Christopher Kessler (I)
Age: 30
Education: B.A.
Music, SUNY Oswego.
Occupation: Sales/energy
auditor, reVision Heat (since 2012)
Recent work history: Weatherization
technician, Horizon Residential Energy Services, South Portland (2012);
Community organizer, Americans Elect (2011-2012); LIHEAP energy auditor,
People's Regional Opportunity Program (2010-2011).
Elective Experience: None.
Candidate for South Portland City Council (2009, finished second in three-way
race with 31.2 percent)
Residency: Cottage
Road, South Portland (five years).
Personal: Married (five years); one daughter.
Contact: phone: 956-0882; email: ckessler222@gmail.com;
website: ChristopherKessler.com
Q: Why do you want to represent your district in the state Legislature?
A: I believe as a legislator I will be able
to do more to raise awareness and create positive change in the areas that need
it. I offer my service to those who want to vote for an open-minded,
progressive, independent candidate.
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. Energy. Of the many issues facing our
state, Maine's dependence on oil is one of the most pressing. Nearly 80 percent
of our homes heat with oil, and with prices increasing with no end in sight,
families and businesses in Maine are feeling the financial pressure. At the
same time, federal support for programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
Program (LIHEAP), the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and rebates for
efficiency and renewable energy upgrades have diminished greatly. This has left
a large portion of our state still struggling to heat their homes and unable to
escape their dependency on oil.
2. Education. Maine has the people
and brainpower to give quality education to our citizens at all age levels.
However, the educational standards we have today have resulted in a lack of
opportunity for many to succeed in the real world. Our public school systems
have produced math and reading proficiency rates of less than 40 percent and
people are graduating from college with no experience and insurmountable
student loan debt.
3. Welfare. I believe it is
necessary to have a safety net that makes up for the economic inequality and
lack of opportunity so many Mainers face. All Mainers should have adequate
access to food, housing, healthcare and education. We can have a sustainable
welfare system that is fiscally sound, responsible, and meets the needs of all
Mainers who need help.
Q: As a legislator, what would
you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: “On energy, it is time we stop depending
on the federal government for help and start doing everything we can as a state
to utilize our natural resources to provide heat and electricity to our homes,
businesses and industry. I will do everything in my power to help Maine invest
in weatherization and make the switch to wood, natural gas, wind, solar and
tidal technology. As an energy professional who has worked in both the public
and private sectors, I understand the dynamics of this challenge. We could save
hundreds of millions of dollars a year, create good jobs, and reduce greenhouse
gas emissions for generations to come.
For education, there is no single
solution, but solving our problems with education will require challenging the
status quo and thinking outside the box. The model of education we have used
for a century no longer applies to the reality we face today. It will require a
collaborative effort from our schools, businesses, and most importantly, the
family unit. Whether it be support for home-schooling, experience-focused
education, or keeping students out of debt, I believe Maine can do better. I
will support any effort to make these changes and move in a positive direction.
In welfare, I will fight to protect
access to vital programs like MaineCare, food assistance, unemployment benefits
and workers compensation.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why
not?
A: Yes. To deny same-sex
couples the right to marry or to otherwise inhibit their personal freedom is
wrong. No one should be discriminated against in any way because of their
sexual orientation. This discrimination should not be tolerated or allowed any
longer in this state or nation. I fully support my LGBT friends and neighbors,
and will celebrate the day our marriage law is overturned.
Terry
K. Morrison (D)
Age: 41
Education: Business
major, Husson University (three years)
Occupation: General
Manager, Inn at St. John, Portland (since 2009)
Recent work history: Manager,
The Works Café, Portland (2000-2008)
Elective experience: State
representative, District 122 (two terms: 2008, 2010)
Residency: Ocean
Street, South Portland.
Personal: Single.
Contact: phone: 831-0828, website: www.terrymorrison.org
Q: Why do you want to represent your district in the state legislature?
A: “I have found my niche. Public
service is my passion and I am running for a third term to the Maine House of
Representatives to continue the work I have started.
In the next legislative session the state is facing
a roughly $500,000,000 budget shortfall. I have the experience to fight for
programs and issues that are of concern to my constituents. I also have a
proven voting record. The great folks of District 122 have always been very
supportive of the legislation I have sponsored because not only does it
positively impact them but helps people all over the state.
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. Strengthen Maine’s
economy. It’s time to put Maine’s economy on the top of our "to-do"
list in the next legislative session. We need to build a sustainable economy
and lower Maine’s unemployment rate. The emphasis should be on doing a better
job selling our agricultural and Maine-made products to other states and overseas
markets.
2. Healthcare. Serving on the Insurance
and Financial Services Committee has allowed me to learn about the insurance
market in Maine. One thing that stands out is that there are too many Mainers
living without insurance or who are under insured. It’s my belief that
healthcare is a right, not a privilege and will do all I can to give Mainers a
level playing field for quality coverage and cost.
3. Education. I look at improving education
from many different angles.
Q: As a legislator, what would
you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: If elected to a third term, I would put
together a bipartisan group of business leaders from all over the state,
bringing Democrats, Republicans, small and corporate businesses together to
find out what works, what doesn’t, and what tools they need to make doing
business in Maine less burdensome.
On healthcare, I’d work to implement parts
of the Affordable Care Act. Under the new law, states have the freedom to
develop a healthcare exchange. The exchange is a marketplace to shop for a
quality plan that best fits everyone’s price range. We were unsuccessful in
passing the exchange bill in the last legislature, but now that the Supreme
Court has ruled in favor of the ACA, I would bring it back and tailor it to
Mainers' specific needs.
On education, I believe early childhood development
is key to preparing students for a successful learning experience. We should
put more of an emphasis on early childhood development programs. The focus
should also be on encouraging more of our high school graduates to move on to
post-secondary education. Many of Maine’s graduates are discouraged by the cost
of college and not having the programs that interest them available. I want to
focus on making college more affordable and offer programs that are practical.
I would like to see an increase in our high school graduates not only going on
to college in Maine but staying here after they graduate.”
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why
not?
A: I am in full support
of same-sex marriage. It is my belief that love makes a family and there are
all kinds of different families. Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same
rights as straight couples. Prior to running for office the first time I
volunteered for Equality Maine and am very proud to have their
endorsement this year. During my first term in office I was a co-sponsor
of the Marriage Bill. It was unfortunate that the law was not sustained during
the last referendum, but I am confident that it will pass this year. It’s
about time.
Thomas G. Sarbanis II (R)
Age: 31
Education: University
of Maine Orono
Occupation: C.N.A.,
Mercy Hospital, Portland (since 2009); EMT, Cape Elizabeth Fire and Rescue
(since 2011)
Elective Experience: None
Residency: Pine
Street, South Portland (four years)
Personal: Married, two children
Contact: hone: 899-1224
Q: Why do you want to represent your district in the state legislature?
A: I am a
restorationist and I believe we can have a better Maine if we reinstate the
foundational principals which encourage a free and productive society. These
are: The rule of law, an economy which is free and open, and a respect for
individual liberty. I know with the right leadership that our state can be
a shining example to the rest of the country, that it is possible to have a
strong economy, lower taxes and a burgeoning middle class offering upward mobility
to the poor. For these reasons I am committed to the people of Maine to be an
advocate for their economic and personal freedoms. I trust in our Maine people
that they will continue to be hard working good people who are capable of self
government and living in peace with each other while exercising their rights
responsibly. This is the Maine I envision and this is the Maine I will fight
for.
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.
Nullifying the National Defense Authorization Act and protecting Maine’s
citizens’ due process rights under the state Constitution. 2. Reforming state
fiscal policy to encourage the operation of free markets to meet the demands of
the Maine economy. 3.
Requiring foods sold in Maine to disclose genetically modified ingredients.
Q: As a legislator, what would
you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: No answer provided by the candidate
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage? Why, or why
not?
A: No answer provided by
the candidate
No comments:
Post a Comment