Occupation: Mount Desert Water District; office manager located in Northeast Harbor. I have worked there for 10 years frequently interacting with different State and regulatory agencies such as the Drinking Water Program, Public Utilities Commission, Department of Transportation, as well as Acadia National Park, the Town of Mount Desert, Versant, League of Towns and Maine Municipal to name just a few. Prior to that I worked at the Town of Mount Desert and the Town of Bar Harbor in the finance department for 4 years. In total, I have 15 years of municipal experience.
Family you’d like to mention: My supportive husband Tyler Johnson as well as both of our children
Previous public office positions or appointments: Previously elected to the select board in 2022.
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
My feelings have not changed since I ran in 2022 for the select board. There are many issues as well as opportunities still up in the air.; I originally ran because I saw missed opportunities for the town and not a lot of forward thinking in the decisions that had been made for the future of our town. Here are six examples;
1. Prior to 2022 A Climate To Thrive (ACTT) had reached out to The Town of Southwest Harbor to see if we were interested in participating in The Community Resilience Partnership. Unfortunately, no one on the select board or at the town level responded to them. I saw other towns receiving $100,000 in grants and felt like the Town of Southwest Harbor was being left behind (as we had received $0).
Since my election to the board, we have since started participating. When we first began working with ACTT in 2023, we were in the process of re-doing our comprehensive plan. Working with them has really been in the towns best interest for long-term planning; focused on a range of issues including our resiliency. In 2023 we received a $50,000 Community Action Grant that didn’t require a match from the town. This was used for analysis of the towns electricity usage and possible municipal solar sites focused on reducing future electricity costs. This project would meet 100% of the municipal electricity needs.
In July 2025, we worked with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) on a vulnerability assessment that identified areas of concern. If this timing had not happened, the town would have needed to fund the identification of these areas for our comprehensive plan. We have another application in place that builds off of the vulnerability assessment by addressing infrastructure issues facing Southwest Harbor and will help updating our Emergency Management Plan, among other things. This pending grant is for $75,000 and does not require a match. We will find out about the most recent grant application next month.
If the pending grant is funded, the total the town will have received will be $125,000.
2. The towns FEMA funding. When the Town of Southwest Harbor applied for funds, the wrong information was submitted which had made us ineligible for any funding. From my experience in my current job, I realized something was wrong because our experiences were very different. I researched it further and discovered the Town was not in process for any reimbursement. Even though the deadline had passed, I utilized my contacts to expedite a correction, and the town got reinstated into the approval process for FEMA. We have received a portion of the funding and currently have pending obligated funds on the way.
3. We now have funds invested in a manner where it is safe, and which are accruing more interest than sitting in our checking or savings account. The Town of Southwest Harbor has had an investment policy for quite some time. However, prior to my election to the board we had $0 invested.
4. Just prior to being elected to the select board in 2022, the Chris’s Pond project was voted down, which caused the loss of large sums of money we could have used toward the protection of that space for future generations. (The opportunity to apply for a grant was gone). I hear a lot of complaints about the control Acadia National Park has over the land, such as requiring locals to have permits to enter, which is exactly why it is important to have our own lands in the town for our residents to enjoy. We can regulate them the way we want to and not have our land subject to federal rules and regulations – it keeps our control of our land, local. The select board in 2022 supported the Chris’s Pond project – and still do – even without the ability to apply for the grant funds which are no longer available. The Conservation Commission has been able to identify other grants we can apply for.
5. Congressional funds of $2.4 Million. We had an uninsurable building- the Town Garage, that still needs to be replaced. The current select board had our engineering firm apply for congressional funds to help with the rebuild of the garage, which we were successful receiving – this is huge! Instead of taxpayers having to shoulder a bond for the entire amount this will help immensely.
6. $12,000 State refund. Through my municipal work and general interest of things happening at the state level, I was aware that our municipality could apply for a reimbursement of costs for recent ordinance implementation. We applied for that refund and were successful in receiving a full reimbursement for all costs associated with it.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?
I excel in solving issues by analyzing them with creative logical approaches. I try to think holistically about our town while being forward thinking and finding compromises if needed on issues at hand. I work well with all of our board members, and I am a good listener. I research our issues and ask questions prior to our meetings if I need further information or clarification so that I am prepared. With complicated issues, I try to break them down into more manageable details which usually puts the board on the path of finding a solution.
What are some similarities?
As candidates, we all bring unique perspectives to the table and we all have a deep love for our town.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
I believe one of our greatest challenges continues to be how our town will weather uncertainties; of which there are many. Such as; financial (federal funding, potential grants, the educational budget as well as the county budget which are both out of the select boards control) housing (not only for residences but also affordable for our workforce), employees (attracting and keeping knowledgeable and educated staff), environmental (rising sea level and storm severity that could impact utilities and emergency services), even volunteers (on our fire department and our ambulance service) just to name a few. I feel that my presence on the board allows me the opportunity to think outside the box. I really try to be open minded in finding fair solutions that can be a compromise between different viewpoints.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
This is a difficult question and difficult topic.
Unfortunately, the town has previously been underfunded, not the day to day expenses but the CIP (Capital Improvement Program) etc. These gaps need to be filled in so we can make thoughtful decisions and planning instead of needing to make quick emergency repairs, which always cost more. The pain of this, is an ongoing problem with no quick fix and rising costs make it even more painful.
It is through forward thinking, prioritization, planning, and creative financial opportunities that our town can try to limit the impact of higher tax increases which in turn can help all – including those on fixed income budgets, plan well in advance. We need to make long term decisions that have positive long term results.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I really enjoy municipal work and am excited by the opportunity to continue to use my experience for the benefit of Southwest Harbor if the voters would like me to. I was born on MDI and raised in Southwest Harbor by multiple generations of my family. I grew up working in locally owned family businesses in Southwest Harbor and learned our local history from family members, specifically my Great Grand Father Stanwood King and my Grandfather Les King, both of which also served the Town of Southwest Harbor for many years. My background allows me to bring a unique perspective to the table and I am happy to provide it!
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your deeper life purpose?
I absolutely love my town. My family roots go back to the first settlers on MDI, prior to when Gotts Island was named Gotts Island (whom I am a descendant of). I have done some traveling and have always felt “there is no place like home.” Because of this I have chosen to continue to live Southwest Harbor and raise our children here; we own and operate family businesses here. I want to help make decisions at the town level that will help ensure a year around community that my children can continue to live in.
We have many issues and opportunities that all need to be assessed and evaluated in creative, broadminded and realistic ways in order to achieve long term viability as a community. I value our history, I believe the young and elderly are vital for insight and I hope more citizens in SWH will come out to support our town by being present, responsive and involved in a positive and productive manner.