Jim Boyle (D)
Age: 54
Town: Gorham
Occupation: Owner, Boyle Associates Environmental Consulting; owner, Avant Dance and Event Center.
Political experience: None.
Q: What do you think the three most important issues are?
A: The economy/jobs, education, natural resources and the environment.
Q: What do you think the solutions are?
A: 1. The economy/jobs. In 1996, I started Boyle Associates, an environmental and land use consulting company that works with businesses and homeowners to protect the environment while fostering economic growth. Our success comes from creating common-sense solutions to problems that often seem very difficult at the start. The people I’ve met while campaigning really like the idea of having a small business owner with real-world job creation experience representing them in Augusta. As a state, if we manage our money properly, we can grow in a balanced, sustainable way.
2. Education. I believe that Maine will benefit from more job training opportunities that align with employer needs for an increasingly specialized work force. I hope to find ways to encourage more residents to take advantage of the University of Maine and the community college system and work on better matching the career aspirations of our students and job seekers with the skills that our changing economy requires. This district is
lucky to be home to some of Maine’s fastest-growing businesses and our school systems are among the best in Maine. When elected, I will work with a district-wide collaborative group of representatives from schools, industry and fast growing businesses to ensure that students are adequately preparing for the jobs available in high-growth segments of the economy.
3. Natural resources and the environment. I began my career as a paper company field forester in northern Maine in 1981, and opened my first business as an environmental consultant in 1996. I know that economic development in Maine is directly linked to environmental quality and that we must make informed decisions to protect Maine’s greatest resource: our natural environment.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?
A: Yes, I support same-sex marriage. I want all couples to have the legal right to stand in front of friends and family and make a lifetime commitment to the person they love. The way this referendum question is worded, no religion would be forced to marry same-sex couples, or recognize same-sex marriage within the context of their religious beliefs.
Ruth ?Summers (R)
Age: 42
Town: Scarborough
Occupation: Lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy Reserve; small business owner, Little Hands Consignment; stay-at-home mom
Political experience: none
Q: What do you think the three most important issues are?
A: I will work toward three things – building a vibrant job market, a strong economy and the future of our state.
Q: What do you think the solutions are?
A: I will prioritize job creation by working with small businesses in Maine to increase tax incentives that will help them expand and hire more Mainers. We need to have a strong job market, keep our tax rates low and our regulatory burden reasonable. These jobs will help build a strong economy that will benefit every town in Maine.
It’s our responsibility to leave this world a better place than when we arrived. That is why I believe we need to ensure that Maine is better for future generations. Through being good stewards of the land to ensuring our education system is strong, from day care and preschool to universities and trade schools.
I am a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Growing up in the Marine Corps, I understand, and have lived, the importance of taking care of our veterans. My husband has served in Iraq and Afghanistan and I have served throughout the world. I was on active duty on 9/11 aboard the USS Howard at Bath Iron Works, just one of the many great ships defending our country worldwide that was built by hardworking Mainers.
Q: Do you support same-sex marriage?
A: This question will be settled by citizen referendum. I am not involved in the campaign for or against. Personally, I would have liked to see us pass a civil union law which made those arrangements equal to marriage in all respects, but perhaps leave the term marriage to describe a union between a man and a woman.
Election 2012
Ruth ?SummersSend questions/comments to the editors.
