On the Ballot: Bridgton Select Board race
In July of 2013, we took a leap of faith, restored an old Wales & Hamblen warehouse and opened the Tap House. We have supported and hosted many non-profit fundraisers over the years including Harvest Hills, Project Graduation (both LRHS and Fryeburg Academy), the Rufus Porter Museum, Through These Doors, Bridgton Food Pantry, Bridgton Community Center and Family Crisis Services. \ A proud environmentalist, I have been on the board of Loon Echo Land Trust, was an early booster of Pondicherry Park and a founding member of the Community Gardens at the BCC. I was co-chair of Bridgton’s 250th birthday celebration and co-hosted the festivities for 2015’s BikeMaine, one of the biggest and most ambitious events ever held in town. A member of our Chamber of Commerce, I’ve been on the marketing committee and was voted “Businessperson of the Year” in 2014.
By Wayne E. Rivet
Staff Writer
Two, not one, candidates will look to fill the remaining year of Fred Packard’s term on the Bridgton Select Board.
One candidate on the Nov. 8 ballot is Carrye Castleman-Ross.
The other candidatenot onthe ballot, but running as a write-in is Daniel Harden. Town Clerk Laurie Chadbourne clarified forThe Newsthat voters can either write in “Daniel” Harden or “Dan” Harden. “Either will work, as long as we can determine voter intent and the indicator box is checked,” Chadbourne said.
The News posed the following questions to the two candidates. Answers are arranged alphabetically.
Q. Why did you decide to enter politics?
Castleman-Ross:I believe that I am well-positioned to serve in a municipal capacity by bringing my experience and enthusiasm for Bridgton to the Select Board table.
Harden: I have been involved in town politics for about 4.5 years. I currently serve on the Bridgton Planning Board. I am running as a write-in candidate for Select Board as I feel my knowledge of business, local residential needs, and local politics will bring added strength to the Board.
Q. What strength/skills would you bring to the position?
Castleman-Ross: My greatest strength and motivation in running for Select Board is that I have a vested interest, both personally and professionally, in the town and want to contribute to its future success. It is also important to me that we keep it growing in a sustainable and measured way. Our streetscape and wastewater infrastructure upgrades have shown business owners and future residents that we are willing to invest in our town, and the Comprehensive Plan is an important tool in setting building and design standards to keep us moving in a positive direction during these developments.
Harden: Having run a business for 10 years and managing many different budgets, I feel I can help the current board with executing various and complex projects in our town. Being involved in many non-profits over the years and giving back to the community is something I truly enjoy. Additionally, my experience organizing events has given me the ability to make decisions that have been great for our community. We may not always see eye-to-eye on boards, but being able to have objective conversations and different points of view, we always focus on what’s right for our residents at large.
Q. What do you believe the role of government should be?
Castleman-Ross: From a macro standpoint, the role of government distilled to its finer points is: respect for and adherence to the Constitution and its amendments, taxation with representation, free and fair elections, equal rights and justice. These tenets hold true down to the purest and oldest form of government: the municipal system. By living and working in the town you represent, you have personal relationships with your constituents, their needs and concerns. It also provides real time checks and balances with those constituents, as you need to govern fairly and judiciously or you will be run out of town. Maybe not literally, but definitely figuratively! By virtue of living in the town you represent, your closeness with and accessibility toward your constituents keeps you honest.
Harden: I believe the role of local government should be to do what is best for the entire town of Bridgton; from our children to seniors, from downtown business to our many businesses in North, South and West Bridgton. The town covers a large area with residents of varying needs and interests and we should be helping the town thrive in all areas.
Age: 48
Background: Current president of Sunrise Property Management supporting local properties for 10 years. Prior to that, I held the position of Assistant Security Director of Construction at Logan Airport; and worked several years in various telecommunications positions. Bridgton has been my residence since 2005, and I have been coming to Bridgton since 1987 with my family. I have supported many non-profits in town, including seven years on the Chamber of Commerce Board, two of those years as president; current Bridgton Planning Board member; and sitting on executive board of Harvest Hills. My wife Alyssa and I enjoy camping and boating in the many areas around the Lakes Region. We also spend a lot of time with our combined seven kids.
Q. If elected, what would be your three priorities (and explain why they are a priority)?
Castleman-Ross: 1. Moving the town forward in a fiscally responsible way by creating opportunity and economic stability for our residents while protecting our most valuable asset — our priceless geographical surroundings and natural resources.
2. Providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children to thrive through continued support of Bridgton Rec, after-school programs and local mentoring, providing a safety net to meet basic social, food and heating needs for our elderly and less fortunate, and procuring the old Memorial School property to provide services for all of the above.
3. Supporting the overall well-being of our residents by continued focus on community volunteerism and the ongoing efforts of our local social services, mental health agencies and 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.
Harden:1. Evaluate current downtown projects; ensure contractor is keeping best interests in mind while ensuring we properly manage the growth of our town.
2. While downtown is the heartbeat of Bridgton, other areas of town are just as critical and need proper consideration in planning and budgeting.
3. As Select Board members, it is our responsibility to ensure monies are appropriated responsibly throughout the whole town; from our roads to water/sewer system to development and services for all to enjoy.
Q. What issues/problems do you feel the town has fallen short on and what do you propose to do to improve that situation?
Castleman-Ross:While not averse to offering constructive criticism when needed, I truly feel like our town officers and municipal staff have done a solid job moving Bridgton forward recently, particularly given the unexpected challenge of Covid and its attendant economic downturn and uncertainty. We all know the streetscape and wastewater upgrades have taken longer than projected and the road conditions have been less than optimal these past few years (speaking as someone who has suffered through a blown tire, a busted tie rod and ruined shocks while navigating Bennett Street daily…) but we are nearing the finish line!
Harden: Being involved in property management and non-profits as mentioned, I am out and about our entire town. I feel we have fallen short in ensuring proper distribution of focus and funds to support areas outside of downtown. Clearly, downtown is an important part of our wonderful community and I just want to see more balance for all residents. Love Always Bridgton.
