Address: 19 Flood Ave, Wiscasset, ME 04578

Occupation: Certified Maine Assessor serving as the Assessors Agent for the Townof Westport Island as well as the Addressing Officer for the town Community Planner specializing in broadband issues. Broadband Consultant. We also operate a family Christmas tree and wreath business in Woolwich called McPhee's Wreaths

Education: Wiscasset High School, Class of 2009. AAS Electrical Engineering Tech, Southern Maine Community College '13. BA Political Science, University of Southern Maine '21. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Policy, Planning, and Management at the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of
Southern Maine

Political History (Board, Committees, other): Woolwich 250th Committee 2008-2009. Wiscasset Budget Committee 2010-2011. Wiscasset Broadband Committee 2021-Present. Intern for League of Women Voters, Maine Citizens for Clean Elections 2019. Intern for the Town of Damariscotta 2021. Facilitated the Newcastle-Damariscotta Joint Broadband Committee 2021-2022

Clubs/Organizations: Maine Municipal Association-Member. Maine Town and City Managers Association- Member. International Association of Assessing Officers, Maine Chapter- Member. Lincoln County Historical Association- Member. Midcoast Conservancy- Member

Considering the seat you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues (350 words or less):

The three most pressing issues are the shortage in the housing stock,the teacher shortage, and the high cost of energy.

There are several ways we can approach these issues. To address the shortage in housing we need to prioritize the training of trade skills, not only to young students, but also to non-traditional students, folks who have to work full-time and/or have dependents and cannot attend a traditional college or training schedule. One tool we have that already works for people earning degrees of all types is theMaine Educational Opportunity Tax Credit, the only problem is that it doesn’t include trade certificates as a qualifier. I would work to include certificates as a qualifier to help equalize opportunities for working people that would thereby help the entire economy at the best bang for our collective buck.

Another issue to address affordable housing is we need to stay aggressive on improving broadband internet services. The state has a lot of funding to address this, and they need to continue to be aggressive to expand to areas where people can afford to live, which will in turn revitalize areas of our state.

The educator shortage is primarily due to the depressed wages teachers face in Maine. The state minimum wage for teachers is $40,000, and Maine has the lowest average teacher salary in the Northeast. We must find a way to more equitably fund teacher salaries, especially in areas outside of York and Cumberland counties. The closing of a school never has a positive outcome for a community.

In terms of energy costs, we must continue to diversify our energy supply, and avoid highly volatile sources of energy, much like a strong investment portfolio. There is also a ballot question collecting signatures to buy out the investor owned utilities CMP and Versant. We need to consider this as a real solution, because as we pay our utility bills, the profits from those bills are sent overseas to fund pensions in foreign countries. We should keep those profits here and reinvest in our own grid.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the seat? (150 words or less):

I decided to enter this race because I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’ve seen the same politicians coming in telling us they are going to lower taxes, which we know almost never happens. For example, the scheme of getting rid of the state income tax, which will only send property taxes skyrocketing. I’m also sick and tired of the same politicians being flip floppers around social issues, whether it be abortion, same-sex marriage, or the legalization of marijuana.

What I will bring to the seat is a broad knowledge of issues, whether it be on property or income tax law or hunting and fishing regulations, a willingness to listen to all constituents, a respect for transparency in government, and the wisdom to not reinvent the wheel. There is only one State of Maine, and we have to work to keep it the way life should be.