March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

County selects delegates

HOULTON — While Aroostook County Republicans at caucuses Sunday overwhelmingly favored President George Bush for president, the area’s Democrats were at odds over who they would support.

At Houlton, 13 people attended the Republican town caucus and elected eight delegates to the party’s convention to be held May 1 and 2 in Augusta. All of the delegates will support President George Bush.

Elected delegates were James Carr, Joyce Fitzpatrick, Richard Hammond, Jean Johnston, Robert Johnston, Gordon Lane, Sen. Margaret Ludwig and Theresa Wood.

Dean Clukey, Dana Delano, James Holden, Nathan King, Jon McLaughlin, Cecilia Rhoda, Richard Rhoda and Dr. Donald Woods were elected alternates.

A draft of the party platform was read by Town Committee Chairman Richard Hammond. Some of those at the caucus expressed concern that the platform lacked detail in some areas, especially Workers’ Compensation.

Robert Johnston said the state’s Workers’ Compensation system had deteriorated because of fraudulent claims, inflated fees and doctors who could be bought.

“I get a little annoyed at the lack of ethical consideration that should be involved in this thing,” he said. “Somebody’s got to stand up and say these things. It’s way overdue.”

It took 17 Democrats at Frenchville less than half an hour to do their routine business and vote their presidential preference but try as they could, they could not find six delegates willing to travel to Bangor for the Democratic convention in May.

Arkansas Gov. William Clinton took four of the six local votes with 11 supporters among the 17 attending Sunday afternoon. Former Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts had two votes and came through with one delegate. The final delegate went to New York Gov. Mario Cuomo after a runoff against an undecided voter, because both had one vote. Cuomo got the delegate in a runoff vote.

Rep. Judy Paradis, D-Frenchville, was not at the session but was elected a Clinton delegate to the May 15, 16 and 17 Democratic Convention at Bangor. Rosaire Paradis, her husband and continuing chairman of the Frenchville Democratic Committee, also will support Clinton at the convention.

Theresa Pelletier, the only uncommitted vote at the meeting, was elected a delegate, as was her husband Roland, who was not at the meeting. Two other delegate slots remained unfilled. Jerry White, a Clinton supporter, was the only elected alternate to the convention.

Turnout was light at Van Buren’s Democratic caucus, which started late and lasted 20 minutes. Eight voters cast secret ballots for Clinton for their choice for the Democratic presidential candidate. One voter was uncommitted.

Town Committee Chairman Gilman Morin was elected caucus chairman. Joanne Ayotte was elected the town committee vice chairman; Jane Morin, treasurer; and Priscilla Martin, secretary.

Unable to attend the caucus, Rep. Hilda Martin was elected a delegate to the state convention. Jane Morin, who was there, also was named a delegate. Because so few Democrats attended, the group agreed to add up to nine more delegates and 11 alternatives to Van Buren’s delegation as they became available.

Low attendance was blamed by party officials on the lack of a state presidential primary and voter apathy and “disgust with the way things are going in the country.”

In Caribou, no Democratic candidate captured the majority of support from the 35 party members who met at the recreation center.

Tsongas got four of the 13 delegates that Caribou will send to the state convention. Clinton supporters tied with the uncommitted segment and won three delegates each.

Sen. Robert Kerrey of Nebraska, Sen. Thomas Harkin of Iowa and Charles Woods garnered one delegate each. Woods, a veteran who survived a bomber crash and underwent 60 plastic surgery operations, owns a construction business, several radio and television stations and a large cattle ranch in Nevada. Neither Jerry Brown, former California governor, nor Cuomo received support.

“Senator Tsongas has outlined his positions carefully,” said George Chappell, editor of the Aroostook Republican. “He’s not afraid of taking a position on an issue. If we don’t support him now, he will never get out of (regional status).”

“Tsongas is the best candidate to beat Bush,” said Dr. Barry Wingard.”He doesn’t care if he wins or loses. He wants to leave a better place place for his children.”

A Clinton supporter, David Waller said that candidate believed that all should have health insurance with the cost shared by all. “You take care of me and I’ll take care of you,” said Waller.

Presque Isle Republicans voted as a group to support the Bush-Quail ticket in the November election, but with the understanding that delegates would go to the state convention uncommitted.

Rep. Mary MacBride, Rep. James Donnelley, Katy Coffin, Marion Higgins, Edward Hews, Paul Lynch, Carol Stewart, Perley Dean, Larry Park, Muriel Mosher and David Phelan were elected delegates to the state convention. MacBride will head the delegation.

James Bubar, Barbara Hews, Edith Park, Marilyn Dean, Melissa Donnelly, James Lyford, Melanie Adams, Michelle Sandelier, Neal Piper, Paul Underwood, Linwood Raymond were named alternates.

Phelan, Mosher, Edward Hews, Ray Hews, Lyford and Ronald McArdle were elected to the Aroostook County Republican Committee.

Edward Hews was caucus chairman and Margaret Johnson, secretary. The caucus agreed to elect executive committee officers for the city’s Republican committee in March.

All five of the Republican state convention delegates elected Sunday at Fort Fairfield’s town caucus and four of the five alternates voted for Bush. The remaining alternate favored columnist Patrick Buchanan.

Robert and Dayle Ashby, Bernard and Joan McAdam and Kedall Shaw were elected state convention delegates. Robert Ashby will head the delegation. Alternates will be Lynn Shaw, Gilbert E. Stevens, Micheal and Brenda Liston and Ann Shaw.

Party members voted to send Robert Ashby, the McAdams, Kendall Shaw and Micheal Liston, who was re-elected town committee chairman, to the county caucus. Other town committee officers picked were Kendall Shaw, vice chairman; Lynn Shaw, secretary; Floyd Carson, treasurer; and Stevens, alternate treasurer.

Robert Ashby noted that Fort Fairfield was a swing town and urged party members to get out in the field and work for candidates.


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