Paul Main of Alfred will challenge Sheriff Maurice Ouellette in the June 8 Democratic primary. The winner will run against Republican Craig Gagne of Sanford in the November election.

Paul E. Main, 62

P.O. Box 199, Alfred

490-2001

www.paulmainforsheriff.com

Occupation: Security, Southern Maine Medical Center.

Marital status/spouse’s name: Married to Cheryl.

Children: April, Christopher, and Patrick.

Highest level of education completed: Maine Criminal Justice Academy.

Previous political experience: None.

Organizations and activities: Master Maine Guide, Preble Masonic Lodge, BMI, published author, CEO Sound Byte Studio, musician, recording artist, producer, audio engineer, sports, active grandparent.

Why should voters choose you to be sheriff for York County?

As a veteran of the department, property owner and taxpayer, I see the need for fiscal accountability that is currently absent. Citizens need a sheriff who can provide excellence in service that is cost effective and employs common sense solutions to fiscal matters. Citizens want positive change that will provide a business approach to improve fiscal management, services and working conditions at the department and become user friendly.

Top three issues (in order of priority) and how you will address them:

1. Support York County economy by purchasing food and medical services within York County. Employ reserve officers to reduce out of control costs for corrections and patrol. Open budget process to interested citizens and labor for planning and monthly review. Complete and submit accurate accounting records to collect monies owed the county by the bureau of corrections.

2. Reestablish work release program and reserve officer program. Start inmate garden program and expand inmate community work program beyond six inmates. Recapture the transitional housing that has been abandoned and now unfit to inhabit. Repair the nine security cameras that have been out of service in the jail for more than a year. Provide mandated training such as CPR to staff within the jail.

Currently, several certifications including the instructor have been expired for more than a year. Accomplish a staff analysis and redirect current manpower levels to provide a more cost effective operation. Provide standard operating procedure for the police services division that was promised three years ago. Initiate educational and vocational programs to assist inmate entry into the job market.

3. Provide direction into the future by providing a department website that provides necessary information to the public. Provide a mission statement as a contact between the public and the department. Present user-friendly information about visitations, reporting crime and civil service. Establish a call sharing program with state police based on integration not rotation. Release inmates as directed by the courts. Not hold them for an additional 103 days.

Maurice R. Ouellette, 63

330 Main St., Cornish 

625-8538

www.sheriffouellette.com

Occupation: York County sheriff.

Marital status/spouse’s name: Married to Bonnie.

Children: Five.

Highest level of education completed: St. Ignatius High School graduate.

Previous political experience: School Administrative District 55 Director; coordinated York County Democratic Election Committee; Dutrumble congressional campaign staff member; delegate to State Democratic convention (Cornish).

Organizations and activities: Knights of Columbus treasurer; NEORVCA; secretary of Maine Sheriff’s Association; member of Maine Chiefs of Police Association; member “Fight Crime Invest in Kids,” FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Why should voters choose you to be sheriff for York County?

Since I began employment at the sheriff’s office in 1999 as chief deputy, I have always strived to make the department as professional and progressive as possible. I continue today as sheriff to work cooperatively with federal, state and local law enforcement. York County taxpayers can be proud of their law enforcement efforts given tight budgets that do not allow individual departments to do everything by themselves. Voters are encouraged to check with their local police chiefs who will tell them that the working relationship between them and the sheriff are second to none. One of the biggest portions of the department is the jail. Late last year (2009) the department of corrections did their first site visit of the new jail and after three days rated the policy and procedure portion of the jail at 100 percent, but, most importantly, rated the operational portion at 100 percent, which tells it all. I want to continue in these directions.

Top three issues (in order of priority) and how you will address them:

1. Bringing police services division back to full strength from what it was prior to the 2009 layoffs. Working with the commissioners and the York County Budget Committee, I am happy to say that this process is underway and the department should be back to full strength within a couple of months. 

2. Because of shrinking budgets law enforcement agencies need to consolidate services and work together to get the job done with less money available. Our department excels in this area. Whether it is providing county-wide access to our crime lab or participating in the District 1 Chiefs Training Council or the Southern Maine Response Team the effort must continue and will continue.

3. Given the fact that the jail received 100 percent excellence in operations it is crucial that we continue to strive to improve. Currently underway the jail is in the process of attaining national accreditation through the American Corrections Association. It will only be the second Maine county jail to achieve this distinction.