By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Two political newcomers — Carrye Castleman-Ross (D) and Marygrace Cimino (R) — will look to fill the vacant House District 83 seat formerly held by Walter Riseman (I-Harrison) this Nov. 5, Election Day.

House District 83 includes Bridgton, Harrison and Denmark.

The News posed the following questions to the candidates. Their answers appear alphabetically:

Q. How did you become interested in political office?

Castleman-Ross: I have long been involved in politics, campaigning for various candidates both in Maine and nationally, and have been a voting proctor for many years in Bridgton. When asked to run for office in the past, I would always say, “maybe later,” as I was focused on running my businesses.

Then, in 2022, my dear friend and local community advocate Ursula Flaherty passed away suddenly. Just weeks after losing Ursula, longtime public servant Fred Packard announced he was vacating his Select Board position before his term was up. I saw this as the perfect opportunity to honor Ursula’s memory by running for that seven-month interim seat to see if I enjoyed municipal government. I ran, and won, and here I am now in my second term as a Bridgton Selectman. 

When our current State Representative Walter Riseman asked me to run for his District 83 House seat after his last term this spring, I was honored. Walter has represented us with dedication and integrity and I look forward to the opportunity to bring the skills I’ve acquired in municipal government to Augusta.

Cimino: My interest in politics began when I lived in Lewiston in 1978. My brother introduced me to a gentleman named John Telow, who was running for State Legislature. My brother managed Telow’s campaign, and I managed the grass roots effort. John Telow won this seat. He was the first Republican to win in Lewiston in 78 years, and he served for 10 years. I worked on other campaigns in Maine, including those of Charlie Cragin, U.S. Representative Dave Emery, U.S. Senator Bill Cohen and of course, President Ronald Reagan.

After completing my degree at William and Mary, I served as a Legislative Aide to Virginia State Senator, Stephen Martin and as the Political Director of three counties for Virginia State Representative William Janis. While I would not have chosen to run for office at this juncture, the very soul of our nation and state is at stake, and I could not sit idly by.

Q. What characteristics do you possess that you feel will serve the best interest of your constituents?

Castleman-Ross: I will bring the same positive traitsthat have served me in my tenure on the Bridgton Select Board: I work well with others, respect differing opinions, and examine all sides of an issue. I approach problems with thoughtful deliberation and common sense. I am dependable and honest, and I am willing to make difficult decisions for the greater good. I am a confident and effective communicator and a determined problem solver.

When constituents come to me with concerns, they know I will do whatever I can to address and resolve their issues. I am proud to have strong collaborative relationships with my fellow Select Board members, regardless of their respective political affiliations, and I am confident that I will bring that same skill set to effectively work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Augusta.

Cimino: I am fair, honest, sincere, have moral clarity and my beliefs are well grounded, and I will therefore not be compromised depending on wind direction. I will defend our Constitution and will put the people of Maine first. I understand how government works, how its role in our lives should be limited and that our state needs to enable business and not impede it. I understand people. I am currently an Assistant Manager at TJ Maxx in North Conway, N.H., where I oversee almost 50 employees.

Q. Name three issues that concern you the most, and explain why and what can be done?

Castleman-Ross: As a local small business owner and residential and commercial property owner, I have a vested interest both personally and professionally in the fiscal and environmental health of our district. I have worked on several annual Bridgton budgets and understand the importance of judicious use of our tax dollars in upgrading existing infrastructure balanced with smart and sustained growth. By investing in streetscape and wastewater infrastructure upgrades we can assure potential business owners and future residents that we are willing to invest in our towns, and allocate their hard-earned tax dollars to their maximum good.

I believe that Comprehensive Plans are important tools in setting building and design standards to keep us heading in a positive direction during these developments. Our efforts on easing zoning constraints with the recently passed LD 2003 has made it easier for property owners to build accessory dwelling units on their land, creating both added value to their assets and more accessible housing for residents to live closer to where they work. By incentivizing smart development, we can create more affordable workforce housing for our essential service workers, educators and hospitality employees, as well as affordable senior housing for our growing number of over 55 residents. 

2. By moving the district forward in a fiscally responsible way we create opportunity and economic stability for our residents while protecting our most valuable asset — our unmatched geographical surroundings and natural resources. Although Denmark, Harrison and Bridgton are each unique towns with their own specific issues, they share one priceless asset: their healthy lakes, ponds and waterways. I am proud that Bridgton’s current Select Board has charged a volunteer task force of local property and business owners to draft a harbor master proposal to augment Harrison’s strong existing program. Our neighboring towns will benefit from a seamless and comprehensive harbor master program to ensure both continued environmental protections of our watershed while maintaining strong property values for our shoreland home owners. The property taxes garnered from them help support every aspect of our municipalities and we must protect their investments as well as the sustained environmental health of our lakes. 

3. Providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children to thrive, while ensuring equitable allocation of our tax dollars. District 83 encompasses three distinct school systems: MSAD 72, MSAD 61 and MSAD 17, all with their own strengths and challenges. School budgets will always take the lion’s share of municipal taxes, and we need to fight for our students by providing educational opportunities that allow them to excel intellectually and develop into thriving, productive adults. I have discussed these issues with the hundreds of constituents I’ve met from all three towns during my door-to-door campaigning, as well as the town managers of each respective municipality and other state level legislators. I commit to doing all I can to ensure our districts maximize educational opportunities for our children and their futures while contributing an equitable amount of taxes per capita to their respective MSADs. 

I have learned in my years of public service that regardless of the particular issues at hand, every aspect of a thriving community is enhanced by supporting the overall wellbeing of our residents by continued focus on community volunteerism, public/private partnerships, mutual aid and ongoing support of our local law enforcement through collaboration and outreach. We all succeed when we support each other and create a healthy environment for all our citizens to prosper. I am proud to enjoy the respect of my fellow municipal representatives as well as our civil servants and administrators. I pledge to bring that collaborative spirit with me to Augusta. 

Cimino: 1. Protecting Maine’s borders. With the unfettered flow of illegal immigration into the United States and subsequently into Maine, our country and state are being overrun by unvetted individuals. A dramatic surge in crime, drugs and human trafficking are the result of failed government policies in D.C. and Augusta. Instead of offering illegal immigrants hotels, money and driver’s licenses, we should be taking care of our own citizenry. Our borders should be closed to illegal immigrants and monetary incentives, given at the taxpayers’ expense should be stopped.

2. High Energy Costs. High energy costs in the State of Maine are crushing Maine families. High energy costs are the result of inept leadership. Tax subsidies for solar and wind power must end. These subsidies are being absorbed by the Maine taxpayers. We need to reinstate fracking and drilling to restore energy independence and reduce inflation.

3. Education. Indoctrination of our children must end and parental rights must be restored. Parents must be responsible for their children. Schools must provide transparency as to what is being taught in the classroom and focus should be on reading, writing and math and not on gender identity, boys in girls’ bathrooms, boys competing in women’s sports. Our children should be taught about the great country America is and not taught to be apologists for our nation. Vocational schools should be supported and a focus on the trades should be emphasized.

Q: We presently live in a very divided country when it comes to politics. What would be your approach to working both sides of the aisle to achieve needed change?

Castleman-Ross: Our country is indeed divided, but from my perspective as an elected representative of Bridgton, I can say our collaborative efforts locally are on point! Partisan politics doesn’t work in small town government. We are each other’s neighbors, we all shop at the same stores, attend the same churches and schools. I work weekly with residents and town officials who have differing opinions and political affiliations, but the sense that we are all working together for the greater good transcends most issues we may have.

Local government is the purest form of government; my focus is on working to achieve the best results for the most citizens who I share this community with. Our successes or failures lie with us, and by working together we will thrive together. I do not play party politics. Our differences should not divide us, they should act as an opening parlay into respectful discourse and shared success. I see this happen all the time and I see the positive results that come of it.

Don’t believe the hype that we are hopelessly divided. Some of my greatest civic accomplishments have been born of collaborating with others who share different party affiliations. As I say to people when I’m out canvassing, there is much more that connects us than divides us. I pledge to bring that belief with me to Augusta and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent all of us, not just some of us.  

Cimino: Our Republic was founded on a system of checks and balances. The three branches of government, as laid out in the Constitution were designed to provide a check on each other and each branch played a distinct role in the body politic. We lack balance in Augusta and in D.C. One party rule has led to dysfunction in Augusta as evidenced by poor policies at the expense of the citizenry. The Democrats have not needed to reach across the aisle, nor have they needed to listen to their constituents. They rule at will and the result is non-transparency, non-accountability and bad policy which affects us all. Once balance is restored, there will be more willingness to compromise.

Q. Finally, if elected, how will you remain connected with the people you serve?

Castleman-Ross: I am deeply invested in this community personally, professionally and financially, and I am fully transparent about my motivations of wanting to create a safe and thriving future for all of us. Everyone I meet in my campaign travels knows my address and how to contact me. I live at 323 Main Street, the blue house right behind Food City, smack dab in the middle of downtown Bridgton. My partner Eric LaPerna and I have lovingly restored this beautiful property, the former homestead of Fred and Mary Reynolds, and you can usually find me outside in the extensive gardens. I invite anyone to swing by for a visit.

I am a business owner, a property owner, a public servant and a dedicated volunteer for many causes and organizations, both in Bridgton and statewide.  I believe that my experiences both as a successful small business owner and an elected municipal officer will serve me well and I would be proud to represent District 83 in Augusta. Thank you for your support! 

Cimino: I live in this wonderful area with my daughter, who is a member of the Bridgton Fire Department. I have family here and many friends, as well. I will be accessible to all my constituents in Bridgton, Harrison and Denmark.  I will also provide regular updates to my constituents and plan to hold town meetings as the session allows.