In their own words: Roberts and Bailey compete for Maine House District 6 seat
Democratic incumbent Rep. Tiffany Roberts of South Berwick is facing Republican challenger Burnell Bailey, of South Berwick, in the Nov. 3 election to represent Maine House District 6, which includes parts of South Berwick and North Berwick.
Here’s how the candidates described their priorities:
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Tiffany D Roberts
Incumbent
Party: Democrat
Age: 40
Occupation: Digital Marketer/Small Business Owner/Legislator
Civic/Political Experience: Current State Representative for House District 6, Member of the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Legislative member of MaineMOM Advisory Panel, Subcommittee member for Permanent Commission on the Status os Racial, Indigenous and Maine Tribal Populations, Former Board of Directors member for child care center, Former Vestry Leadership for church, Common Ground Tuskegee Sister City Project, Community Volunteer, Member of Great Works Business Professionals
Residence: Berwick
1. Why are you running? What motivates you?
When I decided to run for my first term in 2018, I saw it as an opportunity to take my civic engagement and volunteer efforts to the next level and serve an even larger community. At that time I had no previous political experience, but I felt then and still feel the people of Maine deserve to be represented by someone who understands their struggles and needs, and I knew I could be that person. During my first term in the legislature, and in the midst of the pandemic, my relationship to the community grew even stronger. I learned more about what else was on their minds, and how I could best serve them and the whole district in Augusta. I am where I am today because of this amazing community and I see it as my responsibility to give back. “I am running for re-election because we need experienced legislators in Augusta who know the challenges we are facing, and whom our constituents know and can trust to truly represent them.”
2. What do you see as the top three local issues facing your district? If elected, how do you plan to address them?
As long as we are in the midst of this pandemic, it is the most important issue facing my district and others across the state. Our local businesses need to be supported, as they are the lifeblood of our economy and they need the tools to succeed. Our schools are struggling with the unknown of whether we will have to go to a remote option, with all of the current outbreaks in the county, and we need to make sure they have the funding, support, and resources they need, no matter which learning situation we are in. Our municipalities are facing revenue and budget challenges that could never have been predicted pre-pandemic, including our police and fire departments. Access to testing, medical care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment need to be at the forefront. This will require aid from the federal government as well as working with the state to make sure vital programs and services are not cut during this incredibly vulnerable time.
3. How would you rate the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic? What should the state do to help people and businesses still struggling?
Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Mills and Dr. Shah of the Maine CDC, Maine has been an example to the country on how effective management of the pandemic can drastically lower the positivity rate and cases in the state. At the time of writing these survey responses, we are in the top three states in the nation with the lowest positivity rating. This has been done through implementing safety protocols, testing, contact tracing and government transparency. This has not been easy on the people and businesses in the state, especially the tourist-based ones. The Governor has been using the CARES ACT funds to help businesses that have been affected, and the Maine Department of Unemployment has worked tirelessly to process claims and payments to those who have been out of work. Supporting local businesses and following recommended safety measures to prevent further closings will be vital to helping Mainers, along with state and federal support.
4. How should the state address a projected budget shortfall due to the pandemic? Given the pressure on cities and towns due to the pandemic, do you think the existing revenue models are sufficient and if not, what would you suggest?
There are no easy answers to this. While administrative streamlining and program reductions will undoubtedly be a part of the ongoing plan to balance the budget, the savings that will be attained likely won’t alone be enough to fill the budget gap. This reality, coupled with increasing demands for service, especially in support of our towns, will also leave us with decisions about enhancing revenues; this is also difficult while businesses are struggling and people are out of work because of the pandemic. The budget process will require exacting discipline in making choices to direct revenues where they will have the greatest benefit. While there is talk at the Federal level of assistance for states and localities to mitigate the current crisis in facing shortfalls, we have no guarantee of that at this time and in the meantime we must approach the budget responsibly and with extra care.
5. What else should voters know about you?
We need lawmakers with policy knowledge, but also those that are connected to their community. I have spent these months out of the legislature deep in community service. I led a group of volunteers to make calls to our seniors to check in on them during the pandemic, and we are still grocery shopping for them. As legislators, we have been on the front lines helping our constituents with unemployment problems, answering questions about stages of reopening, how to vote, how to register their cars and more. Our constituents trust us because they know they can count on us to help, not just legislate. For me, it is crucial to continue all this work in the next legislative session. I will continue to work hard for my constituents, at home and up in Augusta. If you would like to support me in making sure that happens, then I would honored to earn your vote to continue my service. For more information visit tiffanydroberts.com or find me on social media.
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Burnell Bailey
Challenger
Party: Republican
[Burnell Bailey did not respond to Seacoast Media Group’s candidate questionnaire.]