To the editor:
Before I get out of bed in the morning I’m on my relic BlackBerry scanning political headlines on various news websites. I often get up frustrated because the headlines remain the same as when I checked them right before I went to sleep.
Nothing newsworthy happened overnight? No gaffes by Joe Biden at a late night campaign stop? Romney didn’t bet $10,000 on his wife’s dressage horse? Hey Drudge Report, you’re telling me that “Team Obama Blames John Kerry for Debate Loss” survives for 7.5 hours as the most newsworthy item on the planet? As I brush my teeth I lament the fact that political news reports stop flowing around midnight and don’t start again in earnest until 8 a.m. Sound like some screw-ball thinking? Hi, my name is Tim and I’m addicted to political news and punditry.
While many of us over-indulge in the spectacle of national political theater, it’s a huge mistake to not get at least equally informed about what’s happening right here in Presque Isle. Case in point, the race for State Representative, House District 5 between incumbent Michael Willette and challenger Robert Saucier is one to watch.
In the spirit of full disclosure, Mike and I are lifelong friends and he serves as a director on my company’s board. I was born and raised in Presque Isle and returned two and a half years ago, after 25 years, locating offices for BalanceBPO here due to Mike’s direct involvement and orchestration. So while my following opinion of Mike may seem biased, it’s founded solely on professional experience and observation.
I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Saucier, although I have studied his platform closely and I watched him in the recent televised debates in Presque Isle.
I’m always inspired by Mike’s commitment to his job as a State of Maine Representative. I’m struck by his passion as he fights to preserve and improve the business climate in our district. Mike is a small businessman, as well as an active member of our board, so I can attest to his commercial acumen and prowess. He understands that the most pragmatic route to increasing tax revenues is by creating jobs and growing business, not entitlements, in northern Maine. He understands that putting people back to work builds a strong sense of community pride, and that by creating jobs here we can stop the “brain drain” – our best and brightest leaving their hometown and loved ones in pursuit better career opportunities. I’ve watched Mike fight for his constituent’s individual liberties, and I’m consistently impressed by his ability to mediate toward common ground between those with adversarial positions.
Mike and I are both Gulf War veterans — Mike a Combat Medic — and to that end, I personally and deeply respect and appreciate his diligent protection of veteran’s rights and services. I’ve watched first-hand as he’s made brave and difficult choices, even when it wasn’t popular and he knew there would be material repercussions. But that speaks to how tough and rare a politician Mike is, he votes on what is best for his district regardless of consequence.
Personally, Mike is the quintessential father and husband. He and Pam, his wife of 20 years, have raised three wonderful children, Sophie, Madison and Alex, the latter who serves as State Representative for House District 7. Alex, along with Sophie and Madison, are hardworking young adults, and a direct reflection of effective and loving parental involvement and guidance. Mike respects the sanctity of marriage and his personal honesty and integrity is beyond reproach.
I hope you’ll join me in voting for Michael Willette on Nov. 6. A vote for Mike is a vote for job growth, integrity, family values, reduced government, the protection of our liberties and the rights of our veterans. A vote for Mike is a vote for preserving and improving the way of life we all hold so dear in northern Maine. A vote for Mike is a vote for a better tomorrow for Presque Isle.
I like Mike for State Representative, House District 5!
Tim Lavin
Presque Isle
