 |
| Republican Rolf Olsen, left, and Democrat Craig Messinger are running for the Maine House of Representatives District 86 position representing Raymond in the Nov. 5 election. SUBMITTED PHOTOS |
Maine House of Representatives
District 86 Candidates
(Representing part of Raymond, part of Poland, Casco and Frye Island)
ROLF OLSEN
Republican
Age/Occupation: 68 – Licensed Insurance Agent
Previous Elected Experience/Terms in Office: 29 years on the Town of Raymond Budget/Finance committee – 15 years as chair, 8 years on Town of Raymond Select Board – 3 years as chair.
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“The question presupposes that new legislation is always the answer, I prefer the approach of first investigating existing legislation for deficiencies and making amendments. Case in point is the recently revoked tax relief for seniors, which needs to be relooked at and properly written and funded. The biggest issue is a responsible budget and that should be Job One.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle 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.”
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 sale tax rate which was supposed to have been a temporary increase but has turn into a legacy. The state needs to fully fund its mandated on local municipalities, and we need to ensure that we are looking at bringing back the property tax relief program for seniors that was repealed. That program could have been fixed, rather than repealed.”
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 costs, or simply buying groceries - Maine families need relief.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it 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.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I have lived in the district for almost 50 years, over that time we have seen many changes ranging from increases in population in the town to an aging population to more mandates from both the federal side and state side. These changes have resulted in more and more financial burdens on the local citizens. In addition to that have been more impositions on the citizens with what they can do with their property. Even in the face of all this, we still have the feel of a small town, people are still volunteering when they can, the kids are getting additional recreational opportunities and there are beginning to be programs for the seniors. The towns still have the feel of ‘the way Maine should be’ and we need to keep this feeling alive!”
CRAIG MESSINGER
Democrat
Age/Occupation: 63, Semi-retired, Firefighter/Paramedic
Positions Held: Church volunteer, Former Raymond Deputy Chief, Former IAFF Union Official, Former Greenheart Student volunteer.
If an incumbent, please cite a bill you proposed or sponsored that was passed and signed into law by the governor and how it specifically benefits the residents of your district? If not currently serving in office, please detail legislation that you intend to propose and how it will benefit the residents of your district if enacted?
“As a lifelong firefighter I know that when you’re fighting a fire there’s no time to stand around arguing, you have to work together to get people the help they need. There’s too much arguing and not enough working together. That’s why I’m running – to bring teamwork to Augusta to solve the problems we’re facing as a state: out of control costs, ensuring our older residents can age with dignity, and equipping our youth to build successful lives here in Maine. I believe communication and listening is missing from our political environment today, which is why I always listen to both sides of a situation and don’t base my decisions on a political party or an agenda.”
What do believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“One major issue that I have seen in our district, is the difficulty of working-class Mainers to be able to pay for affordable housing and child-care options. I believe that too many communities participate in what is known as “snob-zoning” to keep affordable housing complexes out of their towns, and these communities should be held accountable. I would also advocate for larger companies and even communities to receive tax initiatives to open and operate Day Care facilities for their employees and/or eligible residents.”
What do you believe is the most pressing issue in this race and how do you intend to handle it?
“I believe that one of the most pressing issues facing all of us on the Local, to the State and at the National level is divisiveness. I believe that this divisiveness is tearing our Democracy into shreds, and we need to find ways to move past it. I pledge to work with all individuals and parties at the State level to find ways to better communicate to and listen to one another. Hatred, threatening and name-calling must stop being the norm.”
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 all hear time and time again from our constituents that they are barely able to afford the home that they are in, especially our elderly population and those that are on fixed incomes. I believe that we should reinstitute some of the tax relief programs that were in place for years and helped many people on fixed incomes with the ability to afford their property taxes. Most of these programs have for various reasons been eliminated, or are not implemented at this time. We need to have these programs in place to assist the most vulnerable members of our community, so that they can afford to live and “age in place” in the homes that they have often resided in for many years.”
Why did you choose to run for this specific position and what do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
“I decided to run for the House of Representatives position when I was informed that the current person in this position is ‘terming out’ this fall. I have worked in Public Safety for almost 38 years and feel that I have a pretty good grasp of dealing with people in many different types of situations. I admittedly lack in the elected position arena, however, have a strong background in Labor relations and Union officer positions. I hope to bring common sense and listening skills to Augusta and work for the needs of the people of District 86.”
What are your budget priorities and how will it impact the residents of your district?
“Maine’s budget has always been a hot button topic, depending on which party occupies the Blaine House. We have had administrations that have added many social service positions and increased spending for social programs. We have had other administrations that have laid off these same positions and have vetoed each and every bill that has been put forth by the legislature. I believe that there is common ground somewhere in the middle, to keep important programs running, people safe and the basic infrastructure intact to take care of people. Sometimes it costs more money to achieve these goals, sometimes it costs less, common sense should prevail.”
What do you like the most about the district where you live?
“I love the district I live in, with a potpourri of lakes, hills and camps, we could not ask for much more! People come here to vacation, from all over the region and we should be proud of the gem that we call the Lakes region, please help to take care of it!”
No comments:
Post a Comment