Has the economy gotten better for Piscataquis County?

To the Editor;
“Where are the jobs?,” asked the young man that answered the first door I knocked on for Sue Mackey Andrews, D-Dover-Foxcroft running for Maine Senate District 4.

I remember when women took piece work home from Dexter Shoe, a good mill job. More people were getting by and raising a family. They could expect to see their kids stay around after high school or college to find a job. These days are over, sadly. Our nation is touting economic growth with low unemployment rates but Piscataquis County, the poorest county in the poorest state, hasn’t seen this.

Sue Mackey Andrews is my choice for Maine Senate District 4 because she can bring modern economic development. She understands the importance of a good education with healthy children and families. Sue supports Medicaid expansion to address the opioid crisis, risen out of poverty and despair. Her proven business experience confirms this.

After surgery, I was unable to manage on my own and drive to Bangor. Without Medicaid expansion, we may soon lose our local hospitals and nursing care. We need a healthy workforce free of debilitating drugs with healthcare provided by skilled practitioners. We need our kids safe at school, free of violence and food insecurity that hampers health and learning.

Are we doing any better since the mills marched south? No. I’m voting for Sue Mackey Andrews for Maine Senate because she’ll fight in Augusta with real solutions for real recovery in District 4, not just keep the status quo.

Katy Waitt
Sebec