I
first came to Maine in 1988 and lived on Deer Isle and in Sedgwick, working at
Penobscot Bay Press (PBP), waitressing at the Left Bank, substitute teaching, and
working at Down East AIDS Network where I honed my public speaking skills talking
about safe sex to merchant marines and rotary clubs… I did start my career as a
teacher and always thought if a person can make grammar appealing to seventh
graders, anything is possible.
I
left Maine in the mid90s to pursue a masters in education and take on a “real”
job, working for a teacher certification testing company. But I would vacation
in Maine and in 2006 had the opportunity to return. I worked for PBP and at Goose Cove Lodge, while I looked for
my own bed and breakfast to purchase. I ended up buying the Blue Hill Inn in
2007. Meeting the challenges of owning a small business, running a bed and
breakfast and then a restaurant made this the best job I’d ever had. But by
2015, I had achieved my goals, big and small, there—adding a room, increasing
revenue, replacing the wooden staircase with a lovely spiral one—and I sold the
inn. I’ve been on the board of directors at the Chamber of Commerce and remain
an active member. I’ve also been on the board at Blue Hill Public Library, and am now the
president. You may have seen me shaking martinis as I explored the idea of
starting a bar.
 |
| After voting in the primary |
But
instead, I ask for your support as I run for the House of
Representatives.
So
many of us have woken up. This
is our government. It’s our
responsibility to see that Augusta works for us. It will be my goal to ensure that every
resident is being represented, whether there is a need for access to affordable
health care, support to start a business, housing options for the elderly, or
proof that our tax dollars are being well spent. I am new to politics but I was new to innkeeping. I increased the
ratings, reputation, and revenue, even surviving the recession.
We
are a district of hard working, independent neighbors, who know what it means
to take care of one another and to help out when needed.
We
know we need well educated, healthy children, we need to protect our
environment and the natural resources we have in this area, we need to address the
opiod crisis, we need good jobs for Mainers, we need to have confidence in the
future here in Maine.
 |
| Introducing myself at a house party in Brooklin |
I want to be your bridge to Augusta. I’ll listen to your concerns and take them with me. I’ll bring back answers. I’ll bring back solutions. I’m someone who cares about the community, who cares about integrity, honesty, and hard work, who cares about your voice being heard. I promise if elected, I’ll work hard for you, I’ll work hard for all of us.
