Val Peacock

Three-year council candidate

Val Peacock

THE BIO:

I came to Bar Harbor in 1994 to attend COA and stayed because of the community and the ocean. Over the years I have worked on boats and in seasonal jobs and traveled. I graduated from the University of Maine and taught high school science for six years. After living in Lamoine for 15 years, my family and I moved back to Bar Harbor in 2016. 

While teaching, I had the chance to help create and implement an innovative alternative program that ultimately led me to co-founding Rural Aspirations Project, a nonprofit doing education work across the state.The focus of my work is on the connection between education and community vitality. 

I’ve been a member of the Town Council for three years, with my last year as the chair. Serving has been an opportunity for me to learn and contribute to how we make decisions about how we want to live together in this beautiful place.

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THE QUESTIONS:

Why do you think so many people are running this year?

It’s exciting that so many folks are running and I think every person runs for their own reasons. 

Why are you running? How does your why for running delve into your bigger life purpose?

Before being on council, I served on the Ferry Terminal Advisory Committee and the Harbor Committee. I ran for council because I care about the process we use to make decisions as a community. And, it’s why I’m running again. I’ve learned a lot, and I still have more to learn and more to give. I am constantly asking myself, what needs to change, what’s working well, and what’s missing? I wonder what is part of a healthy, democratic process and which parts are broken? I am putting in the work to figure it out. It’s messy, it’s hard. It’s really important work that I feel honored to be a part of.

How would you try to create more trust between people not on town boards/committees and those who are?

There are a few things we can do including a comprehensive review of boards and committees and their roles and purposes. A reset of the town’s ethics ordinance including adding/ adjusting language, strengthening the culture of expectation of ethical behavior through education and training, modeling ethical behavior and better implementation of the ethics ordinance. The town also needs to get better at communication- both internally between boards and committees and staff and externally- especially helping to see how the work of individual boards and committees is tied to bigger goals.

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?

There is a ton of work to do, including, but not limited to, reviewing the budget process, waste reduction, the climate action plan, the ferry terminal and working waterfront, a comprehensive traffic study, planning for a bike and pedestrian friendly town, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) work, youth engagement, the revaluation process, and the Comprehensive Plan.

Do you have any ideas for increasing revenue to the town and alleviating the tax burden on property owners, ideas that don’t involve property taxes?

Adding housing can lower the tax burden as more property owners share the expenses. The town is just starting to get a sense of what to expect from parking revenue, and this year’s budget has a higher goal for revenue. The town can also look for opportunities to increase cruise ship revenue. And finally, the town can work collaboratively with all stakeholders to create a local options tax program.

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 and school board can work together to lessen the tax implication for the residents?

To educate myself, I’ve attended all of the public sessions held by the school building team. I’ve had many conversations with the superintendent, principal, school board chair, other members of the school committee and parents. I’ve worked with the team to prepare council presentations. I’ve had a tour of the school to see and understand the issues with the current building. I attended the bond structure workshop to understand the impact of borrowing.  I’ve read many emails and talked with many folks about the impacts of both building and not building the school.

The bond question says that we will borrow up to a certain amount. There is still time to review the design to look for cost savings and to allow for the emerging plan to reorganize the school district.  The council can also lead a conversation about how nonprofits might increase their PILOTS and support other fundraising efforts. Lastly, the town can work together with the school committee to keep future tax increases low and to structure the bond properly.

As a follow-up to that, how do you prioritize education for Bar Harbor students and in what way do you see that the school does or doesn’t fit into a future, healthy community?

My professional work is centered on the connection between rural schools and students and future community vitality. Small, local schools create a sense of place and a sense of belonging to that place. It’s important for youth to feel that they are a valued part of a community if we want them to stay here and contribute and help address the challenges we are facing.  I am encouraged that the vision statement and the design for the school building project speaks to the connection between school and community.

What skills do you bring to the table that you think other candidates might not bring?

Having been on the council for the past three years, and chair for the most recent,  I bring a ton of knowledge about the issues and the strengths and challenges of the town government. I’m willing to wade into complex issues, to ask questions, to change my mind, to find middle ground. As an observer and systems thinker, I’m able to see connections and think about process and to have patience, resilience and tenacity to keep working when it gets tough. Lastly, I think I am an optimist. I always think things can get better.

What’s a question that I should be asking you that I’m not asking?

How can the council get better at helping the community find common ground? How can the community work constructively with the council to develop and hold a vision for Bar Harbor?

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?

For myself, I’m proud of the work I’ve done in my career as a teacher and in Rural Aspirations.

For the community—I would say that I feel lucky to be able to use my skills, experience and perspective to contribute to town government.