Though June elections are still months away, all four incumbents of the Town Council and School Board have announced their run for re-election.
On the Town Council, councilors Robert Muir and Elizabeth Wisecup will both seek a second term and, on the School Board, Donna Cobb and Jeff Pierce are seeking re-election.
Town Councilor Robert Muir
Muir of Northwood Drive has served as both the council chairman and representative of the West District for three years. As chairman, he’s aimed to focus discussion and set a calm and courteous tone for town business in the council chambers.
“I’ve enjoyed getting into the inner works of town government,” Muir said. “It’s amazing what it takes to keep the town running in terms of people behind the scenes.”
He hopes to win re-election to ensure that Windham sees “sensible growth” and keep commercial property from encroaching on existing neighborhoods.
Part of maintaining growth is bringing the town’s zoning and ordinances up-to-date and making sure they are consistent with the town’s new Comprehensive Master Plan, he says.
“You’ve got to look at the whole process,” Muir said. “We’ve really got to take the time and look at everything.”
Muir has already started going door-to-door to talk to residents about the issues and his re-election bid.
He’s proud the council was able to lower the tax rate last year and, if re-elected, Muir will continue to advocate for an “efficient” means of government while supporting elderly services, the economy and the environment, he says.
Town Councilor Elizabeth Wisecup
Elizabeth Wisecup of Highland Cliff Road has served as a councilor-at-large representative for three years. She is currently the council’s parliamentarian.
“I’m not afraid to bring up any issue before the council,” said Wisecup. “I’m honest and I’m a stickler for detail.”
Wisecup says she receives many calls from residents who often ask her advice or just want to speak their mind on an issue. As a councilor, she keeps a keen eye on municipal expenses and asks many questions when it comes to issues that might affect the taxpayers of Windham.
“I care about the people in town and I care about how difficult it is for people to make ends meet,” Wisecup said.
She is an advocate for “open space” in Windham and would like to see the Smith Cemetery expanded so residents with family in that cemetery can be buried with their kin.
Wisecup originally became interested in town politics through her work on the town’s Comprehensive Master Plan and, if re-elected, would like to be involved in the follow-through of that plan.
School Board member Donna Cobb
Donna Cobb of Park Road has served on the School Board for two terms thus far. As a member of the school policy committee, she’s hopes to remain on the board to continue working on policy changes.
“I like the behind-the-scenes stuff working on policy,” Cobb said. “I’d like to see the policy manual brought up-to-date,”
The policy manual is about four-inches thick and, as the Maine Learning Results continue to change the way students are evaluated, it must be updated constantly, she says.
She approaches school board decisions by considering “what would work for everybody,” she says.
A grandmother who runs a daycare out of her home, Cobb has seen her children go through the Windham school system and now her grandchildren.
She hopes to be re-elected to continue having an impact on children’s lives and says she learns something new everyday on the board.
School Board member Jeffrey Pierce
Jeffrey Pierce of Webb Road unexpectedly joined the board after School Board member Ann Rich resigned last month. Having served on the board in previous years, he is excited to get back involved.
“It’s an opportunity to contribute and hopefully have an effect on the ones who matter the most…the kids,” Pierce said.
A former member of the Parent Teachers Association, Pierce says he’s always had a keen interest in the welfare of children. When voting on an issue, he says he takes into account three things: how it will affect the students, the teachers and the taxpayers of Windham.
One way to maintain that children are getting a quality education is “retain and recruit” good teachers, he says. If re-elected, he hopes to help Windham students improve through the Maine Learning Results, though he doesn’t believe standardized tests should be the only tool in assessing a student’s achievement.
“It’s a tall order for kids to meet those standards, but a good one,” he says. “And it’s going to take some time to get there.”
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