Dear Editor:

All of us have had a teacher, coach, counselor – someone in our educational experience – that has made a positive difference in our lives. For me, it was Miss Houston at Underwood Hills Elementary School in Sandy Springs, Georgia. With a mother who had manic-depressive episodes and who was in and out of mental-health facilities, my brother and I had “issues.” Miss Houston made a difference in my life because she cared enough to care. She was the best of what a teacher can be.

I’m sure we can all agree that children are the future of Maine. We’re seeing upticks in Maine’s birthrate and inflow of young people, really young people. Let’s face it, we geezers aren’t going to be around forever and our young folks need to be supported in both their educational and professional dreams if they are going to remain in Maine and make our state thrive the way we all know it can.

I’ve gotten to know Cameron Reny, the candidate for Senate District 13 through a number of opportunities I’ve had to hear her speak and chances I’ve had to interact with her on a one-on-one basis. Raised in a working-class family in Bristol, she worked her way through undergrad and grad school. She knows the value of a dollar.

Cameron is a helper by temperament and profession. In her eight years as a school counselor, she’s demonstrated a talent for consensus-building and has notched a successful record working closely with a broad range of groups – from families to educators to fellow union members – building consensus and creating positive outcomes on tough issues for everyday folks.

Cameron has a proven track record of bringing people together. We need Cameron as a Senator in Augusta to lead the discussion and advocate for the voices of those who cannot buy influence or power – the children of Maine – so that they can grow strong in both knowledge and character as they put their shoulders to the task of building Maine’s future.

Please join me in voting for Cameron Reny on Nov. 8.

Geoff Bates

South Bristol