FARMINGTON – At a breakfast forum Wednesday morning, independent gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler didn’t mind taking a few jabs at his opponents for not showing up to talk about the issues.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce invited all three gubernatorial candidates, along with local candidates running for the Legislature and county offices to participate in the question-and-answer forum held in the North Dining Hall at the University of Maine Farmington.
The forum’s moderator and Chamber board member, Glenn Kapiloff, said it was decided that representatives of the candidates wouldn’t be participating in the forum because “we wanted to hear from the candidates themselves on where they stand on the issues.”
“I’m sorry my two friends aren’t here,” Cutler said of Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s and Democrat Mike Michaud’s no show. “I don’t know where the are this morning,” he added with a chuckle. Cutler reiterated a few times during the course of the 90-minute forum with an attendance of 70, “I’m happy to be here.”
Other candidates participating were Senate District 17 Republican incumbent Tom Saviello of Wilton and his Democratic challenger Joanne Dunlap of Rangeley Plantation, House District 114 incumbent Republican Russell Black, who’s opponent Democrat Guy Iverson of Chesterville didn’t attend the forum; House District 113 candidates Democrat Edward David of Farmington and Republican Andy Buckland of Farmington, both of whom are contenders for the seat currently held by Lance Harvell. Harvell decided not to run for another term.
Three candidates running unopposed for county offices also participating were Andrew Robinson of Farmington for district attorney, Pamela Prodan of Wilton for county treasurer and Richard Morton of Farmington for probate judge.
In his opening remarks, Cutler said reforms are needed to the welfare, tax and healthcare programs. He blames the two-party system for dividing the state and the nation and causing gridlock. He said the other two candidates “are accusing me of splitting the vote. I’m about combining the vote.”
In response to the question on what the two most important issues facing Franklin County, Saviello said healthcare expansion and elder care “because I want to stay home as long as possible.” He said in the next legislative session he intends to resubmit the healthcare expansion bill proposal he co-sponsored with Republican Sen. Roger Katz of Augusta. The bill, vetoed by LePage, sought to allow the state to accept federal funds over the next three years and would pay for 100 percent of the healthcare expansion cost. It has been estimated that accepting the federal funds would provide 70,000 Mainers with healthcare.
Black said the economy and tourism were the most important issues, while David said healthcare and attracting businesses here were his. His opponent, Buckland said property tax relief and finding a way to be able to fund schools were the most important issues facing Franklin County.
The question, “why did my property taxes drastically increase this year,” brought a variety of responses. Saviello, a Wilton selectman, noted his town’s budget didn’t increase while the Mt. Blue Regional School District’s budget did increase and was the reason why taxes went up.
“It’s something we’ve got to work together on,” Saviello said. David countered that with “the idea that it’s not the town’s fault, but the school district’s fault” for higher property taxes doesn’t fix the problem. David said comprehensive tax reform is needed at the state level.
Part of Cutler’s proposed plan to raise state revenue calls for increasing the state’s sales taxes temporarily from 5.5 percent to 7 percent from May to October and for it to help offset the rising costs of education.
With 1.3 million Mainers living in a state of “vast real estate, it’s not unfair to ask visitors to help pay for it,” Cutler said. Of that revenue raised from increasing sales tax, he proposes $75 million go towards public education. He said the problem, for particularly the little towns trying to get by, is that LePage has “eliminated” the state’s revenue sharing program.
“Those little towns are really pushed to the wall and I’m offering real reform,” he said.
While most the candidates said they were waiting for more information on the proposed missile base near Rangeley to decide if they support it or not, Dunlap said when the Navy training center was built at the site years ago, local contractors weren’t hired.
“All the jobs they promised didn’t go to Franklin County workers. They went to people outside the state. I’m concerned we’re selling of big chunks of land that are all going to go for jobs that don’t come from Franklin County,” she said.
Attorney Morton, Franklin County’s probate judge since 1983, has after this first election to the part-time job, run unopposed ever since. The toughest part of the job is deciding state custody cases involving children, he said.
Robinson has worked as an assistant district attorney and then deputy district attorney for 15 years. He is running unopposed for the three-county district attorney position currently held by Norm Croteau, who has decided not to run again. Robinson said that, for the most part, at the heart of criminal activity is illegal drug use.
“Drugs drive most of crime, not just here but across the state,” he said.
Prodan, an attorney of 20 years, said she “believes in public service” as her reason for running for county treasurer and promised an attention to detail.
Jeeze…I didn’t realize Pam Prodan was running unopposed. Thought Joanne Karkos had acquired a spot as a write-in.
Cutler needs to just drop of the race. His presence at that gathering is the single reason I didn’t go. I cannot stand listening to him. He’s obviously not going to win with 11% in polls and all he is a smooth talking politician. He says he’s got a plan for everything, but I’ve yet to hear what exactly those plans are. Mike and Paul are both elected officials who have jobs and were probably working at them time. Duh, Eliot? They aren’t unemployed millionaires who can be anywhere at anytime.
Increasing the Sales Tax for Maine residents, would definitely change any consideration of Mr. Cutler that would make Me want to give Him My vote…”It’s not unfair to ask visitors to help pay for it,” Cutler said.”
What about what it cost our little struggling local Volunteer Fire Departments.
When they come to visit, and We foot the bill, for when they get lost in the woods, and have to send out Warden, and other Search and Rescue Teams, and put them at risk, So they can enjoy our beautiful state..
A sales tax that included services, and didn’t have all the exclusions our current tax law has- would make a lot of sense. By increasing the base, the rate could be lower- much lower.
I am often surprised when i purchase something and discover that it is or is not taxed, or that it’s taxed at 8% or 5.5%. If I have to pay a tax for a candy bar, why shouldn’t I pay one for a haircut of a ski pass?
Why pay a tax on coconut juice and not on milk? one is just as healthy for you as the other.
Make marijuana legal and tax that, and triple the tax on nicotine products- all of them- would greatly help the state’s budget.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce should be congratulated for providing this forum. Unfortunately only candidates from House Districts representing only seven of the towns in the county were invited to participate.
As a candidate running in an attempt to represent fourteen towns and townships in Franklin County it was a disappointment not being able to participate. There is a whole lot of County outside the greater Farmington area. I trust this oversite will not be repeated when plans for this type of event are developed in the future.
This election will be interesting and I hope to hear more about the candidates viewpoints. A three way ballot for governor and a new House District 113 will make for an interesting election. With just under 40 days left to get people motivated to vote, I hope there are more of these events. I can appreciate Ms. Prodan’s attention to detail, I just hope that it is not at the level of analysis paralysis.
Mr. David should ask Mr. Buckland if he supports fellow Republicans Saviello and Katz expanded Medicaid bill. The number of Farmington area residents who would benefit by Medicaid expansion makes this a huge issue.