Underwood victorious in close contest > Aroostook County commissioner’s seat filled by Presque Isle resident

PRESQUE ISLE – Aroostook County’s newly elected county commissioner spent Election Night picking up campaign signs and was unaware of his victory until reached Wednesday afternoon by a reporter.

“I went to bed at 12:30 [Wednesday morning] and was down at that point by 900 votes,” Paul Underwood of Presque Isle, unofficial winner in the District 2 county commissioner race, said. “I feel pretty good about this, [but] I haven’t had much time to think about it.”

With all but one District 2 precinct reporting by midafternoon Wednesday, the unofficial count had Underwood defeating incumbent and Caribou attorney Peter Kelley, 6,097 to 5,172.

In a race that was not determined until the early hours of Wednesday morning, election returns, like many around the state, seesawed between the two men with first one, then the other leading at points late into Tuesday evening.

In two of the district’s largest precincts, the candidates split the returns. Kelley picked up a victory in Caribou with 1,971 votes to 1,518 for Underwood. Presque Isle voters went for Underwood 2,616 to 1,572.

“This is a big district, and I’m looking forward to working with the people of Aroostook County,” Underwood said.

Among his top priorities are improving transportation routes into northern Maine and addressing labor concerns in the area’s forestry industry.

Concerns raised by woodlot owners around Tuesday’s referendum Question 2 to regulate cutting practices on land enrolled in the state’s tree growth tax program indicate a need for further study of that program’s implementation, Underwood said.

The new commissioner indicated he will seek input on promoting legislation requiring landowners in Maine’s tree growth program to use Maine workers and mills in harvesting and processing their timber.

“I’ve had no opportunity to talk to [Aroostook County Commissioner Chairman] Norman Fournier or [County Commissioner] Neil Adams about this yet,” he said. “I would like to talk to them and get their perspectives and push ahead.”

Concerns surrounding the use of Canadian workers in the Maine woods is one shared throughout the county, he said.

“There are slightly less than 700 Canadian workers crossing the border to work in the Maine woods,” Underwood said. “With all the issues that go with that, we need to look at it.”

Underwood said he also plans to promote the extension of the interstate highway into Aroostook County and look for consensus on the criteria for planning the route, its construction and maintenance.

“I’m looking forward to working with Mr. Underwood,” Fournier said Wednesday afternoon. “I am sure he will contribute a great deal to Aroostook County and I look forward to his input, ideas and suggestions on county government.”

Kelley, who had been appointed in June by Gov. Angus King to fill an unexpired commissioners seat, on Wednesday congratulated his successor.

“I wish Paul Underwood well in his new duties, and I know he will enjoy working with the other two commissioners,” Kelley said. “I know I found the job very rewarding.”

With 925 votes separating the two candidates, Roland Martin, Aroostook County administrator, said Wednesday he doubted there would be any need for a recount.