Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

HOUSE DISTRICT 57: Lawyer, scrapper seek Republican nomination

By Ethan Wilensky-Lanford ewlanford@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Two Republican candidates in Augusta are vying for the seat that has been held by Democratic Rep. Patsy Crockett for the past four years. One collects scrap metal and the other is the treasurer for the state Republican committee.

'I am the average guy'

The scrap-metal collector, Jarody, 25, said Maine's government has reached beyond its proper boundaries.

He described the Department of Environmental Protection as an "overreaching and invasive section of government," highlighting protection of vernal pool habitats as intrusive of people's property rights.

"The entire political party system is the problem," he said. "What you've got, it always seems, is two groups of people fighting over what to do with your money."

A former Ron Paul supporter, Jarody is critical of his party.

"The Republican Party is really run by a bunch of insider activists who don't have the best interests for the people of Maine," he said. "I think the state government should focus on functioning independently of federal dollars, should function as its own state, should not look to other states for guidance on financial or social policies."

As an independent contractor who mainly makes money collecting, hauling and selling scrap metal, Jarody said he understood the value of work and did not want to go to the State House to use tax money to pay for pet projects.

In his ideal world, the government would not be financed by taxes at all.

"I don't think the government should have a tax system," he said. "I am the average guy. I am the salt of the earth. I know what it is to put blood, sweat and tears into the dollar that I just gave a nickel out of for the state."

As a product of home schooling before attending and graduating from Messalonskee High School, Jarody said the voter mandate for state government to pay 55 percent of the cost of education is not achievable.

"We need charter schools in Maine," he said. "I'm not going to say that everybody should home-school their child, because that's not a possibility."

An outspoken opponent of gay marriage, Jarody said he opposes the state granting a marriage license to any couple. He claimed that single people are being discriminated against.

"You're treating me different because I haven't decided to engage in a state-sanctioned contract," he said.

'Justice delayed is justice denied'

His opponent in the primary, William Logan, 34, is a lawyer who has been active in the Kennebec County Republican Committee, elected as its statewide treasurer since January.

Logan said he has always been interested in politics and decided to run now because it fit well with his career.

In terms of policy, he would like to see the state attract and retain more jobs for young people.

"We're not very business friendly, which I think is unfortunate and results in what they call the graying of our population," he said. "A lot of people my age and younger are leaving the state because there simply aren't attractive jobs for them."

He said that expanded broadband infrastructure was crucial for the state, and that the government should work to address the individual needs of businesses interested in moving to Maine or expanding operations here. He mentioned the Jackson Laboratory's plans to build a new facility in Florida as a missed opportunity.

Logan said he favors expanding renewable energy development in order to reduce energy costs in the state.

Instead of cutting spending and getting the state's financial house in order, he said the Legislature has been "using gimmicks to balance the budget and pass it along to the next Legislature."

Logan said that, if elected, he would look at every section of the budget and determine where reasonable cuts could be made.

He said some areas of state government should get more funds, however.

"The judiciary has, in my opinion, been underfunded for a number of years," he said. "People are having to wait way too long. Justice delayed is justice denied."

Logan said it was unfortunate the state had not yet met its obligation to fund 55 percent of the cost of education.

"Education is very important as to attracting young people to the state, and training people for jobs," he said. "We will need to find a way to make that funding work."

Rather than considering raising taxes, Logan believes that more revenue can come in with an expanding business base.

"Obviously, if we can encourage business growth, that's going to expand tax growth," he said, noting that the state's financial problems were more about spending than taxing. "We're forcing future generations to pay our bills, which is going to prevent them from spending to address their problems."

The winner of the June 8 primary will face Democrat Maeghan Maloney in the general election.

Ethan Wilensky-Lanford -- 620-7016

ewlanford@mainetoday.com