Willette sets sights
on second term as representative
WILLETTE
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — Michael “Mike” Willette (D – Presque Isle) considers his first term in Augusta a “learning experience.” If re-elected come November to his District 5 seat, Willette hopes to continue enhancing his knowledge to better serve his constituents.
“My first term was for learning — learning the process and making sure I understood how the system worked. I listened more than I spoke, and spoke when the times were right,” said Willette.
Taxes were a major focus during his two years in office.
“I was mostly concerned with keeping taxes down. I’m happy to say that I didn’t vote for any tax increases. I also made sure that I threw my support behind any business initiatives that would make Maine a better place for business to set up shop and do what they do best — provide jobs,” he said.
Willette said he was vocal when funding for mental health serves came under fire and helped in lessening the amount of money taken away from mental health services.
“It helped that my seatmate in the House was the chair of the Health and Human Services Committee. Needless to say, I wore her ear out when I saw how much money would have been cut from the Central Aroostook ARC. In the end, that amount was reduced quite a bit, and the Aroostook ARC could breathe a little easier and continue to provide services to those who need it most,” Willette said.
The accomplishment he’s proudest of during his two years in Augusta had to do with improving voting privileges for military personnel serving overseas.
“I only introduced three bills during the 124th Legislature and this was the most important one. My other two bills were merged with other bills that were similar. My overseas voter bill is my pride and joy for the 124th session,” said Willette, explaining what the bill means to service personnel stationed in other countries. “It allows soldiers located outside the U.S. to cast an absentee ballot via the Internet through a secure voting system.”
Willette — an Army veteran — said before, soldiers overseas would get their absentee ballots sometimes after the elections were over.
“That was a huge problem. Now, they can get their ballots in real time, anywhere an Internet connection can be found, which is anywhere on the globe now. They can vote and have it sent back securely to their hometowns or wherever they are registered to vote. Once this takes off, it will eventually be utilized by expatriates from the state of Maine that live abroad,” Willette said.
The bill was signed into law by Gov. John E. Baldacci in June 2010.
If re-elected, Willette wants to continue to work to attract more businesses to Maine and more specifically to Aroostook County.
“I plan to keep up my battle to make this state a more business-friendly place. I know firsthand what it takes to lure a business to our area, and I also know all of the unnecessary hurdles that this state has put out there that do nothing but discourage outside companies from locating to our state,” said Willette, who is a real estate agent.
The incumbent’s plans include working to reform the welfare system.
“I also want to get some good honest and meaningful work done on addressing our state’s loose welfare system. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in this area and the savings to the state could be enormous if we can address the efficiency problems that plague this program,” he said.
Willette will also make emergency services a priority.
“I will also do whatever I can to make sure our law enforcement and firefighters have what they need to perform the jobs that we expect them to do. And for those of you who were unfairly affected by the exhaust law, I will be submitting a bill to try and remedy the unfairness of these changes,” said Willette.
Citizens’ concerns from home will be of primary concern to the candidate.
“Most importantly, my biggest component to my job is my work I do back home with regard to my constituent services. I love to help people as much as I can – and I emphasize ‘as much as I can,’ because you cannot solve everybody’s problems and issues, but I sure can try,” said Willette.
The former educator will use what he refers to as the “three Cs” as he tries to meet constituents’ needs when voting in Augusta.
“I will continue to follow my three Cs rule when it comes to making my mind up on how I will vote on certain issues. The three Cs are: constituency, conscience and caucus. My first concern on an issue is ‘how would the majority of my constituents want me to vote?’ If that doesn’t help me make up my mind, then I vote my conscience. If that one fails, then I vote with my caucus,” said Willette. “I’m proud to say that on the important issues, I barely get past the first C.”
Rep. Willette and his wife, Pam, have two daughters, Maddasin and Sophia, and a son, Alexander.
