Roger Bishop (independent)
Age: 64
Education: Associate’s degree in business administration, Davenport
College; bachelor’s degree in advertising, Ferris State University; master’s in
human resources administration, University of Scranton.
Occupation: Self-employed human resources consultant (since 2009)
Recent work history: Vice president, human resources for global operations,
Fairchild Semiconductor (nine years); senior manager, human resources
operations, Intersil & Harris Corporation (12 years); various management
positions, RCA/ General Electric Corporation (13 years); Manager of
compensation and benefits, RCA/Sharp Microelectronics Inc. (two years)
Elective
experience: None
Residency: Leighton Farm Road, Cape Elizabeth (since
2008).
Personal: Married (39 years), two children, two grandchildren.
Contact:
Phone: 207-239-6504; email: roger@rogerabishop.com; website: www.rogerabishop.com
Q: Why do you want to represent your
district in the state Legislature?
A: I am running for public
office for the first time due to my concern over extreme partisanship. As a
result of this behavior, responsibilities that we entrust to our legislature
have become fodder for stalemate. I am running as an independent so that I have
the freedom to represent District 123 without political party intervention. I
also believe that after 40 years of business experience I have developed skill
sets that can be utilized in state government, among them are economic
development, labor relations, and facilitation.
Q: What do you think are
the three most important issues facing Maine? (Of these, please identify at
least one issue that is specific to your district.)
A: 1. Ensuring
economic growth and increased revenue necessary to support infrastructure and
education. 2. The quality, affordability and accessibility of education. 3. Political
gridlock. The overwhelming number of citizens I have met consider this the most
frustrating issue. They consider it unacceptable and as such are looking for
alternatives. In many cases they feel political leadership has failed them.
Q:
As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: Government has an
important role in setting the terms, conditions and attitude for economic
growth. I would consider utilizing some carefully applied short-term financial
incentives for business growth but more importantly long-term tax incentives
tied into the business revenue growth and the employment of Maine residents.
In education I would
begin by stabilizing costs in our colleges and universities by freezing tuition
at their current levels. We should invest in the community college system as a
viable and competitive alternative for students to begin their academic
pursuits.
Breaking political gridlock
can only be realized when both parties are willing to change. I see the role of
the independent being that of a change agent with the ability to work between
both parties and to find representatives of similar mindset to join them.
Q: Do you support
same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A:
As the current ballot measure is written I can support granting marriage
licenses to consenting adults. However, I am a strong advocate of the
separation of church and state and would defend the rights of the churches not
to perform marriage services if their doctrine does not recognize the union of
same-sex couples.
Scott Hamann (D)
Age: 31
Education: B.A., media and theater arts, Montana State
University, Bozeman. Currently pursuing M.B.A. at University of Southern Maine.
Occupation: Owner, Hamann Media, video production and marketing
consulting company (since 2005)
Recent work history: Adjunct instructor, University of New England (since
2005)
Elective experience: None
Residency: Thornton Avenue, South Portland (since 2006).
Personal: In a relationship, two foster children.
Contact: Phone: 233-2951; email: scott@hamannforhouse.com
Q: Why do you want to represent your
district in the state Legislature?
A: I’m running because I
want to be sure the voices of workers, students, children, and low-income
citizens aren’t drowned out by lobbyists and special interests in
Augusta. Every Mainer deserves the same right to high-quality education, a
clean environment, access to healthcare, and the freedom to marry whomever they
choose. I want to strengthen Maine’s economy by attracting and supporting
small businesses, foster opportunities for our children, and protect workers’
rights while working toward a solution to close the inequality gap. A
strong and robust state economy requires good job opportunities with fair wages
for all workers.”
Q: What do you think are
the three most important issues facing Maine? (Of these, please identify at
least one issue that is specific to your district.)
A: I think the three most
important issues facing Maine are the manufactured budget gap,
corporate-influenced education changes, and the erratic unpredictability of our
governor. 1) The state cut taxes creating a significant (and unpaid for)
budget gap, which the administration attempted to close exclusively on the
backs of our low-income neighbors. That’s wrong. 2) There have been
attempts by special interests to transfer education funds away from our public
schools. The latest fad: “virtual” schools. A well-educated state
depends on a fully- (and predictably) funded-public education system. 3)
Businesses make decisions based on an assurance of future projections. With
a Governor who too often speaks before he thinks, how can we expect businesses
to hire if they don’t know which version of reality will be coming from the
administration in the next quarter?
Specific to this district,
by far their greatest concern I’ve heard talking with people at their doors is
the governor’s unprofessional temperament and embarrassing
disposition. Pressed deeper, people are concerned that his ideological
views are driving our public education system in the wrong direction and intentionally
destabilizing the MaineCare safety net.”
Q:
As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: My focus in Augusta will
be on education, because a well-educated and well-trained workforce is the key
to Maine’s future success. I believe the state should invest in K-12 public
education, Head Start, the University of Maine and Community College System,
adult education, and job training. In terms of addressing the above
issues, any discussion of closing the budget gap should involve a bipartisan
negotiation that puts all state spending and revenue on the table.
Q: Do you support
same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A:
Yes. For a law to treat citizens in different ways based on who they are
or how they were born is wrong and unconstitutional. We don’t discriminate
based on skin color or gender, and we also shouldn’t discriminate based on
sexual orientation. Everyone should be allowed to marry the person they
choose to spend their life with, and all married couples should have the same
rights.
Kenneth E. “Jake” Myrick (R)
Age: 38
Education: Attended University of Phoenix.
Occupation: Athletic director, Boys & Girls
Clubs of Southern Maine, Portland Clubhouse (since 2006)
Recent work history: Youth corrections officer,
Maine Department of Corrections (two years); sergeant, United States Army,
infantry and anti-tank assignments (six years)
Elective experience: Ran for this seat in 2010 (lost to
three-term incumbent Jane Eberle with 33 percent of the vote)
Residency: Harbor
View Avenue, South Portland (since 2009).
Personal: Engaged, three
children.
Contact: phone: 899-8909; website: Myrickforhouse.com
Q:
Why do you want to represent your district in the state Legislature?
A: I am running for office to bring positive change to
Augusta, change that has meaning, and is not driven by partisan politics,
political affiliations or party goals. I want to be a leading factor in
creating a positive environment that promotes and fosters bipartisan solutions
that put Maine first. Let’s face it, there are legislators in the House and
Senate whose only interest in the position is for personal satisfaction or ego.
These people are the cancer that is crippling our state and they must be rooted
out so Maine can prosper. I believe that the issues that Maine is facing can be solved if we are
willing to work together for the good of the state. I may not agree with other
legislators on an issue or a solution but I vow to have an open dialogue where
we can exchange views have a positive debate and try to come up with a common
solution. This is what Maine needs and this is why I’m running for office.”
Q: What do you think are the three most important issues
facing Maine? (Of these, please identify at least one issue that is specific to
your district.)
A: The three important Issues that I believe Maine needs to
address all tie into each other and directly affect Mainers on a daily basis
are jobs and job creation, affordable energy, and the economy. If we as
legislators can come together and resolve just one of these issues the other
two will be positively affected and will benefit Mainers throughout the state.
For example, the legislators come together and create legislations that
provided affordable energy to Maine. The effect of this saves Mainers money on
heating cost and utilities. It also makes Maine more attractive to new
businesses looking for an affordable home to establish its roots and bringing
in new jobs. Local businesses could then afford to increase employee salaries
or expand their own job base. With the savings, increased salaries, new job
creations and new business tax revenue, Mainers will have the chance to buy
much-needed things to improve their quality of life or invest in new equipment
for work, or just go to dinner and a movie with a friend or a loved one. Doing
this creates economic growth and supports our local businesses and our local
communities.
Q: As a legislator, what would you
do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: The three important issues I referred to are not new to
the state. They have been discussed and argued over for years, with both sides
not willing to concede or compromise because of the fear of losing power or
control in state government. It’s this
fear or unwillingness to work with each other that is the underlining problem.
As a legislator, I will promote bipartisanship collaboration and support ideas
that put Maine before political parties, and I will challenge other legislators
to do the same. I will create a website that identifies legislators who are not
willing to work together and who put party and self before Maine. This way
Mainers can have a better understanding why our state is failing and hold
legislators accountable.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A: Yes, I support same-sex marriage
as I understand Question 1 on the November ballot. I support the people’s
initiative and their right to express and organize to bring this issue to the
Maine voters.
The traditional marriage between a
man and women was established well before our government as a recognized
religious institutional celebrating the joining of two people and their
spiritual god or creator. At some point in time, state governments, in order to
raise revenues, made it a requirement that all men and women who wish to join
together in marriage pay a fee, and in return allowed married couples certain
privileges under state law. I would take the lead in sponsoring legislation
that marriage be returned to being a true recognized religious institutional
celebration between any two people and their spiritual God or Creator. This
idea would allow for same-sex couples to legally enter into a marriage that is
supported by a recognized religious institution giving them the same privileges
under state marriage laws. With that said, any two people using any other
non-religious entities such as state or local municipalities, justice of the
peace, court officer, lawyer or judge, etc., would constitute a contractual
obligation or civil union between the two parties and would not be considered
marriage under state law even though
both may provide the same state privileges.
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