NEW SHARON – Three women have announced they are running for elected town positions to be decided at the annual town meeting on Saturday, March 12. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. at Cape Cod Hill School.
The town meeting’s traditional date on the first Saturday in March has been changed to the second Saturday because Selectman Travis Pond, who serves in the Maine National Guard along with other local residents, need to attend drills held on the first weekend of the month.
Mercy Hanson, a New Sharon resident since 1977, has announced she is running to fill the three-year term Milton Sinclair currently holds. Sinclair, who does not want to run for another term, was appointed to complete Forrest Bonney’s term after he resigned.
Hanson, a long-time bookkeeper for area businesses, has served as the town’s tax collector, deputy tax collector and treasurer, is the general assistance administrator and the water district treasurer. She is also finishing up the editing work on the Town Report in preparation for the annual town meeting and has served as a ballot clerk.
“I’m involved in an awful lot of it,” Hanson said of helping run the town’s administration. She said she wants to continue the recent progress made by the board of selectmen and “I firmly believe in what they are trying to do and I want to help,” she said. The key to smooth town management is transparency, she added.
Pamela Griswold was appointed by selectmen in August to complete the one year, town clerk/tax collector term left by Susan Anneley, after she took a similar job on the coast.
Griswold, a 30-year resident of New Sharon, served as deputy tax collector for 17 years before her appointment. At a special town meeting in August, voters rejected a warrant proposing the town clerk/tax collector be appointed be selectmen instead of an elected position.
“I like what I’m doing; the diversity of the work and I like working with the public,” she said. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics. The town has moved from the traditional hard copy record-keeping to an all-electronic system which has represented a learning challenge Griswold said she enjoys.
Erin Norton has announced she is running for the one year, New Sharon treasurer position. Current treasurer Bonnie Lehigh has decided not to run for another term. Norton, a native and current resident of Starks, has served as the elected treasurer for the town of Starks for eight years.
“I thoroughly enjoy working in municipal government. It offers a diverse range of responsibilities, some challenges and the ability to truly make a difference. I find the work is gratifying and has many rewards,” Norton said.
Norton said she is proficient in Trio software, which the town of New Sharon, along with most towns use, for record-keeping. She had also served as deputy tax collector, deputy registrar and deputy clerk in Starks, along with many town board and committee positions.
Candidates are nominated from the floor and elections are held at the beginning of the annual town meetings in New Sharon.
Good luck ladies! Mercy, you would rock that position!
To clarify mrs. Hanstein the date was changed after the board voted recently during a normal board meeting after discussion of this particular item.
The form of government new sharon operates under says that you do not need to be present to be elected, but you do in fact have to be present to vote on all articles. ( I am sure someone will challenge my comment, although we reached to MMA to get a legal answer)
During the 2015 annual meeting it was mentioned by myself and Mrs. Kempton both that during our deployment years we were always excluded from voting and of course being the first weekend of the month clashes with the majority of the reserve components training dates. This small change will allow the men and woman in the reserves from New Sharon the ability to attend and vote although this does not bring resolution to the deployed.
Great news three great prospects :) come vote
Good luck ladies !
New Sharon residents – Not mentioned in this article is that the three-year term for school board director is up for election at this year’s town meeting.
I, Jennifer Pooler, am seeking re-election to the position. I was appointed to fill the vacancy almost two years ago when long-time New Sharon director Bill Reid resigned from the position.
I have a strong working knowledge of school finance and operations, am very well versed in Maine’s statues governing public education, am confident when expressing my opinions and am not afraid to vote in the best interest of the students and taxpayers of New Sharon.
I would appreciate your support in my candidacy at the upcoming election.
As current Treasurer for the Town of New Sharon, I want to commend Mrs. Pooler’s work with our Town and RSU 9. She has worked very hard for both organizations and has done so with all the best of intentions for all parties concerned. She has managed to balance the needs of our taxpayers, students and the school district with honesty, pure logic and professionalism. I met Mrs. Pooler about 14 months ago and I have had nothing but positive experiences with her. I commend her work and efforts. Sincerely, Bonita Lehigh, Treasurer