Kimberly
J. Monaghan-Derrig (D)
Age: 53
Education: Master’s, Public Policy &
Management, Muskie School of Public Service, University of Maine, 2012; B.S. Journalism/Communications, University of
Maine, 1982.
Occupation: Marketing and Tour Manager, Segway Tours of Southern Maine (since 2010)
Recent work history: Convention and Visitors
Bureau/CommonDreams.org, (four years); Diversified Business Communications
(eight years); Assistant to U.S. Rep. Tom Andrews (six years); Maine Senate
Offices (six years).
Elective
Experience: Candidate for Cape Elizabeth Town Council (2009); Cape
Elizabeth School Board (2010-2012); won special election to Maine House
District 121 (2011).
Residency: Russet Lane, Cape Elizabeth (14 years).
Personal: Married (15 years), one daughter.
Contact: phone: 749-9443; email: kmonaghand@gmail.com
Q: Why do you want to represent
your district in the state legislature?
A: I am seeking re-election because I want to continue
to make a progressive difference for Cape Elizabeth and for Maine. As public
servants, we must work together to move Maine in the right direction. I believe
the governor’s extreme agenda has taken this state in the wrong direction and I
think there are many lawmakers, including moderate Republicans, who feel the
same way. If re-elected, I will work to put aside the politics and posturing
and work together to improve our economy, create jobs, strengthen public
education, protect our environment and provide affordable healthcare. Maine’s
motto, Dirigo, means “to lead.” The motto reflects the character and beliefs of
Mainers. We must lead forward, not backwards.
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. Improving the Maine economy: Since 2010, we’ve
seen Maine’s economy shrink, not grow. I believe the best way to improve the
economy is by making common-sense investments that will help small businesses,
job training, public education and keeping Mainers healthy. All Mainers want
good American jobs, wages and benefits for a hard day’s work.
2.
Education: Specific to Cape Elizabeth, and throughout Maine, education
is a big issue on the campaign trail and will be on the forefront of the 126th
Legislature. As a state, it is our responsibility to provide the best possible
public education for every one of our Maine students. A strong public education
is essential to vibrant communities and a strong economy. We must work hard to
move our public education system forward so it meets the demand of the changing
economy. Yes, there is room for improvement, but berating dedicated teachers
and believing education can be solved through a top-down approach is not the
answer. The Republicans think that competition in education by creating
multiple charter and virtual schools is a good thing. For whom? Is this notion
really putting students first? Privatizing education in this manner is more
profit-driven, where earnings will eventually trump learning. We need to help
innovate our public school system, not exterminate it through privatization.
3. Tax
Fairness: The Legislature’s recent passage of LD 1043 primarily
benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. If you are a middle
class family in Maine, you can expect to get back less than $100 in income tax
cuts, but if you make more than $350,000, you can expect to get back nearly
$3,000. Two of every three dollars in tax cuts will go wealthiest 20 percent of
Mainers. We need to tax fairly and cut wisely, not tax the middle class and cut
services to our children, seniors and public safety.
Q: As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these
concerns?
A: I will
support, sponsor/co-sponsor legislation that will: Provide workforce training
to match employee skills with employer needs; support traditional industries
like logging, tourism, farming, and fishing; foster job growth in clean energy,
biotech, and other emerging sectors; invest in schools to prepare students for
the jobs of the future; support tax fairness for Maine’s working middle class;
protect Maine’s most vulnerable by supporting child care programs like Head
Start and prescription drug support for seniors; offer affordable health care
to all Mainers.
And,
like many lawmakers, I will urge the governor to authorize the $40 million in
bonds that the voters of Maine already approved. These are bonds aimed to
create jobs by rebuilding our roads, bridges, and schools and support local
community projects.
Q: Do
you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A: Yes, I support same-sex marriage. I believe everyone deserves the
dignity, the support, the rights and the freedom to marry.
Nancy E. Thompson (R)
Age: 54
Education: Paralegal
Program, Bentley College; attended Boston College, graduated Katharine Gibbs
School, Boston.
Occupation: Insurance
Agent, Living Wealth Partners, Portland. (since 1996)
Elective experience: None, ran
in special election for this seat in August 2011, losing to Monaghan-Derrig by
176 votes of 2,504 cast.
Residency: Pine
Ridge Road, Cape Elizabeth (since 1986)
Personal: Married (31 years); five children, one deceased.
Contact: phone: 799-6669, email: nancyethompson1@gmail.com
Q: Why do you want to represent
your district in the state legislature?
A: “I believe that it is the right time for me to give back to the community
of Cape Elizabeth that has provided me and my family with so much. I feel very
fortunate to have been able to raise my children in a town that values
education and continually supports our schools and has prepared my kids well
for college. I have a community-volunteer record and business background that
are both extensive and hard earned. I am ready to "roll up my
sleeves" to work hard to handle the complex issues and challenging
workload of a state representative.
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: Jobs, jobs and jobs. I can’t stress this enough. People are fearful of
the economy and worry about the future of their children. The other two
pressing issues are taxes and education. These are the most pressing concerns I
have heard while knocking on the doors of Cape Elizabeth residents.
Q: As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these
concerns?
A: I will work hard to improve Maine’s
educational system because I am passionate about quality education for our
children. As a legislator, I would address the problem of getting a quality
education for all of our students regardless of the school district they reside
in. Today, a vast difference exists between our best performing districts and
our poorest performing districts. I will also work hard to improve the climate
for Maine’s entrepreneurs and business owners so that our young people can stay
in Maine to work and raise their families. Our children go off to college and
come back to Maine with huge loans and no jobs for them to pay those loans off.
As a legislator, I will work hard to support entrepreneurs and business owners
by streamlining regulation and tax environment. I will also work to build a
bridge between business owners and workers to prepare them for the jobs that
are created. And lastly, I will also continue to work to lower Maine’s tax
burden so our retirees can afford to stay in Maine and remain a vital part of
our community. Maine’s tax burdens have driven most of our seniors from their
homes and away from grandchildren who live here.
Q: Do
you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A: This issue is going to be resolved by the people of Maine in the
upcoming November election. I will firmly support its outcome.
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