Sheridan Bond, Lincoln County commissioner representing District 3, will continue to build on his eight years of experience given voter permission.
The incumbent commissioner and Jefferson Fire Chief intends to continue serving Lincoln County and would like to build upon his work at the county level using his business experience and knowledge of emergency services.
As a business owner of Bond Brothers Lumber in Jefferson, Bond said he has been able to work with contractors and utilize his public relations experience, developing relationships with key players and saving the county money.
Under his watch, Bond has shaved county costs in the phone system, electricity consumption, and construction work at the courthouse building, and development of the e-waste program.
For the courthouse work, Bond said he was able to pass on contracts to department heads. He added the county was able to save thousands of dollars by going out to bid for electricity sources, oil, road salt, and phone services.
His knowledge and ties with other business owners has allowed him to develop employment opportunities for residents and cost savings for the county.
“You can’t know everything. You have to rely on experts and people who are knowledgeable in their fields of expertise,” he said.
He said he also has been able to obtain federal and state grants that allow the county to purchase equipment.
“Everything we told the taxpayers we were going to do has been done with their approval,” Bond said, speaking in particular about the Two Bridges Regional Jail.
He said he was one of a whole group of people who established the jail, and his hopes and efforts went toward saving both Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties money.
“Speaking of [jail] consolidation, Lincoln County has been doing it a long time,” he said.
He said the consolidation of jails works well and continues to grow. He advocates consolidation in other ways; Bond has taken charge on communications, e-waste, and work at the courthouse.
Regarding school consolidation, Bond said, while he thinks it was a good idea initially, the plan wasn’t worked out.
“It shouldn’t be rushed,” he said. “People respond to incentives. They shouldn’t be forced to do something.”
Since taking the commissioner’s position, Bond said his policies in place have increased efficiency.
“Everyone has a clear understanding of what their positions are and the policies and procedures in their departments,” he said, “so, we’re all playing by the same rules.”
Fairness, Bond said, is the reason he got into politics in the first place. At age 20, Bond was the youngest elected official (a Jefferson selectman) at the time.
“If you don’t have trust and integrity, you should not be a public official,” he said.
In his 35th year as an elected official, Bond said the reason he got into public service was to make sure people were not taken advantage of in dealing with government.
“You have to understand who put you there,” he continued. “You have to represent everyone and not special groups. I have always believed in the power of the people and when people speak, you have to respond.”
In response to budgetary and efficiency concerns, Bond wants to integrate department computer systems. The process needs to be carefully planned in order to keep costs down, he said.
Computer system streamlining would mean maintaining accurate day-to-day accounting of records. He said the phone system update he initiated is saving thousands of dollars each year.
He wants to continue the upward mobility of recycling in Lincoln County. He said Dresden’s recycling program is a model all towns should use and the selectmen should be very proud. He said he wants to find creative ways to expand recycling, slowly and cautiously in the future.
“I think government should operate through incentives. It’s easier to get something with a carrot than [without a] carrot,” he said. “I have dedicated my life to public service and will continue so long as the people will have me serve.”
Bond has served as a Jefferson selectman for 10 years, on the Jefferson Budget Committee for 24 years, the Jefferson Planning Board for six years, the Jefferson Board of Appeals for 11 years, the Jefferson Fire Dept. for over 30 years, has seven years trained experience as an Emergency Medical Technician, is on the Curriculum Advisory Committee for the Southern Maine Community College and Central Maine Community College, is on the Maine Merchants Association Board, the Lincoln County Executive Planning Committee, the Lincoln County Board of Appeals, was with the Lincoln County Radiological Emergency Planning Committee for five years (during the operation of Maine Yankee power plant) and, is a 33-year Lincoln County Fire Chiefs Association member.
