Voters casting ballots on three separate referendums in Windham

By Ed Pierce

Voters are casting ballots on three separate town referendums in Windham in the Nov. 3 election and each one carries significance for residents if passed.

Besides Windham Town Council and RSU 14
candidates, Windham residents are voting on
three separate referendum items, including
changing the way the annual town budget is
raising the threshold requiring voter approval
for off‑budget spending from $25,000 to
$500,000, and purchasing Windham Middle
School when it becomes vacant and then
converting the building into a Community
Center, town library, and consolidating
town offices there in a $19.5 million project.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE          

The first referendum modifies the Windham Town Charter to curtail the annual town meeting held every June on a Saturday where the municipal budget is discussed and voted on by residents. It instead changes municipal budget approval to a public vote held on Maine Primary Day on the second Tuesday in June. This would coincide with the annual RSU 14 school budget voting.

Since the town charter was adopted and the town council form of government was put in place in 1975, public participation at the Windham Annual Town meeting has dwindled to less than 150 residents out of more than 12,000 registered voters in town over the past two years.

During Windham Town Council meetings for several years, councilors discussed the legal aspects of making a charter change with the town attorney. They learned that to make a change to the charter, an amendment was needed and it is required under Maine law to propose an amendment through a formal process that includes public notice, public hearings, and ultimately a vote by town residents at a regular or special election.

Another alternative for the council would have been to form a charter commission of appointed or elected citizens who would research the existing charter, potentially comparing it to those of other municipalities, and drafting a proposed amendment.

After lengthy discussions, councilors chose to increase public participation voting on the municipal budget through an amendment that moves away from an in-person town meeting to a balloted referendum vote.

A second referendum item before Windham voters raises the threshold requiring voter approval for off‑budget spending from $25,000 to $500,000. Councilors say this would give the council flexibility in presenting either a single up‑or‑down budget vote or departmental line items.

Raising the threshold requiring voter approval for off‑budget spending will allow the council to approve purchases up to a $500,000 limit without going to a town-wide vote for approval.

Councilors say this measure is currently being used by surrounding towns and the current limit of $25,000 no longer provides for emergency operations or acquisitions in a meaningful way.

In developing these two referendum items, members of the Windham Town Council chose to implement the “Charter Amendment” method before voters which can be used when a specific existing section of the charter is desired to be changed. That way the changes being proposed will not drastically affect the charter in its entirety.

During this year’s Annual Town meeting held at Windham High School on June 13, Windham Town Council Chair Mark Morrison said that the low participation of voters at the town meeting is evident and that is why a charter amendment is needed to change the budget process to a public vote by secret ballot like the annual RSU 14 budget vote every spring with the goal of increasing resident participation.

Some who oppose the proposed charter amendments say that voters are being asked to cast their ballots without full information or completely understanding complex or legal language contained in referendums that they are voting on.

The third referendum issue Windham residents will vote on is if the town should purchase Windham Middle School for $1 from RSU 14 once it becomes vacant in the fall of 2027 and then repurposing the building into a Community Center and housing for town offices and the Windham Public Library there. The cost would be estimated at $19.5 million by issuing general obligation bonds for the project and includes design work, engineering, professional services, site preparation, construction, renovation, operating expenses, and other improvements and furnishings as may be required in connection with the project.

The proposal includes leveraging up to $2 million of the town’s fund balance as the Windham Town Council deems reasonable and necessary to reduce the borrowing amount and directly pay costs of the project. 

The existing Windham Middle School building first opened in 1974 and was intended for a capacity of 483 students. That number has grown in the past 52 years to 650 students and some sixth graders being housed for classes at the adjacent Field Allen School, which was built in 1949.

In November 2023, a plurality of voters in the school district, which encompasses Windham and Raymond, approved a referendum to build the new Windham Raymond Middle School with about 77 percent of construction costs paid by the Maine Department of Education’s Major Capital Construction Program. The total project budget to construct the new school is estimated at about $171.5 million, with the state funding $131.7 million of that expense and residents of Windham and Raymond paying the remaining $39.8 million.

As part of the language in that referendum in November 2023 to obtain $131.7 million in state funding for the new middle school, RSU 14 voters agreed that the existing Windham Middle School could not be used as a school again, since the state had already contributed funding for substantial repair costs over decades of the building’s use and the school does not have a fire suppression system.

A 20-member Middle School Repurpose Advisory Committee looked at ways to best use the soon-to-be vacated school building and found that the basic structure of the school was sound and that it offered 80,000 square feet of available space, the committee looked at the existing town buildings with long-term replacement costs and short-term maintenance, parking improvements and repair costs and decided that a number of municipal services could be relocated to the site for a fraction of the cost of renovating or replacing current buildings.

In putting forward the Community Center referendum, Windham Town Manager Robert Burns said that although the benefits of the Windham Middle School Repurposing Project come with a cost, in the long run it will be cost-effective for the town.

He said this proposal would move Town Hall offices there, along with Windham’s Social Services Office, which houses the Windham Food Pantry, the Windham Public Library, Windham’s Medical Loan Closet, and create a Community Center.

“This building represents an opportunity for us to move forward,” Burns said.

According to Burns, approval of Referendum 3 represents a total mil rate increase of 37 cents. He said the impact will be spread over five years by using up to $2 million in fund balance to limit the average annual mil rate impact to roughly 7.4 cents. This is equivalent to an annual tax increase of about $33.30 on a $450,000 home for five consecutive years with no further tax increase after the fifth year. <

In the public eye: RSU 14 videographer provides narrative of school district activities to community

Editor’s Note: This is another in an ongoing series of Windham and Raymond town employee profiles.

By Ed Pierce

Gary Harriman prefers to work behind the scenes but his videography and photography document the up-close-and-personal actions of RSU 14 students, teachers and staff while keeping the school district’s websites current.

RSU 14's Webmaster/Videographer Gary
Harriman has worked for the school
district for 14 years and his videography
and photography document the 
day-to-day special activities and projects
of students, teachers and staff and he
also keeps RSU 14 websites current.
SUBMITTED PHOTO  

His official title for RSU 14 is Webmaster/Videographer but Harriman says that’s a bit of a misnomer.

“An accurate description should really be Web Content Manager/Videographer,” he said.

Harriman’s duties fall into two areas.

“First, I maintain the content of the school district's eight primary websites. This includes creating/updating/maintaining directories, photo and video galleries, recent news, department webpages, public facing calendars and individual school links and special areas. I’m available to all staff as a resource to help develop and promote their content on the web,” he said. “And second, I shoot and edit video and do still photography to promote events district-wide on the district websites and to support teachers and administrators in the schools. This can range from recording concerts or meetings, to recording, and archiving professional development materials for future sharing, to documenting classroom practice and special projects, to providing sports and event photos for use on the school websites.”

He’s worked for RSU 14 for 14 years and says the best part of his work is that telling stories about the school district helps to create positive opinions of educators in the community.

“I think one of the most important aspects of any community is the quality of its school system,” Harriman said. “My job does two things. I play a role in supporting students and staff in the day-to-day education process. And I get to help to provide a narrative for RSU 14 by documenting and promoting its successes to the community. In today's media landscape an organization needs to be proactive and involved with informing the public’s perception.”

Staying “in the loop” day to day with all of the schools to keep the websites current is the most challenging aspect of his job.

“Many people look at the school systems as a nine month per year business. In reality, there is no true down time anymore,” he said. “While the bulk of the students leave for a couple months in the summer, the work of the school district continues. Summer is the time for maintenance and upgrades. Summer programs, both academic and athletic, linger into July and come back by mid-August. My position is no different. Summer is when we examine every page and link all the websites for improvement and relevancy. Toward the end of summer, we’re updating all the staff directories and teacher pages. This coming July we’ll be launching the new webpage for the new middle school. During the summer we’ll be prepping it for the first day of school.”

According to Harriman, one of his most memorable times with RSU 14 came in his first year, producing one of the first long format videos he put together for Windham High School.

“It was a feature on the Simond sisters. Three sisters whose time in high school overlapped and they were all ‘all conference’ soccer players,” he said. “For a period of about six years there was at least one sister playing for WHS and during that time the Eagles were a dominant power in Class A. Everything about that story was positive. Great kids, great students, excelling at what they loved to do. Having come from the world of commercial television it was a really rewarding experience.” 

His family is fully supportive of Harriman working for a school district.

“They share my feelings about the importance of the local schools to any community,” he said. “But I think what they like most about the job is that I really like it and enjoy going to work every day.”

Harriman says the most important thing he has learned while working for RSU 14 is a deeper understanding of just how challenging being an educator can be.

“Teachers, administrators and staff spend enormous amounts of time developing and implementing strategies to provide the best possible education for our children,” he said. “They are constantly looking for that additional ‘edge’ that will improve their students' success. In return for their investment, communities rightly expect excellence, but until you live in the education environment, it’s hard to even imagine the constant commitment given by education professionals.” <

Windham in the 1950s: Ghostly happenings

By Max Millard

In February 1958, when my family moved into the Goold House in Windham Center, we quickly sensed an otherworldly presence. The house, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places dates back to the 1770s, and throughout the 1800s was occupied by several generations of the Goold family.

Unexplained occurrences have left Max Millard, who grew
up in the old Goold House in Windham Center in the 1960s,
to believe the home and tomb on the grounds may be 
haunted by an otherworldy presence,
PHOTO BY MAX MILLARD 

To the Millards' six children, the house seemed like an old Gothic mansion. The tower rising from the end of the long, narrow ell gave the place an enchanted feeling. Adding to the atmosphere was the Goold cemetery, located at the edge of the property, far back from the house. It was the resting place of about 60 souls.

In October 1958, my family got a surprise visit from a reporter for the Portland Press Herald. He interviewed us for an article titled “Will Ghost Walk, Bell Ring? Windham Family Will Be Listening On Halloween.”

He wrote: “Tradition has it that a bell long since gone from the bell tower … still peals a melancholy alarm to ears attuned to such spirit sounds. … The old bell was believed used to signal Indian raids, or perhaps to sound alarms during the War of 1812.”

My sister Frances, then 14, was the only child who scoffed at the idea of ghosts but admitted: “I hate to go into the tower to feed my pet hamster, Squuffy. It's spooky in there.”

Growing up, I never saw a ghost. But when I was 12, I moved into a small bedroom just above the garage. As I lay there in the darkness, I could hear the distinct sound of footsteps coming up the stairs toward my door. I'd hide under the covers, leaving just a small opening for breathing.

Since then, I've often wondered if the footsteps were real. But my belief was rekindled in September 2026 when I stopped by the house with two old friends from the neighborhood. We were warmly greeted by the current owner, Steven Blankschein, who purchased the house in 2024 with his wife Ruth. He invited us inside and gave us a tour.

A Navy veteran who spent 20 years as a cargo ship captain, Steven is a skilled carpenter and handyman who loves spending his days restoring the house's interior. Our conversation soon turned to the supernatural. Steven told of objects disappearing, then reappearing somewhere else, and a light that flickered on and off because the bulb kept getting partially unscrewed.

These incidents might have an easy explanation, but not when a female guest in an upstairs bedroom released an ear-splitting scream in the middle of the night. She sobbed out that she had seen a man in the room staring at her. A moment later, he vanished. She refused to return to the room, and never again stayed in the house overnight.

Some guests in the ell testified that they'd awoken to the touch of a cold hand rubbing against their cheek. In the downstairs room where I'd slept as a child, local plumber Lee Tubbs was doing some work next to a hole in the floor when someone – or something – pushed him in. He wasn't injured, but when he looked up, the room was empty.

To cap our visit, Steven led us to the graveyard, which is anchored by the imposing tomb of William Goold, dated 1890. The oldest grave is an above-ground crypt that reads: “Here lies all that is mortal of Benjamin Goold, who was born in the part of Kittery afterwards Elliot, in 1749. … He whose dust lies beneath came to Falmouth in 1768, and from thence to this town in 1771. He cleared a farm and built a house 130 rods directly south from this monument, where he died of consumption November 12th, 1807, aged 58 years.”  

Hardly anyone visits the graveyard anymore. When I was growing up someone would come on Memorial Day and plant a flag on each veteran's grave. That has since been officially abandoned, but Steven now takes up the task himself. Several graves are for young men from Windham killed in the Civil War. The most recent gravestone is for my sister Bronwyn, who tragically died in 1974 at the age of 22.

William Goold's tomb, nestled under a mound, is guarded by a thick slate door and an iron gate. Unfortunately, vandals over the years have punched a roughly circular hole in the center of the door with a crowbar. The hole is big enough so that one can see the interior quite clearly with a flashlight. There are no skeletons – just coffins.

Back at the house, Steven related that he often hears footsteps coming from the ell when no one is there. But he is unbothered by the unexplained phenomena because “they don't seem to be harmful spirits,” and he senses only good vibes coming from them. As he continues restoring the house, he might be encouraged by the thought that his work is getting a quiet assist from beyond the grave.

Max Millard is a retired journalist and teacher in San Francisco, California. Email: [email protected] <

WHS teacher named distinguished educator for personal finance organization

By Lorraine Glowczak

Windham High School teacher Jen Chilton has taken her professional development to the next level, making an investment in her students’ futures. Recently recognized as a Distinguished Educator by Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF), a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing personal finance education to students, Chilton, who teaches Senior Personal Finance and Citizenship is deepening her knowledge and bringing those lessons into the classroom.

Windham High School teacher Jen Chilton
has completed 90 in-service hours to renew
her teaching certificates and in doing so 
obtained six NGPF certifications, each of
which requires nine hours of live,
collaborative coursework on a key
finance topic and passing a one-hour
certification exam, earning her special
educator recognition. 
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

Maine teachers must complete 90 contact or in-service hours every five years to renew their teaching certificates. Chilton has earned six NGPF certifications, each of which requires nine hours of live and collaborative coursework on a key personal finance topic and passing a one-hour certification examination.

“I was looking for meaningful professional development that would directly pertain to my work in the classroom,” she said. “This requirement presented an opportunity for me to pursue professional development that would benefit and help prepare students for the financial decisions they will face in the future.”

Now in her 22nd year, Chilton began her first 18 years at WHS teaching freshmen geography and Foundations of World History classes. Then the opportunity to teach seniors and the Senior Personal Finance and Citizenship classes came her way.

“I have really enjoyed the transition to the seniors, especially teaching a topic that they will interact with on a daily basis,” Chilton said.

Often referred to as, “Personal Finance,” the class became a requirement to graduate in 2013. It is a semester-long class that all students take in their senior year. The units include Citizenship, College and Career, Banking: Checking and Savings, Credit: Loans and Credit Cards, and Financial Obligations.

The NGPF curriculum inspired Chilton to deepen her knowledge of the topics she teaches.

“From the courses offered by NGPF I decided to take Behavioral Economics, Credit, Taxes, Banking and Budgeting, Insurance, and Paying for College all in an effort to expand my knowledge on the topics,” Chilton said.

Chilton says that the world current graduates are entering is financially challenging and she wants to give them the best possible start.

“I want them to truly understand what using a credit card means and how their vote matters,” she said. “I am so happy that we require this course for our students. When people ask what I teach and I tell them the reaction I get is, ‘I wish they taught that class when I was in school.’”

Among the many subjects the class explores, a few activities include looking at how an individual’s credit score impacts borrowing power.

“Students look at buying a car and a house. Then we do the math based on three different credit scores,” she said. “It is pretty eye opening for them to see how much more you pay in interest based on your credit score. I am transparent with my students too. We look at my pay stub, credit score, and credit card statements so they can see what each actually looks like. We also have a realtor, mortgage broker, investment banker and insurance guest speakers.”

Chilton said that WHS students are fortunate that the district has prioritized Senior Personal Finance and Citizenship.

“Many schools in Maine do not have a stand-alone class; they attempt to embed the topics in other social studies classes to meet the Social Studies Standards of Personal Finance and Civics and Government. Organizations like NGPF, JumpStart Coalition and FAME have been working hard to get the legislation passed to make it a requirement. The fact that we as a district believed it was a valuable course and added it to our graduation requirements makes Windham an excellent school and community to be a part of.” <

Candidates seek opportunity to represent Lakes Region in state legislature

By Ed Pierce

Legislative races in Windham and Raymond feature a rematch from 2024 for State Senate District 26 and three incumbent Republicans seeking to retain seats in the Maine House of Representatives and turning back Democrat challengers.

Legislative candidates
for 2026 to represent
Windham and Raymond
are, top row from left,
Tim Nangle and Kenny
Cianchette, second row
from left, Rolf Olsen
and Abigail Geer,
Third row from left,
Mark Cooper and 
Joseph Campbell,
Bottomrow from left, 
Bradley Youngs and
Barbara Bagshaw.
SUBMITTED
PHOTOS

Two of the Maine House positions in District 106 and District 107 represent parts of Windham, while the third position, District 86, represents Raymond, Casco, Frye Island and part of Poland. Maine Senate District 26 represents Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook.

Incumbent Republican State Representative Barbara Bagshaw and incumbent Democrat State Senator Tim Nangle are each running for a third term with both having first been elected to their positions in 2022.

CANDIDATE PROFILES

MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 106

BRADLEY YOUNGS

Party: Democrat

Occupation: former golf professional, restaurant manager, stay-at-home father

Previous Elected Experience: none

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“Windham is my home and it is where my wife and I are raising our family. It is important to me that we have representation focused on what we want the future of Windham and our state to look like. I believe I have a better ability to work with my peers in order to make meaningful changes and I am motivated by helping the people in my town rather than having a spotlight on me. My goal in Augusta is to be a person who is trusted by people, regardless of party, as someone they can work with to solve a problem.”

What specific legislation do you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?

“As we are intentionally being thrust into the hands of artificial intelligence, I believe that we have to take a proactive approach to make sure our rights aren’t compromised. I plan on working on legislation that would prevent grocery stores and other retailers from instituting a dynamic pricing model. We are already seeing this happen in online shopping where people in different zip codes are shown different prices for the same items, and stores across the country already have patents to install these systems. It’s crucial to get ahead of these systems to protect our consumer rights.”

What do you think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“The most immediate needs we will be facing in this legislative session is how we ensure people are able to heat their homes and feed their families due to Federal cuts and war driven fuel prices. I believe we will have to increase funding for LIHEAP and supplement SNAP to keep people warm and fed through winter. Long term I believe residents in Windham want assurances that we have appropriate investments in infrastructure to coincide with growth. Right now, the state has growth minimums for municipalities. In order to better develop our infrastructure to support growth, I believe the state should allow towns who have consistently been far above that minimum two-year period to refocus on infrastructure needs.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“There are two needs that I see when we discuss property taxes. The first need is to update the state’s homestead exemption to better reflect home values in 2027. I believe we would have to gradually increase this exemption and increase the state share of the exemption, so towns aren’t left in an even deeper hole. The second need is to give municipalities alternative methods to collect revenues outside of blanket property taxes. As I have discussed with many homeowners, we need to have an alternative property tax for homes that are owned by those who reside outside of Maine. Many other states have similar programs, and that this revenue stream does not impact our full-time residents.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“My primary budget concern is that we reduce the financial burden placed on our residents. It is time we reevaluate our income tax formula that was last updated in 2015. We also need to ensure we prioritize the basic items like our roads and infrastructure. There are consistently budget gaps in these areas, and our aging infrastructure is a growing concern amongst all Mainers.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“I work with people all the time with whom I disagree. Oftentimes we have disagreements on the solutions to a problem, but the problem itself is a common thread. I have been successful in working through disagreements by listening to others and talking through many possible solutions.”

BARBARA BAGSHAW

Party: Republican

Occupation: Current State Representative District 106 

Previous elected experience/terms in office: Current State Representative District 106 serving on Education and Cultural Affairs committee.

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“This will be my third term. When I was first approached to run, I took time to think about it. I was sitting at home yelling at the television about the things happening in government. I decided I could either keep yelling at the television or run and be part of the change I wanted to see. I will continue supporting bills that lower taxes, reduce regulation, and lower energy costs. I will also submit a number of bills that constituents have asked me to introduce on their behalf.”

If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district?

“It has been a pleasure serving my district as State Representative for the past four years. I have had several bills receive unanimous bipartisan reports. One of these was submitted on behalf of a constituent to provide free cancer screening for firefighters. I have also sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bipartisan bills. I recently completed going door-to-door to every house in the district for a third time, because it is very important for me to hear directly from the people I serve. I will submit legislation to place a cap on property taxes. My focus will be helping people afford to stay in their homes. I am proud of my record supporting lower taxes, less regulation, and lower energy costs.”

What do you think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“Affordability. I will continue to support lower taxes, less regulation, and lower energy costs. There is a big difference between lip service and action. You cannot claim to support lower property taxes while backing measures that raise them. You cannot claim to support lower energy costs while voting to increase them. People are tired of being lied to and manipulated. We have a spending problem in Augusta. We need to remember that we serve the people in our districts and work for them. Over the past eight years of single-party rule, property taxes have skyrocketed, more than 30 new taxes have been imposed, and numerous business-killing regulations have taken effect. This is not “Maine the way life should be.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“I intend to submit LD 1, a bill that will place a cap on property taxes. After speaking with numerous constituents, I know many feel as though they are being grabbed by the ankles, shaken upside down, and having their hard-earned money confiscated. We need to listen and apply common sense. As the Declaration of Independence states, government derives its power from the consent of the governed. I have not heard many people consent to having more and more of their money taken by government to spend as it sees fit. Government is the vehicle; the people are the drivers. It is imperative that we listen to the people we work for, and help them afford to stay in their homes.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“I will continue to support legislation that controls out-of-control spending and taxes, reduces over-regulation that harms businesses, and lowers energy costs. As a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, I will also continue to advocate for academic excellence and parental rights.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“I grew up in a family with two “Kennedy Democrat” parents. I visit every household in my district and enjoy talking with everyone. I believe what unites us is greater than what divides us. When we have a genuine conversation, common ground almost always emerges. I have sponsored and co-sponsored a number of bills with colleagues from the other side of the aisle. I am currently planning on submitting a constituent bill – requested by someone from the other side of the aisle – for senior tax stabilization. When someone calls my office, I do not check their party affiliation. I help them because that is the job the people of Windham hired me to do.”

MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 107 

MARK COOPER

Party: Republican

Occupation: Business owner farmer, Building Contractor

Previous Elected Experience: Representative District 107 for one term

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I had been approached by several legislators that knew me and asked me to run and represent Windham for several years. Serving in the Maine Legislature was something I had considered going back to my early 20s. Family and life kept me too busy then to make the commitment to represent Windham at the time. I believe that my broad experience over the past 40 years along with my common-sense approach is needed in Augusta.”

If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district?

“I submitted three bills that passed committee, passed the House and Senate and were signed by Governor Mills into law. LD1702 is the bill most likely to impact Windham residents. LD 1702 "An Act to Amend Election Polling Place Restrictions." This bill placed more restrictions on polling place activities by candidates within 250 feet of polls. Bans any collection of signatures for Clean Elections or influencing voters whether the candidate's name is on the ballot or not including write-in candidates. The bill cleans up some gray areas not previously covered. This bill had the following Co-Sponsors Senator Hickman from Kennebec, Rep. Bagshaw Windham, Rep. Cray Palmyra, Rep. Hall Wilton, Rep Hepler Woolwich, Rep. Jackson Oxford, Rep. Parry Arundel, Rep. Perkins Dover Foxcroft, Sen. Timberlake Androscoggin. Senator Hickman and Representative Hepler both are Democrats that signed on. This bill passed unanimously in the House and Senate.”

What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“Currently the cost of living and taxation are two issues voters have been bringing up repeatedly. Some issues are controlled at a national level while local and statewide issues are something the legislature can work on. Local property taxes are a major issue, so are state taxation increases and Maine's $13 billion budget concerns. Maine legislation has pushed electricity rates to nearly the most expensive in nation over the past several years.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“The property tax burden has exploded for homeowners. Many seniors are concerned they may not be able to afford to keep their homes, and younger people fear they cannot afford to buy and own a home with the extreme rise in property taxes. Local municipal control of the budget is a key portion of slowing the rise in property taxes. From Augusta there are two key components including unfunded mandates passed that municipalities must implement and pay for. The other would be to increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption. I support increasing the Homestead Property Tax Exemption for seniors and veterans as well as low-income families. There is increasing support to bring back legislation that would limit the percentage increase in budget that a municipality can make per year.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“First and foremost is to bring the state budget back under control. In the last eight years our state budget has nearly doubled from $7 billion to $13 billion. Currently Governor Mills just announced a $1.2 billion shortfall. This is totally unacceptable. Over the past eight years Maine has endured a spending problem not a revenue shortage. Over those same years fraud and waste have reached levels well over $100 million per year. Taxpayer money that was stolen.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“I have worked with legislators from both parties as well as independents on many bills and issues in the legislature. This has been especially visible on the Agriculture Conservation and Forestry committee I serve on. Frequently, along with the entire committee, I have worked to solve issues on bills that we may have disagreed on but were able to find common ground to agree on a solution. I have had bill co-sponsors from all parties and have also co-sponsored bills with members of all parties. Working together and finding common ground is critical to keep the Maine Legislature working for the people of Maine.”

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Substitute Teacher

Previous Elected Experience: none

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“As a young Mainer, I want to fight to make sure the legislature is looking ahead, so our state can prosper not just today, but decades from now when the next generations reckon with our choices. I’m running for the House because I want working families in Windham and across Maine to be heard in Augusta, especially those who are starting out. I want to help build a Maine where young people can choose to stay in the state that is their home, without giving up affordability or opportunity. I will feel accomplished if, by the end of my term, I have helped move the needle to bring down the average age of a first-time home buyer, if Mainers are able to spend a lower fraction of their income on just keeping a roof over their head, and if we’ve done it without sacrificing our schools, infrastructure, or quality of life.”

What specific legislation do you intend to propose? How will it benefit the residents of your district if enacted?

“For a start, I would like to increase the state's share of school funding. Maine has committed to funding 55 percent of the costs of school districts' Essential Programs and Services, with the actual state share varying based on each district's needs and ability to pay. Increasing the state's share of school funding will put the brakes on property-tax increases while ensuring that our schools, students, and educators have the resources they need.”

What is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“Housing costs have become simply unsustainable. Mainers at every stage of life, from young adults trying to buy a first home to seniors trying to retire in the homes they’ve loved for decades are being priced out across the board. As demand for affordable housing isn’t being met, prices continue to rise in a vicious cycle. I would support reforms that make smaller, more modest homes easier to build, such as flexible lot-size and permitting rules and infrastructure support for towns, while keeping communities involved in local decisions. Bringing back the starter home gives young families a path to ownership and gives renters more options, and more supply can ease pressure on housing costs and property tax bills over time.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“Property taxes in general are a blunt tool. They can be regressive and blind to whether or not residents can actually afford them, especially seniors and other folks on fixed incomes. The Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Homestead Exemption help where they can, and could be strengthened, but we need structural changes to actually address the problem. The more that we can shift toward state dollars, which are raised in a more progressive way, the less folks will feel punished by the real-estate value of their town, which they don’t control. The best ways I see to tackle property taxes are threefold: First, shifting school funding more toward the state, second, addressing the overall cost of housing, and third, potentially bolstering Maine’s Municipal Revenue sharing, which currently provides 5 percent of state sales and income taxes to the towns for the purposes of stabilizing towns’ property taxes.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact residents of your district?

“My priorities are keeping our schools well-funded, making housing affordable, and easing the burden on property taxpayers. These aren't separate problems. When the state falls short on schools, the gap lands on local property taxes, and when housing costs climb, families and seniors feel it twice, once in rent or mortgage payments and again at tax time. Prioritizing state support for education ensures Windham's schools have the resources they need, without every shortfall falling on local taxpayers. Second, I would support investments that help get more affordable homes built, including infrastructure support for towns and supporting the programs that keep vulnerable Mainers in their homes. Paying for this matters, as much as the priorities themselves. The state should lean on progressive revenue sources which reflect people's ability to pay, rather than leaning on property taxes, which are blind to whether residents can afford them.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“As an educator, I'm used to things not going to plan. I work with students and teachers to make sure the essentials still happen when a day gets shaken up. That means balancing keeping students productive with being sensitive to the stresses they carry, and it only works with understanding and communication. Teenagers, as I’m sure many people in Windham already know, won't do much without both. In the legislature, I know I can't expect everyone to fall in line. The way to make progress across the aisle is to remember that every representative shares my basic goal: making life better for the people of their district. I'd start by listening to what members need for their communities, and look for common ground, like finding solutions to housing costs and property tax relief.”

MAINE HOUSE DISTRICT 86

ABIGAIL GEER

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Community Organizer

Previous Elected Experience: Raymond Budget Finance Committee, 2021 to 2023

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I'm running because I love helping people. I love listening to what matters to someone and what's on their mind and then thinking through ways to help. I see that as the heart of this job. I also have a young daughter. When I picture what Maine will be like when she’s my age, I want it to be easier for her to raise a family than it is for me to raise her today. That means I need to work on creating good jobs, affordable healthcare, and strong schools. If I'm elected, I want to be a representative people can call. I'll listen, follow through, and solve problems for constituents. In Augusta, I'll work toward a Maine where every child, and every Mainer, has a real chance to succeed.”

What specific legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?

“I'm a challenger, and I've already heard a long list of concerns from neighbors on this campaign. Before I propose new laws, I want to work through those issues one by one. Many of the problems people are facing could be solved by their representatives connecting them with the right agency or by fixing how an existing law gets applied. Good legislation starts with listening. Where I expect to propose legislation is property tax and income tax fairness.” 

What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“The most important issue is whether people can afford to stay in Maine. I hear it at almost every door. We’re all reeling from tax bills climbing, especially seniors and those on fixed income and young families have to stretch every paycheck and cross their fingers. Part of the problem is that our tax system ignores how different a dollar feels at different income levels. Maine's income tax treats $64,450 a year the same way it treats $999,999 a year. A dollar means something very different to those two households! I'll work for a tax system that asks the most from those most able to pay, and less from working families and retirees. I'll measure every bill I vote on with one question: does this make it easier or harder for ordinary Mainers to stay in their homes and communities?”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“I’ll push for relief that recognizes long-time primary residences and protects people on fixed incomes. Second, the state needs to keep its promises to towns. When Augusta underfunds schools and municipal revenue sharing, the cost lands on local property tax bills. Third, many residents never hear about the relief programs that already exist. As your representative, I'll make sure people know about these programs and help them apply.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

1. Property tax relief for seniors and people on fixed incomes. No one should lose a family home because of a tax bill. 2. Education. Strong state funding for our schools gives every child a good start and keeps the cost of education from falling on local property taxes. 3. Healthcare. Families in our district need care they can afford and reach. Together, these priorities mean lower pressure on household budgets, better schools for our kids, and a district where people of every age can afford to stay and thrive.

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“When I worked at Park School, I could see teachers struggling with the work of determining which classrooms kids should be in for the next school year. So I built consensus around building a tool to support that work. I started by listening and learning what they needed. I identified the outcomes each stakeholder group wanted. I identified the priorities and values each group shared, and I developed a process to get there. People came in with different needs, and different ideas about how it should work. Focusing on the shared goal is what got us to a solution that transformed teachers’ work. I'll bring that same approach to Augusta. Most Mainers want to be able to take care of their families, afford a home they can keep comfortably warm in the winter, and do work they find meaningful and rewarding. That’s what we need to be collaborating toward.”

ROLF OLSEN

Party: Republican

Occupation: Maine legislator and licensed Insurance Agent

Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: One term as State Legislator; 29 years on the Town of Raymond Budget/Finance committee including 15 years as chair; 9 years on Town of Raymond Select Board with 3 years as chair.

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I ran for the State House because I understand the impact of state-level policies on local budgets. I spent years serving my community on the Select Board and the Budget Committee, and I understand the impact that rising property taxes have on residents in my towns. We need to hold Augusta accountable, and that means advocating for policies that will reduce the cost-of-living for working families. Whether it’s the skyrocketing cost of housing, rising electricity and heating costs, or simply buying groceries – Maine families need relief.”

If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district?

“I was co-sponsor on over 30 bills and worked o rewriting 20 bills in committee. Topics included helping protection for Seniors from Bitcoin fraud, and other protection for seniors from fraud in mortgage look alike schemes. Also, items in healthcare, to help eliminate some of the certificate of need burdens on groups wishing to expand services. Items for the new legislature will be areas including expanding the homestead exemption, reducing tax burden and reducing fraud so the people who should benefit from programs actually receive the benefit.”

What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“First and foremost is a responsible budget that focuses on prioritizing the most pressing needs of the state, without increasing the tax burden on Maine families. Secondly, we need to address the high electricity costs that are facing Maine families, as well as rising property taxes. We do this by holding the departments accountable for their programs and revisiting subsidies to any of the energy producers. Property tax issues begin with no unfunded mandates and looking at any new programs to make sure they benefit the state as a whole, and not an isolated instance which are much better handled at the local level.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“The first step is a responsible budget. We also need to look at promises that were made and never kept as in the sales tax rate, which was supposed to have been a temporary increase but has turned into a legacy. The state needs to fully fund its mandates on local municipalities. We need to increase the homestead exemption, and we need to let decisions that should be local remain local, so the towns have better control over cost and property tax rates. We also need to rein in the exorbitant increases in licensing fees.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“First and foremost, we must ensure we do not do anything to increase the tax burden on Maine families and small businesses. Secondly, we need to ensure we are fully funding important safety net services for our elderly, disabled, children, and veterans. Third, we need to ensure we are funding a robust mental health system and making sustainable infrastructure investments to improve our roads and bridges.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“This is a daily occurrence at the State House and is the importance of the work in committee. In many cases we will start out with vastly different ideas on what legislation should be, but by talking with each other we find some common ground and work to get things modified that will be agreeable to both. The key is to keep communication lines open and recognize that we will always have differing opinions, but in more cases than not, we agree on more items than we disagree on. In a number of cases this term, by adjusting a timeline or dollar figure or agreeing to delay legislation to do additional study we were able to come to consensus and move things forward. There are many cases where the final legislation that came out of committee was nothing like the original language, but the modifications benefited the people of the state.”

MAINE SENATE DISTRICT 26

KENNY CIANCHETTE

Party: Republican

Occupation: Owner/Operator Erik’s Church Bar and Grill

Previous Elected Experience: none

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I made the decision in January 2026. In June 2025, Bill Diamond called me after I wrote a letter to the editor in this newspaper and thanked me for my honesty and encouraged me to run again. Losing Bill unexpectedly last year meant that the most prominent, courageous voice for the children in this state was no longer with us. I wanted his Senate colleagues to continue the fight, but knowing their terms were ending due to limits, I went to see if his passing had encouraged the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee to finally do the right thing. LD 555 was the capstone project he was working on at the time of his passing, and when I went to the public hearing for it at the HHS committee, I found, not only that the committee had stonewalled the legislation, but that the sole person missing from the hearing on the committee was Senator Tim Nangle. It was that day, sitting alongside Jane Diamond, that I had determined it was my duty to step into the political arena again, and to be the best fighter I can be for those innocent children. That is why I wear black, to remind myself, every day, that the biggest priority is to stop the loss of innocent life.”

What specific legislation do you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?

“I would propose items to reduce tax burdens for Mainers. Increase homestead exemption to $500,000, paid for by spending cuts at the state level and increased projected sales tax revenue without changing rate. Eliminate tax on tips, overtime, and income for active-duty members of our military and veterans. If you were willing to sacrifice your life for our freedom, you deserve to have the ability to keep the wages you earn. Eventually, I would like to see all income taxes removed as a way to incentivize productivity and make life more affordable in this state. Reinstitute a freeze on property tax hikes on seniors if the homestead exemption bill does not pass. Open up sources of low-cost available electricity by removing policies designed to reward big energy companies. Green technology is not the problem, it is corporate welfare for the industry that is making Maine’s utilities rates so expensive.”

What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it?

“The most important issue is the unrelenting, and increasing, cost of living in Maine. Housing, healthcare, taxes, insurance, and many other aspects of everyday life have increased beyond sustainability. We must return to an appropriate budget at the state and local levels, work with industries to reduce input costs or policies that are artificially inflating our goods and services and encourage economic growth to begin to get ahead. As far as retirees are concerned, we need to take immediate action to stop their increasing costs, and preferably reverse them, as their incomes will not increase even during a period of economic growth. The senior property tax freeze that was eliminated with help from the vote by my opponent, needs to be restored.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“Very simple, homestead exemption. By law, we cannot tax properties differently based on their personal use, but we can provide relief to those who actually reside here, and pay income taxes here. The homestead exemption increase will keep most of the funding at the municipal level, give significant and immediate relief to taxpayers, and begin to change our tax structure to have out-of-staters, who use our services but don’t pay income taxes, to carry more of the burden, and encourage economic growth and workforce development by making more affordable mortgages, regardless of interest rates. At my proposed level, it would mean up to $9,800 in tax relief to a single property owner in Raymond. Relief targeted at Maine resident taxpayers.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“Maine’s budget has exploded beyond our ability to service it. The weight of taxes, in the forms of income, property, gas, sales, streaming, and more, have destroyed the quality of life both in terms of cost of living, as well as the future outlook. Our focus needs to be how much and how quickly we can fix our tax structure, while creating accountability in our obligations such as welfare, infrastructure, and education, and not create burdensome new programs. We have wasted too much money on ‘investments’ that have benefitted other states, out of the pocket of the average working Mainer.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“Prior to Windham, I served on the Portland Downtown improvement district board. As a board member we created a committee to address panhandling and homelessness challenges the downtown district was facing. I successfully opened up the dialogue and committee to include everyone from businesses, residents, property owners, and homeless advocates to be on a singular committee together. During those months, we investigated the root causes of the issue, discussed and debated the many complexities, and we were able to draft a singular document, of which all of these stakeholders co-signed, to present to the Portland City Council. Unfortunately, our recommendations were never adopted despite the fact that it had support from both the business and social advocacy communities. I recognized, through that experience, that the only way to affect positive change for our communities is to be in political office. As far as how I intend to work with members of the opposing party that is pretty easy. I already have positive relationships with legislators on the opposing side of the aisle, despite not holding public office myself. I will utilize that foundation to find common ground on issues. I will not compromise my principles, but I believe that decent people on both sides of the aisle are looking for a leader. My loyalty is only to Maine and our district, and it is never to a political party or leader. I have demonstrated that because that is who I am. Maine has been best served with an independent-minded senator from Windham, and I will restore that vital asset our state desperately needs.”

TIM NANGLE

Party: Democrat

Occupation: IT Help Desk lead

Previous Elected Experience: Two terms Windham Town Council, and two terms Maine State Senate District 26

Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?

“I am honored to serve in the Maine Senate. I have written and sponsored legislation to protect our lakes and rivers, expand affordable housing, keep veterans housed, strengthen consumer protections, and support victims of trafficking. As Chair of the Transportation Committee, I’ve advanced modern infrastructure across Maine. I'm deeply appreciative of the trust placed in me, and with my experience, I feel more prepared than ever to keep our state the best place to live.”

If an incumbent, please tell us about a specific bill that you personally proposed while in office that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it benefits the residents of your district?

“This session I proposed and worked to pass numerous bills. I’m most proud of my proposal to give mobile home community residents ‘the right of first refusal.’ This legislation allows residents to obtain control of their own destiny. This legislation has been used by at least two mobile home communities in the state. I also proposed and worked to pass legislation that helps veterans at risk of homelessness by helping a veteran pay rent, contribute to security deposits etc. Veterans deserve our respect and should never be homeless. Victims of human trafficking also received support to allow them to continue to heal from the horrors of their lives. Protecting Maine consumers from greedy corporations is always a priority for me. I’ve introduced legislation that requires disclosure of the full cost of tickets, hotels and short-term rentals before checkout. I sponsored legislation that when purchasing cars online, the online dealer must meet the same requirements as brick-and-mortar dealerships in Maine and make subscription cancellations easier for every Maine resident.”

What do think is the most important issue in this race and how do you intend to address it? 

“Right now, my most immediate concern is for residents and how are they going to stay warm this winter. I am glad to learn that the federal government has released $38 million in low-income heat electricity programs. An additional $4 million has been released by Maine Housing is available as well. I urge everyone to dial 222 to get help with heat and electricity costs. The legislature needs to work on making sure that everyone can find and afford housing. In the previous session we’ve enacted the eviction prevention program. This program helps low-income renters pay their rent. We know that it’s less expensive to help keep people housed, versus trying to find them housing after they’ve been evicted. I will continue to support budgets that maintain funding and support for healthcare, education, veterans and keep our environment clean.”

What solid steps do you believe can be implemented to alleviate the property tax burden for residents of your district and help them to keep more of their hard-earned money?

“We also need to continue to investigate ways to help local taxpayers with meaningful property tax relief. In my opinion the state needs to reimburse cities and towns the full 100 percent of the Homestead Exemption. Currently the towns have to increase taxes to cover the unreimbursed portion of the exemption. There are a number of programs where we could try to increase funding that would share more state revenue with towns.”

Please list your budget priorities if you are elected and how will that impact the residents of your district?

“Education, Healthcare especially for children and whereas I’m the transportation committee chair, transportation issues and the budget.”

Cite an example of when you successfully worked with people who disagreed with you and how do you plan to build bridges with members of the opposing party?

“I’ve worked with many members of the other party to successfully negotiate two unanimous highway fund budgets. It’s important to build relationships with every member of the transportation committee. Coming to agreement about our common priorities and then working together to try settle those differences ensures strong bi-partisan votes in both the Maine Senate and the Maine House of Representatives. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues regardless of their party to make sure Maine’s transportation network stays on the move.” <

 

Windham survivor becomes advocate for domestic violence victims

By Erin Rose

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Windham resident Brittany (for confidentiality purposes the newspaper is not using her last name) is using her own experiences as a domestic violence survivor to help others escape their own situation and to advocate for better resources for survivors.

“The outpouring of support I’ve gotten from stating my truth was empowering,” said Brittany, 31, who has found safe shelter with her two children, but is still working to find more formal housing.

“My family has been great support, but not everyone has that,” she said, noting her gratitude that her father was able to help her financially, allowing her to remove herself from the area once she had left the person she said abused her.

Domestic violence has been increasing in Maine over the past several years. According to Maine’s 15th Biennial Report of the Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel, released in 2025, more than half of the state’s 18 homicides between January and November 2025 were tied to domestic abuse. In 2023, just a quarter of the homicides across the state were tied to domestic violence, while in 2024, that percentage climbed to nearly half of the 34 homicides that year. According to publicly reported statistics, the Windham Police Department has responded to six incidents of assault, including domestic violence, in the past three months.

The main resource center for victims of domestic violence or abuse in the Windham area is Through These Doors, an organization that provides advocacy, residential services, a 24-hour hotline, and support groups.

“Through These Doors is where my advocates are,” Brittany said. “They helped me file the PFA (Protection from Abuse order) and are another voice to call police officers” to help support victims as they work their way through the complicated legal process.

The center also operates a 16-bed shelter in Portland (the location is kept private to prevent abusers from finding those who are seeking safety) that provides housing, basic necessities such as food and clothing, safety planning, and referrals to other resources. When full, survivors are pointed to other shelters in the community, including locations in Portland and Bridgton.

Originally named the Family Crisis Shelter, the shelter opened in 1977 to serve victims and survivors of domestic abuse, dating violence, and stalking in Cumberland County. The group’s 24-hour helpline, 1-800-537-6066, provides resources and guidance to survivors or other members of the community who are seeking support or to find ways to support a friend, family member or co-worker who may be experiencing domestic violence.

The organization also offers support groups to help people who have or are experiencing abuse which provides a safe place to talk about their situation, connect with other survivors, and to get encouragement.

Another organization that provides support to survivors, is Finding Our Voices, a nonprofit donor-funded organization founded in 2021 that works to complement existing resources for women survivors of intimate partner abuse in the state. Their programs include an online support group, in-person retreats, donated dental care, and financial assistance through their “Get Out Stay Out” program. The group provides funding to help low-income women afford to escape through paying for expenses, including shelter, car rentals, legal support, and cell phones. Caseworkers refer survivors to the program to receive assistance.

“Finding Our Voices provided me with $1,500 worth of anything we needed. I did an Amazon wish list and got my kids a couple of dressers, some clothes, some of their sensory support needs,” Brittany said. “They helped with some gas and grocery gift cards. They have a good support group, and this organization is very loud, which is great. We need advocates that don’t take ‘no’ for an answer, because these are people’s lives at stake. If they were more aggressive on policy, then maybe it would stop a lot of abusers getting to their victims, so they don’t keep violating” the protections that exist currently.

One change that Brittany thinks would help the legal system connect more effectively with victims is through ongoing training that involves survivors to help better understand how abuse can look different from what’s shown in courses.

“I strongly believe that law enforcement, judges, and others working within the judicial system should receive ongoing comprehensive domestic violence training,” she said, adding that survivors’ involvement is integral for that training. “Learning from advocacy organizations and textbooks is important but hearing directly from those who have lived through coercive control, abuse, and the legal system provides a perspective that cannot be taught from a textbook. Survivors can help professionals better understand the realities of abuse, why victims respond the way they do, and how the system can unintentionally revictimize those it is supposed to protect.”

Brittany also says that ensuring that victims have support to protect their animals when fleeing an abusive situation is essential.

“I was able to put a PFA on my chickens and my dogs,” she said, explaining that she has two German Shepherd dogs who are currently housed with family. “Some people stay because they don’t want to leave or rehome their animals. I was that person, but I got to a point where we had to go.” 

As Brittany has grown more confident in telling parts of her story to others, she has found that her story has helped others realize their own situations are unsafe. That realization has helped inspire her to start helping grow a community of support.

“I recently shared a video on Facebook, but it was the first time I have stated my truth,” she said. “The video talks about sharing a story with another survivor, but at the end, it says, ‘now what if I told you this was my story.’ That changed the perspective for a lot of people. So far, I have helped five other women in similar situations connect with resources, advocates, given them advice as to what I would do differently. After that video, I had 28 people, men and women, telling me their stories that they haven’t told a single soul before.

“Being on the outside, I feel like my voice is coming back and I’m feeling like I own my body again, which is huge,” Brittany said. “But victims shouldn’t have to be this loud to be heard. At the end of the day, your safety and your children’s safety is the most important thing.”

More information about Through These Doors can be found on its website, https://throughthesedoors.org/. Details on Finding Our Voices is at https://findingourvoices.net/. Resources related to RedRover for survivors and pets can be found at https://redrover.org/.

For those outside of Cumberland County, the website for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, https://www.mcedv.org/ can be used to find resources in other areas of the state. <

MaineHousing and Project Home announce reopening of Maine’s Eviction Prevention Program

AUGUSTA – MaineHousing and Project Home, formerly known as the Quality Housing Coalition, have jointly announced that the Maine Eviction Prevention Program has reopened for new applications.

The program provides rental assistance to eligible Maine households that have fallen behind on rent and are at risk of eviction.

To qualify, households must rent their primary residence in Maine; be behind on rent and at risk of eviction, owe no more than $9,600 in past-due rent, and hHave household income at or below 60 percent of area median income.

Additional requirements, including rent limits and certain forms of subsidized housing, also apply. Full eligibility requirements, income limits, rent limits, and required documents are available on the Eviction Prevention Program page on MaineHousing’s website.

Eligible households may receive assistance with rent owed to their current landlord and, after past-due rent is resolved, up to 12 months of rental assistance. Total assistance may not exceed $9,600 per eligible household. Payments are made directly to participating landlords.

Funding for the program is limited. Applications will be reviewed within program priority categories on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying does not guarantee assistance and MaineHousing may close applications when available funding is projected to be fully committed.

“Reopening the Maine Eviction Prevention Program will make focused assistance available to eligible renters who have fallen behind and are at risk of losing their homes,” said MaineHousing Senior Director of Communications and Government Relations Erik Jorgensen. “By working with Project Home, we can help households address rent owed, stabilize their housing, and avoid the lasting disruption of eviction while these limited funds remain available.”

MaineHousing administers the program and provides funding and oversight. Project Home manages daily operations statewide as MaineHousing’s contracted agent, including application review and applicant and landlord communication.

“Project Home is proud to continue working with MaineHousing and legal service and community partners across all 16 counties to help renters navigate the application process and prevent eviction,” said Project Home Executive Director Victoria Morales. “When a household has fallen behind on rent, getting the right assistance at the right time can make the difference between losing a home and regaining stability.”

Beginning Sept. 21, households may apply online through MaineHousing’s website. Applicants who need help completing the online application or obtaining a paper application may contact Project Home. Applications may also be completed by telephone, with required documentation submitted afterward.

Applications will be prioritized in the following order:
Eligible households that have received a summons and complaint for forcible entry and detainer;
Eligible households that have received an eviction notice for nonpayment of rent; and
Eligible applicants who pay more than 30 percent of their income toward rent.

Project Home must receive all required information and documentation before determining eligibility. If additional information is needed, Project Home will contact the applicant.

Applicants should know that once a complete application is submitted, it may take two weeks or longer for funds to be disbursed to the landlord.

Applicants who were previously denied because they did not submit required documentation or respond to requests for additional information may reapply. New applications will be considered based on the date they are submitted and will not be retroactively dated. 

MaineHousing and Project Home encourage eligible households to submit accurate, complete applications promptly after the program reopens Sept. 21. Because payments are made directly to landlords, landlord participation is required.

Full program details and application information are available on the Eviction Prevention Program page on MaineHousing’s website.

About MaineHousing

MaineHousing is a mission-driven, independent, quasi-state agency created in 1969 by the Maine State Legislature to address the problems of unsafe, unsuitable, overcrowded, and unaffordable housing. A $3.1 billion financial institution with a staff of over 180 people, MaineHousing is governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Governor. Each year MaineHousing assists more than 90,000 Maine households to buy, heat, rent, and repair their homes while also investing more than $750 million in the Maine economy.

About Project Home

Project Home is a nonprofit that helps low-income, working Mainers avoid homelessness through stable housing, better health, and financial security. Its work includes lease guarantees, eviction prevention, healthcare access, direct cash assistance for single mothers, and career and education support. Since 2018, Project Home has secured and stabilized housing for 3,052 households across Maine, representing nearly 11,000 adults and children. Learn more at projecthomemaine.org. <