State House District 66 Candidates
Two-term incumbent Mike McClellan in being
challenged by Mary-Vienessa Fernandes for House District 66. The district
serves the northwestern portions of Casco and Raymond.
Mary-Vienessa
Fernandes is 61 years old, is the oldest of seven and has 22 nieces and
nephews. She holds an associate degree in general studies and one in criminal justice
from Housatonic Community College, a
tutoring award in English for ESL
students, and certificates in computer forensic science from the University of
New Haven. Fernandes is a direct support professional in mental health, and for
pleasure, enjoys reading, drawing, gardening, boating, traveling and sky
diving.
What inspired you to run for
State Rep. District 66?
My decision to
run for district 66 is for the same reason I ran for a seat on the Casco Select
Board. I wanted to make a change for
the better and I knew I could.
What skill set do you bring to
the table?
My skill set consists of an array of community and
educational experiences. I listen well, and do my best to
take into account everyone’s
viewpoints and diverse needs. I look forward to
being a part of a mutually respective working and ethic environment.
If you had to choose one
issue to champion for where your
home district is concerned, what would it be and why?
Choosing one issue is difficult but it would have to be property tax relief. I have seen firsthand the difficulty Mainers
are experiencing such as foreclosures, increase in property taxes, abatements
and unaffordable housing costs. Addressing the inefficiency of tax relief is a
great start to stimulating our local
economy and keeping people in their homes.
Fernandes feel that a comprehensive review of the
budget to find inefficiencies is the
first step toward restoring property tax relief and revenue sharing.
Since she stated that she’s opposed to
raising taxes for these efforts, we asked where she expected to find the money for property tax relief and revenue
sharing. Her response, “Cutting
temporary assistance to adults
without children!” Fernandes went on to
explain that while living in Connecticut, a state that had eliminated
assistance to childless adults, she
fell on difficult financial times. She was forced to
change the way she lived and realized that she needed to
improve her situation on her own. Giving up her car for financial reasons, and
working multiple minimum wage jobs didn’t stop
her from attending college. Ultimately, she was able to
find professional employment and get on her feet. She explained, “Out of
necessity and desperation, I sacrificed to
improve myself and my situation and am proud of what I accomplished. In
government, we need to foster more
personal responsibility.”
From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is the single most
important issue that the governor and legislature should be addressing?
I feel that the single most important issue that
the governor and legislature should be addressing is increasing the level of
bipartisan atmosphere.
Many polls indicate that voters are fed up with partisan politics. Do
you feel that there is a partisan polarization in Augusta? If yes, how will you proceed should you win
election?
There are partisan politics in Augusta. I am
dedicated to working hard and
diligently with legislatures to find
common ground in solving the most urgent issues we are facing.
Why should the voters in State Rep. District 66 vote for you?
I am approachable and I care. I am willing to listen to
the cares and needs of my constituents, address their concerns in Augusta and
begin to work towards
solutions that benefit those that I represent.
How can citizens contact you prior to
Election Day?
vienessafernandes@gmail.com, PO Box 73
Casco, Me 04015 or 207.776.2319.
Mike
McClellan is 54 years old, is married to
Michelle and has two adult children living out of state. He has a Bachelor’s of
Professional Studies in Therapeutic Recreation and AAS in Recreation
Leadership, and has some master’s work in organization and management. He is
the executive director for the Maine
Statewide Independent Living Council, and is currently serving as the
representative for Maine House District 103. McClellan interests include his
faith, his family, the community and running, hiking and reading.
What inspired you to run for State
Rep. District 66?
I am the current Maine House 103 representative.
There was a void in candidates in 2009 and after praying and talking with
family and friends I decided to take
this on. My wife thinks it is in my genes.
What skill set do you bring to
the table?
Core values that include valuing local control and
valuing all people. I am both a listener and hard worker. I have managed
organizations and led many activities in family, work, community and church
life.
If you had to choose one
issue to champion for where your
home district is concerned, what would it be and why?
Maine government budgeting as if it really believed
it was your money. Stopping pet
projects and simply budgeting for what the government should be doing. I live
in Raymond and our local leadership leads that way.
From a state-wide perspective, in your opinion, what is the single most
important issue that the governor and legislature should be addressing?
Tough call between education and our welfare
system. I would say fully funding education and it would mean tearing the
budget up and prioritizing. Funding education and then seeing what we could do
after with what money was left.
To achieve the 55 percent education funding mandated
by citizens initiative, McClellan plans to
sponsor a bill that will better define just what qualifies as educational
spending in order to better
determine the funding that each district is entitled to. As far as any available funds after education
funding, he feels that DHHS for only the neediest and infrastructure like roads
and bridges should be the next priority. In the interest of welfare reform, “I
am not against drug testing when past drug use in indicated, and feel that we
need to provide educational opportunities
to help able bodied assistance
recipients expand skill sets and find jobs.”
We also asked Rep. McClellan what, in his opinion
government should be doing. “Protect us and take care of the neediest – disabled
or elderly – those who really can’t take care of themselves,” he explained, “Entitlement
programs are telling people ‘you can’t’, instead of ‘you can’! My experience in Augusta makes me feel like
we’re not really trying to solve
problems, we’re just trying to
control things.”
Many polls indicate that voters are fed up with partisan politics. Do
you feel that there is a partisan polarization in Augusta? If yes, how will you proceed should you win
election?
In the past two years, yes very polarized. There
was no give and take in the past two years. I would return us to the republican leadership of 2010-2012 where we
included the other side in visioning the work.
Why should the voters in State Rep. District 66 vote for you?
My experience, my leadership skills, my hard work
and my core values. I have participated in the life of Raymond, Casco and
Poland. I am accessible to all. I
serve on two of the larger committees (education and insurance).
How can citizens contact you prior to
Election Day?
Phone: 329-6148 , email: mmcclell@maine.rr.com, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-McClellan-for-Maine-House-Seat-66/817031588325965,
Twitter: @pismiremike and Website: www.mikemcclellan.com
The Windham Eagle was unable to reach Green
Independent candidate Lisa Willey.
No comments:
Post a Comment