Voters took to the polls on Tuesday in Standish as candidates vied for seats on the Planning Board, Town Council, Budget Committee and School Board.
Carolyn Biegel defeated Paul Mosley, 553 to 520, for the area 1, three-year-term seat.
When reached for comment, Biegel said, “I would like to thank the voters for their support. I’ll try to do my best.” She declined to go into any detail as to which issues she would pursue immediately, saying only, “I have a little learning to do [as a new member of the council].”
Paul Mosley could not be reached for comment.
For the at-large, three-year term seat, Margaret Spencer beat Cara Childs, 517 to 471.
Spencer said she has “mixed feelings” about her recent victory.
“It’s a big challenge,” she said. “I just want to do what’s best for the voters.”
Childs congratulated her opponent, saying, “I really wish her the best.” She also added that she hopes to see more debate in the council, and wishes “to see more people come out to vote.”
Louis Stack unseated incumbent Jeffrey Richardson for the area 4, two-year-term seat, 548 to 518.
Stack could not be reached for comment.
“It was a good race,” said Jeffrey Richardson. “[Stack] campaigned hard…I guess I have some time to do some fishing now.”
Planning Board
Peter Walker defeated Christopher Parkin for the at-large seat on the Planning Board, a three-year term, 312 to 645.
Walker said he is excited to join the board.
“I want to follow up on some of the new initiatives from the comprehensive plan,” he said. Walker added that he wishes to find a balance between “landowner rights and town growth. I want to pursue a ‘good neighbor’ policy with businesses and homeowners.”
When asked to comment on the election, Parkin said, “It’s been a good experience. I can always try again later.”
Joseph Favreau won the Area Two seat on Planning Board. He ran uncontested, earning 858 votes.
SAD 6 Director
Teresa Whyte defeated Russell Johnson for the at-large, one-year-term seat, 486 to 424.
Whyte said that although she was victorious, she is “sure either one of us would have done a good job.” When asked if there was anything she would like to say to the voters, Whyte simply said, “Thank you.”
Reached at his home on Tuesday night, Russell Johnson said that whatever the result, it was a “great experience” running for the directorship of SAD 6.
Referenda
In addition to local government elections, the referendum for the purchase of a parcel of land for the building of a new Standish community center passed. The land, owned by James Cummings and worth $325,000, will be paid for by a reserve fund created from the sale of the old town hall and other tax-acquired properties.
According to Linda Brooks, Director of Recreation and who sits on the Community Building Development Committee, the community center will provide badly needed space for town recreation and activities. The referendum passed narrowly, 593 to 547.
Question 2 on the ballot on Tuesday, to see if the town would approve a capital expenditure which included the purchase of items for road construction and maintenance in the amount not exceeding $609,300, passed, 693 to 386.
Rocking the vote
Candidates met and greeted voters as they came to the doors of the George E. Jack Elementary School, introducing themselves and briefly mentioning the seats for which they were running.
Maurie Hill, a resident of Standish who voted on Tuesday, said, “I think this is important…this is what people in Iraq are dying for, after all.”
Another voter, David Robinson, said the biggest reason he turned out to vote was because he “shares an interest in historical preservation” with the candidates Carolyn Biegel and Cara Childs.
18-year-old Russell MacDougall voted for the first time on Tuesday night, registering as a Republican before disappearing into a booth to cast his vote.
“I think it’s great to finally voice my opinion,” he said.
Before entering the voting station at the elementary school, Standish resident Sherry Flammia was looking over a page printed from the online site, vote-smart.org, which details the issues of local, state and federal candidates.
“This really helped me understand the issues and the candidates,” she said. “This way I can make a decision.”
Standish resident Lynn Novak said that education was an important issue for her during this election, and her husband, Tom, said that he voted for Paul Mosley because of his involvement in development issues. They were both in favor of the proposed community center.
“It’s for the whole community,” Novak said.
Mike Shaw, the Democratic candidate for the 102 district in the Maine House, spent the day shaking hands and greeting voters at the door. He said “it was a good turnout” on Tuesday. Uncontested for the Democratic ticket, Shaw won the primaries and will face off with Republican incumbent Gary Moore in November.
“I’d like to say ‘thank you’ to all of the voters,” he said. “It was an uncontested primary, but it was important to greet the voters…I had a good time.”
In all, 1,206 voters turned out for the town ballot, and 1,209 voted in the school ballot, according to the town clerk.
Vote breakdown:
Town Council
At Large for 3 years
Cara Childs 471
Margaret Spencer 517
Area One for 3 years
Carolyn Biegel 553
Paul Mosley 520
Area Four for 2 years
Jeffrey Richardson 518
Louis Stack 548
Planning Board
At Large for 3 years
Christopher Parkin 312
Peter Walker 645
SAD 6 Director
At Large for 1 year
Russell Johnson 424
Teresa White 486
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