Dear Editor:

For the past two years I have had an opportunity to watch our state representative in action, not just as a legislator but as a community member. I have been involved in several projects for local organizations where Stephanie has helped with either time or some service which was available to her. Many of these efforts may seem small to some but were monumental to the organizations involved.

I have seen her use all the information available to a legislator to try to come to a decision that balances the needs of the people of this district and state with the financial reality of budgets. She has helped many navigate the mess which is our state bureaucracy and get issues resolved quickly and efficiently. That is the true measure of a representative’s success not the number of bills proposed as we have seen in the past.

One of the benchmarks for public office used to be service above self and if anyone has paid attention Representative Stephanie Hawke still has that attribute. Wide sweeping global initiatives are fine things but what really counts is right here at home. Helping a family struggling with medical bills, opening up her business for a fundraiser shows a true devotion to our community.

I often see political candidates at a public breakfast I cook for every other Sunday. It is always just before an election and they are always there just to campaign. On the other hand I have watched as Stephanie Hawke, with no real tie to the organization, has many times shown up, rolled up her sleeves and spent time helping out, not because she was campaigning but because she saw a need. That’s what we need in Augusta, someone who will do the hard work, not for the accolades but because it needs to be done. Hardworking, local ties, business experience and strong family values are what Stephanie brings to the job and are the reasons we need to send her back to Augusta.

Linc Sample

Boothbay Harbor