Rep. Willette works hard
To the editor:
In this difficult economy and with daily reports of ethics issues amongst our politicians, how do we choose who to support in this year’s elections? I am writing in support of re-election for one local candidate. This candidate is a combat veteran from Operation Desert Storm and thus understands firsthand what our soldiers are going through overseas and as they return home. He taught our children in the local school system for five years and therefore is a strong advocate of teachers. In addition, he worked in the local workforce as a realtor and a firefighter and, as such, knows how this economy is affecting our pocketbooks.
Representatives in our state legislature from further downstate can return home every evening. For those who serve our area, it takes someone with great desire and dedication as the representative is away from home Monday through Friday of every week from January to June for the first legislative session alone.
Mike Willette has been a stellar representative of this area during his term in the State Legislature. He is against tax increases and a big supporter of small business. He has gone to bat for our elderly with support of the silver alert law and for tax reductions for seniors on their property taxes. He got a bill passed to allow those serving in the military overseas to have their votes counted on time in hometown elections. He has stood strongly against cuts in funding for mental health agencies in Maine. Mike works hard to make Maine a more business-friendly state by fighting to get the corporate tax rates cuts and encouraging new businesses to locate here in northern Maine by trying to wipe away discouraging regulations.
In addition, Mike has stepped in to lend a helping hand whenever possible for local businesses and groups. He made it possible for the Wesleyan Church to install new boilers when licensing issues with the equipment were delaying the installation. He also assisted the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Caribou resolve a long-standing problem.
His philosophy is simple: Consider the constituency first. If that does not help him to decide an issue, he is next guided by conscience. Lastly, if neither of those are enough, he goes with caucus and votes the party line. Mike will be the first to tell you that he can proudly say he rarely has to go beyond the constituency factor to decide how to vote on an issue.
I, for one, am strongly in favor of re-electing a man that has shown good moral and ethical character and a strong desire to help his fellow Mainers, has the experience needed to make good decisions, and is ready, willing and able to go the distance (figuratively and literally) to Augusta to make a difference for his constituents. Let’s re-elect Mike Willette to Maine House of Representatives District 5.
Presque Isle
