Hi, I’m Jeremy Smith

A resident of Farmington and public school teacher at Maranacook Community School in Readfield, ME.

I’m choosing to run in the District 89 race to represent Farmington and Industry in the State Legislature. If elected, I will be a spokesman for the residents of these two wonderful towns and make choices in the best interests of taxpayers and stakeholders in this part of Franklin County.

My family roots in Maine are strong, going back several generations; here in Franklin County for the last hundred plus years. I was born in Farmington and graduated from Mt. Blue High School. Except for the few years I spent in Colorado earning a teaching degree, I have lived in Maine. As much as I enjoyed Colorado, there was something missing.. I felt like a ‘Mainer in Exile.’ I strove to come home where I knew the people, the values, and the way of life which I’ve always loved and respected. I’m so fortunate to be living and working in a place that I call home.

The familiar aspects of life in our towns, bring us closer. I don’t see Farmington and Industry as towns, I see them as family. We know when our neighbors are hurting. During this time, as in all times, people need a voice in Augusta that can support their common values and support the creation of new infrastructure and needed improvements to what is already working. This is what I intend to bring to the position

Some of the important issues that I will focus on in my run:

  • Better access to universal health through supporting and fine tuning Dirigo Health
  • A tax-reform policy that allows for the smallest impact on Maine Taxpayers in tough economic times
  • Rural broadband research for design and creation of a state-wide system
  • Support for Maine’s small businesses and green incentives for both new and existing entrepreneurs
  • Sensible policy approaches to pursue the effective promotion for area tourism and sustainable growth
  • Working with the Obama Administration to help empower Maine businesses and individuals in their quest for lower energy costs.
  • The sensible policies for hunting and fishing in Maine that have existed and worked for the past several decades and creating new ones to protect the resources that bring people here
  • Support for public school districts and policies that support effective teaching and learning
  • Focus on protecting the full reproductive rights of women and a woman’s right to choose
  • Equal rights of citizens and freedom from harrassment and protection against hate crimes based upon gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation
  • Seeking the best services for our military service personnel after returning home from combat
  • Support of individuals with disabilities and better access to services
  • Better access to affordable prescription drugs for all Maine Seniors and those on fixed incomes
  • Support of Maine Employees and employee benefits

Non-Governmental Organizations that I support and among those I will work with if elected:

Some interesting reading:

http://maine.gov/doc/mfs/windpower/exec_order.shtml

http://protectmaine.org/guidetogov.asp

http://maineeco.e-actionmax.com/alertlist.asp

http://www.greaterfranklin.com/html/expansion.php?topnavid=6

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/4900559.html

Read more about the race and the Democratic Caucus for District 89 below:
http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/?p=1208 and http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/?p=1202

A Letter to the Editor published in the January 2, 2009 edition of the Franklin Journal:

http://jeremysmithfor89.wordpress.com/letters-to-the-editorletters-to-the-editor/


Send me a comment or email me at jeremysmithfor89@gmail.com to let me know what you think!

Best wishes during the holidays.

I hope to see you at the N Dining Hall, Olsen Student Center, UMF campus, 3 PM on Sunday, January 4