Republican State Rep. Rich Cebra of Naples is running against Democrat Tom Bossie of Casco for House District 101.
Tom Bossie
Bossie, 47, lives on Point Sebago Road in Casco. He has two adult children: Jessica, 26, and Ian, 22. Bossie graduated from Van Buren High School and attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Bossie has a degree in business administration from the University of Southern Maine. He has also completed five Dale Carnegie courses and has taken numerous professional courses concentrating in small business and finance.
Bossie has been a small business owner for 12 years, and is a mortgage lender with Cornerstone Home Loans. He is a member of the Maine Mortgage Bankers Association.
Bossie has been endorsed by Professional Firefighters of Maine, The Maine Credit Union League, Environment Maine and Equality Maine.
“My motivations to be a state representative are driven by my overwhelming conviction to help the environment and small businesses in my district,” said Bossie.
“I want to accurately represent the majority of people in my district and make sure that the people that need help such as the elderly, children or disadvantaged have access to the vital services they need,” he added.
Bossie believes the Naples causeway bridge is a major priority for the people in his district. “My first priority in Augusta,” he said, “would be to introduce an act to improve the public safety by securing funds to replace the causeway bridge in Naples.”
In his first two weeks of the legislative session, Bossie said he would also introduce another bill for the safety of the environment.
“I would introduce an act to facilitate the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to provide adequate funding to assist in the eradication of milfoil,” Bossie said.
Bossie’s platform includes tax reduction. He believes the tax burden can be spread to out-of-state residents buying real estate in Maine.
“My plan,” said Bossie, “would require out-of-state purchasers to pay 100 percent of the Maine transfer tax relieving Maine citizens of over $28 million of actual tax savings.”
Bossie believes more action should be taken on issues that affect the district.
“I feel my opponent has not taken action on major issues that affect our district,” said Bossie. “Especially the causeway bridge and sex offender laws. My opponent voted ‘no’ on Jessica’s law, I would have voted ‘yes’.”
Cebra, who charges Bossie with distorting his voting record, said he voted against Jessica’s Law because it was a watered down version of the original tougher law.
“I voted no because LD 1717 took the teeth out of the original Jessica’s Law, and I will not settle for second best,” said Cebra.
Bossie believes LD1717 was not “watered down” but was improved to help the victims.
“The original tougher law would have forced children to testify against their attacker,” said Bossie. “That would have been hard for the already-traumatized child.”
“I believe I am better suited than my opponent to serve Maine people,” said Bossie. “I have 47 years experience as a Maine resident and my opponent is not a Mainer. Being here for under a decade does not qualify him to understand the issues that face Maine people.”
Rich Cebra
Cebra, 42, lives with his wife Philippa and two children Ian, 14, and Rachel, 10, at 15 Steamboat Landing in Naples.
He has owned and operated Steamboat Landing Miniature Golf in Naples for six years. Before that he was an operations manager for a computer networking company.
He has also been a self-employed contractor offering project management services. Cebra attended William Patterson College as well as Bergen College.
Cebra has been endorsed by the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, the National Rifle Association, the Maine Association of Bankers, the Maine Economic Research Institute and has recently received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business.
“As a small business owner I know firsthand the heavy tax burden and broken health care issues in this state,” said Cebra. “Knowing how the state mandates affect the local community and business climate motivates me.”
Cebra said it’s important that everyone is involved and gives back to the community in some way. He gives back by serving his community in Augusta.
“It is a privilege for me to serve,” he said. “I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have done this as a full-time job, I have worked hard for my district.”
If elected Cebra said he will “continue to work to get state spending under control by prioritizing where we put the money.”
Cebra pledges to concentrate on health care as well.
“If I am re-elected I will continue to work for real health insurance reform,” said Cebra. “I will create risk pools, and allow people to buy health care out of state. I want to fix these health care problems.”
Cebra said he will fight for the rights of local businesses in Augusta.
“I will continue to work to reduce state restrictions so our businesses can grow,” said Cebra. “That way they can grow and create much-needed jobs for Maine residents. All these state regulations are holding Maine businesses back.”
Cebra said being active locally is just as important as acting locally in Augusta.
“I have been involved locally on the Naples Budget Committee, the 302 bridge project, town meetings, cub scouts, and church committees,” said Cebra. “I believe all public service begins locally with open communication and integrity in everything you do.”
“I write Op-Eds to keep the community informed,” said Cebra. “Letters about those pieces that I have received back have helped in my debates in Augusta. I also keep an office at my home in Naples just for my constituents. It is good to be the person that helps people. That is what I am here for.”
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