James Wilfong

Maine Senate 18

Social media accounts
Facebook and LinkedIn.

Occupation:
Marketing consultant and teacher.

Education:
High school and some college.

Community organizations:
President of H2O for ME; town of Stow representative to the Greater Lovell Land Trust; former member Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force; former member of the Commission on Maine’s Future; chair of the town of Stow Appeals Board; former chair of the Maine SBA Advisory Council; Entrepreneur in Residence at the Kauffman Foundation.

Personal information (hobbies, etc.):
Skiing, hiking and managing my wood lots.

Family status:
Married 43 years, two children, and one grandchild.

Years in the Legislature:                                                                                            4

Committee assignments (if elected):
Environment and Natural Resources, Government Oversight, and Education and Cultural Affairs.

Q&A

1) What legislation do you support, if any, to address the state’s opiate crisis?
Smart, tough and fair policies of: prevention, education (beginning in middle school) and treatment.

2) What legislation do you support, if any, to address failures in the state’s child abuse prevention system?
Reinstatement of Community Partnerships for Protecting Children Program. Station family counselors and social workers in the SADs and RSUs.

3) Should schools continue to push forward with proficiency-based diplomas? Why or why not?
No. Not all people learn the same way and at the same rate. They also mature in different ways. If they have a fundamental education and mentoring they will find their way in the world.

4) Are you in favor of some type of universal health care for Maine residents? Why, or why not?
Yes. Knowledge-based economies require citizens who are healthy. We must place people and their ideas in the center of community and economic development. Our citizens are our most valuable resource.

5) Do you support Question 1 (the 3.8% tax to fund the home care program)? Why, or why not?
As the oldest state, Maine does need some type of home health care. This legislation may have constitutional issues and private interests are in control of taxpayers’ money. That makes me think twice.

6) Are you frustrated by the political sniping, exaggeration and even lies between the parties and their supporters that have threatened progress usually reached through respect and reasoned compromise? If so, what will you personally do to make the situation better?                                                                                      Yes. It is one of the reasons I am running. When I was last a legislator we had a D House, an R Senate and an I governor. We were civil and respectful to one another. We got things accomplished.

7) Tell voters something about yourself that they don’t already know, and might surprise them.
I was raised on a small family farm. I went to a one-room eighth grade school built in 1822. It had no running water. I was a Marine.

Speed Round

Should voters be required to show ID at the polls?                                               No.