Candidates meet local citizens

    ISLAND FALLS — A full house, good food, and old-fashioned face-to-face talk made for a successful event at the Island Falls VFW Post on Aug. 5. A free spaghetti supper was held last Thursday in order to give the people of District 9, as well as surrounding areas, the opportunity to chat with local Democratic candidates running for political offices in county, state, and federal government. Student volunteers from Southern Aroostook Community High School greeted the guests and shared campaign materials. The 125 guests were also welcomed by the local candidates, many of them familiar faces.
    Patrick E. Hunt of Island Falls, candidate for State Representative in District 9, was the organizer of the event. State Senate candidates Sue Mackey Andrews, running for District 27 (Piscataquis and Northern Penobscot counties), and Pat Gordon, running for District 34 (southern and central Aroostook county) joined him for the evening. Shelley Sylvester, candidate for Register of Deeds for Aroostook County, also attended. Townspeople were also thrilled by the surprise visit of their United States Congressman for Maine’s 2nd District, Mike Michaud of East Millinocket.
    Everyone was called to dinner and informed that they would be served by the candidates, which was welcomed by laughs about the room. Speeches from each candidate, beginning with Congressman Mike Michaud, followed dinner. Issues highlighted included veterans benefits, the service of our local citizens in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing back jobs and economic growth to Northern Maine, and the need for strong representation of the hard-working people of Northern Maine in Augusta and the County seats.     Overall, the supper was a great gathering of people from all over the area from Millinocket to Presque Isle. The candidates involved were glad to see such a wonderful turnout.