Address: 53 River Road

Occupation: Retired nonprofit CEO, Garden Writer. I moved to Maine in 2004 and have been a homeowner in Edgecomb since 2009. Previous positions: Education Coordinator, American Horticultural Society; Director of Public Programs, Cleveland Botanical Garden; Executive Director at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; and CEO/President of Park Management in Oklahoma City. Currently working part-time as a writer for Burpee Seed Company.

Education: Fordham University in New York City, B.A. Studied horticulture at Ohio State University

Political History: I have not held an elected political office. My last job position was building and managing both a botanical garden and large urban park in Oklahoma City within a public-partnership framework where I served on a municipal leadership coordination committee. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with non-profit Boards of Directors and diverse community groups.

Board Positions: I am currently serving on the Community Advisory Board for Maine Public Radio and Television.

Clubs/Organizations: American Horticultural Society, American Association of Public Gardens, Rails to Trails, Nature Conservancy, YMCA, Mid-Coast Senior College, Pemaquid Discussion Salon

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues? (350 words or less): 1. Schools are under constant pressure to ensure test scores meet or exceed state standards while also trying to provide enrichment activities. How can the School Board and community best help teachers and school staff with this issue?

2. Children can spend too much time on screens and other technology distractions. As a result, learning can suffer especially reading skills and the ability to focus. Ensuring children read books for learning and enjoyment is critical for developing life-long learning.

3. The tension between adequate funding to ensure a first-rate education for all students while moderating tax increases is an issue for most towns in Maine. It can be a dividing issue which if not managed properly can prevent practical discussions reaching an agreeable balance.

It is heartbreaking to see neighbors mistrust neighbor because they think “the other side” is not acting in good faith. On the positive side, it is an opportunity to use this issue to build community bonds because there is near universal agreement that the school is critical to our town and taxes can’t keep rising well over inflation rates. We all agree that reforms for federal and state funding of schools is needed but likely years away to manifest.

In the meantime, consensus-building leaders can collaborate with the community to mitigate this issue and mend bonds. The budget/tax issue can also stimulate ways to not just control expenses but also seek new revenue streams including private grants and donations.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? 150 words or less: The historian Tim Snyder encourages everyone to run for public office sometime to better understand grass roots democracy in your community. (He is so right. Win or lose, you get to meet many new and interesting people in the process.)

I have 35 years’ experience at non-profit organizations including leadership roles in administrative, budget management, fundraising, and community programming.

Newly retired, I want to ensure our school has adequate resources to provide a quality education for students while developing plans for long-term financial sustainability. I enjoy working on thorny issues with multiple stakeholders who agree on an outcome but not how to achieve it. I find if everyone has a chance to be heard and treated with respect, if there is some give and take on both sides, we can find solutions all can celebrate.

When that happens, trust and momentum builds for a community and you can dream even bigger!