Occupation: Land Surveyor
Family you’d like to mention: Married to Robin for 37 years and have two grown children, Derek and wife Kareema. Holly and husband KJ Bailey and grandson Brock.
Previous public office positions or appointments: 6 years on town select board
THE QUESTIONS:
Why are you hoping to be on the Southwest Harbor Select Board?
I would like to try and get a handle on the property taxes. We are going to be up in the area of 40% in the last two years. While I was on the board we did not have any increase in property taxes while absorbing the increases from the school budget. Work on the infrastructure plan for current and future projects. We had a plan in place when I was on the board that was voted on and bonded. There was a delay in starting the projects and as a result the costs went up and most of the projects were not done.
What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?
I don’t know the two sitting select board candidates. I don’t have any personal agenda, I would like to bring the property taxes down. The town is going towards seasonal businesses. I would like to try and get some year round businesses to the area. Year round housing is another problem that is a challenge. The town adopted smaller lot sizes for lots that are on town utilities but very few have taken advantage of that. With lot sale prices and taxes going up this is a problem I have not figured out yet. There is talk of the town building housing but I feel that the town should stay out of business and focus on government. I served with Dan Norwood on the board and we work well together and have the same vision for the town.
What do you see as the top issues facing Southwest Harbor and how would your presence on the board help with those issues?
Taxes, infrastructure including the harbor. The harbor is something that does not come up often enough. The board should work closer with the committees so everyone stays on a similar vision moving forward.
Can you speak to tax increases in town and how those with fixed incomes can handle them?
They can not handle a 40% increase. The present board seems to have a disconnect with this. I have year round established young and older families telling me if the taxes keep going up they are going to move from the area.
Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your deeper life purpose?
I would like to get back to the business of running the town. It seems the agendas are focused on Chris’s Pond, and rewriting committee policy. It is mid March and the budget is not done.
How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?
Communication. Having them on our agenda to discuss problems. I talked to the chairman of the Harbor Committee who said he was being written up on 4 counts by the select board and was waiting to be called in to answer to these items. I would be appreciative to have people on these board that are willing to put in time. I would want to ask the committee to a meeting and work through the problems with the select board not put the blame and punish the chair.
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 have raised a family who all live and work in the area. We are able to stay close as a result.
Serving on the board trying to preserve this town as a year round community. We are swinging towards a seasonal area.