Maine voters face choices on June ballot

In the Maine primary election on Tuesday, June 13, area voters will choose candidates for a number of county, state and federal positions, with contested races for Washington County sheriff, governor and U.S. senator. Profiles of candidates for seats that are contested in the primary election follow, along with a listing of all of the candidates.

GOVERNOR
Six candidates are on the primary ballots for governor C three Republicans, David Emery, Peter Mills and Chandler Woodcock, two Democrats, John Baldacci and Christopher Miller, and one Green Independent, Patricia LaMarche. Also running as independent candidates on the November ballot are Barbara Merrill of Appleton, John Michael of Auburn, Phillip Morris NaPier of Windham and David John Jones of Falmouth. Information about the candidates is from their websites.

John Baldacci
Governor John Baldacci of Bangor previously served in the Maine State Senate and in the U.S. House for the 2nd District. On his website, he points to the following accomplishments while he has been governor. The establishment of Dirigo Health has helped provide quality health care for Maine families and businesses and has taken on "the bigger health care monster." Maine's economy is stronger than ever, the website says, with the Miliken Institute naming Maine the lowest costing state to do business in the northeast.

Baldacci has strengthened the education system by investing more funding into education than any other governor in the state's history. He has worked on developing in-state energy solutions through the Keeping Maine Warm program, and he has developed programs to protect the state's natural resources and address environmental issues.

Baldacci has worked to put the state's finances in order, the website states, noting that three years ago Maine faced a $1.2 billion deficit, an empty rainy day fund, $275 million in yearly borrowing to pay short-term expenses, and statewide closures of paper companies. He has also sought to provide tax reduction, so that people will not be driven away from living in the state.
Website: <governorbaldacci.com>.

David Emery
David Emery of St. George served in the Maine House of Representatives from 1971 to 1975 and in the U.S. House from 1975 to 1983. "I will make the tough decisions to strengthen our economy by paying down debts, managing our budget responsibly, reforming our tax system, creating good jobs and promoting energy independence," Emery states on his website. If elected, he says he would have a comprehensive independent financial audit of every department in state government, to ensure that there are no more surprises arising from missing or mis-spent funds. He would also work to implement a zero-based budgeting mechanism to help in setting priorities for state spending. "Maine must pay its debts. I will build into my budgets the means to pay down the debts owed to our hospitals; to pay down the unfunded liability owed to the State Retirement System; and to rebuild the State Retirees Health Care Fund."

He would propose reforms to restore competition to the Maine health insurance market by establishing a risk pool for previously uninsured people, and he would create a comprehensive state energy policy.
Website: <emeryforgovernor.com>.

Patricia LaMarche
Patricia LaMarche of Yarmouth is a business manager, journalist, educator and broadcaster. On her website, <www.pat2006.com>, she states, "The solution to many of Maine's current problems can be found in a return to the time-honored Maine values of social and fiscal responsibility. We need an economy that is based on providing jobs for Maine's people at wages that will support a decent standard of living and a comfortable retirement. We need a health care system that allows everyone to receive the treatments they need at prices they can afford. We need a state government that puts our people and our small businesses first."

The Green Independent candidate states, "Maine values have produced state and national leaders who have brought common-sense solutions to complex policy debates. Disregarding shallow party labels, Mainers have voted for independent candidates with the vision and integrity to stand up for a clean environment, a clean government, and a conservative approach to spending other people's money."
Website: <pat2006.org>.

Christopher Miller
Democrat Christopher Miller of Gray has worked as a general contractor and designer of solar homes. Later he started a company that was the state's first commercial Internet provider. He states, "We propose a fairly radical decentralization, the pushing down of power, resources and decision making to town and county government as much as possible. When energy gets expensive, life will get local. Centralized structures won't work."

His plan calls for the movement of some roles of government to the county, the protection of data privacy, the creation of a department of peace, the tapping into the renewable energy of the tides and wind, the cutting back on consumption and growth, the creation of a public health service that is universal and affordable, the initiation of impeachment proceedings against President Bush, the retention of authority over taxing and spending at the most local level, and the development of a public transportation system with light rail.

"Our next seven generations need land for farms and clean water for fish. Our next seven generations need trees left standing. Our next seven generations need good education C free to those dedicating themselves to improving their communities," he states. "We need local farms and victory gardens. We need solid public transportation and good public health. We need to be largely fossil fuel free by 2020."
Website: <mainecommonwealth.com>.

Peter Mills
Peter Mills of Cornville is an attorney who has served 12 years in the state legislature. His 12-step plan to "a better Maine" includes the following points: sharpen human services by having a management team insisting on performance and efficiency; boost school results by providing more incentives and consequences, better measurements and timely remediation; modernize pensions and give new hires portable pensions that supplement Social Security with defined benefits; curb the debt addiction by not adding debt for new capital projects; ask taxpayers' opinion through referendum questions on tax alternatives; rationalize Medicaid by having many clients make modest contributions toward the cost of their care and limiting some non-essential benefits; bolster health care by creating a high-risk pool with disease management features, creating a secure, electronic medical-information system, and expanding access to health centers; reform state taxes through consistent policies and by reinforcing support for traditional sources of economic strength; reduce duplicate services through consolidation of public safety services; cut school overhead costs by consolidating administrative functions; care for infrastructure such as bridges and roads; and practice self-reliance by not depending on federal money.
Website: <millsforgovernor.com>.

Chandler Woodcock
Republican Chandler Woodcock of Farmington is a former high school teacher and basketball coach who is serving his third term in the Maine Senate. He has emphasized the need for a government partnership with the business community and called for a series of tax reductions to make the operation of businesses in Maine more predictable and lucrative.

He supports the gradual elimination of the personal property tax on business equipment. He would initiate income tax reform by reducing the top marginal rate of 8.5% and increasing the minimum taxable income through economic growth and prudent government spending. Woodcock would seek to conform the state's tax law with federal statute, particularly as it relates to investments. He would try to lower the cost of energy for Maine's citizens by supporting more research and development in the private sector. Lowering the cost of workers' compensation would be another aim. Also, he would re-introduce legislation to create a statewide Pine Tree Zone, which would help eliminate unfair incentives and government control of those incentives.

Concerning healthcare reform, Woodcock would seek to make the health insurance market more competitive; stop taxing health insurance, with the aim to make it more affordable; promote wellness and support people for making smart lifestyle choices; enact real Medicaid reform; pay past due Medicaid bills to Maine hospitals; and emphasize public health issues.
Website: <woodcockforgovernor.com>.

U.S. SENATE
Two Democrats, Jean Hay Bright and Eric Mehnert, are running for the seat in the U.S. Senate held by Republican Olympia Snowe.

Jean Hay Bright
Jean Hay Bright of Dixmont has worked as a reporter, organic farmer and a columnist. She has opposed the invasion of Iraq since before it occurred and has called for the initiation of impeachment proceedings against President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. "This self-declared war president and his administration are grasping powers they are not meant to have under our Constitution C and ones they should not have, for the good of humanity. We are at serious risk of losing our democracy, and, if the present trend continues, our live-able world."

She believes a national health care system is long overdue and proposed the establishment of a single-payer health plan back in 1996. Concerning Social Security, she states, "It comes down to this basic concept: Do we want a government that recognizes its responsibilities towards its elderly and its disabled? Or do we not?"

Hay Bright believes the repeal of the estate tax "would give yet another tax cut to those people in America who can most afford to pay taxes, and further put the burden of the federal budget on the backs of working and middle-class people. The deepening debt of the federal budget over the past five years has been due in large part to two factors C the mounting costs for the illegal war in Iraq, plus the excessive income tax cuts for the wealthy, which were voted in when the budget was actually balanced, pre-Bush."
Website: <jeanhaybright.us>.

Eric Mehnert
Eric Mehnert of Orono practices law in Bangor. His beliefs focus on: initiating policies that strengthen and protect the employees and owners of small business while fighting excesses of corporate greed, such as exporting jobs overseas; continued learning opportunities and training programs for Maine citizens, especially those displaced or just returning to the workforce; protecting the coastline and preserving working waterfronts; extending access to health care and prescription drugs, particularly for low income seniors and families; providing education that prepares children to compete in the information age; developing a progressive environmental program ensuring access to natural resources for Maine's citizens while maintaining a balance for all forest users from the lumber industry to environmentalists to sports men and women; fighting for civil rights; committing to a strong defense policy and maintaining the strength of the armed forces, while ensuring that troops are only deployed for legitimate national security and humanitarian issues; and exploring both renewable and alternative sources of energy.
Website: <mehnertformaine.com>.

Olympia Snowe
Incumbent Senator Olympia Snowe of Falmouth is serving her second six-year term in the U.S. Senate, having previously represented Maine's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House for 16 years. According to her website, Snowe "has carved out a reputation as a leading moderate, focusing her attention on efforts to build bipartisan consensus on key issues." She has worked extensively on a number of issues, including: budget and fiscal responsibility; education, including student financial aid and education technology; national security; women's issues; health care, including prescription drug coverage for Medicare recipients; oceans and fisheries issues; and campaign finance reform. "She has also led efforts important to Maine, including a successful push for federal disaster funds in response to a devastating 1998 ice storm, increased funding for the Togus veterans hospital, reauthorization of the Northeast Dairy Compact so critical to the survival of Maine's small family dairy farms, and opposition to a proposed federal rule that would have devastated the state's lobster fishery."

She has served on the Senate Finance Committee, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Budget Committee, the Armed Services Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence and the Small Business Committee.
Website: <snowe.senate.gov>.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Incumbent Democrat Michael Michaud of East Millinocket will face Republican Laurence D'Amboise of Lisbon for the 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

STATE SENATE
Democrat Thomas Finlay of East Machias is challenging Republican Kevin Raye of Perry for the State Senate District 29 seat. Independent candidates Nancy Oden of Jonesboro and Dana Kadey of Township 21 will be running for the seat on the November ballot.

MAINE HOUSE DISTRICTS
None of the candidates for seats in the Maine House of Representatives from Washington County are facing challenges in the primary election.

For Maine House District 11, incumbent Republican Everett McLeod Sr. of Lee will face Democrat Beth Turner of Burlington in the November election.

For House District 30, Democrat Albion Goodwin of Pembroke will challenge incumbent Republican Howard McFadden of Dennysville in November.

In House District 31, incumbent Democrat Anne Perry of Calais will be facing Republican Judith Alexander of Calais in the fall election.

For House District 32, James Gibson Jr. of Machiasport will challenge incumbent Republican Harold Ian Emery of Cutler in November.

In House District 33, outgoing county sheriff Joseph Tibbetts of Columbia, a Republican, will be running against Democrat Peter Weil of Steuben in the fall.

WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF
Three Republicans, Jeffrey Bishop of Cherryfield, Rodney Merritt of East Machias and Richard Price of Jonesboro, one Democrat, George Bunker Jr. of Baileyville, and one independent candidate, Donald Smith of Lubec, are all vying for the position of Washington County sheriff. Sheriff Joseph Tibbetts is not seeking re-election. Smith will not be on the primary ballot but will be on the November ballot.

Jeffrey Bishop
Jeffrey Bishop has worked 12 years with the sheriff's department and previously served as a police officer with different departments and was chief of the Jonesport Police Department.
"My three major concerns, I feel, facing the sheriff's office are: schools, domestic violence and illegal drug and alcohol use." Concerning school children, he states, "They are subjected to more than their fair share of violence in and out of the homes, also peer pressure at earlier ages and an alarming increase of abuse of narcotics, alcohol and drugs and bullying earlier in life. I believe we can still be effective role models for them and they need our influence. Kids need to know that we can be a help to them as well as a resource for information."

Bishop says domestic violence is the fastest growing epidemic facing the county. He intends to develop a task force consisting of officers and volunteers to investigate and provide education about domestic violence.

As for illegal drug and alcohol abuse, he says, "The overwhelming influx of drugs and the steady abuse of alcohol cannot be tolerated anymore. The taxpayer is burdened enough. It is my intent to implement available government funds to increase manpower and hours necessary to finance a relentless campaign against drug and alcohol abuse."

George Bunker Jr.
George Bunker Jr. served six years in the sheriff's department and eight years in the state legislature. He believes that there should be greater connection among the federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies. "There's no leadership from the county," he says. He says he would lobby for assets that the state and federal governments can offer, but he points out that there will not be much federal funding coming to the department. Instead, he points to the need for teamwork. "The local and county agencies all should be working hand in hand. State and federal agencies are just wanting to give you a hand."

He says the county sheriff's department needs to focus on "running the court, the civil process, people crimes, and crimes of violence." Instead, deputies are spending time on motor vehicle violations. "The department is doing 50% less criminal work with twice as many men," he states. They should be doing more investigative work, he believes. "We need to define the mission and do it. There's a lack of supervision."

Concerning the drug problem, Bunker, who is treasurer of the Washington County Drug Action Team, says that law enforcement can only be a partner in solving the problem, since there needs to be an emphasis on rehabilitation.

"We're not focused on the problem C people crimes. Drugs, violence, thefts are what needs to be focused on."
Rodney Merritt
A veteran of 20 years in law enforcement, Rodney Merritt has worked in the sheriff's department in the Drug Abuse Reduction Education (DARE) and other drug education programs for youths. Merritt says he wants "to ensure that this is a county where our children and grandchildren can flourish and will want to stay or return to." He believes the sheriff's office is "the people's police," and he wants "to continue and enhance that close relationship with the people of Washington County. I believe that our focus and mission statement should be and will be to 'protect our county's people and property.'"

"I would aggressively combat drugs. It is my view that drugs are the scourge of our county right now. The majority of the property crimes in our county are committed in the name of illegal drug use," Merritt says. "I would commit resources to continue and enhance our drug enforcement strategies as well as education in our schools."

He also would stress fiscal responsibility, reviewing all line items in the sheriff's budget. "This type of budgetary awareness could lead to more manpower to combat drugs, major crimes, domestic violence or any number of issues. Most importantly we will have accomplished it without placing an added burden on our citizens."

Merritt says he would "aggressively pursue other sources of funding, most importantly federal grant funding. I and my closest supporters are intimately familiar with the federal grant and application process."

Richard Price
Former state police officer Richard Price says his qualifications for the job include "administrative experience, employee experience and a built-in ability to get along with people." He served as a state police officer from 1974 until 1995. He then worked as the safety director for Blue Bird Ranch Inc. in Jonesboro, and has served as selectman for the Town of Jonesboro. He presently operates a store in Jonesboro.

"My concerns as sheriff would be directed towards an enhanced drug enforcement and civil enforcement to ensure each town in Washington County gets their fair share of enforcement and coverage for the county taxes they pay."

OTHER POSITIONS
Candidates for other positions on the ballot are all unopposed. Incumbent Washington County commissioner John Crowley Sr. of Addison is seeking re-election for county commissioner District 3, incumbent Republican Michael Povich is running again for District Attorney for District 7, incumbent Republican Lyman Holmes of Machias is seeking re-election as judge of probate, incumbent Republican Carlene Holmes of Machias is seeking re-election as register of probate, incumbent Republican Jill Holmes of Jonesport is running again for county treasurer, and incumbent Republican Sharon Strout of Machiasport is seeking re-election as register of deeds.