Editor’s note: The Houlton Pioneer Times is providing candidate profiles for those running for the Houlton Town Council, SAD 29 school board, as well as state congressional races. This week, the paper will profile the candidates for the SAD 29 school board.
Name: Bruce Clark
Age: 54
Residence: Houlton
What other political offices have you held? Member of the SAD 29 school board since 2004.
What is your career background? Automobile sales and service my whole life.
What made you decide to run for this office? It is important for people to participate in their local government and by running for the school board, I feel that I can make a positive contribution.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? Trying to provide the best education that the Houlton taxpayers can support.
Why should people vote for you? I will make every effort I can to support the schools so that our children will be glad to come to school every day.
Name: Lori Paradis Holmes
Age: 45
Residence: Houlton
What other political offices have you held? I am currently finishing my first three-year term on the school board. I am also treasurer for the Houlton Golf Ladies Association and treasurer for Hockey 2000.
What is your career background? I have an associate’s degree in accounting. My husband and I own an automotive repair business and I take care of the financial end of it.
What made you decide to run for this office? I have really enjoyed my last three years on the school board, which has been a learning time and I want to continue learning more about the education system and how it works. I also enjoy the people on the board, as we are a diverse group, which is a good thing.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? The most important issue facing our community is the budget. We all want the least spending possible, but at the same time we need to make sure that our students are getting the best education they deserve.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I have no particular agenda. I hope to help make the district the best it can be for our community. I am also willing to give the time, energy and willingness it takes to learn about issues affecting our schools.
Name: Tammy R. Goetsch
Age: 53
Residence: Houlton
What other political offices have you held? I have served on the school board for three years.
What is your career background? I have been the executive administrative assistant at Military Street Baptist Church for nearly seven years and program director for Adopt-A-Block of Aroostook for the past four years.
What made you decide to run for this office? I have been on the school board for the past three years and after careful consideration decided to run another term because I feel that I still have something to bring to this board. I have seen the board make great strides to work in together with town officials, school administrators, teachers and staff and I believe I can represent my community well by being an active and present member of the school board.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? With the changes in education and cuts in state funding we face some very difficult decisions in the coming years. With growing issues such as drug and alcohol use, increases of students with special needs, and truancy I hope we can work together to find creative and innovative ways to bring our community together to provide a continuum of care for all students and families who need it.
Why should people vote for you? I am a mother and grandmother and I care about kids, all kids. I care about the future they may or may not have depending upon the education they receive. I think you should prayerfully consider your vote and go with your heart, that’s what I would do.
