House District 28

Palmyra-Hartland area

Republican

Dean A. Cray

Age: 50

Hometown: Palmyra

Address: 271 Warren Hill Road

Education: 12

Family: Married; two children

Occupation: Farmer, school bus driver

Experience: Selectman for 12 years; road committee eight years; budget committee 17 years; one term Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee. Small-business owner: Cray’s Corner Store nine years, Cray’s Produce.

Reason for running: Help small business, control state spending, reduce tax burden on Maine residents, work to provide affordable health care.

Democrat

Pamela C. Hitchcock

Age: 60

Hometown: Canaan

Address: 776 Browns Corner Road

Education: High school in New Haven, Conn.; Beal College night classes

Family: Married to Joseph Hitchcock; four children; five grandchildren

Occupation: Owner and manager of Windy Hill Farm, a family-run trucking company; volunteer manager of the Canaan Community Food Cupboard

Experience: I have worked as an elementary school secretary for SAD 54. I was there for 13 years. I understand the problems concerning funding for education. I have run a dairy farm with my husband. I understand how hard it is to make a living from farming these days with the cost of grain and equipment, and of course, energy going through the roof. I have been a Girl Scout leader, a Red Cross volunteer and a blood donor in my lifetime. I have taken care of terminally ill family and close friends. I understand the need for less-expensive health care and prescription costs.

Reason for running: To serve the people in my district and Maine. Varied life experiences have given me knowledge for problem- solving. We need green energy for more than public buildings. We need to give low-interest loans to people for wind and solar power. We need a more inclusive recycling program. We must stop the use of genetically altered seeds and food.