Editor’s Note: The Houlton Pioneer Times will once again feature candidate profiles on individuals seeking seats on the Houlton Town Council. This year, there are two candidates — George McCluskey and Raymond Jay — for two open seats on the board.
George W. “Bill” McCluskey
Name: George W. “Bill” McCluskey
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? I have held no other political offices. I did earn the title of United States Coast Guard 1600 grt Captain. And worked in the industry for 20 years working my up from the very bottom to the top.
What is your career background? I have owned a couple of businesses in the past and currently am the owner of Monticello Maritime Services LLC. A maritime consulting business and Hy-Grow Organics LLC, a garden store.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? A friend convinced me that I should run because of my experience piloting high end yachts with big budgets and tight schedules. They thought that experience could help with some of the budget issues and decisions the town is currently facing, I agreed, and decided to run. I feel having worked in that environment I have a lot to contribute to the town.
What do you feel is a town councilor’s top priority? A councilor’s priority is to the people of the town to ensure that the best decisions are being made for its residents concerning finances, schools and infrastructure and economic development.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future? There are many issues and challenges facing our community including, but not limited to, filling in the gap of our shrinking revenue sharing from the state for our schools. Economic development to convince new businesses to come to our community and set up shop.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? My primary goal, if elected is to work with the other council members to keep our town’s finances healthy, try to entice new business to come to our town and above all keep the best interests of the townspeople in the forefront at all times.
Why should people vote for you? I think my experience as a local business owner and Captain, my willingness to listen to and work with the other council members and townspeople make me a good choice for this position. I will consider it a privilege to serve on the town council.
Raymond Jay
Name: Raymond Jay
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? None.
What is your career background? I have worked at Smith and Wesson as a machine operator for about nine years. I worked at the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office in the Corrections Division as a line officer and was promoted to Sergeant. I have also sold cars for North Country Auto. In addition, I have worked as a store clerk, was a merchandiser for Pepsi Cola and Maine Distributors; I worked as a salesman for Maine Distributors for about four years; and managed the Daigle Oil car wash for about two years. I got licensed as a first class utility and landscape arborist in 2013 and now have my own business doing tree removal, stump grinding, landscaping and snowplowing.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I decided to run for Town Council because I don’t feel things are heading in a good direction for our town. I feel a person can complain about things all you want but, if you don’t get involved – if you don’t learn how everything works, you won’t know how to try and fix the issues at hand. I feel I have to at least try.
What do you feel is a town councilor’s top priority? I feel that a councilor’s top priority should be to do what is best for the majority, and not a select few. To work hard and do your best for the taxpayers that have elected you.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future? Taxes and encouraging new businesses to come to Houlton and help create more jobs.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? To find out why we don’t have new industries knocking at our door to come into our town and to find out why our taxes are considerably high. Most people in the past that have run for council have made the case that if you vote for me I will lower taxes and bring in new businesses. We get all the promises, but not a lot of action. My goal is to find out why and try to fix, or at least see some improvement in a positive direction.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I am not going to make promises that can’t be kept. I am not a politician. I will work hard to do my best for the people of this town. Some people are afraid to speak up and ask questions, I am a firm believer that the only foolish questions are the ones you don’t ask. Vote for me and let me be your voice.
