Address: 47 Matthews Road 

Occupation: Retired 

Education: BS Elementary and Special Education 

Political History (Board, Committees): none 

Clubs/Organizations: Meals on Wheels, Clamshell Quilters 

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues (350 words or less):

1. Our cemeteries are not simply places where we bury family and friends. As resting places for our ancestors and founding fathers, they are hallowed grounds, outdoor museums. Their care are should entail more than keeping the lawns mowed.

The Cemetery District sold perpetual care lots, contracts that promised to keep the plots and stones clean and in good condition. Those contracts are no longer honored. I would like to change that.

Maine law stipulates that municipalities are obligated to keep veteran graves, including headstones and markers in good condition and repair. There are over 800 veterans in the 11 cemeteries. This is a sacred obligation.

Although not required, the legislature recommends the ancient burial grounds (before 1880) be maintained as well as possible. We have over 1,200 graves in this category. I would like to see the cleaning and repair of these headstones.

2. There are over two dozen “cremains” at the funeral home that have been abandoned for more than 30 years. I would like to see these buried in the pauper graves owned by the cemetery district.

3. There is no record of people that have been cremated but not buried. It would be nice if there was a stone erected where a family member could purchase a plaque to commemorate their loved one.

Any other thoughts on why you are running or what you can bring to the office? 150 words or less: 

For the past eight years I have been documenting, photographing and mapping the cemeteries in Boothbay/Boothbay Harbor. I have been tracking the plots that have been sold. Also, I have cleaned hundreds of graves, sometimes with the help of friends. I plan to continue this work.