Setting the record straight

Last week a letter appeared criticizing my environmental record. Specifically, the letter cited my vote against an additional regulation on small businesses, opposition to spending money we taxpayers don’t have on a well-intentioned program, and my symbolic vote against a bureaucracy which needed to be reminded to stay within the scope of the law. Of course the letter spun these as bad votes.

The letter failed to mention, however, my vote in support of Land for Maine’s Future, my work to open up thousands of acres of government land to public access, my efforts to bring about improvements to the Height of the Land, my advocacy for outdoor recreation, and my commitment to farming and responsible forestry, among other things.

I believe the letter also misrepresented my position on the budget. In 2009 I voted for a bi-partisan, two-year budget shaped by Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Cumberland) and Rep. Sawin Millett (R-Waterford). However, in 2010, I voted against the supplemental budget because I was opposed to the unfair cuts to education which threatened school closings, the shifting of tax burdens to towns through cuts to Tree Growth Reimbursement, and to Municipal Revenue Sharing. State government needs to better prioritize its spending before it lumps more burdens on taxpayers and forces more jobs out of the state.

Both locally and statewide, I have fought hard for jobs, a fact which resulted in my being granted one of the state’s highest Maine Economic Research Institute voting records. If given the opportunity, I will continue to work for a job growth, education, affordable health care and an environment that encourages eco-tourism.

I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight and wholeheartedly encourage the residents of this district to call me (875-5075) anytime they have questions or concerns.

Jarrod Crockett

Bethel