Staff Writer
Citizens will head to the polls Tuesday, casting votes for local offices and ballot issues.
At the state level, voters will decide the outcome of seven referendum questions, : Question 1. People’s Veto — Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages? Question 2, a citizen initiative — Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55 percent on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative-energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax? Question 3, a citizen initiative — Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect? Question 4, a citizen initiative — Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes? Question 5, a citizen initiative — Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution? Question 6, a bond issue — Do you want to favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the state eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds? And Question 7, a constitutional amendment — Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?
Candidates on the Presque Isle ballot include: Randy L. Smith is running unopposed for a four-year term on the City Council — a seat being vacated by longtime City Councilor Ron McPherson. Larry A. Perry is running unopposed for a three-year term as warden. Joy L. Murchison is also running unopposed for a three-year term as ward clerk. A number of SAD 1 School Board seats are also on the ballot. Ashland voters will determine two SAD 32 School Board seats. Sherry Calhoun is running unopposed for one three-year term, while a second seat will be determined by the write-in process, since the Town Office has had no candidates express interest.
Fort Fairfield voters will elect two councilors and two school board members. Vying for two three-year Town Council termsare: Colin W. Campbell, John F. Herold, Kimberley M. Murchison, Albridge M. Saucier and Carl J. Young. Competing for the SAD 20 Board vacancies: Frederick (Ted) A. Bowker Jr., Dawn M. Martin and Shawn C. Murchison.
Several communities use the Town Meeting form of government, with elections held the first half of the year. Communities following that format who will vote on referendum questions but not on on town government or school board seats include: Easton, Mapleton, Washburn, Westfield, Blaine, Perham, Portage and Wade. No word was available on Mars Hill or Bridgewater..
