MEG’S BIO
My name is Meg Kelly and I am running for a two-year warrant committee term, hoping to take back the seat that I gave up when I joined town council this winter. I was born and raised in Bar Harbor and think this town is a special place. My sister and I run the Lompoc Cafe on Rodick Street. While I am a business owner, I come to the issues as a citizen and would be honored to represent the town on the Warrant Committee again.
THE QUESTIONS
What inspired you to run for warrant committee?
I have served on the Warrant Committee for six years and have loved being a member. I was appointed to town council to fill an interim term this winter and while I have enjoyed that experience immensely, I am have decided that I cannot commit to the schedule of town council while I run my restaurant in the summer. I would be honored to be able to rejoin the warrant committee because I am passionate about being involved in town government.
What are your thoughts on tax-payer-based spending in Bar Harbor?
I think that it is important for the town to continue to look for more revenue streams in order to relieve the burden on the tax payer. Housing is an issue that I am passionate about and I feel that keeping property taxes as low as possible is a piece of the puzzle in solving our housing crisis.
What are your thoughts about redirecting parking fee revenues to non-parking-related budget items?
I think that the revenue that Bar Harbor collects from parking is incredibly important to the town budget. If the state of Maine allows it, I fully support using said funds for non-parking related budget items. This is provided that we still save some of the monies and keep a fund balance in the parking fund as a cushion for the future and of course for our roads and sidewalks.
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?
During my time on town council and warrant committee I have prided myself on my listening skills and my ability to remain unbiased. I try my hardest to come to the issues with an open mind and no preconceived opinions. I enjoy discussing warrant articles with the committee and the town staff. I also think my past years of experience have helped me to understand the language in which some of the more complex articles are written and am able to explain the issues at hand to citizens.
Why should voters trust you to represent their interests effectively?
I was born in Bar Harbor and I love this town. I have committed myself to being involved in town committees for a few years now and I have done my best to represent the voters. I speak with people often about the complex issues that the town is facing and I hope voters feel that I am someone they can come to if they have topics that they would like to discuss!