Local Elections

The Election is just a few days away. It is important to vote. In Houlton, there will be three openings on the Town Council. Retiring Councilors John Fitzpatrick and Mike Blanchard will have to be replaced. Council Chairman Gerald "Jerry" Adams, is running for re election. There are six candidates, including Adams, running for these three seats.

I will be watching with great interest, and you should be too, as the new members could very well dictate the way the Council moves forward. As a general rule of thumb, the two members that are leaving, usually voted together, along with Councilor Paul Cleary ( progressively). Councilors Phil Bernaichie and Carl Lord Jr, usually vote the opposite way( conservatively). Dr Paul Romanelli isn't quite as predictable, but usually sides with Lord and Bernaiche. This often leaves the Chairman to break the tie, and Adams nine times out of ten will side with Romanelli. Now I'm not saying this is good or bad, this is just the makeup, in general, of the present council.

Here is my take on the six candidates. They all have served in public offices in Houlton, so therefore, they should be established enough for you ( the voter ) to make a reasonable decision as you cast your ballot.

Jerry Adams: Present Council Chairman. Outspoken individual and a well spoken individual. You either love him or hate him. There is no middle ground. He has grown as a councilor, this year in particular. Whether you like him or not, you have to notice that he has tried very hard to be fair. He listens and is not rigid with his opinions. There are worse options than him. Personally, I say re elect him; and trust me, I would not have said that before. He has PROVEN to be an effective leader.

Dale Flewelling: Has served twice before for a total of six years. Former Chairman. Well respected Businesman. Tends to be conservative at times, other times not. He uses his head and then makes a decision, whether it is popular or not. He has experience. He can work with others and be effective. He deserves your vote.

Stanley Ginish: The most controversial candidate by far. He does not live in Houlton, but rents an apartment so that he has a residence, thereby making himself eligible for election. This is the one man I would NOT want to see elected. He has made a spectacle of himself by protesting in front of the Greater Houlton Christian Academy when he didn't like something that the Christian Civic league was supporting. Recently he has been in front of the Military Street Baptist Church with a sign saying their pastor is preaching HATE. His commercials have been extremely negative, bordering on slander at times. I would be very surprised if his opinions were share by a majority of Houlton voters. I could go on, but I won't.

Kent Good: Another former councilor. A soft spoken man. Often times people wonder what his opinions are because he plays his cards close to his vest. Not afraid to to spend your tax dollar, but seems to do so wisely. A fairly popular man, who deserves your consideration and may very well win a seat.

Walter Goodrich: A businessman for over thirty years. He has served on many boards and has donated to many charitable organizations over the years. Well respected in the community. Has the reputation of a quiet man, who thinks things through. I have seen enough of this man over the past twenty years or so to know that he not only deserves your consideration - but also deserves your vote. He will be receiving mine.

Galen Wilde: Another local businessman and former councilor. He will garner many votes too. He will not be getting mine. He just comes off to me as more of a follower than a leader. That is my impression. He will always seems to vote along with Romanelli, Lord, and Bernaiche: while this is not always a bad thing. In his last term, he just didn't impress me as a man of his own opinion. He hasn't yet said or done anything to make me think it would be different this time. I just don't want a "Rubber Stamp" councilor.

These are just my opinions, and may not be yours. I see four quality candidates and five quality people. There are only three seats. Like you, I will be interested to see the new Town Council's make up, as Houlton heads into the new year with some tough decisions to make.

Vote Tuesday. It's your right!

That's the view From My Couch.