Bagshaw looking to bring fresh ideas to House District 24 election

Barbara Bagshaw of Windham is running for
the Maine House District 24 seat as a 
Republican and will oppose former State Rep.
Tom Tyler in a June primary for the 
nomination. District 24 Democrat incumbent
Mark Bryant is term limited and the fall
election will determine who will succeed him 
representing Windham in Augusta.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Ed Pierce

Barbara Bagshaw may be somewhat new to politics, but she’s hoping that voters view that as an asset when determining who to support for the Maine House District 24 Republican primary race this year.

Bagshaw, who was a first-time candidate last fall for a seat on the RSU 14 Board of Directors, is a former educator who led a non-profit arts organization for 10 years as president. She’s lived in Windham for more than 35 years and says that she wants to give back to her community through service as state representative.

“I am running because I am very motivated and inspired to do the hard work to represent the people of Windham,” Bagshaw said. “I know I will make myself available to the needs of the people in order to help and assist in any manner this office would allow. I am doing this to better my community, not just to hold a position.”

In June’s primary, Bagshaw will oppose former State Representative Tom Tyler for the Republican nomination for the November election to succeed current District 24 State Rep. Mark Bryant, a Democrat, who is term limited.

“My strengths are in networking and problem solving. Serving people is the heart of what I do,” Bagshaw said. “I believe people who vote for me need to know this. I want to find out what the people in my district are concerned about. I would love to get them involved in being part of the change they would like to see.”

She said that over the past couple of years, she’s reached out to local, state and federal government officials and many of them sent her back a canned response, suggesting that she contact someone higher up whom she had already reached out to or blamed another political party for the issue or didn’t even respond to her at all.

“These are good examples of what not to do,” Bagshaw said. “I prefer the human touch with a timely honest response.” 

According to Bagshaw, she’s running as a Republican because she strongly believes in supporting small businesses, parents’ rights, and supports providing an effective education for children to achieve the brightest future available to them. 

If elected to serve as a state representative, Bagshaw said she will do what is needed to build a consensus on behalf of all Maine residents. 

“Respect, honor and dignity are attributes I live by. I have many friends who are Democrats,” Bagshaw said. “We honor and respect each other’s differences. We work together beautifully. My friends may have a strength where I may have a weakness and vice versa. I don’t think everything needs to be divisive. We all bring a lot to the table.”

Knowing that Augusta is all about politics, Bagshaw said her skills working in the community will help her there.

“I’m a networker and enjoy working with different people,” she said. “I’m confident that I’ll figure it out to get things done. I want to serve the people and I’ll figure out how to do it. As a consensus builder, I know that our differences make us special. We need to have respect for each other.”

Her life’s passion has been about serving the community and she says that was inspired from watching her mother help others as a school board member in Gorham.

“I have traveled to 24 countries as an international speaker, volunteer in orphanages and done relief work,” Bagshaw said. “Commitment and follow-through are extremely important to me.”

She said she decided to run for the Maine District 24 House seat because she’s deeply concerned about the economy, education and the rule of law.

Her legislative focus if she’s elected will be improving the educational system in the state.

“We have a lot of very talented teachers, and they need to be supported,” Bagshaw said. “Everybody needs to work together. We do need more collaboration with parents and families though. We need to learn what their concerns are and have a deeper level of communication with them.”

Being new to running for elected office, Bagshaw says she places working for residents of the community above all else and pledges to do just that if voters elect her to serve as District 24 state representative.

“We need to support our small businesses and be thinking of how we can get able people back to work,” Bagshaw said. “I want to know what the people in the community are interested in and how I can be of assistance to them. I truly want to serve the community." <

Bryant receives new committee assignments

AUGUSTA – Rep. Mark Bryant, a Democrat representing Windham, has been appointed to serve on the Legislature’s Transportation Committee and will also serve as a member of the State and Local Government Committee. 

Mark Bryant

“Ensuring our roads and bridges are safe and reliable is critical for our economy,” said Bryant. “I am ready to work with all of my colleagues, regardless of political party, to continue this important work. I am also honored to serve on the State and Local Government Committee. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted municipalities across our state, and I expect we have much work ahead of us to see our communities strong and healthy again.”

The State and Local Government Committee oversees policy regarding state contracts and fiscal procedures, state government organization, oversight of state officials, state employees and property, boards and commissions, capitol area planning, county government, the Legislature, local government and unorganized territories.

The Transportation committee oversees policy regarding the Department of transportation, Maine Turnpike Authority, highway and bridge construction, aeronautics, waterways and railroads.

Bryant is serving his eighth nonconsecutive term in the Maine House and represents part of Windham.

A complete list of legislative committees and their newly appointed members can be found at http://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/Committees. <

Patrick Corey: Trust the people and their elected representatives

By State Rep. Patrick Corey

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with unique challenges, but with that, comes resiliency. We are in a better place today, because we’ve changed our habits, modified our world, and committed to preventing its’ spread. It is now time for state government to take notice.

Thirty-seven Windham residents have tested positive for COVID-19, as of June 2, 2020. Our population is over 18,000. We may never know the outcome of these cases, but given Maine CDC’s numbers detailing probable cases, recoveries, and deaths, thankfully, a large majority of those who contract the illness will survive. That does not negate the loss of those that were taken from us, those who have suffered on a path to recovery, or will have related long-term health effects. It does provide hope for people that have tested positive.

Essential and frontline workers have faced and met many challenges. Healthcare and public safety workers have gone without the personal protective equipment that keeps them safe. Some have had to witness the effects of COVID-19, whether it be in a healthcare setting, or in a home setting. Essential workers, especially those in retail settings, have kept us afloat. Very few of us were prepared to stay at home for months. These workers put themselves at-risk in service to us, under very complicated circumstances.

Because of essential workers, many of us have been waiting this out at home to flatten the curve and not overwhelm the healthcare system, so we can return to some semblance of normal. My household has been fortunate enough to work from home, granted with some new financial constraints and challenges. I am mostly concerned for those who cannot. I have assisted many who are now unemployed, or making far from what they made before. The Maine Department of Labor has been slow to respond exasperating an already horrible situation for the laid off and self-employed. I have been doing my best to assist them in fighting for the benefits they are entitled too.

Businesses, especially small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Essential businesses that have been able to operate, have had to restrict their activities, adopt new procedures, and purchase new equipment to keep everyone safe. Much of this adaptation has been adopted by businesses in subsequent phases. I have toured businesses that have opened and those that are still closed and can assure you that they are going above-and-beyond what is expected of them. They understand their reputations are at stake.

In Cumberland County, businesses face a lot of uncertainty right now. Last minute changes by the Governor cost many of these businesses thousands of dollars when they bought food in preparation for opening at reduced dine-in capacity. When the plan changed without adequate notice, some closed for good, after spending money they didn’t have, likely after already depleting their cash buffers. There are a number of businesses in our region in the hospitality, outdoor recreation, and personal services industries that have been pushed off until July or August in the restart.

I am upset that our Governor has left the Legislature completely out of policy decisions affecting our region and our constituents. The people of Maine elected both a Legislature and a Governor. The Legislature should have input regarding reopening decisions.

Together, we have learned a lot over the past few months. Skills that will better prepare us to safely walk back out into the world. I am more fastidious about hand washing than I ever was before. I wear a mask when I cannot social distance. I avoid places and situations where I don’t feel safe. We have all learned to adapt and that is one of our biggest lines of defense in preventing future outbreaks and returning to normal.

It is time for Governor Janet Mills to take notice and trust the public and the resiliency we have built together. I have faith that our businesses will put safety first. Please Governor Mills, before it is too late, involve Maine’s elected Legislature in the decision-making process to help prevent further division among Maine citizens.

Call me anytime at 207-749-1336 or by email at patrick.corey@legislature.maine.gov.