6 candidates vying for three seats on Houlton Town Council

HOULTON, Maine — When Houlton voters head to the polls this Nov. 7, there will be plenty of choices for three empty seats on the Houlton Town Council.  

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are vying posts on the Houlton Town Council. The Houlton Pioneer Times interviewed all six candidates, who were asked the same questions. Their responses are listed below, with candidates listed alphabetically.

Hal Britton, 70, is married with one child.

What other political offices have you held? I served on the Houlton Town Council from 1999-2002. I have served as a deacon and currently serve as a board member of First Baptist Church on Court Street.

What is your career background? I worked for H.E. Sargent Inc. for 24 years, initially on their survey crew, then assistant party chief, and then foreman/supervisor, traveling Maine from Kittery to Loring Air Force Base, Calais to Bethel and many places in-between. This also included northern and southern New Hampshire.

Following my 24 years in construction, in 1992 I opened up and managed a branch office of Tech Med IV in Houlton. Covering Fort Kent to Calais, Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Newport and south of Millinocket. I retired in 2002.

In addition, I also began driving a school bus 25 years ago and continue to do so.  

What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? We need councilors who understand they represent the citizens of Houlton, not self-interests. Houlton is a community full of untapped potential. As a community, working together, I hope to see some of this potential realized, uniting the community toward common goals.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? The current town council ignored the voters in Houlton who voted 2:1 against recreational marijuana in November 2016. By passing an ordinance allowing retail marijuana facilities in Houlton, councilors failed to respect the popular vote. Based on the November 2016 vote against retail marijuana, the town ordinance should have been one of prohibition, not one allowing these establishments in Houlton.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? Restoring the reputation of Houlton back to the pre marijuana legalization days will be vital to our economic welfare. Being known as the “pot” capital of Aroostook County is not good for existing and potential business, and we do not want to see a mass exodus of residents who do not want to live in a marijuana friendly town.

We must have a vision for Houlton that is not based on a business that is still illegal at the federal level. Investing in the well-being of the youth in our community is of vital importance, for they are our future. We need a healthy and safe environment for all our residents. We need to restore Houlton to the thriving community it once was. Working together as a community with common goals we can achieve this.

What is your primary goal if elected? To restore the trust between the town council and the citizens who elected them, and to serve the community of Houlton in identifying the common goals that would lead to a thriving town.   

Why should people vote for you? My previous experience as a councilor taught me that I am not elected to serve my interests, but that I’m to put the interests of the citizens of Houlton first. I have eyes to see, ears to hear, a voice to speak, a heart to feel and a backbone to use my voice to represent the people of Houlton.

Edward Marshall Lake, 68, is married with four children.

What other political offices have you held? No prior political offices. I am currently serving as commandant of Aroostook County Marine Corps League DET No. 1368 and as junior vice-commandant for the Department of Maine Marine Corps League. I was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in Marine Corps League and the Marine of the Year, 2017, state of Maine. I also have served on the church board.

What is your career background? Eight years active service in the United States Marine Corps and owner operator of E and J Trucking for 10 years.

Why did you decide to run for Houlton Town Council? I believe that there needs to be a change in the leadership of the town of Houlton. I believe in listening to what our town citizens have to say and being a voice for them. I’d like to see growth in local businesses and revitalization of Houlton.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? While there may be a place for medical marijuana, I believe that retail recreational marijuana will only hurt the town of Houlton in the long run. My personal experience is from my time in Vietnam where I watched our fighting men sit on top of the bunkers, higher than a kite, “oooing and awwing” at incoming artillery instead of heading for cover. Altered judgement? You bet. Part of the 58,000 men who never returned was caused by marijuana use. I don’t share this part of my life easily, but legalization and use of recreational marijuana does not set well with me.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? The economy of Houlton and jobs to keep our young people here are very important. Not only should we be supporting our local businesses, but Houlton should also be actively recruiting legal businesses to broaden our economic base.

What is your primary goal if elected? My goal is to be a voice for the people of Houlton, working toward revitalization of downtown Houlton so that we would have more jobs and better job stability. I would also like to see targeted funding for better education.

Why should people vote for you? I am willing to listen to and to represent the people of Houlton to the best of my ability and work with others for the betterment and welfare of our town.

Robert I. Monroe, 37, is single with no children.

What other political offices have you held? 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.

What is your career background? I have worked for Wal-Mart while attending college, The Home Depot Distribution Team, and Werner Enterprises driving 18-wheelers. In addition I have worked for two small accounting firms. Currently I am employed at Mardens in Houlton.

What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I decided to run for Town Council to stop continued discussion of getting rid of police, fire, ambulance, or dispatch. I am eager to give a new perspective on what could be done differently to try and make our town prosper and maybe be less dependent on the state. Ultimately what made me put my hat in the ring is that I was asked by multiple department heads and other town councilors to run.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? Like many others I initially voted no to making marijuana legal in Maine. No matter how the vote goes in November, the law that people can grow at their own house will not change. I do not want under any circumstances marijuana candies made or sold in Houlton to protect our children. I would prefer to only have medical marijuana, but the state may group medical and recreational together in the future and it would be better for us to have an ordinance on the books to protect the town. The marijuana ordinance currently in force would ensure that marijuana facilities are only located in the airport zone. Odors would be controlled by the current odor ordinance.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? The most important issue I find is a two-fold answer: I see the town’s expenses versus revenue as a problem that we face today and will face in the future unless we can make changes, secondly; unfortunately, more and more drugs are working their way into our community and we need to take swift action to stop the illegal drugs.

What is your primary goal if elected? I want to listen to what the townspeople want and need and try to fulfill what I can. I primarily want to see the town prosper and attract new jobs to the town to keep our youth here and allow them to earn a decent wage.

Why should people vote for you? I am hoping you will vote for me to look after your interests and try to possibly come up with new ways of doing things. Saying this is how we have always done it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best way of doing it. I am eager to listen to your input and try to increase the town’s revenue and maintain or better yet decrease your taxes.

Christian J. Robinson, 51, is divorced with two daughters.

What other political offices have you held? I was a school board member in Union 108 Topsfield/Codyville; a Topsfield selectmen; founder of Wilderness Walk for Warriors (a not for profit organization that raises funds and awareness to assist and honor veterans, service members and their families); and executive vice president of The Maine Fallen Heroes Foundation (a not for profit organization whose mission is to help families of Maine’s military fallen heroes). Appointed by current Houlton Town Council to serve out term of council member who stepped down

What is your career background? I have been in the automobile industry (sales management ) since 1996 for a dealership in Washington County and two in Aroostook.

What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I first approached the current council when a councilor tendered his resignation. I was chosen to join the current council. As being appointed by the council to fill a vacated position, I was not elected by the voters. I feel that I have a level headed approach to government and would like to continue on the council, this time of course with the endorsement of the town’s voters.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? First and foremost I would like to say that I’m not a proponent or opponent of marijuana usage in general. The voters of Maine passed recreational marijuana. The council was then left with the

task of dealing with what the voters of Maine had passed. When the council voted in February on the original ordinance I was not yet on the council. In July the amended ordinance was passed by the council and I voted in the affirmative because I thought it to be well written and several people had spent many hours trying to make it better than the original. Ultimately , a referendum petition received enough signatures to bring it to the ballot this November. I voted as did all of the council to let the petition go to the voters to decide the fate of said ordinance.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? Houlton, as many other rural area towns, has significant issues that need to be addressed. A shrinking populace and tax base coupled with reduction in State of Maine revenues are of immediate concern. Business development and expanding tax base should be emphasis points to all of us within the community.

What is your primary goal if elected? To first and foremost listen to the pulse of the community. (Listening to the voters). Strive to offer the best available services to taxpayers while at the same time realizing fiscal responsibility is of the utmost importance. To work to grow Houlton as even more notable as a Military Friendly Community.

Why should people vote for you? I feel that I bring a rational and reasonable approach to the council and can potentially help Houlton moving forward in the future.

Most importantly, I am always willing to listen and learn.

Jane Reed Torres, 61, is single with three children.

What other political offices have you held? Planning Board, 2013 to present; Aroostook County Tourism Board, 2014 to present; Aroostook County Tourism Marketing Committee; SADC ex-officio board member for 5 years; SADC 2013 Presidential Citation for Volunteerism; vice president of the Putnam House Center for Seniors, one year;  Maine Community Foundation Aroostook County Advisory, 2016 to present;  Aroostook Association of Chamber Executives, 2013 to present; past president of Houlton Rotary, 2014/2015; Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute Advisor, 2016 to present; Riverfront Committee member, 2013 to present; Houlton Community Market treasurer, 2013 to present; and town councilor, 2014 to present.

What is your career background? Graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1974 and from USM in 1982 with a degree in history and political science. Managed restaurants in Southern Maine, raised a family in Houlton before going to work at Aroostook Milling. After 18 years, I moved on to the Chamber of Commerce as executive director.

 

What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? A desire to give back to a community and to bring about change. At the time, there was no one who wanted to run for council and there was a great need for candidates that were passionate about helping our town become a better place.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? The state of Maine has declared marijuana legal. Like it or not we must deal with the issue to insure that we don’t open up our town to black market sales. The ordinance was carefully crafted and is a solid document that attempts to control retail growth and sales.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? Our business owners are struggling to find workers to fill positions. Without workers it’s hard to grow a community, increase the tax base, or bring retail to Historic Market Square. Stemming the outward migration of our youth and attracting young families to our town is a No. 1 priority.

What is your primary goal if elected? We have been struggling so hard to keep taxes low that we have lost sight of town infrastructure. The sidewalks, roads, and town buildings all need work. We have an aging Rec Center that needs to be updated and modernized, an historic downtown that could use an infusion of retail businesses, and a North Rd. corridor that is the first thing visitors see when they enter town and would benefit from a facelift.

Why should people vote for you? For the last 3 years I have had the privilege of getting to know the inner workings of town government and have found that It really does take awhile to learn what everything means and how one thing connects to the next. I would be honored to be elected to another three years in service to our community.

Susan M. Tortello, 62, is not married.

What other political offices have you held? I served on the Houlton Town Council from 2006-2014 and held a 3-year term and two appointments on the Board of Budget Review. Currently a member of the Houlton Planning Board, the Ordinance Review Committee and am finishing a three-year elected term on the RSU 29 School Board (2014-2017). I’m also a Notary Public.

What is your career background? Early in my career, I worked as a professional forester. I left forestry after 19 years to return to school to become a dietitian. Upon graduation, I was hired as a nutritionist for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. I’ve been at HBMI for 18 years. I’m a registered dietitian (RD), a Maine licensed dietitian (LD), and also maintain my licensed forester (LF) designation.

What made you decide to run for the Houlton Town Council? I’m a firm believer in giving back to my community. Running for Council gives me the perfect opportunity to do so. I enjoy public service, have abundant energy to tackle challenges and the willingness to listen to a variety of opinions in order to effectively solve problems. I’m also convinced to be credible, a Town Council needs to know and respect what a community values and should encourage citizen input in its governing process. This is vital in order to build and develop trust. Over the past year, I feel we’ve lost ground in this area. I get the sense many Houlton residents feel disenfranchised with the decision-making practices currently in place and their opinions are not being heard. I want to work to improve that relationship.

What is your opinion of the town’s retail marijuana ordinance? My personal opinion is irrelevant. This is not about me or what I think. What’s truly important is the opinion of the majority of the people of the Town of Houlton. To get a clear grasp of that view it’s necessary to ask the right question at the right time. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen. I think it needs to. Residents should be given the opportunity to answer this question: “Do you want to allow recreational marijuana establishments and social clubs in the Town of Houlton?” Only once that question has been definitively answered can we all move forward with some sense of confidence of what the citizens want for our community. Then it’s the duty and responsibility of the council to support the wishes of the majority without alienating the rights of those in the minority.

What do you see as the most important issue facing Houlton both today and in the next five years? The 2018 budget process is rapidly approaching. There’s an immediate need to complete the hiring process for a town manager as soon as possible, with a candidate who has the skills and leadership ability to hit the ground running. Over the next five years, the greatest challenge will be to maintain the town’s desirability as a place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To facilitate this, we need to develop a proactive long-range plan to sustain prosperity in the face of decreased state revenue sharing without placing an undue burden on property taxes.

What is your primary goal if elected? I actually have three. They are: to enhance Houlton’s unique quality of place; provide excellent, essential services; and maintain a stable tax rate. I also have a personal goal. It’s to assure the town’s business is conducted in a responsive, courteous, and fiscally responsible manner.

Why should people vote for you? I take very seriously the responsibility that comes with elected public office and have always tried to conduct myself accordingly. I try to do the types of things that would prompt me to vote for someone for council. Things like committing the time necessary to attend meetings showing up and being prepared and informed on issues, having an open mind, listening and responding to citizen complaints and questions, being fair and transparent, representing the town at events and functions and positively promoting Houlton. Most importantly, if elected, I will continuously keep in the forefront that I represent and am accountable to you — the people of our town. I hope you’ll consider me worthy of your vote.