Occupation: Retired

Professional and business experience: My wife (Cathryn) and I opened Sweet Bay, a gift shop in downtown Boothbay Harbor, in 2008.  It was a vacant store front in 2008 and we expanded and grew the shop each year for 13 successful years.  In 2016, we purchased The Footbridge Shop. We sold both shops in 2021 and are embracing retirement. In addition to the stores, I operated an independent investment management firm for 21 years. 

During the 1980s and ’90s, I held executive and senior positions as head of the Plymouth Home National Bank Trust Department, Bank of New England-South-Private Wealth Division and Bridgewater Savings Bank Trust Department.    

Education: MBA, University of Toledo, 1976, economics; BBA, Kent State University 1971, economics and finance

Political History: Current member: Boothbay Harbor Selectboard; elected in 2021: Boothbay Harbor Selectboard; No other elective political held or attempted 

Committees: Joint Economic Development Committee; Budget Committee – current; Broadband Committee – current; Lincoln County Budget Advisory Committee – current. As an informal ambassador, I also welcome Cruise Ship passengers at Whale Park and thank them for visiting Boothbay Harbor.                                             

Clubs/Organizations: Boothbay Region District Nursing Association - Board of Directors 2016 - current, Treasurer 2018 - current; Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce - Member since 2009, President Nov 2018 – Nov 2019

Family information: Wife Cathryn, children Lacey (Lakeville, Massachusetts) and Andrew (Boothbay Harbor); grandchildren Tyler (U.S. Navy), Ella (middle school in Lakeville, and Bradley (intermediate school in Lakeville). 

Considering the position you are running for, what do you feel are the three most pressing issues?

Review and restatement of Town Ordinances. Every year there are new ordinances proposed, amendments to and deletions of existing ordinances at Town Annual Meeting.  Attempting to read and understand the ordinances becomes more difficult for contractors, residents, and people wanting to open a business. It is time to hire a professional to review ordinances for clarity and best practices. The Selectboard recently approved seeking bids from individuals or firms specializing in town ordinance issues. The review is vital, we have started the process. Everyone will benefit if we clarify ordinances and work together.  Let’s keep our town a premier harbor AND a premier travel destination.

Other priorities include Housing and Schools. Undoubtedly these two issues are linked. No affordable housing = Decreasing student populations. I am optimistic the housing project in Boothbay (they have the land) will be a game-changing catalyst for our region.  One thing for sure, nobody wants to see our young children put on a bus for an elementary school off the peninsula. Listen and participate in School Committee meetings – Get it fixed!

Also, I believe the School Committee and School District Trustees would be more focused and effective if they were combined into one School Committee responsible for everything.  

The Town’s auditor has again reported the town’s finances are managed very well. It is a priority to continue doing the “everyday” tasks well.  Public Works, Police, Fire, Harbormaster, and Administration all contribute to making Boothbay Harbor the place to live, the place to work or retire, and the place to visit.  Two major projects were completed last year, the beautiful new Footbridge, and conversion of street lighting to LED.  We can thank all our town employees, with special thanks to our Town Manager, Julia Latter.     

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

I am running for Selectman because I love this town, the area and many of the people I know. Some are, as they say, truly “characters.” Additionally, the other Selectboard members are very conscientious, and we work well together. 

I have lived long enough to know I do not know everything, but I remain curious. My first term as Selectman included a lot of listening and learning that will be very beneficial in my second term. The town and residents’ best interests will guide any decisions. I did not seek the position because I want to stop any project or person nor promote any project or person. I’m also experienced with accounting, forecasting, and hopefully Common Sense.

Our future continues to be bright, for example, Boothbay Harbor’s tourism industry will benefit this year from the increasing demand for domestic rather than international travel. Let us be good stewards of Boothbay Harbor’s assets and future.