Due to newspaper space constraints, each candidate was
asked to stay within a certain word count, otherwise, they would have been able
to expand upon their thoughts more completely. The answers are their own. The
only edits that occurred were grammatical error including proper sentence
structure but those are the only changes, if any, that have been made.
If you wish to learn more about the candidates and ask
them questions of your own or to gain more information, a candidate forum will
take place at the Microtel Inn and Suites at 965 Roosevelt Trail on Thursday,
October 10. The candidates will be introduced at 7:45 p.m., followed by a
question and answer session. The forum will be hosted by Move Windham Forward.
 |
| Donna Chapman |
Donna M. Chapman
(running for the South seat)
1)Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I am the mother of two adult daughters and a grandmother.
I am a Volunteer 4-H Club Leader for 15 plus years. I volunteer annually for a
fundraiser at Camp Sunshine for the True Fans of Elvis which all proceeds go to
Camp Sunshine. I am also a Life Member of the Ossippee Valley Fair Association.
I have an associate degree in Behavioral Health and Human
Services from SMCC and currently am an Office Assistant.
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the
top two most important challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see as
potential ways to rectify or improve those issues?
The two top challenges I see facing Windham are growth
and protecting our natural resources. We have five watersheds on a DEP list
that are most at risk from new development. We need to be mindful how we
develop in order to protect and improve our resources that are in danger. Look
at the town, what areas do we want the growth and offer incentives for those
willing to develop in those areas. Try making it harder in developing areas
that we want to stay open and rural. In North Windham we must have a sewer
option to help with the denser population and development without overtaxing
residents. We need to increase commercial development to offset our residential
tax base. Residential taxes are going up, that becomes a burden to some.
3) Do you believe there are enough transportation
options currently available in Windham? If not, do you have ideas or
suggestions on how to increase those options?
Transportation is not an issue; we have Uber options; we
also have the Lakes Region Bus. For the $9,000.00 fee yearly, I would advocate to change its route to go through South Windham and back into Portland to cover our Village District.
4) What are your thoughts regarding the proposed
Windham Community Center? Is it important to our town? Why or why not? If you
are for a community center, where do you propose it be built?
Community Center, yes, I support a center. The location
is key, if it’s a multi-use facility it can be near the schools or in North
Windham. People might disagree with that, but the purpose is supposed to be for
everyone. I feel a lot more must be vetted; we may even have to consider a
facility like the one in Waterville which is run privately as a non-profit and
is extremely successful. The committee has more work ahead of it and I look
forward in supporting the committee and its findings.
5) What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
Best way to contact
me is my home phone 207-893-8584. It is listed on the Town Website as well.
 |
| David Douglass |
David
P. Douglass (running for At Large seat)
1)Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I have lived in Windham for 10 years; I chose Windham because
it reminded me of where I grew up in NH, the feeling and character. I am a
licensed Architect with my own consulting firm based out of my home. I have
been a member of the Planning Board since 2012 and Chairman for four to five
years now.
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the top
two most important challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see as
potential ways to rectify or improve those issues?
I feel that Windham is struggling with growth and leadership.
There are a lot of factors with this. We have witnessed unprecedented growth
recently and it is causing growing pains for the town and having real quality
of life effects on some. While our planning staff is excellent - at the same
time planning and directing of growth has not kept up for a number of reasons.
We must direct growth to the areas of town that are best suited for it.
Additionally, I feel we have long term leaders in town who aren’t rising to the
tasks at hand and seem to focus on petty things which is why I am running for
the at large seat. I want a cohesive, professional well-educated board that can
work together towards common goals.
This is tricky. Transportation is costly and Maine’s rural
character doesn’t help. Enhanced public transportation would certainly benefit
our community and greater Portland at large. I am a big proponent of traffic
improvement. Moving cars in a rural area is critical and I would like to work
on how we get in and out of town better as well as around town during tourist
season.
I love the idea of a community center, as a design
professional I am very familiar with the process of creating community venues
and weaving them into the community. The current location seems to be a good
one though the lot may not be the best. I feel this is one of many large
projects the town needs to undertake. We can’t grow as a town without growing
our infrastructure and gathering spaces. I look forward to this developing into
a place for all town residents to share.
5) What is the best way for Windham residents to contact
you?
Call me – 207-807-6661 or email me at david4windham@gmail.com.
 |
| Charles Hawkins |
Charles
W. Hawkins (running for the At Large seat)
1)Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I
own 3 businesses here in Windham with over 30 employees. I served on Windham’s
Marijuana Task Force as vice chair but resigned when I chose to run for town
council again. I try to donate to local organizations as much as possible and
volunteer my time to the Sebago Lakes Chamber of Commerce in not only events
but also on the legislative committee as the Agricultural Business & Market
Development Liaison. At home I have a wonderful wife, Melissa and two amazing
daughters Kayja (8) and Hazel (3).
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the
top two most important
challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see
as potential ways to rectify or
improve those issues?
How
to handle Windham’s growth properly and ethics amongst our town officials. I
think it would be best to have a community discussion regarding our growth,
come up with solutions together as a community, and revise our ordinances where
agreed upon. Respectfully I believe the only way to restore ethics amongst our
councilors is to change some of the leadership in place to individuals that do
not resort to name calling, abuse of power and public insults.
3) Do you believe there are enough transportation
options currently available in Windham?
If not, do you have ideas or suggestions on how to
increase those options?
I
have not personally heard of any transportation complaints. I know we have a
few options for getting back and forth to Portland but as for getting around
Windham I’m not sure what type of improvements we need currently. I’d rather
focus on bringing business to Windham in order to create more jobs. Perhaps
look at transportation increases when there is a more pressing need.
4) What are your thoughts regarding the proposed
Windham Community Center? Is it
important to our town? Why or why not? If you are for
a community center, where do
you propose it be built?
I
believe a community center is a great idea if and when we can realistically
afford It. I’ve heard suggestions of using the middle school once it becomes
vacant. If the middle school actually does become available, I think a
community center there would be an excellent idea.
5) What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
 |
| Nick Kalogerakis |
Nicholas Kalogerakis (running for South seat)
1) Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I have lived in Windham since 2005 to raise my two
children, Luke and Sophia, in a rural town. In 2015, I started my company
“Vision Coaching and Consulting” which is located right here in Windham. I
volunteered with the Dream Factory and Camp Sunshine. Currently I serve on the
Planning Board- since 2016, the Windham Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
since 2016 and the Long-Range Planning Committee since 2017.
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the
top two most important
challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see
as potential ways to rectify or
improve those issues?
Windham is one of the fastest growing towns in Maine! As a
town we have reacted slowly. We are in a reactive state. The growth has not
been balanced, it’s primarily residential and commercial is almost nonexistent
comparatively. This has become stressful
and a burden for town services, and school populations. While we wait for some
reaction, I think that we could have implemented some fees. In addition to
Parks and Recreation fees, a North Windham and Route 302 fees, I would suggest
we have a fee for roads and for schools possibly.
Septic systems are also an issue. Septic systems work, but
they don’t work when many are close together, as we continue to build at the
rate we are, we are putting more and more contaminants in the ground and
eventually our soils will not be able to filter them thoroughly, if they aren’t
already overwhelmed. With what we see in our water bodies it seems to be
happening already.
I am excited about the satellite sewers the WEDC is trying
to get off the ground. Although it won’t service the whole town, it’s certainly
a start.
3) Do you believe there are enough transportation
options currently available in Windham?
If not, do you have ideas or suggestions on how to
increase those options?
I think we can expand the Lakes Region Bus routes to have
them add more stops. I believe GPCOG has done a lot of research with public
transportation and I think working with them and researching the studies they
have done might provide some answers. Our population in Maine is aging and we
need to ensure we are caring for our elderly.
4) What are your thoughts regarding the proposed
Windham Community Center? Is it
important to our town? Why or why not? If you are for
a community center, where do
you propose it be built?
Our youth need this type of facility as well as the
elderly. The Community Center Committee has done an outstanding job with all
the time, effort and most import community meetings to get input from the
residents. The next phase is to fundraise and get funding if any is available
from grants. I feel the more money we can get the less burden on the taxpayer
and that might be the deciding factor here.
I think the current site works well especially after
listening to the engineers that have reviewed it and they gave their stamp of
approval so far. I would try to add an egress on 302 that heads South to try to
ease the traffic burdens that some are mentioning.
What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
My email is best. I will get back to them within the day
depending on what time it is.
 |
| Jarrod Maxfield |
Jarrod J. Maxfield (running for the North seat)
1) Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I am a husband, father and
business owner who has lived in Windham since 2011. I have been on the Council
one term, since 2016. I am the current Chair of the Appointments Committee. I
also serve on the Economic Development Committee and represent Windham on the
EcoMaine Board and on the GPCOG Regional Voice Committee.
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the
top two most important
challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see
as potential ways to rectify or
improve those issues?
The most important challenge
facing Windham is Unity. We are currently a Council and, in many ways, a town
divided, but we need to remember that there is much more that unites us than
divides us. For example, many residents have been here their entire lives, and
some have just arrived and that often creates conflicts regarding change or
lack thereof. Let’s find a common thread and start all conversations from
there, such as we all love this town and choose to live here. If we can unite
on that, then everything else can fall into place such as working on another
large challenge, infrastructure. Windham has a history of deferring investment
in infrastructure, which means we are not investing in ourselves. Windham of
the past and the future is in desperate need of investments such as sewer,
water line expansion, broadband expansion, road work and more. This is not a
wise course to continue as this lack of investment, while saving us money in
the short term, costs us all a lot more in the long run in lost opportunities,
lost revenues and the loss of building places in Windham people want to go. We
must invest in ourselves.
3) Do you believe there are enough transportation
options currently available in Windham?
If not, do you have ideas or suggestions on how to
increase those options?
Windham has scarce options for
transportation in, around and out of town. This is a challenge we need to
address. Our roads are becoming more congested and our Earth more polluted.
This is an opportunity to work with surrounding towns on a regional solution.
Portland is pushing further out; we need to become connected to services such
as Metro. This is important, not just for moving commuters around, but also to
help our Seniors age in place. They deserve the ability to have day to day
lives and access to the transportation services that will help them achieve
that.
4) What are your thoughts regarding the proposed
Windham Community Center? Is it
important to our town? Why or why not? If you are for
a community center, where do
you propose it be built?
I support the Community Center
next to the rotary. It is important to our town to help foster a sense of
community, create an accessible, safe place for our children and seniors to
recreate and also capture the resident’s dollars currently being spent in other
towns and private facilities. Windham is virtually the only town our size not
to have a community center, but this is not an inexpensive venture. It must be
done with a mix of private donors, town dollars and new revenues. The Council
should continue the plan and eventually the voters will ultimately decide.
What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
 |
| Bob Muir |
Robert H. Muir (running for the At Large position)
1)Background/personal information to include family, professional
memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I have lived in Windham for 48 years and have been married
to wife, Barbara, for 52 years. We have five cats and a greyhound. I am retired
from an IT department and currently work as a range safety officer and pistol
instructor. First served on town Council in 2003. I’ve been council chair
twice, member of the finance committee, member of the appointments committee
and parliamentarian.
2) Although there are many, what do you think are the
top two most important
challenges/issues facing Windham and what do you see
as potential ways to rectify or
improve those issues?
Growth is a big issue. Development will always occur,
however, slowing development does ease the burden on town services and taxpayers
so we don’t get hit with many things all at once. A lot has been said about
rural Windham. I do not feel that cluster subdivisions or whatever term is used
helps the rural character of Windham. We have guidelines for the size of lots
in our various zones and I think we should stick to those guidelines. This in
itself will slow growth. I think eliminating cluster subdivisions would go a long
way toward easing growth.
Private roads are another big issue facing the town. I do
not agree with some of the changes that have been proposed. We must find a way
to help the person who only has a few acres and wishes to break off a lot or
two. There are certain standards for private roads but requiring someone to
improve an additional 200 feet or more could be the difference between developing
those lots or not. One thing I heard loud and clear from people, it is your
land and you want the right to decide how that land will be used.
3) Do you believe there are enough transportation
options currently available in Windham?
If not, do you have ideas or suggestions on how to
increase those options?
Transportation in Windham especially areas outside of
North Windham are limited. Senior citizens and others who do not have access to
their own transportation would probably like to visit North Windham. Parks and
Recreation does provide transportation for shopping at scheduled times. Public
transportation is usually subsidized in part or full by a community. I am
certainly willing to discuss the issue keeping in mind that it would be a
challenge.
4) What are your thoughts regarding the proposed
Windham Community Center? Is it
important to our town? Why or why not? If you are for
a community center, where do
you propose it be built?
A community center is a nice idea, however, as with any
other project it’s in the funding. The committee working on this needs to come
up with a complete financial plan listing how a center would be paid for. This
includes cleaning and maintenance staff, lifeguards and other supervisory personnel.
There needs to be space for senior citizens, and it must be easily accessible
to them. The committee needs to explore all options for a site location.
On-site parking would be a must-have to eliminate any congestion on existing
roads. I am looking forward to reading their financial plan.
5) What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
My phone number is 892-6096. Please leave a message and I
will call you back.
 |
| Gartay Yekeh |
Gartay A. Yekeh (running for
South seat)
1)Background/personal information to include family,
professional memberships, career, volunteer efforts, etc.
I am 47 and live in Windham
with my four children and spouse. I am a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor,
Maine Department of Labor. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science &
International Studies (2011) from USM and a Master of Business Administration
(MBA) (2015), from SNHU, Hooksett, NH. I am Founder/CEO, Gbokpasom Inc, a State
of Maine Charted and IRS 501c3 nonprofit organization working to support street
children and orphans in Liberia, West Africa.
2) Although there are many,
what do you think are the top two most important challenges/issues facing
Windham and what do you see as potential ways to rectify or improve those
issues?
Important issues that I believe
facing Windham are the kind of rapid growth that is moving stealthily in all
parts of Windham and the Town’s ability to sustain such growth with
environmental sustainability. I believe the Town will require new ideas, fast
thinking and long-term strategic planning that would concentrate on sustainable
financial and environmental support. Windham is growing; we need to approach
such with firm commitment to sustainability. We need counselors who will always
remember to embed good policies and environmental sustainability with this wave
of rapid economic development. The Town will have to put in place some
mechanisms for assessing the economic growth and development success and how it
eventually leads to environmental sustainability.
3) Do you believe there
are enough transportation options currently available in Windham? If not, do
you have ideas or suggestions on how to increase those options?
It’s difficult to conclude if
the transportation options are enough
or not. I assumed the Town of Windham is in transition, from residents using
personal vehicles for daily commute to the introduction of “Lakes Region
Explorer Bus Service along 302 from Portland to Bridgton,” with stops in
Windham. I strongly believed with the Metro Bus connection and Shuttle Bus-ZOOM
transfer; hopefully many residents would take advantage of public transport.
4) What are your thoughts
regarding the proposed Windham Community Center?
Is it important to our town?
Why or why not? If you are for a community center, where do you propose it be
built?
It is very important for Windham
to build public facilities that residents can utilize. It will be a smart idea
to build a community center that would be useful to serve many purposes in the
town including community meetings, senior citizens activities and general
community entertainment activities. As regarding location, that is up to the
planning /zoning board. I will recommend it be at a position that is accessible
to all Windham residents.
5) What is the best way for
Windham residents to contact you?
Phone # 207-572-5046
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