Thank you to all the voters who came out last Tuesday and elected me to serve on the Thomaston Select Board. I am deeply humbled and grateful for your support. But whether you voted for me or not I want you to know that I will serve you the best that I can. I will listen to your concerns and try my hardest to follow up on each phone call, text, or email.
My campaign would not have been possible without the help of many friends and neighbors who canvassed door to door, displayed yard signs on... Read more
Elections 2023 Voter Resource: Candidates, Issues, Polling Places
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Voters will go to the polls Nov. 7, 2023 to consider state ballot proposals, municipal amendments, and if they live in Belfast or Rockland, a roster of city councilors candidates. On this page, you will find profiles of candidates, information about ballot and warrant articles, where to vote, letters to the editor and when. While most municipalities have just the state referendums before their voters this fall, there are others, such as Camden and Union, with warrant articles specific to their communities. And, there is the RSU 40 $81 million bond proposal, as well as a School Administrative District 28 $1.9 million bond proposal before Camden and Rockport voters.
“Democracy is measured not by its leaders
doing extraordinary things,
but by its citizens doing things
extraordinarily well.”
—John Gardner
Union voters approve path forward to save Thompson Community Center, seek developers for senior housing
UNION – A large majority of voters approved a path forward to find a developer to create senior housing in part of the Thompson Community Center building, adjust zoning to allow this housing, and use Tax Increment Financing for rehabilitation of the remainder of the Community Center.
Voters narrowly defeated an article that would have authorized the Select Board to dispose of the entire Community Center property.
The Community Center, commonly referred to as the ‘brick building,’ was built... Read more
Central Maine Power releases statement on Maine Ballot Question 3
AUGUSTA — The following statement was issued just after 10 p.m. Nov. 7 by Avangrid, owner of Central Maine Power, as election results predicted that Question 3 to create a consumer-owned utility, Pine Tree Power, would be rejected by Maine voters.
“Fifty years ago, in 1973, voters in Maine soundly rejected a proposal to seize Maine’s electric grid and replace it with a political board. Maine voters have once again overwhelmingly rejected this idea.
Next year our company will mark 125 years... Read more
Constitutional amendment
How Knox and Waldo counties voted on Question 5: changing timeline for checking written petition validity
Knox and Waldo County voters have mixed opinions of statewide Question 3, “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to change the time period for judicial review of the validity of written petitions from within 100 days from the date of filing to within 100 business days from the date of filing of a written petition in the office of the Secretary of State, with an exception for petitions filed within 30 calendar days before or after a general election?”
UPDATE: Camden and Rockport voters approve spending $1.9 million for heating/cooling repairs at elementary school
Camden and Rockport voters overwhelmingly approved a $1.9 million bond proposal for School Administrative District 28 (Camden-Rockport K-8 schools).
This article has been updated following the Town of Rockport correction to the number of ballots cast in opposition to the measure, from 33 to 333.
Camden voted 1,780 in favor and 417 against, while Rockport voted 1,024 in favor and 333 against the article, which read: “Do you favor authorizing the School Board of Maine School Administrative... Read more
Knox and Waldo County voters approve Maine Question 2: Banning foreign entities from influencing candidate, ballot questions
Knox and Waldo County voters favor the Citizen Initiative Question 2, “Do you want to ban foreign governments and entities that they own, control, or influence from making campaign contributions or financing communications for or against candidates or ballot questions?”
RSU 40 $81 million bond fails at the polls
Regional School District 40, comprising K-12 public schools for students from Friendship, Union, Waldoboro, Warren and Washington, asked voters Nov. 7 to approve an $81 million spending package. The voters declined the request, 4,166 to 1,370.
Citizen initiative
Knox and Waldo County voters overwhelmingly support Question 4: standardizing auto diagnostic systems
Knox and Waldo County voters are approving the Citizen Initiative Question 4, “Do you want to require vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board diagnostic systems and provide remote access to those systems and mechanical data to owners and independent repair facilities”
Citizen initiative
How Knox and Waldo counties voted on Maine Question 1: electric utilities, debt
Voters in Knox and Waldo counties are favoring Citizen Initiative Question 1, “Do you want to bar some quasi-governmental entities and all consumer-owned electric utilities from taking on more than $1 billion in debt unless they get statewide voter approval?”Waldo County voted ???? to approve/defeat the same statewide question.
Citizens initiative
Knox and Waldo County voters oppose Question 3: Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board
Knox and Waldo County voters are helping to defeat the statewide Citizen Initiative Question 3, “Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board to acquire and operate existing for-profit electricity transmission and distribution facilities in Maine?”
How Knox and Waldo counties voted on Question 7: Petition circulators and federal decision
Knox and Waldo County voters are giving a thumbs down to Citizen Initiative Question 7, “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove a provision requiring a circulator of a citizen's initiative or people's veto petition to be a resident of Maine and a registered voter in Maine, requirements that have been ruled unconstitutional in federal court?”
constitutional amendment
How Knox and Waldo counties are voting on Question 8: Remove provision prohibiting person under guardianship for reasons of mental illness from voting
Knox and Waldo County voters are weighing in on Citizen Initiative Question 8, “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to remove a provision prohibiting a person under guardianship for reasons of mental illness from voting for Governor, Senators and Representatives, which the United States District Court for the District of Maine found violates the United States Constitution and federal law?”
Constitutional amendment
How Knox and Waldo counties voted on Question 6: Printing all provisions of Constitution
Knox and Waldo County voters are weighing in on Citizen Initiative Question 6, “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that all of the provisions of the Constitution be included in the official printed copies of the Constitution prepared by the Secretary of State?”
Rockland elects Nathan Davis and Kaitlin Callahan to City Council
ROCKLAND – Rockland voters have elected Kaitlin Callahan and Nathan Davis to the Rockland City Council.
Four candidates competed for two open seats on the Council, with both seats representing three-year terms. Those running for office were Adam Ackor, Callahan, Davis and Louise MacLellan.
Votes were:
Adam Ackor, 806
Nathan Davis, 1,253
Kaitlin Callahan, 1,255
Louise MacLellan, 473
Total number of voters, 2,161
Camden approves zoning amendments to encourage housing, adopts pier regulations
CAMDEN – On Nov. 7, Camden voters approved town-wide zoning changes to encourage housing development and approved new regulations for structures including piers and land-attached floats in the outer harbor. Changes to the Town Charter relating to the budget process were approved.
Voters also approved the $1.9 million SAD 28 (K-8 schools) bond issue for replacement of heating and cooling systems at the elementary school, due to failure of the existing geothermal system.
To view the full text... Read more
letter to the editor
Louise says thank you
It’s a crazy time in our world. Whatever happens on Tuesday, I am at peace. Win or not, nothing will really change for me.
I will remain an active participant in the Rockland community. Creating events like Name Tag Day, volunteer appreciations, organizing coastal clean-ups and cookouts, supporting our veterans and first responders, and continued work on the Rockland Harbor Trail foot by foot. And more. I will continue to support AIO, St. Bernard’s and other non-profits that attend to basic... Read more
letter to the editor
Quality Senior Housing in Union
ATTENTION ALL QUALITY SENIOR HOUSING DEVELOPERS! The Town of Union is intent on attracting your senior housing project expertise to the redevelopment of the yellow school building on Common Road. How do I know? The Select Board and the Thompson Community Center Working Group are openly displaying this objective by seeking Union citizens’ nod of approval on Articles 2, 3, 4 and 5. What do the articles offer? Article 2 commits to senior housing and cooperative negotiation. Article 3 assures... Read more
On the issues: Rockland City Council Candidate Adam Ackor
Four candidates are competing for two open seats on the Rockland City Council, with elections set for Nov. 7. Both seats represent three-year terms. Those running for office are Adam Ackor, Nathan Davis, Kaitlin Callahan and Louise MacLellan.
Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, candidate Adam Ackor responds:
Please provide a concise biography of yourself
I was born in... Read more
On the issues: Thomaston Select Board Candidate Kimberly Matthews
Two candidates are competing for one open seat on the Thomaston Select Board, with elections set for Nov. 7. The seat represent a one-year term. Those running for office are Patricia Hubbard and Kimberly Matthews. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, Candidate Kimberly Matthews responds:
Please provide a concise biography of yourself.
When I was 2 I moved to Thomaston... Read more
On the issues: Rockland City Council Candidate Nathan Davis
Four candidates are competing for two open seats on the Rockland City Council, with elections set for Nov. 7. Both seats represent three-year terms. Those running for office are Adam Ackor, Nathan Davis, Kaitlin Callahan and Louise MacLellan.
Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, candidate Nathan Davis responds:
Please provide a concise biography of yourself.I grew up in New... Read more
On the issues: Rockland City Council Candidate Kaitlin Callahan
Four candidates are competing for two open seats on the Rockland City Council, with elections set for Nov. 7. Both seats represent three-year terms. Those running for office are Adam Ackor, Nathan Davis, Kaitlin Callahan and Louise MacLellan.
Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, candidate Kaitlin Callahan responds:
Please provide a concise biography of yourself
Born in Maine... Read more
On the issues: Thomaston Select Board Candidate Patricia Hubbard
Two candidates are competing for one open seat on the Thomaston Select Board, with elections set for Nov. 7. The seat represents a one-year term. Those running for office are Patricia Hubbard and Kimberly Matthews. Penobscot Bay Pilot has posed questions to each candidate, providing the opportunity for the public to better understand their positions on issues. Here, Candidate Patricia Hubbard responds:
Please provide a concise biography of yourself.
Maine born and raised, I settled in... Read more
opinion
Pine Tree Power will empower us
Before moving to Camden, I spent 40-some years of reporting and editing about international energy issues. One thing I didn’t hear much about over those decades was the “customer base” of the big companies I covered, from oil majors like ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco to electric utilities such as Spain’s Iberdrola and its U.S. counterparts. Such firms don’t know or care – or talk to journalists -- about their customers. They know about commodity markets, big investors, and Wall Street analysts.... Read more
opinion
A (shorter) guide to Question 3
In my (admittedly short) career as a journalist, I have never had as many conversations about a single topic as I have on Question 3, the referendum on this year’s ballot asking Mainers whether they want to replace Maine’s two investor-owned utilities with Pine Tree Power, a nonprofit that would consist of an elected and appointed board, support staff, and a private third-party company managing daily operations of the grid.
This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit... Read more
A Q&A on Question 3, the Pine Tree Power referendum
This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit civic news organization. To get regular coverage from the Monitor, sign up for a free Monitor newsletter here. The Monitor suggests reading its primer on how the grid works before reading this Q&A.
Question 3: Do you want to create a new power company governed by an elected board to acquire and operate existing for-profit electricity transmission and distribution facilities in Maine?
A “yes” vote supports creating the... Read more
Mayor and councilor elections on Belfast’s municipal ballot Nov. 7
BELFAST — All but the mayoral race are uncontested in upcoming Belfast elections Nov. 7.
There are four races for elected office for the city government and one for the RSU 71 school board on the ballot.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Sanders and Elvis Robbins are running for mayor.
Incumbent Brenda Bonneville is running unopposed for Ward 3 Councilor.
Christopher Bitely is running unopposed for Ward 4 Councilor. Mike Hurley, former Belfast mayor for three-terms and former Councilor for seven terms... Read more
Union’s Thompson Center redevelopment on Nov. 7 ballot
UNION – Town officials have placed on the Nov. 7 municipal ballot a group of articles they hope will give voters the opportunity to either save or sell the town-owned Thompson Community Center property.
Voters will also decide on a RSU 40 ballot request for approval to issue up to $81 million in bonds for capital improvement projects. The improvements may include, but are not limited to listed improvements to all seven schools for: heating and ventilation, safety and security, structural... Read more
Letter to the editor
Easy math, folks
Some facts regarding Question 3 on the upcoming Maine ballot The proposed decision makers of PTP will be elected officials. Once again NO DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN RUNNING AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY. The $13 billion price tag that CMP and Versant have established as a buyout is a price that will have to be paid for and passed directly onto Maine residents. A lower btu cost does not necessarily guarantee a lower bill once transmission and distribution are included. $13,000,000,000... that's a lot of... Read more
letter to the editor
Union citizens, please consider all the information before you vote
Before I write this letter I want to point out that I am a member of the TCC working group and a member of the Thompson Memorial Association. I am writing as a citizen of Union and not as a member of either group. I don’t want the voters to be deceived and I want them to know the truth as I know it.
If you as a citizen of Union are thinking of voting no on article 2-5 and voting yes on Article 6 because you have heard that we can have a brand new Community Center on the old BM Clark property... Read more
letter to the editor
Support Pine Tree Power for Maine’s economic future
I plan to vote yes on No. 3, the Pine Tree Power Project, and urge other voters to do the same. I have listened to the arguments on all sides and believe that this initiative is our best opportunity to reduce power bills, increase grid reliability and ensure a future proof grid. I encourage you to go to the website, PineTreePower.org, to read the detailed plan and analyses of the proposal. Daily glossy mailings from CMP aside, this is a well thought out plan with significant expert support.... Read more
letter to the editor
What Rockland needs
I am writing today in support of Kaitlin Callahan for Rockland City Council. As someone who lives and works in Rockland, it is obvious that someone like Kaitlin is needed to help support this community.I began my career in social services in 2018 and have worked in Rockland for the entirety of that time. Through this work, I have met many amazing people who share my passion for serving this community. Though we have not worked for the same organizations, Kaitlin’s name is one I soon became... Read more
letter to the editor
I'll vote for Kaitlin Callahan and Nate Davis, and look forward to them leading us into our future
Once again, Rockland has four good candidates running for our City Council, any one of them would serve us very well.
But, we can only vote for two of them, so here's what I'm thinking. Three of them have already served on the Council, it's probably time to get someone new in there.
They did a good job while they were on there, but it's time for some younger people to step up and get involved. Let's get some “new blood,” and maybe some new ways of dealing with our same old problems. I
've... Read more
letter to the editor
How Union can move forward with housing plans without taxpayer pain
In November, Union citizens will have yet another opportunity to decide the future of the old Union School (the yellow building) and the attached Thompson Community Center. Enough has probably been said about the value of converting the school to 15 to 23 apartments for seniors, and about the benefits of returning the Community Center’s gym, stage, and meeting rooms to safe use.
What may not be clear to many people is how we can do all that without taxpayer pain. A team appointed by the... Read more
letter to the editor
Question timing in Rockland
During the October Agenda Setting Meeting of the Rockland City Council, Councilor Sarah Austin presented a Charter Change to Remove the Mayor of Rockland. Why now, when there are only a few weeks before the election, and the one-year term of the mayor(chair) ends in a few weeks anyway? Why now?? Current mayor Louise MacLellan-Ruf is running for reelection to Council. Councilor Sarah Austin is not.
What are the facts? We all know that the mayor/chair of Rockland is selected by the five... Read more
Ambitious school facility capital bond is proposed for Friendship, Union, Waldoboro, Warren, Washington taxpayers
Regional School District 40, comprising K-12 public schools for students from Friendship, Union, Waldoboro, Warren and Washington, is asking voters Nov. 7 to approve an $81 million spending package. The funding would derive from a bond, although the district has cited the possibility of seeking state and federal grants to help with the cost.
A public hearing on the bond is scheduled for Oct. 26 at Medomak Valley High School at 6 p.m.
An RSU 40 slide presentation on the proposed bond can be... Read more
Letter to the editor
Vote Yes on Maine Ballot Question 2
I wanted to take a moment to write to you about an important proposal on the Maine November ballot. I am supporting the "YES on 2" campaign which will ban foreign government-owned entities from contributing to our elections. This is an important measure and a first step in reigning in out of control campaign spending. The stakes are high – since 2020, foreign government-owned entities have spent over $100 million to influence Maine referendum campaigns!
You can learn more on the campaign... Read more
letter to the editor
Vote yes on Pine Tree Power. Let's keep Maine dollars in Maine
According to the Maine Beacon, Central Maine Power's profit for the second quarter of 2022 was $40.5 million. On an annual basis, that's $162,000,000, and that works out to an average of $248 for every CMP customer.
And where does all that money go?
Well, CMP is owned by Iberdola, a Spanish company, and those profits come out of the pockets of Mainers and go into the pockets of Iberdola's investors. And that's why CMP and Iberdola are flooding the airwaves and our mailboxes with ads: they... Read more
What to know about Maine’s electrical utilities ahead of vote on ballot initiative
As voters decide whether to take over their transmission and distribution utility companies, we’re providing Mainers with some history of the power system in the region — and clearing up some confusion.
This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit civic news organization. To get regular coverage from the Monitor, sign up for a free Monitor newsletter here.
Key takeaways:
• Maine’s utility companies deliver electricity to homes and businesses. The companies own and... Read more
Maine’s auto ‘Right to Repair’ ballot initiative part of national movement
A citizen initiative on Maine’s November ballot brings the state into a national “right to repair” movement that backers say helps give consumers more control over how and who can fix the products they buy.
Proponents say “right to repair” legislation levels the playing field and allows buyers more options in how they fix their products by allowing consumers the same ability to maintain their products as the manufacturers that make them.
This story was originally published by The Maine... Read more
letter to the editor
Two votes for our community
Across the country we face unprecedented challenges — inflation, a housing crisis, an opioid epidemic — too many community members are living in unsustainable conditions without quality healthcare, stable housing, or the safety nets that make the difference between thriving and barely getting by.It’s easy to feel hopeless against these big problems. And that is why I look to our community leaders for inspiration—people who are making change now — doing good where they can, working hard every... Read more
letter to the editor
Milked dry by the school district over last 81 years
As a lifelong dairy farmer it’s fair to say I know a thing or two about milking. As a taxpayer, I am nearing the end of my useful life and have little left to give. I feel as though I have been milked dry by the school district over the last 81 years.
Every year, the majority of my property taxes are funneled from Union Town Hall to RSU 40 coffers.
Last year’s school budget for one year alone, was just shy of $34 million. When I heard they want to borrow $81 million dollars plus... Read more
letter to the editor
A strong candidate for Rockland
I am happy to be writing this letter in support of Kaitlin Callahan who is running for a seat on the Rockland City Council. Although I reside in Camden, it is very important to me that Rockland takes advantage of her eagerness to participate.
The problems Rockland residents face are the same problems we all face on the Midcoast and beyond. Kaitlin sees many of these problems firsthand through her work as a Recovery Partner for Maine Behavioral Healthcare. She is passionate about... Read more
letter to the editor
Delightful surprise candidate in Rockland
Kaitlin Callahan spoke at the Rockland City Council Candidate panel Thursday, September 28. Wow, she is impressive. She is new to me and I was thrilled to hear a smart, compassionate, well organized person speaking about housing issues offering specific solutions for Rockland.
Kaitlin works statewide as a Recovery Partner with CIPPS (Certification of International Peer Support Specialist). In short, she knows first-hand the importance of neighborhood stability, community centers, non-tax... Read more
letter to the editor
Rockland will be well served if Adam Ackor is elected
Although I have never been a resident of Rockland, I have great affection for the Lime City. During my pre-retirement years I was known to publicly state on many occasions, tongue-in-cheek, that I live in Rockland but I sleep in Owls Head.
In the upcoming November election there are four candidates for City Council. I personally know the three who have already served on Council, having worked with them in my former role as executive director of Rockland's quasi-municipal downtown... Read more
letter to the editor
Still time to act and make your voice heard concerning Mount Chase mine proposal
Wolfden Resources Corporation is a Canadian mining company that purchased land currently zoned as a “protection district” near Mount Chase, Maine ,and the North Gate of Baxter State Park, as well as about five miles from the entrance to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
This current designation means “development would jeopardize significant natural, recreational and historic resources, including, but not limited to, flood plains, precipitous slopes, wildlife habitat and other... Read more
letter to the editor
On Nov. 7, consider strain on an already overburdened community
There is never a good time to borrow $154 million dollars, but with inflation soaring, now is an especially bad time.
RSU 40 wants to borrow more money, which over the life of a 25-year loan at prevailing interest rates (assuming a 6% rate) will cost around $154 million, much more than the $81 million figure that will be identified on the November 7 ballot for voters in Warren, Washington, Waldoboro, Friendship and Union.
The cost of groceries, fuel, and insurance are surging and many people... Read more
QUESTION 8 ON STATE REFERENDUM BALLOT
Maine’s constitution says people in guardianships with mental illness cannot vote. Voters can change that in November.
Nine words in the Maine constitution were found to be unconstitutional 22 years ago, yet remain in the state’s guiding document. Voters will decide in November if they should be removed.
Every Maine resident aged 18 and over who is also a U.S. citizen can vote, “excepting persons under guardianship for reasons of mental illness,” according to the state constitution.
This story was originally published by The Maine Monitor, a nonprofit civic news organization. To get regular coverage from the... Read more
question 6 on state referendum ballot
Long-excluded section of Maine constitution may make a comeback
Hidden beneath the murky phrasing of Question 6 on the Nov. 7 ballot is an amendment that would reintroduce language, long out of print from Maine’s constitution, honoring the state’s historical obligations to tribal nations.
Section 5, Article X of the constitution was taken out of circulation by a statewide vote in 1875 and hasn’t appeared in copies since 1876. The section has remained in “full force” legally, however, and is available on the state legislature’s website, though omitted... Read more
Vote yes on Question 3
Mainers made a deal with our electric utilities decades ago: we’ll give you an exclusive state-protected monopoly to provide us with electricity and earn a guaranteed profit; in return, you provide us with reliable, quality service at reasonable rates.
Our two remaining investor-owned utilities, Central Maine Power and Versant, stopped honoring their end of the bargain years ago. They only want the protected monopoly with the captive customers and guaranteed profit and nevermind about the... Read more
letter to the editor
Simple Solution
If the opponents of Pine Tree Power ( Question 3), CMP, Versant and $18 million in out-of-state money for lobbyists simply gave the $27 million they have spent on misleading adds to the 1.5 million people who live in Maine directly, we could each have about $20,000 dollars, enough for solar panels and heat pumps for everyone, definitely helping our electric bills as well as the climate.
And if the $187 million in profits sent out of the State of Maine last year alone were kept in Maine, we... Read more
letter to the editor
Rockland is a Puzzle
Nate Davis has solid, steady energy. These are good qualities for a city councilor. Nate is polite, a good listener and asks probing questions. Nate visualizes the city’s future to craft Rockland into a city that makes the most of its land, air, water, infrastructures, businesses, and people. Nate is a big picture guy considering each puzzle piece to create the best fit for all parts.
November 7 will offer several choices for city council seats. What tips the scale when voting? Integrity and... Read more
letter to the editor
Vote for Nate and Kaitlin to restore health of City Council and Rockland
The upcoming election for two open seats on the Rockland City Council affords us the opportunity to rejuvenate an underperforming Council and bounce back strong with vibrant energy.
I ask my fellow Rockland residents to join me in voting for Nate Davis and Kaitlin Callahan in the November 7 election.
Having had the pleasure of getting to know both Nate and Kaitlin and hearing them speak about the issues we face in local government, I am convinced that they are the right individuals to... Read more
letter to the editor
Not a good idea for RSU 40 to spend $81 million to renovate schools right now
Real people know that inflation is a real thing, prices at the gas station and the grocery store are off the charts. Inflation is a complex beast and is caused by many factors; an over-supply of money is one of them.
When the federal government prints billions of dollars it dilutes spending power of what is in your wallet. I don’t believe it’s a good idea for RSU 40 to spend $81 million to renovate its schools right now. The district should use its current budget more efficiently and stop... Read more
letter to the editor
Simply Nate
As year-round Rockland residents, we value our community. Our neighborhoods are walkable and friendly, town services and cultural events are offered all year long and health care is nearby. Are there issues to address? The consensus is a resounding yes! Which is exactly why we support Nate Davis for City Councilor. The lack of affordable housing and the high property taxes are two key issues which impact daily life. Job candidates who might be hired for schools, hospitals or businesses can’t... Read more
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