Dear Editor:

Our residents, local folks and anyone who has volunteered for our town knows there are key people who work tirelessly to get things done. People whose devotion and dedication to making Boothbay Harbor a strong community never halts. It is my privilege to know one of these people — Michael Tomko — and to ask for you to vote for him for Board of Selectmen. He focuses on improving Boothbay Harbor and maintaining our traditional town style and caring for each other. How do I know?

I met Michael when I was looking for my first home in Boothbay Harbor. Michael went out of his way to welcome me to this beautiful community and was instrumental in the process of buying my home and getting my business off the ground. Now, in 2019, I am honored to not only live here and run my independent business in the harbor, but to have had the opportunity to witness how an individual selectman can make a difference moving policies and programs forward on behalf of a town.

As a current selectman and representative on the Joint Economic Development Committee, he is an innovative problem solver, fiscally responsible and a champion of civility and being open minded. Michael has contributed his time and energy to Boothbay Harbor in so many ways. Michael currently serves on the Executive Board of the Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Boothbay Region Television Executive Board and has participated in numerous sub committees, including the BBH Bicycle Pedestrian Plan, Route 27 Corridor Committee, and Lincoln County Sea level Rise Committee, and the BBH Comprehensive Planning Committee. Michael also served on the Boothbay Harbor Planning board from 2008-2015 and was its Chair for six years, working to keep his town viable and help preserve its heritage.

What makes Michael so special is his uncanny ability to accomplish things – to get things done. He can bring together parties with opposing views to collaborate and achieve common ground. He has the experience to be an effective and transformative member of the Board of Selectmen. I am honored to support Michael – a leader that is needed in the town of Boothbay Harbor – and I ask that you join me in casting your vote for Michael Tomko on May 3.

Shannon Schmelzer

Boothbay Harbor