Two candidates are vying for Maine House of Representatives District 128 – Democrat Peggy Pendleton and Republican Artemas Pickard. The following are surveys completed by each candidate.

Peggy A. Pendleton      

Age: 62

Address: 110 Holmes Road, Scarborough      

Phone: 883-5414

Occupation: Retired RN, sewing educator, entrepreneur

Marital Status: married 42 years

Spouse’s Name: Robert

Children: Two, Robert, Cynthia deceased

Highest Level of education completed: B.S. Degree 

Name and location of school or university last attended: University of Southern Maine, Portland, Gorham

Organizations and activities: Oak Hill Grange 104, American Legion Auxiliary

Top three issues: (in order of priority)

 1.Economy — I believe that to strengthen Maine’s economy we must create good paying jobs and train the hard working citizens of Maine for the technological advancements of the 21st century.

2. Health Care — Everyone in Maine should be entitled to affordable health care.  I believe that we must work with small businesses and insurance companies towards universal health care.

 3. Education — A quality education will ensure a bright future for every child.  I have worked very hard to champion children’s rights and will continue to work to make sure every child has access to a quality education, placing emphasis on early childhood education.

 In your own words, why are you seeking elected office? 

 I am seeking the office of Representative to the Maine House of Representatives in Scarborough’s District 128 because I believe I can and have made a difference. My 16 years of service, in both Maine’s House of Representatives and the Maine State Senate, have given me the ability to work well with others, to be tenacious and most of all to listen to all sides of an issue.

I have lived in Scarborough for 34 years raising my children here and being involved in many volunteer projects over those years.  Serving the people of this community has been an honor and a humbling experience.  

I have tried to approach issues with integrity, hard work and common sense. In past legislative service I have successfully worked to improve the lives of children, seniors and working families. I was the primary sponsor of Jake’s Law,’ which is intended to toughen sentencing of persons convicted of assaulting a young child.  I have also fought tirelessly to keep government transparency in place with the office of program, evaluation and government accountability, a watch dog office that has been under threat. I joined other coastal representatives to successfully push legislation that will help Scarborough’s clam diggers get our clam flats open more timely with more water testing.               

 The people of Scarborough and the state of Maine are important to me and if I am re-elected I will continue to work hard for them. I respectfully ask for your vote on Nov. 4.  

Artemas M. Pickard (Art)               

Age: 73

Address: 15 Abigail Way, Scarborough

Phone: 396-5683 

Occupation: Four years with U.S. Navy then to IBM; fetired from IBM after 40 years of service.

Marital Status: Married

Spouse’s Name: Mary Bayley Pickard

Children: one son, one daughter, three grand daughters

Highest Level of education completed:  AB, Mathematics

Name and location of school or university last attended: Brown University, Providence, RI (also graduate work in math - no degree, at University of Maryland, College Park, MD)

Organizations and activities: Treasurer, Scarborough GOP Town Committee,vice-chairman, Cumberland County GOP Committee, committeeman, Maine State GOP Committee, chairman, Rules Committee 2008 GOP Convention; United States Power Squadrons - local, district and national major officer positions including squadron and district commander and vice chairman National Committee  on Rules also a certified boating safety instructor; Rowayton (Connecticut) Yacht Club – Commodore.

Top three issues (in order of priority):

1. Economy (jobs, spending, regulations and taxes)

2. Energy (hydro, wind, nuclear, coal gasification, drilling on and off-shore)

3. Health care

In your own words, why are you seeking elected office? 

  Legislators in Augusta have broken their promise of no new taxes or tax increases. This is unacceptable to Maine’s citizens and it is time for a change.  I will go to Augusta to hold the line on spending and thus be able to reduce our taxes and fees, and repeal the rules and regulations that are suffocating our economy and our freedoms. I’m sure that with new energy and fresh ideas, Maine can realize tax relief and improve the business climate while continuing to provide necessary services, quality education and protection of our natural resources.