campaign committee

Letter from the Committee to Elect Gary Friedmann

With Ted Koffman retiring from the State House in 2008, we have an exciting opportunity to field a new candidate with energy, vision, and experience to represent MDI in Augusta. We believe the best person for the job is Gary Friedmann.
 
Gary has spent the last 25 years in community organizing, helping nonprofit organizations on MDI and throughout the state of Maine strengthen local services and infrastructure. He knows the particular challenges we face and the role state government can play in helping or hindering our progress.
 
He has run a small business with 12 employees, and understands that small business is the backbone of Maine’s economy. He knows first-hand why affordable health insurance, reasonable taxes, good transportation, and employees skilled to meet the challenges of the 21st Century are critical for a sustainable economy.
 
With two daughters raised in Bar Harbor’s schools and his wife, Glenon, a past Bar Harbor School Committee member and Chair of Union 98, he stands firmly behind locally-controlled, high-quality K-12 education. He has been an active volunteer in numerous school and community projects, and outspoken in civic affairs.
 
Having served on the Bar Harbor Conservation Commission for 10 years, including six as Chair, he is keenly aware of the importance Mount Desert Islanders place on the quality of our environment. He has led campaigns to address several local environmental issues, including a study of the availability and quality of water in the rural areas of Bar Harbor. Several of the Conservation Commission’s recommendations have been included in the Comprehensive Plan that will be on this November’s ballot.
 
Gary’s success in nonprofit development stems from his ability to listen to people, sort out the key issues, and fight for them – with confidence, determination, enthusiasm, and hard work. He has helped the MDI YMCA, Abbe Museum, Seacoast Mission, College of the Atlantic, Northeast Harbor Library, Neighborhood House, Camp Beech Cliff, Southwest Harbor Library, Harbor House, Summer Festival of the Arts, and the Town of Cranberry Isles Transportation Initiative raise millions of dollars for their projects.
 
Most important, he cares deeply about this place we call home and he loves the way of life we are committed to here. We believe he has the skills, grounding, and experience to be an effective advocate for our district in Augusta. 

The Committee to Elect Gary Friedmann