Staff Writer
Democrats in state Senate District 35 will have two candidates from which to choose during the primary election on Tuesday, June 10. Troy Jackson from Allagash and Gary Pelletier of Cross Lake are running in a heated race for the Democratic position on the November ballot. The winner of the primary will face Daniel Deveau of Cyr Plantation.
Among the communities included in the Senate district are Caribou, Castle Hill, Caswell, Connor, Cyr Plantation, Limestone, Mapleton, Nashville Plantation, New Sweden, Perham, Portage Lake, Square Lake, Sinclair, Stockholm, Washburn, Westmanland and Woodland. The district seat has been held by John L. Martin, (D-Eagle Lake), who has termed out and is running for the seat now held by Jackson.
Jackson, a logger by profession, has been a member of the Maine House of Representatives for six years. During the last two years, Jackson was the chairman of the Inland fisheries and Wildlife Committee and has chaired two other legislative committees. He also was a member of the Legislature’s Labor Committee.
“I have received these assignments because of my leadership and organizational skills,” Jackson said.
Constituent work also has been a major part of Jackson’s resume as a legislator. With the district so far away from the state capital, the candidate sees that part of the job as paramount.
“To live as far as we do from Augusta, I believe that representing the district takes on a bigger importance,” said Jackson. “I think I have demonstrated that over the last six years.”
Jackson also pointed to his sponsorship of several bills to address issues in the district or to help a constituent.
“I have noticed that some representatives introduced few, if any, bills, but I can’t understand how their district can be so problem-free,” Jackson said. “I mean, it is the one chance that people have to change a law or have a state agency change policy that might not be working.”
Besides working logging labor disputes regarding fair wages, Jackson helped to reopen the Michaud Farm Road on the Allagash River. Jackson said the state had closed it without a public hearing, so with the permission of the private landowner, Jackson used his own bulldozer to reopen the road.
“I took a chance of being arrested, but I knew it was the right thing to do and I wasn’t willing to have someone else do it,” Jackson said.
Jackson cited the endorsements of the following groups: Maine Right to Life, Maine Education Association, Maine State Employees Association, Maine AFL-CIO, National Rifle Association and the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. The candidate said that the endorsements, which usually come after a primary and before a general election, were indicative of the differences between him and his opponant.
Jackson and his partner, Lana Pelletier, have two children.
Pelletier spent his entire career as a state game warden and a master guide.
“I have worked all my life and still remain at the helm with no intentions of quitting,” said Pelletier. “I look forward to a new challenge and feel I have much to offer.”
Pelletier cited the instance when a Quebec firm, Breton Industries, wanted to establish an industrial pig farm in the Cross Lake area. Along with Sam Jordon, Pelletier said he got an organization together to fight against the firm in Aroostook County and in Augusta.
Access to the Allagash Waterway was another issue tackled by Pelletier in order “so we the people that bought the waterway can use and enjoy it.”
Gary Pelletier and his wife, Linda, had four sons and a daughter, which he says possess an “excellent work ethic.”
“I have led by example,” Pelletier said. “We don’t need the government interfering in family upbringing.”
The candidate said that education is vital to his children’s and grandchildren’s careers.
“I am not afraid of speaking out for rural Maine our needs for economic development,” he said. “I understand the need for strong forest and farming industries and the need to keep our independent spirit and independence from those who do not want us to enjoy our surroundings.”
Pelletier wants to work to keep the youth in the county by advocating for a better economy.
“I’ve had to tighten my belt because of the hard times we’re already experiencing,” Pelletier said. “I do not spend what I do not have and feel the government should not either.”
Pelletier also pledged to fight for those whose lifestyle and livelihood are threatened by the high cost of fuel, such as senior citizens and truckers.
“I plan on going to Augusta for you, the constituent,” said Pelletier. “I will give 110 percent as I always have, keep my feet to the fire and I’ll be looking for your support.”
Included in Pelletier’s long list of affiliations are the Moir/Taylor Farm Project on the Allagash Waterway, Cunliffe Depot Warden Camp, the Can-Am Dog Race, adviser to the state Bureau of Parks & Land, past county Democratic Party secretary, and restoration of St. Joseph and St. Paul Catholic churches.
