Christine Powers, 40, a Democrat who lives on Thompson Point Road, is running for re-election to the Naples Board of Selectmen. She has served on the board for one three-year term, 2002-2005.
Powers is married with a 16-year-old daughter. She has studied at Bates and UNH and is currently taking online classes through St. Joseph’s for her bachelor’s degree. She works as a librarian for the Naples Public Library and teaches for the Technology Department at Lakes Region Middle School.
What background/experience would you bring to the position?
Christine Powers: A few years back, I had been going to a lot of meetings and had been hearing a lot of ‘we do it that way because we’ve always done it that way.’ And so I just thought I’d throw my hat into the ring. I had volunteered and done a lot of different things in different places. So I guess a lot of people knew my name. And here I am now, finishing my first term.
Why are you running for re-election?
Powers: I feel really strongly about a few things that are going on and the committees I’m involved with such as the milfoil task force and the issue that the area is facing with milfoil right now. The comprehensive plan as well. Core projects that you think that when you get started you can finish in a few years but it takes a lot of time to follow through. So there is still some more work to do, I feel.
What are your top concerns in regard to the future of Naples?
Powers: That’s hard to define. They change a lot. Right now, property taxes. Everyone’s concerned about that. Striking a fair balance between property tax and keeping our schools healthy. I feel very strongly that the state has to step in and do something to change the way property tax is assessed. Right now I don’t think that it is set up fairly for people who live year-round in a community like this.
What qualities do you possess that make you the best candidate for the position?
Powers: I try to be fair. I try to listen to everybody. I don’t like to be told ‘we know what’s best for you. This is the way we’ve always done it.’ Again, it’s growing and changing and being able to embrace the change. So I’d like to think that I can try to be fair and listen to both sides and see every issue from two sides.
If elected, what would be your first priority?
Powers: I really want to do something with this milfoil task force. I want people to be more aware of how it could impact the future of this community if milfoil were to start choking these bodies of water the way it has other lakes. It’s one of those things that, if people don’t see it, people don’t worry about it. It’s hard to put that above property taxes, but a lot of what needs to be done about property taxes is so far out of our hands. I think we could have an immediate impact on (the milfoil) if we really tried to focus there.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
