For Beliveau

To the editor: A big yes for Devin Beliveau for state rep, District 151. I enthusiastically endorse Devin in his primary race to represent Kittery in the Maine Legislature.

I first met Devin back in 1987 when he was in grade school and I was a freshman Senator. Devin grew up in Hallowell, next door to the State Capital in Augusta, and he and his brothers would come to the State House and occasionally serve as honorary pages in the House and Senate.

After graduating from Hall-Dale High School, he went to Colby College in Waterville, where he majored in government. He received his Masters in Education from Stanford University in California and returned to his home state to teach history and government at Thornton Academy in Saco. Fortunately for us, he and his wife, Debbie (and now baby daughter Ciara) chose to make their home in Kittery.

I, too, came back after graduating from an out of state college to the State I loved and spent a career teaching history and government at Traip Academy. I had a hankering to put my education and teaching into action and in 1986, ran for the State Senate seat held by an 18 year veteran legislator.

Considered too young and inexperienced because I was in my mid 30s and having no prior elected political experience, I campaigned hard to beat the odds and got elected. In my first term, I was appointed as Senate chair of the Education Committee and member to the Veteran and Legal Affairs and Marine Resources Committees. It was a whirlwind first 3 months but I mastered the “legislative curve” quickly and effectively.

I served two more successful terms during very difficult economic times for the State and returned to teaching full time.

I reconnected with Devin a year ago when he was covering a Memorial Day event at Fort McClary as a reporter for The Weekly Sentinel. I have gotten to know him well since then. He is bright, articulate and very personable, with a great sense of humor. He has the integrity, energy and commitment to be the new effective voice for the residents of Kittery in Augusta.

Devin knows what it will take to master the “legislative learning curve”. I have every confidence that he will be an outstanding representative and become a leader in the House in his first term.

Either vote by absentee ballot or at the polls on June 8. And please consider a vote for Devin. Go to www.devinbeliveau.com for more information about him and his campaign.

Stephen Estes
Kittery Point, Maine

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For state rep

To the editor: I am writing in support of the candidacy of Devin Beliveau for the position of state representative for Kittery and Kittery Point, Maine. As a World War II combat veteran with a Purple Heart, it is of great interest to me to see who is stepping forward to assume responsibility, by serving in a in a public office, for those of us who have previously represented our communities and country while in the military. A recent opportunity was presented for me to meet and get to know Devin. He impressed me with his intellectual skills and his sincere desire to represent his community in Maine’s Legislature. It would make me feel really good to see this competent man in the position he is seeking.

His campaign is based upon objectives that I support. First and foremost is his commitment to support our schools. Devin teaches history at the Thornton Academy. In this capacity, he works with students who are studying ways to harness wind energy. He is in favor of rewarding the most effective teachers with some form of merit pay. And, he believes that Maine should support public charter schools whose mission would include educational innovation. He began is work in public education after college as an AmeriCorps volunteer.

Devin is a creative thinker. He believes that Maine is well positioned for the future of renewable energy, particularly with regards to offshore wind energy that will eventually free us from the dependence upon foreign oil. And, he understands that harnessing the available wind power also will create many new jobs for our young people who are now leaving Maine to seek employment elsewhere.

Devin sought the support of a sufficient number of citizens to qualify for the public funding of his campaign. He achieved that goal and is now free to use all his energy in realizing his campaign objectives. This is an indication of how he will function as our State Representative. He sets a goal and works hard to achieve it. I hope that you will give him your support in the election of June 8.

Roland M. Glenn
Kittery, Maine