What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? 123rd and 124th Legislature – Maine House of Representatives – State Representative for District 8.
What is your career background? Occupation: attorney; Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee. Experience: graduated from Hodgdon High School 1986; Purdue University 1986-87; University of Maine, Orono 1987-90; graduated with B.S. political science with distinction; Western New England College, School of Law 1990-93, graduated cum laude J.D; passed Maine Bar October 1993; Federal Bar; U.S. Court of Claims; Serve on the following committees in the Maine Legislature: Business Research & Economic Development Committee, 123rd Legislature: Maine Indian Tribal State Commission workgroup, 123rd Legislature: Business Research & Economic Development Committee, 124th Legislature (House lead and served as chair during House chair’s absence); Judiciary Committee, 124th Legislature; Aroostook Rail Advisory Task Force, 2010, appointed by Speaker of the House; small business owner: formed Cleary Law Office in 1996, and co-founded the Mouthpiece LLC in 2008; and Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee, appointed by the United States Department of Justice, United States Trustees Office in 2001.
Adjunct faculty, UMPI, Houlton Higher Education Center – I taught Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, and Criminal Procedure for law enforcement and criminal justice students; Board of Trustees – Houlton Regional Hospital; helped organize and form Southern Aroostook football team (“Knights”) in 2006; served as the Aroostook Football League’s vice president and treasurer for the past four years. I am an also an assistant coach for the Knights. published author “Short Stories for Long Trips”; various articles, including fishing articles.
What made you decide to run for this office? I grew up in Cary Plantation, attended school at Hodgdon High and now work and live in Houlton. We did not have a lot but I learned the value of hard work (picking potatoes, splitting wood, haying and various farm jobs), the value of family and the value of community. I came back to my communities after college and law school to give back.
I have served as a bankruptcy trustee, appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice since 2001. In that capacity my duties include conducting hearings for all individuals and businesses that filed for bankruptcy in Aroostook County. I see how people and businesses struggle. I want to help improve the economy, bring jobs to our communities and retain the good jobs that we have. Serving in the Maine Legislature and on the Business Research & Economic Development Committee as well as in a position of leadership will help me accomplish those goals.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? Improving the economy and continuing to create and retain jobs by improving road and rail service, educating our workforce, attracting innovative businesses to set up shop in our communities and providing quality health care, including dental care.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? My top priorities remain improving roads and bridges, helping small business and better access to health care for rural Maine. I’ve worked hard on those priorities and I will continue to do so.
Why should people vote for you? Even before I was first elected to serve as your representative in 2006, it has been a top priority of mine to be accessible to those I serve. I have responded to the needs and concerns of those that elected me and I will continue to work hard to advocate for our communities.
In my first term, I brought the Business Research & Economic Development Committee to the County to hear our concerns. I have continued to hold economic forums and events to ensure other state and federal leaders hear and address our issues. I worked with a local business during their expansion to clear hurdles so that it could create jobs. I worked with the Maine Revenue Service Office, the town of Houlton officials, as well as members from both parties in the legislature and SADC to preserve jobs.
I worked with Commissioner Cole of the Maine Department of Transportation and the legislature to improve the Bangor Road. I continue to work to preserve rail services in the County so that businesses that rely on rail and trucking services survive to keep both of those industries working. People should vote for me because I have the education, background and experience to preserve the jobs we have and build upon our strengths to create new jobs and opportunities. I am able to work collaboratively with all parties and groups to achieve results for the County. I serve as co-chair of the “moderate caucus” a group that consists of Democrats, Republicans and Independents. Together we will continue to work to streamline government and find solutions for the challenges we all face. I hope I can count on your support in November.
What other political offices have you held? If none, what other offices, honors or titles have you earned? I was a member of the Houlton Budget Committee for three years, one year as chairman. I also served on the Houlton Town Council for four years, one year as secretary. I served on the Town Council’s Finance Committee and represented the Council at all Southern Aroostook Solid Waste District Meetings. I was a member of the Southern Aroostook Solid Waste District Board.
Other leadership positions I have held are as president of NAIW of Aroostook – Affiliate of National Association of Insurance Women, Insurance Association of Greater Houlton – Affiliate of National Association of Insurance Women, Maine Micro Mini-Group – Affiliate of AMS Users Group (computer users group), New England AMSUG – Affiliate of AMS Users Group, Houlton Community Chorus, Houlton Rotary Club, Houlton Business and Professional Women, Maine Business and Professional Women, and Friends and Needles Quilt Guild.
I have also served as corporate secretary, F.A. Peabody Company; treasurer, Houlton Area Affiliate of the Literacy Volunteers of America; secretary/treasurer, Drews Lake Property Owners Association; vice president, Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project; vice president, Houlton Chamber of Commerce; and chairman, Houlton Bicentennial Committee.
Designations and recognitions that I have received include: Society of Certified Insurance Counselors – CIC; NAIW of Aroostook – Insurance Woman of the Year 1986; National Association of Insurance Women – Certified Professional Insurance Woman – CPIW; Insurance Association of Greater Houlton – Insurance Woman of the Year 1997; Maine BPW Woman of the Year and Maine BPW Member of the Year 1993; Houlton Rotary Club – Paul Harris Fellow 2003; Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce – Community Spirit Award 2008; and Maine, New England & National AMS User Groups – several service/contribution awards.
What is your career background? I worked for the F.A. Peabody Company, a local insurance agency, for 32 years and retired in 2008 as vice president of operations and clerk of the corporation. I still hold an active license as a property and casualty and life and health insurance agent. I have also been a Notary Public since 1977.
What made you decide to run for this office? I was asked by respected community members to consider serving our district and state. After much careful thought and research, I decided that it was time for me to offer my leadership skills and business experience.
What do you see as the most important issue facing the community you will serve? The most pressing issue is to allow small business to continue to be the backbone of the state’s economy by reducing regulations and taxes, which will, in turn, encourage investment and growth in our region.
What do you see as your primary goal, if elected? To put aside personality, party and politics to do what is best for the Houlton region and ultimately the state of Maine by focusing on a strong economy, a clean environment, and job creation.
Why should people vote for you? I have the business experience and leadership abilities necessary to make the right decisions based on my knowledge of this district and its people. I am a willing listener and promise to diligently study every issue that comes before me. I am known for my hard work and dedication to every organization in which I have been involved, and I will bring the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to serving the people of this district in Augusta.
