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| Jani Cummings |
Jani Cummings, running for reelection to the RUS14
School Board
Background information: family, profession, volunteer
work, hobbies.
I retired from teaching in 2016, after 38 years in the
Raymond schools, primarily in first grade. I was lucky to work with some
amazing, creative educators and administrators, and beyond blessed by the
numbers of fantastic children I learned with. Currently, I have a busy BnB in
my home on Main Street, cleverly called “Cottage Industry for Retired Teacher.” My hobbies are reading, writing, painting,
and collecting candy for Halloween. (Remember that I live on Main Street.)
What motivates you to want to return as an RSU14 board
member?
It was hard for me to retire from education. I spent my
entire professional life caring for and encouraging and worrying about the
children in Raymond and those feelings were impossible for me to turn off. Being on the School Board allows me to be a
knowledgeable advocate for the students and staff of the RSU, from both towns.
It is a way for me to remain in education, but not have to do report cards.
What issues do you deem most important in the
district?
Of course, I am worried about the possible Raymond
withdrawal from the RSU, as I do not think that is a good idea, financially or
educationally; but there is little I can do about that, so I will hope that a
majority of Raymond voters agree with me. My focus in the next three years will
be on the high needs of our youngest learners; the necessity of building
resilience in all learners; helping the District implement a new math program,
K-12; fostering social-emotional education, which helps all children make life
choices that reject harmful behavior; and
helping the new superintendent be successful.
If there is anything else you’d like to add that you
want the voters to know about you – please feel free to add that here:
My vision for the RSU is simple, it is our motto: Success
for All. I want us to continue on the path of success, toward equity and
consistency for all the students and staff in our district. We can always do
better, but I know that we are on the path, and that’s what matters.
What is the best way a faculty member or a parent can
reach you before election? After election?
People can always
reach me at jcummings@rsu14.org.
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| Teresa Sadak |
Teresa Sadak, running
for reelection to the Raymond Board of Selectmen
Background/personal
information to include family, professional memberships, volunteer efforts.
I am married (almost 31 years) with 2 kids, Ben (25) and
Colleen (24). I have lived in Raymond
since 1990. I run my own home daycare
and have been doing that for 24 years.
I served on the Raymond School Board for 3 years and my 4th
year was on the consolidation board for Windham and Raymond.
What
inspires you to run again for Board of Selectmen?
I like to be a part of what is going on and try to be a part
of the solution. I figure I have no
excuse to complain about something going on in town if I am not trying to be
part of the solution. There is a lot to
know about being on the Select Board but I have had a great group of people to
work with that have helped me along the way.
What
do you think are the top three most important issues facing Raymond and what do
you see as potential ways to rectify those issues?
Taxes – I want Raymond to be affordable for people to live
in…All Ages. Keep moving the town
forward in small increments so it isn’t a huge hit on taxes.
Roads – I think they are pretty good right now (there are a
couple that do need help) but it is important to keep them taken care of.
Schools – Making sure our schools/kids/teachers are
supported by the town to be able to give the kids the top-notch education they
deserve.
If
you received a $1 million grant to use for the Town of Raymond in any way you
wanted, what would you do with it and why?
A Community Center!
It would be cool to have a central place to go for all the different
groups/activities we have in Raymond.
It is not overcrowded, and it is affordable to live
here. Raymond is a beautiful town. People really care about each other in this
town. I know firsthand how people you
know and don’t know are willing to reach out to help each other in a crisis.
What is the best way
for Raymond residents to contact you?
My home phone at 655-5411 or email me at
Teresa.sadak@raymondmaine.org.
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| Rolf Olsen |
Rolf Olsen running for reelection to the Raymond Board of
Selectmen.
Background/personal
information to include family, professional memberships, volunteer efforts.
I have been a resident of Raymond for 40 years and have been
married for 35 years. I have two sons. I received my degree from the University
of Maine in marketing and management. I am a licensed Insurance Agent and I have
served on many committees and boards for the town, was chair of the Boy Scout
troop committee for six years and am the current trustee for the Raymond
Village Community Church.
What
inspires you to run again for Board of Selectmen?
It has always been my belief that people should be willing
to give back to the community they live in. I have served on several town
committees and boards over the years and have been on the Town Select Board for
three years. Prior to that, I was on the Budget/Finance committee for 29 years
and served as chair for 12 of those years.
We have been working over the last few years on remaining
competitive with our surrounding towns on various aspects ranging from employee
benefits, infrastructure and technology, maintaining the quality of life for
our residents and visitors.
That work is never done, there are always new challenges and
opportunities for the Town. I enjoy the ever-changing challenges that come up
and helping to come up with different ways to solving those challenges. We are
fortunate to have a Town Manger that can bring different ideas to the table and
it is enjoyable to help bring those ideas to fruition.
What
do you think are the top three most important issues facing Raymond and what do
you see as potential ways to rectify those issues?
One of the biggest issues Raymond faces, as do most towns in
the area, is in the area of public safety. Due to changing demographics, state
and federal mandated training and the overall time commitment required by our
fire fighters and EMTs. Recruiting and retention has been an increasing problem
in the area. There is no sliver bullet to solving this problem and it will
require more cooperation between towns involving both equipment and personnel
assets.
Another area of concern is volunteerism. In the past when
people had more time, the level of volunteerism was at a higher rate. As the
demographics of the town has changed, many of the “typical” volunteers are no
longer available.
A third issue in maintain a reasonable tax (mill) rate. The
overall Town budget includes two areas that the select board has limited or no
impact on: the county tax and the RSU14 budget. These two areas account for
almost 80$ of our total mill rate. Some solutions included creative approaches
to equipment purchase, making decisions on bonding vs. saving and maintaining our
high bond rating. Due to our controlling costs, while supplying needed service
and maintain proper reserves, the Town is one of the few that can boast a AAA
rating.
If
you received a $1 million grant to use for the Town of Raymond in any way you wanted,
what would you do with it and why?
On the surface a million dollars sounds like a big chunk of
money, however in reality it is only about 6% of out total budget. That said, I
would welcome such a gift as it would help in several ways to include:
Recreation activities for young and old, alike.
Upkeep in walking tails and other accessible activities for
the aging population.
Contribution to the infrastructure. The town has a large
inventory of roads and equipment that we maintain a balance of need verses
expenditure and using some of the funds to strategically move some of this up
in the schedule would have the potential to offer some down road savings.
Why
do you love living in Raymond?
For all the changes I have seen in the town over the past 40
years, much of the original character remains. We are still a safe community
with members that will look out for each other and in time of need. We are
still a community where people know each other, a place where it is not always
‘what’s in it for me’, a place people want to call home.
What
is the best way for Raymond residents to contact you?
It’s best to contact me by email at rolf.olsen@raymondmaine.org.
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