Stearns kicks off campaign for House District 119
GUILFORD — Paul Stearns of Guilford has formally announced his intent to run for a seat in the Maine House of Representatives as a Republican, representing newly-formed House District 119.
The seat is currently held by Pete Johnson of Greenville (House District 27) who has reached term limits.
The new District119 encompasses Abbot, Beaver Cove, Blanchard, Bowerbank, Greenville, Guilford, Monson, Parkman, Sangerville and Shirley as well as the unorganized territories in northwest and northeast Piscataquis County.
Contributed photo
STATE HOUSE MEETING — Rep. Peter Johnson, left, and candidate Paul Stearns attended a meeting recently in the statehouse. Stearns, who is a candidate for Johnson’s House District 119 seat, was the guest of Johnson and had the opportunity to meet several legislators and sit in with the Republican caucus and a session of the Maine House of Representatives.
Stearns is recently retired after serving 36-plus years in public education. He and his wife, Melissa, moved to Sangerville in 1977 where they began their careers as teachers in SAD 4 where Paul taught various subjects and coached for 19 years.
His soccer teams at Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS) were particularly successful, winning several championships over the years.
He was appointed principal of Upper Kennebec Valley Junior-Senior High School in Bingham in 1996. From Bingham, he went to Dover-Foxcroft to serve as principal of SeDoMoCha Middle School from 1999 to 2003. Coming full circle, he then returned to SAD 4 as superintendent of schools until his recent retirement.
The Stearns’ have lived in Guilford since 1978 where they raised a family. Melissa continues to teach grade 2 in SAD 4. Their daughter, Sara, resides in Saco and teaches pre-school in South Portland. She is engaged to Greenville native Chris Lavigne.
Their son, Benjamin, is a U.S. Border Patrol agent and lives in Eagle Pass, Texas with his wife Luisa.
Stearns has submitted his petition to the Secretary of State with the necessary signatures to be placed on the June primary election ballot. He will be running as a Maine Clean Election candidate and his campaign treasurer is Tom Goulette of Guilford.
“I am really looking forward to the work, if the voters give me the honor of representing them in Augusta,” said Stearns.” I really love the people and towns that make up this region. Our low population per square-mile provides us with unique challenges that require us to have good representation in Augusta. Pete Johnson has provided excellent service to our region and will be a tough act to follow.”
Items of particular interest to Stearns include tax policies that respect the property owner, whether the property be personal or business. The current formula for determining general purpose aid is one element that has a significant direct impact on local property taxes.
Energy policy and costs as well as welfare abuse at all levels also rank high on the list of concerns. “We need rules and policies that directly reward individuals, towns, and businesses that do their jobs and work hard to do things the right way every day. Government seems intent on removing all responsibility from individuals and local entities,” Stearns said. “This is not only very costly — attempting to be everything to everyone — but it also removes local responsibility and creates an attitude of despair and disengagement as people say ‘there is nothing that we can do.”
The candidate added that he is available to meet with any groups between now and election time. “The word ‘representative’ needs to be taken seriously,” he said. “You represent the voters from your area, not what a particular interest group may want. I hope to visit with many people to listen to their issues and perspectives.”
Stearns may be reached at 343-2615 or pastearns1955@gmail.com. There is also a campaign website at http://stearnshouse119.puzl.com.