Gramlich, MacDonald compete for State House District 13 seat

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Democrat and current State Representative Lori Gramlich is facing competition from Republican former State Representative Sharri MacDonald for the State House District 13 seat, covering Old Orchard Beach.

The candidates, listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Family/marital status, age: Married; one adult child; Age 57

Occupation: Social Worker; Faculty and Field Coordinator USM School of Social Work

 

 Currently State Representative for OOB - two years - serving on Environment and Natural Resources Committee. Appointed to National Conference of State Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee as well as their Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. Served on Portland School Committee - 3 years; Chaired Personnel Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee and served on Finance Committee & Policy Committee.

Why are you a good choice for State Rep? List any experience, background and skills that are relevant. 

Caring very deeply about the community in which I live and having a deep-rooted commitment in working to help have a positive impact of those in our community are the fundamental tenants which impact my decision to serve. Having had the good fortune of working in the State House for over 20 years as an advocate, I understand what makes an effective legislator. Those years include experience serving as Special Assistant of Communications for the first woman Senate President, Beverly Daggett. They also include experience in community organizing, teaching policy at the USM School of Social Work and as executive director for NASW-Maine.

This background gives me a keen understanding of the legislative process and a track record for collaboration and negotiation – skills that I have used and refined as a social worker – in successfully advancing legislation and policy initiatives that positively impact our community and our state. Finding solutions to complicated issues, through inclusion, is what I am passionate about regarding legislative process and it is what drives me and motivates me. This experience is my foundation, and it informs my vision and moral compass for being an effective advocate for our community.

During our past legislative session, I was able to introduce 18 bills, a number of which were signed into law. Working collaboratively with all vested stakeholders, in a bi-partisan manner through active listening, compromise and inclusion, we were able to affect policy issues including shoreline erosion, assuring children and families have safe clean drinking water and providing property tax relief for our older adults.

My social work skills and background remans my compass for effectively advocating for those whose voices might not otherwise be heard.

Additional skills and community involvement include: Friends of the Ballpark, Board of Directors; Ocean Park Association, Member; OOB Chamber of Commerce, Member; University Southern Maine School of Social Work Community Advisory Committee;   St. Joseph’s College School of Social Work Advisory Council;  Saco Bay Center for Civic Engagement, Board of Directors; Maine Children's Trauma Network Steering Committee; President, Maine Assembly School Based Health Centers; Maine Public Health Association Tobacco Policy Committee; School Based Health Alliance State Leader; Chapter, Legislative Affairs Chair 2005- 2007.

 What are your top three priorities if elected?

Continuing to protect our natural resources and shoreline will remain paramount, as not only is it prudent to do so in terms of protecting our environment, it is also critical to do so in terms of implications for our economy. We will need to closely examine the ways in which we can assure our business community thrives, while also assuring that our most vulnerable are protected.

Additional priorities include examining and addressing disability payments available to Veteran, which may not always include full coverage for vision or dental care. Mental health care still falls short. Veterans with 100% disability rating who receive the full benefit allowed by the Veterans Administration, while those with an 80% disability rating only receive 50% of that of their counterparts. The suicide rate for Veterans was 1.5 times the rate for non-Veteran adults, which included 17 suicides per day according to the most recent Veterans Administration data. We need to have enhanced mental health services for our Veterans. These issues, as well as PTSD and behavioral health care for our Firefighters and other first responders are issues that demand our attention, which I will make priorities in the 130th Legislature.

What are the greatest challenges facing the state in the upcoming year?

A viable and thriving economy and a safe and healthy citizenry. Our economic health and public health are not binary or mutually exclusive.

Recovering from the economic implications as we navigate the continuing global pandemic will be a challenge in the 130th legislature – a challenge I am prepared for and equipped to address. While we worked hard during the 129th Legislature to assure that we increased the state’s share of educational funds, increased the states commitment to 5% municipal revenue sharing and assured that more Mainers had affordable accessible health care, there is much work to do.

While we were in an incredibly positive posture to meet budgetary challenges prior to the pandemic, we will face the exceedingly difficult challenges of supporting the economic recovery of working-class families and small business owners throughout our state. We need to take an expansive solution focused approach to addressing projected budget shortfalls, that include looking for savings that don’t impact the delivery of vital services like local education, health care and revenue sharing, as well as a thorough examination of our tax system.

Family/marital status, age: Committed, 48

Occupation: MacDonald’s Garage and Beach Convenience

 

Old Orchard Beach School Board, Old Orchard Beach Town Council, State Representative

Why are you a good choice for State Rep? List any experience, background and skills that are relevant.

A State Representative for Old Orchard Beach is an important role that can really help our community. With our town being a minimal receiver, we need to have representative that can advocate for the town fiercely. There are times when our citizens need help navigating DHHS, or times when services administered by the state needs advocacy – strong, never give up advocacy for the person or business in need. Particularly this year, with the pandemic, we needed a stronger voice in Augusta to help our local businesses.

 I firmly believe that the legislature should have been called back into session to help make the decisions for our town. Both parties did not do the State of Maine justice with the handling of the pandemic and the lack of effort to collaborate with each other.

 I truly believe both parties have valid input and good discussion and debate could have helped with the solutions. I have the guts to work with both parties to really try and find and work through solutions. It is not fair for either side to place blame on the other – as it takes all to work together.   Over the years, whether I was in office or not, I have proven that I am here for the people of Old Orchard Beach. All I can offer is my work ethic and perseverance to help this town.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

1)      Maine Foster and Adoptive Services: There is a crisis in Maine where children are being born addicted to opioids and are being taken into state custody. From there, some are placed in residential facilities and some are fostered by Maine parents. The problem is of accountability to these kids and I have seen it firsthand here in our town. Please elect me so I can help bring some oversight and hopefully resolve the problem. Maybe save a child in the process.

2)      Rights of Family to be with loved one during last moments of life: I have lived this moment and want to make sure other families do not go through the last moments of life alone. Legislation needs to be implemented to allow at least one family member to be able to stay with a dying patient at hospitals, nursing homes, and care facilities. No one should have to die alone and I hope you will support my efforts to make this a law.

3)      The Maine Exchange Initiative: There is a lack of help for many businesses across the state, more so during the tourist seasons, and it has only been amplified this year with the pandemic. Maine has an opportunity to rethink our concept of seasonal help -AND Maine is unique in that we can do this while sharing cultural experiences as they differ in our great state.   

If elected to the State House, I will sponsor a bill to implement a Maine Exchange program. This program would provide an opportunity for high school through college aged individuals for training and work force development.

The premise is similar to the successful J1 program where foreign individuals come to the United States for a cultural and work exchange. It has opened the doors for so many to see what it is like

to live in America and for us Americans to get a taste of the cultures abroad. Plus, it affords those students in the program valuable work and learning experiences that they can bring back to their countries.

My idea is to help expose individuals from across the state to the differing areas within our state. 

Let’s face it, Maine in Kittery and Kennebunkport are vastly different to the Maine of Fort Kent or Bethel. This concept will foster a better understanding between the differing regions of Maine, where we have so many beautiful urban areas and vast rural areas. Why not let some southern Mainers see what life is like in Northern Maine and vice-versa?

I will push to have this cultural program overseen by the Maine Department of Labor so that we would make sure the differing areas would be vetted for safety.   This would have a fiscal note associated with it, however, this would be money well spent to help train our youngest to potentially stay in Maine to live, work and play. This idea will take some work and that does not escape me, but we can do this for Maine - for the businesses and for our future.

The pandemic and all its ugliness can give rise to perhaps a new approach and new ideas. This will help the business community who need the workforce and it will provide the young Mainers opportunities that they may have never thought of in areas where they have never been.

What are the greatest challenges facing the state in the upcoming year?

First and foremost, relief for the losses personally for people and for businesses must be a top priority. Billions in Federal money have been sent to the state and we need to make sure it is going to help bring relief to the mandates for the schools, businesses, and families. Covid relief money should help the people and not be used to balance a budget.

 Our community has had a very rough time through the pandemic and it is not over. Financially, businesses have closed and people are out of work. As a tourist community, with the lack of revenue for this season, people are going to have a hard time paying their bills and taxes. The trickle-down effect to each and every household that depends on the summer revenue to survive is beginning to show.   I work at our family business see it every day. People scrimping to pay for their car repairs. Or asking for time to pay for them.  

Secondly, there needs to be some real leadership to help heal the venomous divide that happening with in our State and communities. I have the wherewithal to facilitate this in the legislature and the drive to be a good role model for the next generations. Someone needs to take a stand for the people of Maine and lead with strength and integrity.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.