On Thursday, Dec. 16 Ed Thelander, retired Navy Seal and candidate for Federal Congressional District CD 1, held a meet and greet at Brady’s in Boothbay Harbor.

He shared with the group how his love of country and his concern for our country’s future led to his decision to run for office when asked. He would consider a term in Congress as an extension to his 30 years of service already made and if elected would serve no more than 12 years. He is for term limits and believes it would be good for the country. He stated that he would not sign a bill that he had not read and understood. He feels 2,500-page bills are excessive and complicated, do not do what is claimed, produce negative consequences, and disrespect taxpayers.

He is pro legal immigration and pointed out Liliana, his wife of 26 years, is a legal immigrant who obeyed our laws. He is also concerned that illegal immigrants are subject to control by cartels, do not have the protection that our laws normally would provide, and often are misused and taken advantage of by others. He is concerned about the recent actions of China and Russia and feels they are exploiting a perceived weakness in our country’s economic and military strength and, at present, the priorities in Congress are not addressing those challenges.

He is concerned about the federal government shutting down our lobster industry as a solution for a problem that does not exist. He also feels it is an overreach of the federal government to force the construction of offshore wind farms off our coast.

He is also concerned that parents are being cut out of decisions on their children’s education especially as we are falling behind other countries. He would like to see more of the traditional education that, at one time, was the envy of the world. Ed took many questions and had lively discussions and exchanges with people in the group.