Tammy Bloom
THREE-YEAR TERM, BAR HARBOR WARRANT COMMITTEE
TAMMY’S BIO
I have been a Bar Harbor resident for more than five decades, since my father was hired as the music director of the new Mount Desert Island High School in 1968. I graduated from MDIHS in 1976, explored other areas after high school, spent a number of years in Portland and returned to MDI in 1989 to live here permanently. I settled in Bar Harbor with my husband and have two grown children who were raised in Bar Harbor. I have been a legal secretary/assistant to an attorney for 35 years.
My volunteer experience includes serving as a board member and bookkeeper for Acadia Community Theatre and as a vestry member and treasurer of St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church. My daughter and I were recently admitted to Daughters of the American Revolution, an organization that was very important to my grandmother.
OUR QUESTIONS
What inspired you to run for warrant committee?
I have taken an active interest in the town council and warrant committee meetings for many years. I finally decided I want to make my voice heard and contribute to our community by representing the interests of Bar Harbor voters.
What are your thoughts on tax-payer-based spending in Bar Harbor?
Any increases in spending should be kept to a minimum to allow the taxpayers to adjust to recent property tax increases. It has been reported that most taxpayers are paying their increased tax bills on time. One might assume this means most residents are capable of paying continued tax increases; however, we don't know what financial decisions are being made in Bar Harbor households in order to pay those bills. Continued tax increases like those we've recently experienced are not sustainable.
What are your thoughts about redirecting parking fee revenues to non-parking-related budget items?
Parking fee revenues should be directed to non-parking-related budget items, an allowed use of that revenue. This would reduce the amount needed to be raised through taxes and benefit all Bar Harbor taxpayers.
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?
I am used to looking at scenarios from all sides. I work hard to understand situations and am comfortable researching things that I want a firmer grasp on in order to make a grounded decision.
Why should voters trust you to represent their interests effectively?
I have been described as a "resident" in the local press and that is an apt description of me. I am just a resident of Bar Harbor trying to make things better for fellow residents like myself and I know I can represent the interests of Bar Harbor voters effectively.