Full Name: Virginia L. Wilder Cross
Address: 11 Bramblewood Lane
Education: B.S. Psychology Worcester State University
Personal: Married; two sons and two daughters-in-law; five grandsons
Employment: Retired Educator, USM Department of Technology (1995-2018); Former Business Owner, Working Words & Graphics (1985- 2008); Public Affairs Director, Maine State Bar Association (1986-1995)
Political and Community Experience: Charter member, President, and First Executive Director of the Gorham Business & Civic Exchange (now Gorham Business Exchange), and the Recipient of its 2006 Business Person of the Year Award; Coordinator of the first and several subsequent annual Gorham Marketplace events at USM; First Publisher of the Gorham Times; Coordinator and Chairperson for New Year Gorham since 2008; Publisher of the Gorham Business Directory; Former Member of the Gorham Rec. Dept. Advisory Committee; Member of the Committee to Review the Town of Gorham Comprehensive Plan; Active Member of First Parish Church U.C.C. Gorham
Growth is a hot topic in Gorham. What do you see as possible solutions for managing growth in our town?
Our growth should be guided by the 2016 Comprehensive Plan. According to figures used for the Comprehensive Plan, more than 90% of residential land is dedicated to single-family dwellings and the remaining is dedicated to condos and apartments. I’d like to consider a ratio of 85:15%, which could be one of the ways to address the problems associated with out-of-control growth.
The arguments for and against this kind of ratio usually have to do with the real estate tax base for the town. Taxes collected for single family homes are usually higher than those on condos; however, condos are usually built with two-four units per dwelling, which actually nets more tax base for the town.
Single family houses usually have school age children, and senior condos and upscale apartments attract families without kids. The argument is the cost of education for each child outweighs the cost of additional public services for seniors and dense neighborhoods.
Studies have revealed pros and cons of both options, and I have yet to find a study that solidly supports either idea.
Is it time to limit the number of annual building permits allowed, or to raise the price of single-family dwelling permits? Or would it be better to place a moratorium on new single-family homes until the ratio of 85:15 is reached?
It is imperative for all stakeholders to examine all options before making this kind of adjustment, and I support that approach.
What do you see as the other major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
Last year our town embraced the First Parish Church year-long initiative to make Gorham a Happy, Healthy place to live. I believe we could continue that initiative and extend it by collaborating with the University. It bothers me when I hear about an event at USM that I missed because I didn’t know about it. In fact, I believe the best kept secret in town is the countless ways the University could enrich our lives. For instance, our schools could collaborate with USM faculty to provide a regular speaking series about a wide range of topics; the athletic facility provides a chance to improve health and wellness, but I’m not sure many people realize that; the extremely talented faculty and students in the music, drama, and arts degree programs would enrich our lives in other ways. That kind of collaboration has enormous possibilities.
In addition to being happy and healthy, it is equally important for us to be stewards of our environment by understanding why we recycle, what we recycle, and what we could re-use to avoid recycling altogether. Why not establish a celebration for the town if we reach recycling goals?
During this campaign season, I’ve asked folks what their major issues are and how they could be addressed. Many have told me they love Gorham, but they worry they won’t be able to afford the taxes. As a retired person living on a fixed income, I share that concern, but I don’t have all the answers.
How would your perspective or experience benefit the Town Council/School Committee?
Too often we speak when we should be listening, so I believe the best thing I can do as a town counselor is to listen. When I owned my business, I learned how to listen to my customers, to my workers, and to competitors and vendors. My customers taught me about persistence and negotiation. My workers taught me the importance of being fair and supportive. And my competitors and vendors taught me not to be complacent.
As President and Executive Director of the Gorham Business Exchange, I had the opportunity to work with our local companies to build a strong and vibrant business community. This experience allowed me to meet and work with countless wonderful business owners – sole proprietors as well as owners of larger businesses. I have built a strong relationship with our business community and I want to keep an open communication with them.
Finally, I am a firm believer in the value of voluntarism. Gorham volunteers are the best ever, and I have had the opportunity to work with the best of them. As coordinator of New Year Gorham, I had the privilege to not only work with volunteers, but to also collaborate with generous business sponsors, Gorham Police and Fire/Safety, the Gorham School Department, as well as the Rec. Department and Public Works Department. How lucky am I!
These experiences have prepared me for the next step – to be a member of your Town Council, and I’d appreciate your vote.
Full Name: Claude Frederick Daigle III
Address: 14 Dyer Road
Education: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Tifton, GA; Associates Degree in Ag Business, UMass Amherst Turf School.
Personal: Four generations of family has lived in Gorham, both parents graduated from GHS, my wife and I graduated GHS together in ’86, two kids graduated from GHS in ’15 and ’18, both in college
Employment: Operated family farms in Homestead, FL and Gorham until closing. Now own and operate a property services company.
Growth is a hot topic in Gorham. What do you see as possible solutions for managing growth in our town?
There are no simple solutions to managing growth. Growth is a natural occurrence of a prosperous society. People and businesses want to come to this town. I am proud of that, however, we must live within our means. We would be better suited to handle growth if the growth added to the town rather than being viewed as a drain. I have ideas and opinions like everyone who cares about the future of Gorham, and I am looking forward to getting involved and knowing all the data that is needed to make sound decisions to move us all forward. I want four more generations of my family to be able to call Gorham home.
What do you see as the other major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
As stated before, we must live within our means. When running a business or a household sometimes you have to hold off on the things you want to get the things you need. I know a town budget is not that simple, but I believe some changes could be made. I am looking forward to working with all the staff and the rest of the Council if the people of Gorham give me this opportunity.
How would your perspective or experience benefit the Town Council/School Committee?
I have had many experiences with business decisions, family decisions, and life decisions, not unlike anyone else. I believe that when faced with a decision that I look at all sides of the equation, listen to people who have the knowledge on the given topic, and think with my head instead of my heart which is sometimes difficult. I believe it is more important to be effective than to be right. I want to be a part of this Town Council because I think this town is a part of me.
Full Name: Lee R. Pratt
Address: 16 Elliott Road
Education: Husson College (Now University) 2004, BS Business administration with a concentration in finance
Personal: I’m a lifelong resident of Gorham. My wife Nicole and I are raising two children who are students in the Gorham School system.
Employment: CFO ODAT Machine Inc. in the Gorham Industrial Park
Political and Community Experience: I am a four year member of the town Planning Board overseeing the town’s current building projects, and also the Ordinance Committee overseeing and recommending changes to the Town Council regarding ordinances and land uses. I also enjoy coaching Gorham recreational sports in my free time.
Growth is a hot topic in Gorham. What do you see as possible solutions for managing growth in our town?
There are many ways to “grow smart.” We have a well developed comprehensive plan, but some of our zoning and land uses do not coincide with what was established and voted on by the residents of our town. I would also like to consider controlling building permits in town and evaluate (over a period of time) what impact it has on our tax base. Slight increases to acreage per buildable lot is another feasible way to control growth while not making it impossible to build in town.
What do you see as the other major issues for our community and how might they be addressed?
Gorham needs to attract and retain more business. Businesses use minimal town resources, help stabilize tax rates and provide jobs to residents. We have seen a slight increase in business, but more needs to be done to attract new business in town. Making our town more business friendly through tax incentives or the economic development committee assisting with financing is a good way to start increasing business. Also incentivizing and attracting fifty-five plus age group housing will benefit our town immensely with virtually no impact on our infrastructure and zero impact to our school system.
How would your perspective or experience benefit the Town Council/School Committee?
I believe running a business in Gorham and having children in the school system gives me a unique perspective. I know the hardship of running a business when taxes increase because of budgetary increases, yet do not want to see our future generations suffer from a lack of town funding. I also know the zoning and land uses because of my experience on the planning board which I think will be helpful when looking at zoning and code changes.