Name:

John Nostin

Email address

JNostin@mac.com

Party affiliation

Republican

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

68

Occupation or primary source of income

Former information technology consultant and program manager

Community organizations

Director and secretary of the Naples Lions Club; Volunteers in Police Service for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office; Friends of the Naples Public Library; president of Naples Bay Colony Home Owners Association; volunteer for the CrossWalk Community Outreach food pantry

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Master Gardener from University of Maine, enjoy gardening and landscaping . Enjoy designing websites for fun. Enjoy volunteer work and helping my fellow citizens.

Family status

Married 38 years

Years in Legislature

0

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Government Oversight; Energy, Utilities and Technology; Veterans and Legal Affairs; Environment and Natural Resources; Health and Human Services.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

I would support these programs since I believe in helping Maine citizens who are truly in need. However the first question I would ask is “How will we pay for it?” Legislatures cannot continue to tax and borrow to fund these programs. Legislatures must stop waste, abuse, and fraud.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

Maine should not follow the city of Portland’s lead to legalize the possession of marijuana based on the information I know today. Use of marijuana does impair users. Impaired users can be of harm to themselves and to others.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Yes, because I consider renewable energy sources an investment in the future. Renewable energy sources would further reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

I believe the Maine minimum wage should to changed to $8.50 per hour.  In future years I may support a higher wage but not until the economy improves. Businesses are cannot afford much more at this time due the current economic climate in Maine.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

The most important issue to voters is waste, abuse and fraud in the welfare system. Maine people are compassionate and always willing to help those citizens who are truly in need. As with any large program there needs to be oversight and regulations to prevent waste, abuse and fraud.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

I have life and work experience of caring and volunteering for my fellow citizens. I have worked in Washington, D.C., and learned how the federal government works. State government is similar and therefore needs to be more efficient, thus saving taxpayers’ money.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

I love life, Maine, and the USA. I’ve been married for 38 years and I am blessed. It was my honor to have served in the U.S. Air Force.

Name:

Christine Powers

Email address

powerscb@gmail.com

Party affiliation

Democrat

Legislative chamber

Maine House

Legislative district

68

Occupation or primary source of income

Director, Naples Public Library, and bartender at the Black Bear Cafe in Naples

Community organizations

Naples selectboard for 12 years, chaired two years; Lakes Environmental Association for four years,secretary two years; served on the Naples Comprehensive Plan Committee and the Habitat for Humanity Committee (two years on each); past member of the Association of Computer Technology Educators of Maine. Will serve as chair of Naples Charter Commission.

Personal information (hobbies, activities etc.)

Hike, swim, kayak, paddleboard, music, yoga

Family status

One grown daughter

Years in Legislature

2

Are you a Clean Election candidate?

Yes

Committee assignments you want

Transportation.

Would you support expanding the state’s Medicaid program, MaineCare? Why or why not?

I must work multiple jobs to access health care and make a livable wage. Health care is a right not a privilege. That’s why I supported expansion of the state’s program in the 126th to make life-saving health care available for 70,000 Mainers, and I will continue to support that expansion.

Should Maine follow the city of Portland’s lead and legalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over the age of 21? Why or why not?

It is time to work on legalization of limited amounts of marijuana for adults over 21. I believe that state and national leaders should be working to ensure that this is accomplished through a safe, efficient, and effective process.

Should the state of Maine continue to provide incentives for businesses and homeowners to convert or diversify energy sources to those considered renewable, like solar, wind and geothermal?

Keeping Maine families warm, lowering energy costs, and protecting natural resources are critical to our state’s future. I support investing in new energy-saving technologies and weatherizing our homes and businesses, and offering incentives is one part of that investment. The best way to reduce energy consumption is through conservation.

Maine’s minimum wage is $7.50 an hour. As a state lawmaker would you support increasing that minimum wage? If so, what should Maine’s minimum wage be?

Personally, I struggle to stay part of the middle class. Maine families deserve a fair and strong economy that works for everyone. Providing a livable wage is crucial to ensure that fairness, but I cannot give an exact amount at this time. It will have to be a gradual process.

What issue is the most important to voters in your legislative district?

Having served on the Naples selectboard for the past 12 years I have watched in disbelief as a reduction of promised funds from the federal and state levels have crippled our communities’ financial resources. I will fight to ensure the state does not shirk its responsibility to our towns.

What about you makes you the man or woman for the job?

If re-elected, I will continue to serve by listening to the voters concerns, consider my personal views and strike a balance based on the individual issue, not any particular party issue. With the current atmosphere in politics, the best way forward is to work together to make a difference.

Describe yourself in a “Tweet”

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