HOULTON, Maine — When voters in Houlton go to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 5, they will be asked to select two individuals among five candidates for the Houlton Town Council.
George W. (Bill) McCluskey, Harry (Jim) Bell, Raymond J. Jay, Eileen E. McLaughlin and Robert I. Monroe are looking to secure one of two open seats on the town council that come with three-year terms. McCluskey and Jay are serving on the town council and are seeking to be re-elected.
In addition, there is one open seat for a two-year term. The seat was originally held by Terry “Joe” McKenna, who resigned from the board in May and has since left the area. Edward M. Lake was the only resident to fill out nomination papers for this seat and is running unopposed.
Houlton has a term limit policy that states no council member can serve more than two consecutive full three-year terms. After two full years out of office, a former council member may seek re-election.
The following questions were posed to all of the candidates. Lake did not respond to email attempts for this article.
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? Or groups do you belong to?
Bell: Having spent my working career in private business, honors or titles earned reflected levels of responsibility and achievement. One particular honor was for business development, having taken a prior employer into a new line of business that quickly became one of their largest and most successful. Company titles have included director and/or vice president at both U.S. and foreign subsidiary companies. I recently joined the board of the Houlton Chamber of Commerce.
Jay: I have been on the Airport Committee for three years, and the Town Council for three years. I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and I also serve as a member of the board of directors for the Chamber.
McCluskey: Served as council chairman.
McLaughlin: Commendation for Preceptorship; Healthy Maine Partnership director; CADCA trained for Community Coalition Building; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention Program manager/coordinator; recovery coach; administrative admissions coordinator Behavioral Health Services; belong to Maine Methamphetamine Prevention Task Force; Statewide Drug and Underage Drinking Prevention Task force; Link for Hope; Citizens Against Retail Marijuana; Corps Council Member; and Committed Long Term member of the local and World wide Recovery Community.
Monroe: I was chosen by The Home Depot corporate officers to receive one of four national awards for outstanding service to the company and my picture is hanging on a wall at their corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia. I currently serve on Houlton’s Planning Board and the Board of Budget Review. I also work multiple tasks at the polls at every election.
What is your career background?
Bell: I graduated from college in the Boston area. I spent more than three decades in operations management and occupancy support services for corporate real estate at companies including John Hancock, Aetna Insurance, Microsoft, Nokia Systems, and Hong Kong Shanghai Bank. I returned to Houlton after choosing semi-retirement.
Jay: I worked at Smith and Wesson for 9 1/2 years, then worked for Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department as a correctional officer for six years and was promoted to sergeant. I was a salesman for Maine Distributors and manager for Daigle Oil Company. I am currently a licensed arborist and owner of Ray’s Tree Services, LLC
McCluskey: I have owned my own businesses nearly all my life. I began as a farmer and trucking until the bottom fell out of farming in the 1980s and ‘90s. After that I searched out my next career. I worked for a short time selling Caterpillar equipment in Vermont then class 7 and 8 trucks for about four years, then came upon my calling on the sea as a captain. I retired from the sea about eight years ago, got married, had children, opened HY-Grow Organics in Houlton and became a licensed medical marijuana provider.
McLaughlin: Registered nurse with a baccalaureate in science. Competent nursing experience beginning in 1986. Training, clinical and cooperative education in extensive areas including public health, community health, pediatrics, post-operative, acute psychiatric triage/crisis intervention, orthopedics, medical/surgical nursing and dual diagnosis chemical dependency. I worked as a Houlton School nurse for HES and HSS.
Monroe: Most of my career has been in the retail sector. I have been a member of the management team at Wal-Mart, The Home Depot at a distribution center and recently at Marden’s. I was a semi truck driver at Werner Enterprises. Additionally, I have worked for multiple accounting firms.
What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council?
Bell: Much of my family still resides in the Houlton area and I have a strong desire to see Houlton prosper, grow, be able to keep future generations here and to attract people to come here to live. I believe I have something to offer to help with the functions of the council.
Jay: I have lived in Houlton for 32 years and I want to give back to the community. In order for my voice to be heard, and see first hand how everything operates, I decided to run for council.
McCluskey: My decision was based upon my decision to raise my children here and my investment in a business in Houlton. I feel that my experience, through my yachting career, with large budgets, tight schedules, decision-making responsibilities and high-profile clients lends itself well to the affairs of a municipality.
McLaughlin: I felt called to run for the Houlton Town Council after witnessing elected officials disregard citizens’ opinions and majority vote. Transparency and iIntegrity are integral to an upstanding council. I decided to run for office when I saw too many blatant conflicts of interest directly affecting councilor votes and the negative impact that had on our town. It is time for new ideas and trustworthy leadership.
Monroe: Having run and lost in 2017, I have been asked by many townspeople to run again. I truly want to see Houlton grow and prosper, and I want to be part of the team working to make that happen.
What do you feel should be the town council’s top priority moving forward?
Bell: The Town Council must continue to focus on the financials of the town. Houlton is considered a full-service community, and the various services require funding and stability. Future budget pressures and priorities must be understood, managed and matched to revenues; and communicated to stakeholders. The facts need to drive decisions and the ramifications of council actions, whether budgetary or otherwise, need to be included in reaching consensus.
Jay: We need to encourage and welcome new businesses. More businesses mean more job opportunities, which would help the tax base and encourage our community. I would like to see an airport director appointed. We have an International Airport that I feel needs to be utilized to its fullest.
McCluskey: Like most towns, we have several priorities, but I am inclined to think economic development, keeping taxes stable while upholding the standards of service we have come to expect in our town, and combating the opioid, methamphetamine plaguing this town as it is many others in the state and country.
McLaughlin: The top priority needs to be excellence in strategic planning and implementation of a successful action plan that takes Houlton from surviving to thriving. Moving forward starts with a solid vision and mission plan for our community, with input from all of our citizens. One that won’t be based on a “get rich quick plan” for a select few, but rather a sustainable solid economic foundation that will bolster the financial stability for all. In order to make that happen, it is key to elect trusted servants, not those interested in self gain.
Monroe: The Town Council’s priority is to help the town grow and be profitable. There are several ways to accomplish this. Among them are supporting SADC to bring new businesses to the town. Also, we need to work with the town manager to aid the downtown revitalization process. This could include developing incentives to assist property owners in preserving and protecting our historical commercial properties.
What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton today and in the future?
Bell: The most important issue would be economic development. Growing our local economy is key for the revenue side of the equation. There has already been some good work done with regard to the airport with a lot more opportunity still there; the Route 1 North corridor will most likely stay strong. We see the seeds of good things in the downtown area, and I would very much like to see that area blossom into a vibrant destination, not just for local residents but for visitors as well.
Jay: Budget and taxes. More career opportunities. Positive activities for our young people and families. Many families leave town for “a day of fun.”
McCluskey: With our aging declining population, I feel we need a concerted effort to find career opportunities to keep our young adults here in Houlton and the surrounding areas and attract folks “from away” here to live and work. To do this, we need to keep economic development at the forefront of our efforts.
McLaughlin: The most pressing issue is the ever growing epidemic of drug use, disorder/overdoses, and the impact it has on individuals, families and the community at large. Every person matters. With the lack of a local detox facility and needed rehab beds, coalition development of community partners is essential. Another, and most important, issue is that the town council needs to be a united front to help change social norms, rather than promote a future of economic demise based on special interests.
Monroe: My answer is two-fold: I see the town’s expenses versus the revenue flow as a problem that we face today and will continue to face unless we can make changes. Secondly, unfortunately, more and more illegal drugs are working their way into our community, and we need to support the law enforcement community to stop the illegal drugs.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected?
Bell: I have no personal agenda to push at Town Council. My main goal is to bring honesty, open-mindedness, and a fresh perspective in providing responsive and responsible oversight and direction for the operations of the town. As a group, the council members can help shape a future direction for the town through careful, collaborative, and analytical thought and consensus building.
Jay: Encourage new businesses to come to Houlton and try to keep taxes down.
McCluskey: If I am re-elected to my current seat on council, I will continue to work with SADC, NMDC, Community Development and the Houlton Band of Maliseets and any other agencies to create opportunity for new and existing business in our town and utilize our TIF, revolving loan and Tax Credit financing to help drive economic development. I will work to keep taxes stable while keeping the excellent services we have come to expect in this town from Fire, Ambulance, Public Works, Parks and Rec and police and so on at or above par.
McLaughlin: My primary goal is to represent all Houlton community members with integrity, dedication and justice. The long-term goal is for Houlton to become a town that is desirable to grow up in, and even more desirable to return to, for our educated young adults.
Monroe: I will listen to the townspeople’s wants and needs and try to fulfill whatever I can. Primarily I want to see the town prosper and attract new jobs to keep our youth here and allow them to earn a decent wage.
Why should people vote for you?
Bell: I have successfully worked with all types of people in a wide range of settings and have experience that should be of value to the council and the town. I am willing to listen, ask questions, follow the facts, and work for the best outcomes for our community.
Jay: People should vote for me if they think I am the right person for the position. I’m not going to please everyone, but I will always do my best to put the taxpayers of Houlton first; and do what is best for the town.
McCluskey: People should consider re-electing me because I have three years experience on the council under my belt and because of my extensive hands-on business experience. I am results driven and I’m approachable and a pretty good all-around guy.
McLaughlin: People should vote for me because I care about the future of Houlton and I have a healthier perspective on how to make Houlton flourish. I’d like to be able to set a precedent for honesty, justice and transparency within the Town Council for all to trust.
Monroe: I hope you will trust me to look after your interests and possibly try to come up with new ways to help the town prosper. I am eager to listen to your input, try to increase the town’s revenue, and maintain, or better yet, decrease your taxes.
Voting will be held 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Gentle Memorial Building.
