Paul Aranson (D)
Age: 61
Education: University of Maine Law School, 1977.
Occupation: Private law practice, Sanford (since 1991)
Recent Work History: District Attorney, Prosecutorial District Two (two
terms, 1982-1990).
Elective Experience: None
Residency: Minuteman Drive, Scarborough (since 1995, town
resident since 1985).
Personal: Single, two sons.
Contact: cell: 329-7431; phone: 324-4198; email: Housolaw@gmail.com
Q: Why do you want to represent your
district in the state legislature?
A: I want to ensure that my
children and yours will be educated in a system which will train them for this
century's jobs. I want our children to be able to stay in the State of Maine if
they choose and be able to provide a livable wage for themselves and their
families.”
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 most important
issues are education, the economy and our quality of life. All three issues are
related, one to the other. The most important reason why young families move to
Scarborough is the quality of its public education. I want to ensure that
continues and improves by not undermining funding by diverting tax dollars to
private schools, be they religious or other. We need to support and encourage
our students at the K-12 and university level to concentrate studies in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Qualified graduates and
commensurate involved departments attract businesses for this state. As the
state with one of the highest median ages, we need to expand our tax base with
younger, productive and prosperous people.
Q:
As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: Having spoken to
parents, teachers and other educators, No Child Left Behind has been a disaster
and I would encourage our elected representatives in Washington, D.C. to repeal
it. Providing incentives for educating and attracting expert teachers in the areas
I suggested as well as providing incentives for students to matriculate in
those areas would be helpful. Finally, we need to expand our university system
in those areas I suggested and make a financial commitment both in
infrastructure and increased availability to encourage pursuit of the sciences.
Obviously, we also need to streamline any government impediments to rapid
development of new businesses as well as enlarging existing businesses.”
Q: Do you support
same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A: I will be voting to
enact a law which allows for same-sex marriage. One's sexuality is not a
choice, one is born with it in all its variations.
I
refuse to discriminate against a newborn child who emerges sin free and
develops in accordance with the genetic code the source of all has given that
child. Actions between consenting adults are no business of anyone else,
particularly the state, so long as no one is hurt and no children are adversely
affected.
Amy Volk (R)
Age: 43
Education: B.S. human development, University of Maine.
Occupation: Owner, Personally Yours invitations and stationary,
Scarborough (since 2003)
Elective Experience: State Representative, District 127 (2010)
Residency: Elbridge Oliver Way, Scarborough (13 years).
Personal: Married (23 years), four children.
Contact: phone: 229-5091; email: avolk@volkboxes.com ; Twitter:
@mom4volks
Q: Why do you want to represent your
district in the state legislature?
A: “When I ran for office
two years ago, it was the first time I had ever run for
anything. Truthfully, I had little knowledge about what the job of state
representative entailed. Two years later, I can say that it has truly been
an honor and a privilege to represent Coastal Scarborough in our state
capital. I have enjoyed the challenge of learning about so many important
issues that affect our lives and the lives of future generations. I
thoroughly enjoy my legislative committee, Labor, Commerce, Research and
Economic Development, because we deal with such diverse issues affecting
workers, businesses and even the university system. In Augusta, I have
earned a reputation as a fair-minded legislator who strives to find middle
ground in order to form consensus. My goal is always to ‘move the ball
forward’ rather than fall back on ideology. I find the work I have done
directly on behalf of constituents to be the most rewarding. When Bayley’s
Campground came across a major tax issue that could have crippled campgrounds
around the state, as well as the tourism industry, I stepped in. I helped
another family resolve a land issue with the state which had been dragged out
for five years. When my local veterinarian told me Maine was the only
state not to allow her to purchase health insurance through her national
association, I introduced legislation that would permit it. I hope to
continue working for the people of Scarborough in the next session.
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. Matching educational
and skills training opportunities to available jobs. 2. Continuing to look at
issues that prevent Maine’s business climate from being competitive with other
similarly rural states. 3. Ensure that the Department of Marine Resources
follows through on pledges to increase fairness in lobster licensure.”
Q:
As a legislator, what would you do, specifically, to address these concerns?
A: On the State Workforce
Investment Board, we are working to increase communication between businesses
who have unfilled jobs and our community colleges and technical
schools. We intend to direct the nearly $10 million in federal Workforce
Investment Act funds the governor has at his discretion toward marketable
worker training. We want every penny of that money spent wisely. Increased
funding to community colleges and technical schools may be needed.
In the Joint Standing
Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development, we were often
told about laws where Maine is an outlier. It’s great to be a leader in
good policy that others may copy, but too often Maine is an outlier in the
other direction, discouraging business growth. Over the last two years Mainers
have seen a shift toward a more helpful state government with a ‘can do’
attitude toward business. The result has been an improvement in our
business friendliness ratings. I want to see that trend continue.
I introduced two separate
lobster licensing bills in the 125th
legislature. These were at the request of a local family, but just
about everyone agrees that our licensure program is faulty. In fact, the
department is currently studying the issue. I plan to ensure that changes
are made to increase fairness within the system. More than 20 lobster
fishermen fish from Pine Point Pier, while many others who live in Scarborough
fish out of Portland. This is an important issue to all of them, but
especially to those on the waiting list for full licensure and those who would
like to be able to somehow pass their business along to family members like any
family business.
Q: Do you support
same-sex marriage? Why, or why not?
A:
This issue will be determined by citizen referendum. I am not involved
in the campaign for or against.”
No comments:
Post a Comment