Nobleboro Selectman Henry Simmons (R), in his race for the House District 50 seat, wants to address government responsibility and accountability. He is running against incumbent Rep. Wendy Pieh (D-Bremen).
House District 50 encompasses the towns of Bremen, Waldoboro, Nobleboro, and the eastern half of Jefferson.
Simmons said during his campaign, he has met many people who live out of state due to high taxes and health insurance costs. He also said new businesses have a tough time getting established in the state.
“We need to streamline the regulatory process to help local businesses come into the community,” he said.
Simmons mentioned a developer who wished to establish a Shaw’s shopping center in Waldoboro at one time, but couldn’t due to environmental regulations. He said the Shaw’s market would have been the anchor store for a large shopping center off of Rt. 1. He was told the upper areas of the proposed shopping center land had a wetland area and the project was cancelled.
“It took this guy (the developer) a considerable amount of money and time just to find out he couldn’t build there,” Simmons said.
Part of the reason he is running for the legislature is due to his contention with some of the past actions taken by Gov. Baldacci.
“It seemed like he couldn’t spend fast enough, especially during his first term,” Simmons said, referring mostly to taxes.
Simmons is gunning in support of local workers. A Nobleboro resident Bill Dion spoke with Simmons about not being able to get the sand bid for the town.
“I’ve had regrets ever since, because he does live in town and had the lowest bid,” Simmons said.
Simmons told Dion his situation was the reason he ran for selectman. He said he can sympathize with the local worker.
“I hadn’t got in this election a week before I got laid off (from Poole Brothers Lumber in Damariscotta),” he said. “I know what it feels like. I was working for Floor Magic during the primary and they had to let me go down there.”
Simmons wants to increase business opportunities for new companies by streamlining the regulations and at the same time, he feels the state government wastes too much money. He said it spends over $1 million out-of-state on such items as office supplies, most of which he thinks should be bought in-state.
Simmons conceded that not all supplies and products can be made and/or purchased in Maine and that some of these materials need to be imported.
“The system we have for purchasing needs to be modernized,” he said. “If we had one central purchasing agent for all state offices, we might get a better price.”
Simmons suggests consolidating supplies and buying in bulk.
Regarding school consolidation, Simmons said he has been against the new law since its inception.
“There are no savings to be found,” he said. “School consolidation is shifting costs down to the local level.”
Simmons said he understands the intention of the new law was to save money. The problem, he said, is school superintendents will have more work to do and will have to travel more.
In response to some laws and regulations in which Simmons disagrees, he plans to focus on fiscal accountability and reducing taxes.
“I am very much dedicated to no more taxes or fees,” he said. “No more tax gimmicks, what I consider disingenuous attempts at revenue enhancement.”
Simmons thinks the state government needs to learn to work with what it has for funds. He mentioned the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability with respect to this concern.
“It took years for David (Trahan) to come out with OPEGA and it would take me some time to figure out what other states are doing with respect to the regulatory process,” he said.