Each Candidate in The Monument's news area was offered space to submit a 400-word or so position piece. Their essays are below. The Monument thanks all who participated and wishes all of you good luck November 2.

Rep. Susan Austin, District 109: Gray, North Yarmouth, Pownal:

Dear Folks of Gray, North Yarmouth and Pownal,

I'm asked, "Why are you running again?" Because I Believe in Maine! I believe in the best side of politics which is listening, learning, talking with you and then you and I working together to solve a difficult issue for you and your family. I believe in the creative side that says we have to be positive, think positive, and then we'll formulate positive results. I'm a vehicle which you may travel to gain information, options and ultimately more equity in your situation.

Since Session closed I have heard a reaffirmed cry for Tax Reform, Health Care affordability and support for business. Maine does not need to be in its ill fated budgeting pattern. Businesses should not be leaving and our youth should not leave to secure jobs. Maine people are creative, with a work ethic respected the country over. Last term I said there were difficult days ahead with difficult decisions. I spent those days and made those decisions. I'm ready to continue!

I would like my constituents to keep more of their paycheck in their pocket and see their state solvent. I'd like them to know that Maine can reach its potential if unshackled and unburdened by state regulation. A financially healthy Maine can conquer any challenge! I personally feel the importance of our youth being able to come back home. Maine has a large growing population of senior citizens.

It is imperative to our health and well being that our youth with their vibrancy be blended into the fabric of our communities.
You and I agree. We want Maine to rise to a healthy financial condition. We look forward to this state investing in its youth by encouraging companies of diversified portfolios to expand and/or choose Maine as a new home for business. Patching gaps to get through two year budget cycles hinders the focus and energy needed to look long range.

To all individuals, families and business people who took the time to talk to me, Thank You! I am proud to sit on the Business Committee. I am very proud that my VOTE, rankings and endorsements document I mean Business! I ask you to team with me on November 2, to get our Business taken care of to return Maine to… the Way Life ought to BE!

Sincerely,
Sue Austin
136 Yarmouth Road
Gray, Maine 04039

Married to Ernest 34 yrs. And Four Children
Served/Member of:
Gray-New Gloucester Optimists
Pineland Campus YMCA Advisory Council
Gray-Town Councilor - ONE term
Gov. King's Pineland Conversion Committee - TWO years
Gray-New Gloucester School Board Member - FIVE terms
Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls
Gray Business Association

Candidate Steve Bunker for Representative, District 109

Since early summer I've been visiting neighbors throughout our new district. I have knocked on thousands of doors and spoken to folks in Pownal, North Yarmouth and Gray. By far their biggest concerns are taxes and the cost of living.

Most of us feel good about our towns and neighbors and have faith in our future. But as we are told in the scriptures, faith without works is meaningless. There is work to do to solve our budget crisis in Augusta and to secure a socially and financially responsible future. No party has all the answers; we all must work together.

One thing is certain. Quick fix solutions relieve symptoms but do not cure the disease. The Tax Cap may save some homeowners money but it will throw others out of work. With a loss of 25 or 30% of public sector income combined with a rise in unemployment and people leaving to find work out of state, we will have traded one bad situation for another.

The quick, deceptively simple solution of spending caps is little better. It assumes nothing new or unexpected can happen, that prices won't rise, needs won't change, that new technologies will never affect us.

Our taxes are investments. The best investments give us a lasting return. An affordable education system, including our state colleges - known for their excellence, will help us retain talented, creative, young people who not only will form a motivated labor source but will create small businesses of the future. Those businesses will create jobs which in turn will create revenue.

Simply cutting taxes won't be enough. We must also control spending and create sources of revenue. Equally important-we must protect our homeowners.

We should immediately strengthen our homestead exemption and circuit breaker programs with an emphasis on aiding senior citizens and people on fixed incomes.

We should review our state programs and departments for efficiency and fiscal responsibility. Extraneous programs and personnel should be trimmed. Income and sales tax policies should be reevaluated for fairness.
We should look to our traditional strengths to guide us into a new century. Small business is the engine of the future.

We should work on the Dirigo Health plan to ensure affordable health care. This will not only help individual citizens but will assist small businesses needing relief for employees. And our natural environment, always under siege from development and speculation will require intelligent stewardship if Maine is to continue to be "the way life should be".