on the ground, confused, someone taking shears to my clothes, naked in the street with EMTs huddled around me. My bicycle was a twisted mass of metal. I had just become one of many terrifying statistics that track vehicle crashes in Maine.

In 2023, 21 pedestrians were killed on Maine roads after being hit by a vehicle. There were 234 vehicle crashes that resulted in injuries involving pedestrians. One bicyclist was killed and an additional 140…

On November 5, I will cast my vote for Senator Chip Curry. 

I met Chip in 2012 as he launched his race for the State Senate.  I worked side by side with his supporters as we made signs for the campaign by hand – the old fashioned way!  It was not to be his time.  However, that changed in 2020 when he dipped his toe in the political pool once more and…

I am writing to voice my support for electing Scott Cuddy as the Representative for Maine’s 37th district.

Scott has a proven track record of writing legislation that helps blue collar workers throughout the state and getting it through the Legislative process and enacted into law. I also strongly endorse his support for offshore wind energy, a budding industry that has the potential to bring good paying careers to people throughout the state while also reducing our carbon footprint…

I am writing to express my unwavering support for Scott Cuddy in his run for the Maine State House District 37. As a teacher who has had the privilege of educating his child, and as a parent who has volunteered alongside Scott in Winterport’s parent organizations and Little League, I’ve witnessed firsthand the care and dedication he brings to parenting. It is clear that his commitment and dedication extend beyond his family to the entire community.

Throughout his…

As a former Republican, I urge every Knox County voter to vote for our Democratic candidates because they do the work of government.

We spent many days in…

I am writing in support of Laura Baker, a candidate for the Belfast School Committee.

Laura has 48 years of educational experience, most of those years in Belfast, Maine. She has been a classroom teacher as well as a principal and a director of special education.

I believe the School Committee would benefit greatly from Laura’s knowledge of how students learn, and I am sure she also would support our teachers, the…

As Nov. 5 approaches and now that early voting has begun, I want to take this opportunity to ask for the support of the taxpayers and for their vote to elect me as Knox County Commissioner for District 3.

My recent work as the Interim Knox County Administrator, my two terms as a member and chair of the select board and board of assessors, and as a member of the zoning board of appeals in Owls Head, has provided me with a broad understanding of how municipal and…