Maya Caines
Three-year council candidate
Maya Caines
THE BIO:
I currently live in an apartment located in downtown Bar Harbor. I’ve lived in Maine for over 8 years and have been in Bar Harbor for nearly half of that.
Some of you may know me through advocacy work, The Jackson Laboratory, or my time as town staff. What you may not know is that I have a background in economics and environmental policy and have years of experience advocating for equity for marginalized groups across the country.
I am running to be your town councilor because I believe our community needs a government that is truly representative of the people in it. I believe we can make this community a place where everyone can prosper. I believe Bar Harbor needs councilors who are excited about working to understand the perspectives of all community members and develop informed policy that improves the greater good.
If you know me, you know what I stand for. I believe everyone, regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, deserves the right to safe, stable, and affordable housing. I believe town budgets should be transparent and accessible. I believe in democratic and inclusionary governance. I believe in equitable opportunities for everyone. I believe in the right to a healthy environment and reducing our environmental impact as much as possible. Most of all, I believe in the future of Bar Harbor. I believe we have the opportunity to make positive change in this community not only for residents but for everyone who has a connection to this island.
I look forward to continuing to build our community, advocating for underrepresented voices, creating a holistic approach to our year-round community, and making space for transparent and honest conversations
I am so excited to meet you and listen to what you’re passionate about. I look forward to bringing a new perspective and representing all of Bar Harbor. I cannot wait to do this with all of you.
Let’s get started!
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/mayaforbarharbor
www.instagram.com/mayaforbarharbor
THE QUESTIONS:
Why do you think so many people are running this year?
It’s pretty clear that the residents of Bar Harbor are looking for change. Although the large field this election might be a reflection of frustration about the status quo, I would like to get to a place where we are not shocked to see so many candidates, regardless of how the public feels about the job local government is doing.
I believe voters should always have options when it comes to who is representing them. Ask yourself this: when candidates run uncontested or there are exactly two choices for two empty seats, do the election results truly represent the needs of the people? If anything, I hope this election inspires more people to run for office and get involved, especially young people.
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I have never felt more inclined to call a place home. Bar Harbor is such a magical place, and it is not just because of the natural beauty but because of the rich sense of community. This is a place where people from all walks of life come and find something to hold on to. I believe that Bar Harbor can be a stronger community with leadership that addresses issues head on and actively represents groups with a variety of backgrounds. My entire life, I have advocated for others and fought for justice for individuals whose voices are not heard by those in power. The opportunity to work with a community I care so deeply about and work to move forward policy that will help everyone would be the highest honor.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?
Increased transparency feels obvious but it is more than that. I believe government should be accessible to everyone. This doesn’t just mean sharing updates on projects that are being worked on but actively engaging the community to help guide the direction of projects themselves. This means not only encouraging but truly welcoming citizens as participants in the democratic process. It is impossible for seven people to represent everyone.
Additionally, I support reworking the town’s Ethics Ordinance with the feedback received in the recent survey. I especially resonated with developing clear guidelines with questions that boards and committees are able to follow and destigmatizing the notion of conflicts of interest. Because Bar Harbor is a small town, conflicts will of course arise. However, it is our responsibility as town officials to address them proactively and follow the ordinance.
The last year or so the news has been full of cruise ships, short-term rentals, and affordable housing. This isn’t saying that those aren’t all tremendously important, but what are some of the things that we might not be focusing on as a town that need to be focused on instead?
Here are two focuses of my campaign that go beyond these hot-button issues:
Increasing alternative revenue streams. This includes working with our local elected officials to advocate for change. We saw this kind of collaboration work with the adjustment to allowed parking funds usage. If we take full advantage of the resources on hand, Bar Harbor will be allowed to benefit from the income we bring to Maine.
Addressing long-term issues through collaboration with state and federal agencies, town staff, and the local community. Some of these issues include:
Improving safe pedestrian infrastructure and accessible transportation while decreasing congestion
Building a resilient and renewable power grid, ensuring reliable utilities, and developing sustainable waste management
Do you have any ideas for increasing revenue to the town and alleviating the tax burden on property owners, ideas that don’t involve property taxes?
Bar Harbor generates over $230 million in restaurant and sales tax revenue every year, but less than 1% of that revenue is reinvested into our community. As your Town Council member, I will work to relieve the unfair burden on Bar Harbor taxpayers by pursuing alternative revenue streams for critical community needs. Potential streams include state and federal grants, fairly distributed parking and waste fees, and state-level advocacy in favor of an equitable local option sales tax.
Two of the major things we should be advocating for on a state level are a local options sales tax and funding for our school system. As it currently stands, Bar Harbor is a minimum receiver of educational funds, which means we receive funding based on our property value and not on our median income. This can be changed at the state level through collaboration with our elected officials in Augusta.
There’s a school bond on the ballot and a school that’s in dire need of repair. How have you educated yourself on the potential reconstruction of the school and what are your thoughts on how the council and school board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
Education is power. Bar Harbor needs a school that not only has amazing staff but ensures safe and reliable infrastructure for students, teachers, and staff alike. We need a school that can grow with our community. While a member of town staff, I was able to gain a better understanding of the complexities facing the school rebuild. I have attended and watched almost every council meeting since September 2022 and have heard the perspectives of school administrators, teachers, parents, and community members.
When it comes to the school rebuild, I have heard from many people the concerns around the financial burden citizens may be faced with if this goes through. That is why I am dedicated to working in collaboration with the school board to find ways to relieve the tax burden on residents. Tapping into donor opportunities and seeking out education-focused state and federal grants are a few examples of how this could be accomplished. It is clear to me how much this community values education, and it is the responsibility of the council to support maintenance of this important infrastructure while acknowledging and proactively working to mitigate the financial hardships that projects like the school rebuild will cause.
As a follow-up to that, how do you prioritize education for Bar Harbor students and in what way do you see that the school does or doesn’t fit into a future, healthy community?
I’ve worked with students between sixth and twelfth grades on the Mount Desert Island Regional School System (MDIRSS) Anti-Racism Task Force and heard their concerns about the future. If we do not prioritize housing, a strong year-round community, and an environment of collaboration and acceptance, there will be no room left for families and young people to grow up on this island. I believe my experience with local students from the public school system to undergraduates at College of the Atlantic to those pursuing higher education at the Jackson Laboratory gives me important insight into the educational needs of future generations.
What skills do you bring to the table that you think other candidates might not bring?
I will bring a genuine enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and open mindedness to the Bar Harbor Town Council.
I represent a fresh perspective from an underrepresented group in most local governments. 25% of Bar Harbor residents are under 30, yet the council on average is 60 years old. I have few if any special interests or conflicts – I do not profit off of tourism and do not own a local business – or any property at all. Unlike all current members of the Town Council, I do not own a house in Bar Harbor. Like so many in younger generations, I am surrounded by people who continuously have struggled to find housing in this town.
But I am not here to complain about the housing crisis, I am here to solve it – by devoting significant energy to this problem. As a former municipal employee, I will join the Town Council equipped with a deep understanding of the inner workings of Bar Harbor local government.
I will make sure the issues I and those around me care most deeply about are taken seriously as priorities.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking?
What perspectives would you like to see represented on the Town Council?
For me, I want to see individuals who have a variety of lived experiences and perspectives. People from a variety of socioeconomic groups, youth, similar representation of homeowners and renters, people who own small year-round businesses, people of color, people who work in the service industry, people who are active in their community. Having a council with diverse perspectives and lived experiences is so valuable in a small community. Because the problems facing Bar Harbor are diverse and multifaceted, the perspectives working to solve them must be as well.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of? What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
I am proud of myself seeking adventure and not shying away from a challenge. I did not know any locals at all when I first moved to Maine, but I immediately found community in this state.
Throughout my time in Bar Harbor, I have made it a priority to connect with people from different backgrounds, values, and beliefs than my own. I’m proud of my ability to find common ground and shared understanding with other community members while still sticking to my own principles. This skill will prove valuable in working together with others to create our shared Bar Harbor future.
I am proud of how I put these skills to use as the town’s first Communications Coordinator – developing a space for open transparent conversation with members of the community. I hope to tap into this same spirit of openness and community engagement as a member of the Town Council.