Meet the Warrant Committee Candidates
It's the people who are running for Warrant Committee
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Story asked the Warrant Committee candidates for bios, photos, and to answer our questions. The responses are below.
There are five seats up for grabs on Bar Harbor’s Warrant Committee. All are three-year terms.
The election will be June 13 at the Municipal Building Auditorium on Cottage Street. Polling hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Not all the Warrant Committee candidates responded by the deadline, but we’ll update this article and the subpage on the site if they decide to respond.
The responses are in alphabetical order.
The following offices will be elected by the voters at the June 13, 2023 Town Election:
Bar Harbor Town Council Three seats – Three-year term
Superintending School Committee Two seats – Three-year term
MDI High School Trustee One seat – Three-year term
Warrant Committee Five seats – Three-year term
CAROL CHAPPELL
BIO
DUMP NO WASTE, DRAINS TO BAY
For fifteen years, Bar Harbor third graders and I stenciled these words next to storm drain grates on the waterfront and downtown areas of Bar Harbor. As a third grade teacher, I incorporated science and environmental education into my curriculum every chance I had. A focus on maintaining the health and beauty of Frenchman Bay and Mount Desert Island continues to be of primary importance to me.
I was raised in Denver, Colorado, received a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and moved to Bar Harbor 45 years ago. My husband and I have renovated and/or rebuilt four residential buildings in the downtown area. We have provided affordable rental housing to many a student and family over the years. Teaching for 30+ years was both a challenge and a joy. For a year and a half, I rode the mail boat from Northeast Harbor to Cranberry Island daily so I could teach ten the students in grades 3-7 on Cranberry. Then, I was reassigned to Conners Emerson School. There I wore many hats, in addition to being a busy mother and a teacher, I was a scout leader, an Olympics of the Mind coach for several teams, and a founding member of the PTSA.
Upon retirement from teaching, I became active in efforts to insure that local residents have quality access to the waterfront in Bar Harbor. I was involved in efforts to stop the establishment of a port authority at the Ferry Terminal property and was a member of the Ferry Terminal Property Advisory Committee. That group of 40 residents prioritized development of a working waterfront and a marina for the property, rather than developing it as a cruise ship berthing pier.
Currently, understanding and supporting the needs of year round residents and a sustainable environment keeps me busy. I serve as a member of the Warrant Committee, and I follow the activities of the Harbor Committee and Town Council closely. Maintaining the environmental health of Frenchman Bay and MDI continues to be a top priority for me.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
The Warrant Committee’s job is to study the articles on the ballot [warrant] and make recommendations to the voters of Bar Harbor about those articles. This takes place twice a year, once before the June Town Meeting election and again before the November Town Meeting election.
As chair of the General Government Subcommittee for the past three years, I have been active in gathering and presenting information to my subcommittee and the full Warrant Committee. January through March, the Warrant Committee looks at the municipal budget and makes recommendations to the Town Council for budget changes. During the months of March and April, we study non budget articles to be voted on, such as Land Use Ordinance changes put forth by residents, ie: a zoning change for the Oceanarium property in June 2022, and Town Council initiated articles, ie: the sale of town owned property to a private party, this coming election. Our attention to ballot articles continues during the fall election cycle. Last fall there were two citizens initiatives, one limiting cruise ship disembarkation and the second being the option of having retail sales of marijuana in Bar Harbor.
I am hoping to be reelected to the Warrant Committee because my experience is valuable to the group. I believe that presenting both sides of an issue and having a healthy debate on those issues, with my fellow members, is an essential step to help educate the voters of Bar Harbor. I believe that an educated electorate will decide to care for our environment and help insure a sustainable standard of living for all residents.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
What do we need to do to move to a sustainable, year round community?
Many Bar Harbor voters feel our current “over investment” in seasonal tourism is taking away from the quality of life in our town. What can be done to alleviate the solid waste burden being placed on the taxpayers? Are in-town water and sewer fees equitable or do the residential taxpayers shoulder more of the burden than we should? What can be done to have heavy users of these services foot more of the bills?
What housing options will be available for our aging population when we no longer need our “big” houses that held families? How will community services be expanded to meet this aging population? Are the sidewalks we use safe or are they tripping hazards?
We need to keep asking questions. The Comprehensive Plan work will inform some of these answers, Town Council others. We need to keep exploring what it means to be a sustainable, year round community.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
I have followed this debate closely and having taught third grade in the Conners building for 25 years, I believe it is not possible to make that building energy efficient.
For so many reasons, we need a new school building. To keep “repairing” the current buildings is throwing good money after bad.
We need to vote in the $59 M school bond, then actively support the School Board’s fundraising efforts to finance the building of a new school. There are entities in this community that have the financial resources to help. There are creative ways of looking at the bonding of this expenditure to lessen the impact to the taxpayers. And, in future municipal and school budget development, we need to “sharpen our pencils” and look for grants and other funding to help move this town forward.
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 that I raised two good sons and have both educated and shared my passion for preserving our bay with several generations of Bar Harbor residents. We do not have a Port Authority at the Ferry Terminal property, which would have allowed commercial shipping enterprises in Bar Harbor and/or a cruise ship berthing pier. I was active in fighting American Aquafarms’ attempt to raise salmon on an industrial scale in Frenchman Bay. I will continue, as a private citizen, to advocate for the needs of the residents of this town and the environment in which we live.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
My work within the Warrant Committee for the past several years speaks to my useful organizational skills. I have pulled together information from the various sides of each issue, shared documents and video links, and talked to many people to develop an understanding of each issue. All of this information has been shared with Warrant Committee members and the public as a whole. An informed electorate is important as we move forward to further develop a year round community with a sustainable economy.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
Why in the world would a person step into the quagmire that is currently Bar Harbor politics?
I have stepped in because I want future generations to call Bar Harbor home, a clean, safe, beautiful home.
JULIA “JULES” CUCHELO
THE BIO:
You will see me on the ballot this June as Julia Cuchelo, but you may have met me bartending around town as Jules! You can often catch me mingling at the farmer’s market or cruising about on my longboard. I find value in shopping small, eating locally, and living authentically. Having grown up on a barrier island in New Jersey, the transition to MDI came easy for me. I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of climate change on coastal communities, the complexities of seasonal tourism, and what it takes to sustain a thriving year-round population.
I have been pursuing my Master’s in Policy, Planning, and Management at the University of Southern Maine the last several years. My concentration is in environmental policy and sustainability. I also have a certificate in geographic information systems. My education coupled with my own life’s experiences has left me deeply passionate regarding the intersection between the health of the environment and its people.
If you have any questions regarding my campaign for the Warrant Committee, feel free to send me an email at julia.cuchelo@gmail.com.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I often find myself feeling powerless regarding the state of the world and the inequities that exist within. This can be a heavy burden to carry. There is a disconnect between nature, governments, and its people. I would like to discover actions and solutions that are inclusive of all. I believe there is a vast demographic that is underrepresented here in Bar Harbor. It is my aim to give platform to those who otherwise would not be heard and stand for the core values that matter to me most.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
Bar Harbor has been experiencing an onslaught of unprecedented weather events. The sense of community felt in response this past winter was palpable. However, from a policy standpoint, the town has immense room for growth. Our current economic system is extractive in nature. I would like to see priority put into creating livelihoods and alternative revenue streams. The transition to a smart grid, with a widespread interconnection of renewable energy sources and comprehensive waste to energy management solutions are deserving of our focus.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
While everyone can agree tax hikes are not ideal or sustainable, there are overwhelming benefits the rebuild will provide our community. It has been powerful to witness citizens and members of the school board alike vehemently advocate for our school. In response to the needs of our residents, the Warrant Committee has a responsibility to support this project. If the school bond passes the elected bodies need to work together to alleviate financial strain for our citizens by means of working to acquire large donations and grant opportunities.
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’m proud of my ability to find strength in hardship and come through it with greater compassion. What I see everywhere are ordinary people willing to confront despair, power, and incalculable odds to restore some semblance of grace, justice, and beauty to this world. I’m just a regular person, but I believe it is with small, transformative acts that real change takes effect. I am proud of cleaning up litter along Bar Island on my daily walks, of volunteering my free time at the Food Pantry, of supporting my neighbor’s local business or enjoying an Open Table Community Dinner. I’m proud of the little moments that make me a part of the community of Bar Harbor.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
This would be a new role for me, but I feel my education paired with my fervent desire to be involved equips me to succeed in this role. My background in GIS, environmental policy and sustainability will be integral to my success as a member of the Warrant Committee. My age and work in the service industry would aid me in communicating with and representing my demographic of people.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
I believe we should be asking why there is such a low involvement between young people and local politics within Bar Harbor—and how can we change that? I think clearer communication is key here, but I would be curious to hear what would make this space more inclusive to all residents.
KEVIN DESVEAUX
THE BIO:
I came to Bar Harbor in the summer of 1990 to work as a dishwasher at the Pier Restaurant. At that time everything I owned fit in the back of my VW hatchback (except the mountain bike on the roof)! Life was simple! Ten years later, with a little help from the previous owners, I bought the West Street Café. Although I knew very little about owning a business back then I was excited. Throwing risk aversion out the window I jumped both feet in. Today, 23 years later, I still love being in the hospitality business and being a respected member of the community. Having spent the past two years on the Warrant Committee, I look forward to the opportunity to serve another term. I am also currently serving on the Bar Harbor Comprehensive Planning Committee. Life today is a little more complicated!
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
Running for warrant committee for me is simply a desire to contribute to the community and make a positive impact. As a year-round resident and small business owner, I believe I also have the expertise and skills to be an advocate for both.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
No doubt about it, cruise ships, short term rentals, and affordable housing are definitely hot topics in this town.
In my opinion, for many years the town deferred many necessary major infrastructure projects such as a new school and sewer upgrades to keep taxes low. While it seemed like a noble thing to do at the time, it’s unfortunately creating an extra tax burden on residences today. We simply can’t kick these cans down the road any longer. Happily, over the past couple years, we’ve seen the town take a proactive approach to maintaining infrastructure. I’d like to see that continue for years to come.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
I leaned heavily on the school board’s thorough work on the subject. Every time I thought there was a less expensive option the school board had already been down that road and eliminated it. I believe if the townspeople get behind this project ,we’ll see a fair amount of philanthropic people step up and off set the costs and burden on tax payers.
What have you done for yourself that you’re the most proud of?
I take great pride knowing my parents are proud of my accomplishments.
What have you done for the community that you’re the most proud of?
Running a business for over 20 years and consistently giving back year after year to the community’s nonprofits.
I am also very proud of our environmental sustainability efforts at the restaurant. We eliminated all single-use plastics, We’re using all biodegradable to-go packaging, Aggressively recycling, even at employee housing. Best of all, over the past five years (in a partnership with Agri-Cycle) we have pulled over 56 tons of pre and post organic waste out of the trash system and repurposed it.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
Being equipped with the aptitude and competence to come to the table, communicate, collaborate, and compromise.
SHAUN FARRAR
THE BIO:
I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale. My maternal grandmother’s family settled in Fort Lauderdale very early, when the intracoastal waterway was still a natural flowage without concrete bulkheads directing its course. I did all of my schooling in Florida and started easing into adulthood there.
I consider myself lucky to have been raised in a family without prejudice and that was accepting to all. I believe that those beginning years and my life experiences in what is truly one of the biggest melting pots in our nation helped shape who I am today. A person who is able to get along with most anyone regardless of history, beliefs, or other defining qualities.
I moved to Maine, specifically Bar Harbor, in 1997 to work at my aunt’s restaurant. I have since worked numerous jobs, including a short stint as an animal care technician at the Jackson Lab. I began working for the Town of Bar Harbor as a seasonal police officer in the late 90s and was hired fulltime in 2001. I am now self employed as a residential caretaker, small shop owner, and a few other ventures.
I fell in love with Bar Harbor very quickly and decided that I wanted to live here. I did live here for a while, first in rented rooms and then renting an apartment above Sherman’s Bookstore. Even back then, housing issues were abundant. I lived as far away as Kenduskeag, driving to work every day, and then gradually made my way back to Bar Harbor via Bangor and Ellsworth. Now I’m proud to be a home owner and taxpayer in the community I love.
My wife and I have two daughters, one 14 and one 28. We would love for our children to continue to live here should they choose to do so and if they can afford it. We live in town and absolutely love the ability to walk both downtown and into Acadia National Park from our house. We are truly blessed to live in a place that so many love and admire.
I was a Rotary Club member for many years and served as the club president. It was during my presidential year that the Rotary Club took over the Park Street Playground rebuild and was able to bring it to fruition one year later. I am a founding member of the Bar Harbor Book Festival and I have volunteered for numerous community events and organizations. I believe in small communities and good neighbors. I see this kindness every day as neighbors take care of neighbors when they are sick, ailing, full of grief, or just need a hand loading up trash.
I recognize the challenges that are currently facing our community and implore you to keep reading to find out more about myself and the other candidates.
If you’d like to contact me, you can send me an email at sfarrar86@gmail
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
When I first came to Bar Harbor in 1997 from southern Florida to work in my aunt and uncle’s restaurant, I immediately fell in love. I fell in love with the town, the beauty of the area, the lack of congestion and where there was no constant waiting in lines, and most importantly, the people. There was such a marked difference in the way that people whom I had never met prior treated me and interacted with myself and others. I went back to Florida after my first summer, but when I came back for my second summer, I never left.
I did not always live in Bar Harbor once I moved to Maine. Even back in the late 90s year-round housing was tough to find and home purchasing was out of reach for many. When I first got hired by the Bar Harbor Police Department, I was commuting every day from Kenduskeag because I was able to purchase an ancient mobile home in Pray’s Trailer Park for $5,000.00 cash. But that was thankfully short lived and I fought my way back to town.
That is my bigger purpose in life––to set goals for myself and my family and to work as hard as it takes to meet those goals and live the highest quality of life possible for us––and to try and help make that possible for others who dream about living a quality year-round life in Bar Harbor.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
With all of the discussion regarding the town’s budget of late, there has not been enough realistic conversation about how we are going to keep property taxes down. We have a number of very large ticket items, infrastructure needs, a possible school rebuild bond, and a potential high school renovations and wastewater issues project bond heading our way and very little revenue generation other than property taxes.
Our proposed FY24 budget is $26,997,384.00 while our projected revenues other than property taxes are $4,878,156.00. That means that revenues other than property taxes only pay for 18.07% of our expenditures.
In addition, because we have fallen below the 91% town assessed property value to state assessed property value ratio set by the state, we have an upcoming full revaluation for all properties in Bar Harbor.
Budgets—whether they are for a town or a family—are about increasing revenue and cutting expenses. The Warrant Committee has a duty to look at the proposed budgets with a sharp eye toward that.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
I have been following the school repair/rebuild issues very closely. We had a child there last year and it was impossible to walk into the building and not notice the temperature differences between rooms, the water stains on the ceilings, and the buckets scattered throughout the school to catch water from roof leaks. Our child is a special needs child and required a lot of one-on-one time which normally either took place in the special needs room, with two to four other children present, or a very small office space assigned to a staff member.
The need for a new school is very real. The desire to achieve this is paramount in the minds of school staff and parents. The 58-million-dollar price tag is incredibly daunting! Community members who serve on the different school boards, some of whom don’t even have children in the school system, are working tirelessly and diligently to find alternative means of funding.
In order to make this dream possible it is incumbent on the Town Council and the Warrant Committee to closely guard spending in other areas. I am a data, numbers, and facts driven person who also recognizes the power of the heart.
The school rebuild is a project that has the potential to epitomize the definition of small town. It will take all of us, the town, individuals, and businesses, both for profit and non-profits, to allow this need to come to fruition without overburdening the taxpayers. And it’s a perfect example of how in a time of need, a community can come together to make something happen.
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 to have served our town for 15-plus years. I am proud to have adopted a child who has autism, ODD, and anxiety disorder and having to been able to adapt my life and parenting style to navigate these challenges. I am proud to live in Bar Harbor.
I have been a Rotary Club member and served as its club president. It was during my presidency that the Rotary Club took over the Park Street Playground rebuild and was able to bring it to fruition one year later. I am also a founding member of the Bar Harbor Book Festival, which has been on a slight hiatus due to COVID and other issues, but which will be back this year, and I have volunteered for numerous community events. I also believe in small communities and good neighbors. Helping my neighbors in small quiet ways—ways that don’t make the papers or social media or news blogs—is what I’m proud of. It’s what I’m the most proud of when I think of other community members who do this every day, too. It isn’t about glory for these people. It’s about kindness. And the reason I love Bar Harbor and stayed here all this time—even while seeing the worst moments in people’s lives as a law enforcement officer—is because of that kindness, the way neighbors help neighbors. Not looking for glory. Just being good.
Have you ever travelled to another town and thought to yourself, what an amazing place! I would love to live here. I wonder what it is like to live here? Well, we live in such a place. A place filled with magical beauty, a place where others wish to live, and a place where many wish to visit. All of us have been blessed, somehow, with the ability to actually live behind the curtain of wonderment! It is not always perfect, sometimes that snow globe gets shaken a little too hard, but working together and sensibly, we will continue to make Bar Harbor a fantastic year-round community.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates, and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
As stated prior, I am a data, numbers, and facts driven person. In my years as a police officer, I have had to deal with many situations that involved more than one party and more than one set of emotions and beliefs. There is very rarely a simplistic solution. I have learned to gather the facts and the data, the evidence if you will, and then make a knowledgeable decision.
In order to do this, you have to be able to listen to all sides involved and have the ability to recognize that your beliefs are not always correct or the best and be willing to have an open mind accepting of change. Being unwilling to do this, creates a massive divisiveness in our town. Divisiveness ends positive forward movement.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
Question – How do we create a thriving year-round community that doesn’t pit any one faction of the residents against any of the others and allows for adjustments that can work for all?
Bar Harbor currently, and almost always, has had a seasonal economy. In order to have a more robust year-round economy, we need to be thinking of not only affordable housing but also business attraction and/or incubation programs that help diversify the economy and pay a wage that allows people to build and live here.
Our blossoming property values and associated rising property taxes tend to work hard at nullifying attempts at affordable housing. By working diligently to attract more year-round businesses with better paying positions available, we would be providing more income for many seasonal businesses on a year-round or nearly year-round basis while at the same time helping to break the ever-increasing struggle to find seasonal workers.
In addition, better paying year-round job opportunities would hopefully attract employees who can afford to purchase houses in this very popular location, to maintain the properties, and to pay property taxes.
ELIZABETH LEMIERE
To contact: Elizabeth.Lemire@outlook.com
THE BIO:
Hi there! My name is Elizabeth Lemire, but I go by Liz. I’m originally from Connecticut and fell in love with Bar Harbor in 2006 when I first visited, and knew this was the place I wanted to make my long-term home. I worked many different seasonal jobs all over town–as a barista, shop attendant, and boats—up until 2021 when I was lucky enough to be able to become a full-time resident here in Bar Harbor. I now work in town at a healthcare facility as a medical receptionist, and I love being able to support Bar Harbor residents get the care they need right here at home. I have a Bachelor of Science in environmental earth science, and I am currently pursuing a medical assistant license. We have incredible people and natural spaces here in Bar Harbor, and I’m looking forward to serving this community!
THE QUESTIONS!
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I am running for Warrant Committee because I want to see positive change in this community, and what better way to make it then to be a part of it. I have had the opportunity to work both seasonally and full time in this town, which has given me a unique perspective on both sides of the coin. I can see there are pros and cons to issues such as cruise ships, short-term rentals and long-term housing. I hope by running for Warrant Committee, I can help navigate both sides of these hot topics and come to solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved. My “larger” purpose in running for Warrant Committee is to create a positive, communicative and safe community that we all share and thrive within.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
I love this question! I absolutely agree that cruise ships, short-term rentals and affordable housing are all front runners in the conversations that we have been having. There are some things that fall into the background. Some of the issues that I would like to bring up are more geared to sustainability and storm hazard mitigation. We also must look at how higher rates of tourism impact the environment both short and long term.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
While I’m not involved in the school project directly, I have watched a number of the Town Council meetings where the school project has been discussed, as well as read some different local articles on what has been going on. Connors Emerson needs to be a safe and secure place for students to learn–our public school is an invaluable part of the community. I’m in support of the bond initiative, but think that we should also do as much to offset the costs of the project through donations and alternative revenue sources in order to ensure the new school is a solution that benefits everyone. The school rebuild an inevitable issue that needs to be addressed—we just have to be creative in the ways that fund it.
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?
There are many things that I am proud of— but one of them is that I managed to move from seasonal living in Bar Harbor to full time employment and living. I have always wanted to live here, but like many others, I struggled finding affordable year-round housing. For years, I bounced around from temporary living situations and different employment to secure a more year-round lifestyle. After two years of looking, I have finally found a place to call home and a fulfilling and continually advancing career! I am very proud that I get the opportunity to work for a local healthcare facility, as it gives me that chance to work with all kinds of people on the island and people traveling here from all around the world. Through the clinic, there are volunteer opportunities, public outreach and the chance to get to know residents from across MDI. I am also incredibly proud to be one of many young people in Bar Harbor working to be more involved in town politics and decision-making.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
With a degree in science, much of my background is in research. As a data driven person, I have spent a considerable amount of time learning how discern credible versus un-credible sources. I have also had a lot of experience with geographical information systems, excel, and other technological applications that could provide the committee and community some new, useful ways of interpreting and visualizing critical information.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
My question that I would ask is “why is there an abundance of younger people running for office and how can that positively affect town government?”
My answer to this would be because we want to feel more represented in the decisions that are being made for and about us. I think that the younger generation communicate more openly about the realities of the hardships we face. We need more people in local government who are willing to tackle the hard problems we face head on and with transparency, for example, by using social media and other accessible forms of communication that allows information to be broken down and disseminated to a wider public. I think with a more balanced group of individuals running for Town Council and Warrant Committee it can bring more diversified opinions and ideas, hopefully that can provide more angles to solve our community’s concerns.
ALLIE SASNER
THE BIO
I’ve lived in Bar Harbor nearly my entire life, moving here when I was 4, leaving for college and re-discovering my love for the island when I moved back “for the summer” after graduating with a Bachelor of Science from Lesley University. It’s been 8 years since I came home for the summer and haven’t looked back. Being the Marketing and Administration Manager at Atlantic Brewing Company has allowed me to interact with all walks of life in this community. I originally joined the Warrant Committee in 2020 because I wanted to see more people my age in conversations about where this town was going in the future. I've delved deeper into that goal by being on the Comprehensive Planning Committee and I hope to continue this work on the Warrant Committee for 3 more years.
In my free time I’m hiking in Acadia, eating hot dogs and listening to Steely Dan.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
Running as an incumbent with 3 budget seasons under my belt on The Warrant Committee, at this point I really think I’ve grown as a committee member and understand the process well. I’ve seen the committee through the charter changes and have helped adapt and change to the new systems of the town budget process. I live in this town and want to help to make it move livable for others, especially those in my age range that may not be as engaged in town government as I am. I feel it’s important for this demographic to have a voice and I’m honored to be a part of it.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
I think the town infrastructure is a big one that isn’t being talked about as much as it should be. Hearing the last few years of presentations from Public Works (who are doing an incredible job with what they are being given) has really shown me that infrastructure was not at the forefront. We were built as a small town and we are turned into a city every year at peak season, which is not sustainable.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
Having been on the Warrant Committee, especially this past season, we’ve had many talks at meetings, and presentations from school and town officials about the bond, so I feel well versed in the topic. I think it’s obviously very daunting and not what anyone is excited about, but the school needs it desperately. While I think consolidation should still be a consideration, we can’t put this off any longer.
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?
It was nerve wracking to put myself out there and apply to join the Warrant Committee for the first time as a 25 year old, but I’m proud and glad that I did it to learn more about my town and to serve as a voice for younger folks that want to set down deeper roots in this town! I also made a beer for the Pink Boots Society, called Sass Kicker, which was pretty cool!
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
Again, running as an incumbent I believe my experience with the Warrant Committee has made me understand the process and the lingo in a way that makes me a valuable asset to the committee. In my time on Warrant I’ve been on The General Government Subcommittee, (focusing primarily on LUOs and Warrant Articles versus budget lines), the Public Safety Subcommittee, and most recently the newly formed Public Infrastructure Subcommittee. This, along with my work on the Comprehensive Planning Committee, makes me well versed in what is going on in this town as well as how the town is working to address issues. I’ve learned a lot in my years on this committee and I’m looking forward to using the knowledge I’ve gained in the future.
CHRISTINE SMITH
THE BIO:
I grew up in southern New Hampshire, and my first visit to MDI was for a week-long summer camp during my middle school years. I still remember my first bite of Rosalie’s that summer! While I was a student at Bowdoin College, I had the great opportunity to spend three summers at the MDI Biological Laboratory and accepted a year-round position there as my final summer came to an end. Next week will mark the start of my twenty-fourth year of working at MDIBL, though my work has shifted from working exclusively in a lab to now being the director of courses, conferences, and evaluation.
When I started living in Bar Harbor, I rented apartments in town, and finding a good year-round option was a challenge even then. I appreciate this ongoing, critical need for rental housing. My home now is just off the Crooked Road, where I live with my husband Joel and son Ryan. I love to be out in our garden together or working on any of various puzzles.
Joel and I both served on the Kids’ Corner board while Ryan attended that amazing place. While on the Kids’ Corner board, I was first able to act as secretary and put my high school electric typewriter training to good use. In the winter of 2018, I joined the Warrant Committee when a vacancy arose, and have served as its secretary since 2020. It’s been an honor and a privilege to have worked with all of the other Warrant Committee members and town staff during my tenure to date.
THE QUESTIONS
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?
I’ve certainly benefited from the Warrant Committee’s work and recommendations for years as a Bar Harbor voter, and I am happy to take my own turn at giving some of that effort back. This feels particularly true now when there seem to be so many critical decisions to make, and with a new Comprehensive Plan (almost!) in hand. I hope that my previous work with the Warrant Committee can provide some relatively recent historical context. My own contributions to the ongoing conversations stem from earnest reflection and thoughtful listening. I can also share what I’ve learned about the mechanics of this complex budget and overall municipal organization to our newer members of the Warrant Committee, and assist with that informal onboarding that’s so important.
It's truly a pleasure to work with everyone else on the Warrant Committee and with town staff. It’s been an additional bit of education to serve as secretary, and I value the trust that the rest of the Warrant Committee puts in me to act in that role.
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 needs to be focused on instead?
One thing that I see right now is that there is real earnest discussion and reflection happening among our community members about these and other topics. I am heartened to see how many people are running this season, and think it will be critical to keep this level of engagement and open conversation going regardless of what particular paths we take. I think that the Comprehensive Planning committee has done an exceptional job reaching out to the community and seeking input, and could be a model for other initiatives.
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, the Warrant Committee, the town, and Conners Emerson School Board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?
I certainly have been educated on the current state of the Conners Emerson School by listening to my son explaining that he couldn’t use the school library for a month because there’s a plant growing in between the walls! I have also attended community learning sessions both in person and via Zoom, and have spoken with school board and community members about their concerns and hopes for the future. During Warrant Committee meetings, we also hear details of current, urgent repairs and the costs of anticipated building needs.
It is a huge win for us to potentially use parking funds to support the new school project. I also anticipate that with a successful passage of the bond issue next month there will be energy and interest to drive philanthropic and grant support. I believe that it is not in the tax interests of residents to be spending more money every year on temporary patches for repairs that will only delay and drive up the cost of the school rebuild that is so sorely needed.
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 take immeasurable delight in being part of the partnership that’s raising a kind, curious kid. There’s just nothing else like it. I’m also proud of my work at MDIBL over the years, and have fared not too badly in the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament!
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Warrant Committee secretary, and appreciate hearing my family say they are proud of me when I head into town for our meetings. It is important to me that my son sees that responsibility to contribute in some way to our community.
The Warrant Committee considers, investigates and reports on all of the election warrant articles except for the candidates for Town Meeting. What particular skills do you have that you think will help you perform that role?
As Warrant Committee secretary, I’ve needed to be a very careful listener and also have effectively revisited each of our meetings in drafting the minutes. This review has deepened my institutional knowledge and memory. This can be valuable as ideas have been raised that were not immediately practicable, but may benefit from being reconsidered when the time is right.
Apart from my prior experience on the Warrant Committee, in my daily work at MDIBL I oversee more than 25 individual budgets for courses and conferences, each of which has their own nuances. Each of these programs also have unique audiences and needs, which requires careful consideration of expenses, measures of success, and logistical needs.
What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking? Feel free to answer it if you’d like to!
It’s helpful to take a moment to appreciate the amazing depth and breadth of expertise among the citizens of Bar Harbor. There are so many ways to contribute to our community, not all of which involve formally serving on a board or committee, and people are truly generous with their time and talents. I am so proud to be part of this community.
Shaun Farrar often writes for the Bar Harbor Story.