I have dedicated my life to public service for my community. I understand the challenges people in this District face and advocate to ensure our voices are heard. I bring all that I have learned through my government and non-profit work to Augusta. I understand the importance of both local community efforts and state government to help communities thrive, and I know how to make those connections.

MY PRIORITIES:

Support policy and funding initiatives that mitigates the economic, health and social impacts of COVID.

Ensure that affordable healthcare is a right for all Mainers.

Recognize and advocate for unique needs of small rural towns like ours.

Ensure the sustainability of Maine’s commercial lobster and fishing industry.

Increase decent paying jobs and the improving our local economy.

Increase opportunities in alternative energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.

Expand educational opportunities during and after high school to increase employment in the skilled trades and two-year degree employment, as well as four year degrees.

Improve the housing options in our communities to keep young people, families and workers living here.

I was born and raised in Boothbay, by parents with a strong sense of community service who raised me with the same values. I was blessed to be raised in a very close knit and inclusive community. I went to local, public schools. I attended Nasson College in Springvale, Maine graduating with a B.S in psychology and a B.S. in human services. I also completed course work at the Muskie School of Public Service and the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. I have dedicated my life to my community service work. I began my professional working life in the non-profit sector, focusing on at-risk children, youth and families. I founded and oversaw several residential programs and a homeless shelter for youth. I then transitioned to the Maine State Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, which later was merged into the Department of Health and Human Services. I worked in program and policy development, overseeing all aspects of multiple statewide partnerships with local nonprofits to address many areas of need in the state of Maine, including food insecurity, mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, multicultural affairs, domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. I left in 2016 after 23 years of service, and presently serve as the Executive Director of the Lincoln County Dental; a small grassroots nonprofit dedicated to opening a dental clinic for income eligible residents of Lincoln County. I also serve as the Program Director of the Addiction Outreach partnership of the Boothbay Region Community Resource Council and the Boothbay Harbor Police Department. In four years, we have worked with more than 250 individuals living with substance use disorders, particularly opiates.

I live on family land that has been passed down for several generations. It is important to me to live close to my large extended family. I have one stepdaughter and son in law who live in Maine and a beautiful new grandchild.

It concerns me that there are limited opportunities for regular people to thrive and support their families. Without a robust and well-informed effort by state government to partner with communities to address their needs, rural communities are left on their own to grapple with problems that are much bigger than them. Efforts by the government alone aren’t enough, and efforts by local nonprofits alone also aren’t enough. The key is partnerships between state government and communities to work together to provide people with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. We need to ensure that all people have access to health care, affordable high quality education, affordable permanent housing, access to safe non medical transportation, and multiple tracks to gainful employment including inclusion in vocational education in high schools, apprenticeships, to college degrees. We also need to pay attention to the needs of our elders, to help them age in place and continue to bring their many gifts and contributions to their communities.

I am running as a Clean Elections candidate and have already reached my small donation goal with your help. Many thanks to all who gave $5!

I can’t accept further campaign donations, but would welcome your volunteer help!