Candidates for the single RSU 39 opening include Kent Forbes and Betheny Anderson. Philip McDonough II, Timmy Guerrette and Tiffany Stewart are running for two available City Council seats.
Kent Forbes (RSU 39)
“I have been self-employed for 30 years,” said Forbes when asked about qualifying past experiences. “As owner of the company, it is my obligation to ensure that all aspects of the company run as smoothly as possible. This includes, but is not limited to; budgeting, scheduling, payroll, hiring and dismissal of employees, negotiation, and communicating effectively with all tier levels of subcontractors and contractors alike. All of these attributes are required to support a harmonious and efficient work environment.
“In regard to the school system, I have served 15 years on the School Board. I attended numerous workshops and conferences to strengthen my negotiation and budgeting skills. I have also served as chair and vice chair several times. I am involved with various committees such as Negotiations, Budgeting, Dropout Prevention, Tech Center Craft, Building Bridges, and New School Construction.”
Forbes said the school’s greatest strengths are the “great community and immense support from parents,” and that he “would like to see those relationships strengthened.”
“I believe State and Federal regulations cause unwarranted stress and hardship in the classroom,” Forbes said of the school’s weaknesses. “I want to see continuation of support for the staff with any concerns.”
Forbes openly supports the new school construction project as well.
“A new school will benefit students by providing a better learning environment,” said Forbes. “New technology will enhance students’ ability to learn in various avenues. One campus (as opposed to three) will allow students to have easier transitions through grade levels. Staff will all be under one roof. For Caribou residents, there will be more efficient heating systems and consolidation of services which could reduce taxes.”
Forbes also advocates for activities beyond the classroom.
“The more extracurricular activities we can provide for students helps to ensure a more holistic learning environment.” Forbes said.
Betheny Anderson (RSU 39)
“I have been in education since 1973 and earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maine at Orono,” Anderson said of her qualifying experiences. “I have many other professional credits and am still licensed to teach. I have held keys to every school building in the RSU 39 system.”
Anderson said the school system’s “greatest strengths are our children, our dedicated parents and caregivers, teachers, and vital support staff. Recognizing that they are the essence of, and the definition of, Education is imperative. Education is not a set of books, it is an attitude and a mission, first and foremost.”
To reinforce those strengths, Anderson wants to change the “lack of communication and open agendas. Anyone should be able to give input to the school board, whether or not they are employees. It is not a fraternity or a hierarchy. It serves the public and our community’s children. If we are going to build a new broom closet, ask the people who wield the broom for input. Don’t ask me for executive sessions unless they fall under the guidelines.
“In terms of health and safety standards, we all fall seriously behind in protecting our children. It’s time to get rid of the old buildings, the mold, the antique plumbing, the flat roofs covered in tar and rocks, the lack of security, the chopped-up rooms.”
Anderson has a clear plan for improvement.
“In terms of nutrition,” said Anderson, “all children should eat and be provided for during the school day with healthy snacks, and a delicious lunch without the stigma of money. Books are paid for, lights and heat: feed all of the pre-K-12 students well and equally like Skowhegan does. Children and parents are stigmatized daily over food: food is withheld or made differently. This is the land of plenty. How do you expect production from a horse fed with straw instead of hay?”
As far as extracurricular programs are concerned, Anderson supports those that “exercise the body, mind, and lifestyle skills.”
“Children need dedication to tasks they can enjoy to build their social and personal strengths and challenges. If an existing program has good participation and enthusiastic support and gives everyone opportunities, it’s good to go,” she said.
Tiffany Stewart (City Council)
“After a year on the Council, I have learned a tremendous amount through the other councilors, the city manager, and department heads,” said Stewart. “I have tried to keep an ear to the ground and really listen to both sides of an issue before a vote. Being active in the community also helps me to learn from my fellow citizens, and put those thoughts and ideas into action.”
Stewart believes Caribou’s greatest strength is that it is “filled with people who are not afraid to work hard or work together to make things happen when given the opportunity. If we give this city more opportunities to work together, people would see what a gold mine we really have up here.”
Stewart said, “A detrimental weakness to Caribou is not realizing that doing what is best does not always mean doing what has always been done. There is a lot of wisdom that can be gleaned from the citizens in this community, both young and old. Just trying to encourage more people to come to city council meetings or attend some of the activities around town or go to some of the rec sport games and see what is going on in the community can help people to see where we are as a city and where we want to go.”
As far as the Lyndon Secession Committee is concerned, Stewart “applauds their efforts,” but says the “issue is irrelevant now that it died in Legislature.”
Stewart said Caribou has great recreation and parks facilities. “If our community grows and people are interested in creating and maintaining more facilities, then I believe that will happen naturally. If we take away what is here then it will no longer be a desirable place to live.”
When asked about how to bring more people into Caribou and strengthen the community, Stewart said, “Listening to others and working together to create a cohesive community is of utmost importance in drawing people to the city of Caribou. We have great things happening here with our library, recreation center, activities such as Thursdays on Sweden, and a new school on the horizon. Realizing that we are all in different stages in life, yet supporting others that are not where we are at and still supporting them is what creates a tight-knit community that people want to be a part of.”
Phillip J. McDonough II (City Council)
“I was born and raised in Portland, Maine,” said McDonough. “I have resided in the local area since 1971 at Loring AFB. I retired from the Air Force in 1992 after 24 years of active duty. I worked in the private sector for 11 years and then for the federal government for another eight years.
“My wife and I raised four children who were educated in the Caribou school system. I have a degree in business administration from Husson University (college), graduating in 1998.” McDonough moved to Caribou in 1982. He joined the city council from 2005-07, the Nylander Board from 2008-11, the Planning Board from 2008-11, and then returned to the city council from 2012 to the present.
“Caribou is a four-season community,” McDonough said, describing Caribou’s strengths. “There is primarily agriculture, but the opportunity for other industries to establish here are endless.”
Considering Caribou’s drawbacks, McDonough said, “Today’s economy is probably our largest enemy, as everyone is in competition for the same businesses to come into our community. The economy impacts our youth who leave to prosper elsewhere. We should continue to market our city to bring in sufficient growth and turn our economy around.”
When asked about the secession issue, McDonough said, “Secession is part of the democratic process, and I respect that.” If the committee’s plan came to fruition, McDonough explained that Caribou’s “services would have to be restructured to model its new size and population.”
McDonough said he would “leave things as they currently are,” when asked if the city needed more or less public facilities, and stated that “increased businesses and industry would be a good start” to bringing more people to the city of Caribou.
Timmy Guerrette (City Council)
Guerrette, a life-long Caribou resident who spent 24 years working as a full-time firefighter and paramedic for the Caribou Fire and Ambulance Department, wants to bring a common sense approach to the City Council.
“Caribou is an awesome place to raise a family,” said Guerrette about Caribou’s greatest strengths. “I would be supportive of more things like Thursdays on Sweden Street in the future.”
As far as Caribou’s drawbacks, Guerrette said, “The taxes are high. If I am elected to be on the Council, I feel that we should look into different options, with common sense, to lower taxes.”
When it comes to the secession, Guerrette said, “I can’t lie, I’m not in favor of the secession.” If the committee’s plans did come to fruition, Guerrette says he “would like to be on a committee to try to lure businesses into Caribou, if elected of course.”
Guerrette would like to see the city keep the facilities it has.
“The Caribou Chamber does an excellent job and, if elected, I think we should try to help them any way we can. Parades and events like Thursdays on Sweden are awesome ideas,” he said.
“I’m not going to make any promises I can’t keep,” he concluded. “I’m going to do the best I can with what I have to work with to serve the city of Caribou. I’d like to think I have some common sense. I’ve worked for the city for 24 years, so I know how the inner city government functions. Some people want to make cuts when they’ve never even walked into the fire station.
In the past, I’ve had to fight with the city council for raises in our department. Again, I’m not making any promises I can’t keep. I’m going to do the best I can using my common sense to try to make this work and make this city a better place to live,” he said.
The election takes place on November 3rd. Voters who wish to use absentee ballots must obtain them from the city clerk’s office no later than 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29.
