HOULTON, Maine — When voters go to the polls Nov. 3, they will cast ballots for candidates for the Houlton Town Council, RSU 29 board and the town’s Board of Budget Review committee.
Three hopefuls — Paul Cleary, Rosa McNally and Sue Waite-York — are vying for two open seats on the Houlton Town Council this November. Incumbents Daniel Peabody and Phil Cloney opted not to seek re-election.
There are four open seats on the RSU 29 board — three three-year terms and one one-year term. Incumbents Tammy Goetsch, Bruce Clark and Lori Holmes are all seeking re-election for the three-year terms. The one-year seat will be determined via write-ins. One individual, Karter Kenney, contacted the newspaper to state his desire for this seat. Because the seats are uncontested, profiles were not done on these candidates this year.
The following is a list of question-and-answer forms the newspaper sent to the three council candidates. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Paul Cleary
Age: 44
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? I was on Houlton Town Council for four terms, Chairman for seven years and I’m currently president of the Houlton Fair Association and member of the Houlton Fair Board for 16 years. I was on RSU 29 School Board for one year and I’ve coached basketball for the past 10 years.
What is your career background? I have broadcasting, marketing, sales, managerial experience and I’m currently doing property management for a company located in Portland. I have also volunteered for the Houlton Fair Association since 1999 and have experience with town budgets and town issues.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I’ve had quite a few people come up to me and ask that I run for Council again. I was on council 12 out of the last 15 years and enjoyed it.
The next few years and the current budget will be an issue and the town needs people with experience on the council, which I have.
Where do you see Houlton in the next three years? I’d like to see us pick up speed on economic growth while trying to maintain a stable mil rate and able to provide services the citizens of Houlton expect and deserve. Houlton has a unique opportunity to grow if people would open their mind to new ideas.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future? The budget and the mil rate. How do you maintain a stable mil rate and still provide the services to the citizens of the town of Houlton? If Houlton is to see some economic growth we need to have a mil rate that will attract businesses to our area. Houlton has seen a major upgrade to its technological improvements that we should take advantage of. On top of this our airport is something that we need to market and let people know about. Just because we’re at the start of I-95 we have an airport that will help you get your goods in and out.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? Maintain the mil rate, explore ways to help market the town, keep current services and make it so Houlton becomes a destination for people to move here and be able to afford to live and raise a family.
Why should people vote for you? If you want someone who will discuss and ask questions and challenge the status quo then you should vote for me. If you are tired of certain groups making decisions behind the scene, then you should vote for me. My past experience will be a plus for the future of Houlton.
Rosa D. McNally
Age: 56
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? I am currently serving my second appointment on the RSU 29 school board. I am also on the board at the Region Two School of Applied Technology; a member of the Houlton Board of Budget Review; a member of the Houlton Rotary Club; and on the board of the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation.
Previously, I served as board director for 10 years on the the Four Directions Development Corporation, I was nominated for HUD’s Best Practice Award for the development of a Center City Job Training and Education Center. I was also appointed by former Governor John Baldacci to the 8a Manufacturing Initiative in Caribou and Mayor’s Task Force for Housing Development and Limestone Budget Committee. I was also president of the Limestone Chamber of Commerce.
What is your career background? Currently I am a grant writer/federal contract administrator and construction project manager for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. In the past six years, I helped raise over $12 million for programs, services and facilities, including the Maliseet Health and Wellness Center and Maliseet Athletic Field (utilized by Houlton’s High School Football Program). I am the construction project manager and federal contract administrator for both of these facilities.
In the past, I was director for a New Hampshire Center City, Job Training and Education Center, raised over a million dollars and conducted employer forums, producing positive job placement outcomes for residents and employers.
I had a successful career as Community and Economic Development Director for Limestone and Caribou. During my tenure, I raised and administered close to a million dollars from the Department of Economic and Community Development, for housing rehabilitation and public facilities and infrastructure. As Caribou’s Business Development Director, I assisted in the expansion of two local manufacturers; promoting and utilizing the city’s revolving loan fund and job creation initiatives; leveraging resources for these companies.
I owned and operated a state licensed daycare for 10 years and supplemented my income from the food service industry for over 20 years, as a waitress. At the age of 3, I started a lucrative, 15-year career in the potato harvest industry. My senior year in high school, I worked for a dairy farmer; mowing, haying, milking, building fences, and delivering calves.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I believe my background in fundraising, community development, federal contract award and administration, member of RSU 29 board and board of budget review, would make me a strong addition to our current council in moving the town forward. I would like to help our community sustain its current financial obligations and services and find ways to experience economic prosperity.
Where do you see Houlton in the next three years? I see Houlton on the road to a stronger, more sustainable economy, and a community-driven plan identifying our goals and the steps we need to take to achieve them.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future? Like many rural communities, Houlton is experiencing a decrease in revenue and increase in expenses as its infrastructure ages. We need a more comprehensive community plan that identifies the priorities of the people who live here, and coordinates the needs of town facilities, equipment, programs and services. We must inventory our assets and resources, project our long-term expenses, goals and objectives and identify resources and activities to produce the positive outcomes we desire.
Shortfalls must be anticipated — not reacted to when we are in them. Like our wise ole friend Solomon stated a few years back, “Without a vision, the people perish.”
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? My first goal is to listen to our community; everyone deserves the right to be heard. The town priorities need to be set by the community, not by me. Many have concerns and great ideas. Secondly, my background in development naturally sees opportunities. I will identify funding sources and alternatives to help cut operation costs such as equipment, facilities, and programs. As well, there are many opportunities for business retention, sustainability and growth.
Why should people vote for you? “Because Houlton Matters.” The decisions we make today matter beyond today — they impact tomorrow as well. People should vote for me because I’m representative of the people who live here. I’m like you. I know what it’s like to work hard, to be resourceful, self-sufficient and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. I also know what it’s like to rejoice as a result of some pretty grand experiences by helping communities find the resources they need and thrive. We do not have to accept a mindset of a restrictive tax-based community.
Sue Waite-York
Age: 54
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? I have never been involved in politics. If elected this would be my first office. I have served on the board of the Houlton Community Arts Council.
What is your career background? My first career was as a professional ballet dancer, where I danced for several companies across the country. I eventually moved into musical theatre, doing a national tour.
I have raised two children here in Houlton, worked in the public school system choreographing dance for several musicals and show choirs. I currently teach dance at the Houlton School of Dance with Sandy Hartley.
I have my own property management business, consisting of several homes, apartments and commercial buildings. I am an associate broker for First Choice Real Estate and also dabble in market gardening growing for niche markets in the Houlton community. I have also completed three years of university studying everything from art history and architecture to soil science.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? My decision to run was prompted by my interest and dedication in seeing this community grow and prosper. I have loved this town since I was a girl as my mother was a native of Houlton. We would visit Houlton every year and spend summers at East Grand Lake. The nature of my business keeps me well connected to the people and community.
Where do you see Houlton in the next three years? Our area has struggled for years through good times and bad. Today, I see a renewed interest in downtown revitalization as well as increases in agriculture, a return of young baby boomer alumni and an overall sense that it is time to reveal the gem that Houlton is.
I would like to see Houlton expand its population, thereby expanding the tax base. We need to keep working on the creative economy and develop an attractive model to entice businesses to locate here.
We need to keep supporting the needs of our young adults to keep them from having to leave the area. It would also be fantastic to welcome early retirees to the areas as they bring a wealth of experience, discretionary funds and an interest in community affairs.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future? The most important issue facing Houlton is its small tax base and lack of businesses. The people who have businesses here are hard workers. We just need more of them.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? My goals will focus on trying to balance our needs and wants as a community. It would be easy to say lower taxes and find some big industry to come in and provide jobs. But I know it’s not that easy.
Creative economy is just that … going in with an open mind and digging deep with new ideas and tightening where we can.
Why should people vote for you? I am hoping to join a team of good energy people who are already dedicating their time and energy to making Houlton a better place to live. I hope your vote will allow me to join them in an effort to have Houlton grow and become the gem that it is.
