Six candidates will vie for three Kennebunk Select Board seats in the upcoming June 11 election.
The candidates are running on platforms of climate change, affordable housing, and managed growth in town.
At a Candidates’ Night on May 16, members of the public had the opportunity to meet the candidates and learn about why they are running for public office.
Wayne Berry Courtesy Photo
Wayne Berry
Born and raised on a 1700s farm off of Sea Road in Kennebunk, Wayne Berry is a second generation American whose paternal grandparents immigrated to Maine in the late-1800s.
Berry is a graduate of Kennebunk High School and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine at Orono, where he studied engineering.
“I have memories and roots in Kennebunk,” Berry said. Growing up on that farm, I learned early on about a solid work ethic, about building and fixing things, making do, and getting things done.”
Over the years, Berry has served on numerous Kennebunk boards and committees, including chair of the Budget Board.
As a current member of the Energy Efficiency Committee, Berry said the three largest issues facing Kennebunk right now are climate change, housing, and infrastructure.
“Even if the housing were adequate and free, plenty of other issues would persist. But without affordable housing, we won’t have the people to add to the fabric of this community.”
Jonathan Fallon Courtesy photo
Jonathan Fallon
Jonathan Fallon was raised by a single mother who taught him hard work and perseverance. He comes from a fourth generation military family, and has proudly served 13 years in the United States Air Force.
Fallon is a combat veteran who served in the Middle East, as well as a practicing Maine attorney. He is also a family man, speaking fondly of his wife and three young children.
“I’m running because I believe as a military member, we learn service before self, and I’d like to apply it here to town government,” Fallon said.
The three biggest issues facing Kennebunk right now are preservation vs. expansion, objective and active civic engagement, and conservation benefits, he said.
“I believe this town is at a crossroads right now,” Fallon said. “I believe the people who were born here and lived here their whole lives may have some concerns. I have those concerns, too.”
Richard Morin Courtesy photo
Richard Morin
Starting his career as a police officer in a small town in Maine, Richard Morin made what some might call an “odd” jump in his career by transitioning into banking.
Thirty years ago, he and his family moved to Kennebunk, and Morin immediately jumped into serving the town.
Since the 1980s, Morin has served on the Select Board for nine years, including some of those as chair, and currently serves on the Budget Board.
“I think I bring a lot of institutional knowledge to the table, and historical perspective,” Morin said. “I’m running because I think the town needs a little bit of a refocus.”
The three biggest issues facing Kennebunk today are sustainability, climate, and managed growth, he said.
On the issue of sustainability, Morin said he believes the town has to take steps to take care of its seniors while also welcoming young people to Kennebunk.
“We have a shrinking school enrollment and pressure on the seniors, and to keep our town alive, we have to welcome young people,” Morin said. “We can’t do that if we are pricing ourselves out of the game.”
Kortney Nedeau Courtesy photo
Kortney Nedeau
One of two incumbents in this June’s Select Board race, Kortney Nedeau is seeking a second term.
Nedeau is a fifth generation Kennebunk resident, and graduated from Kennebunk High School in 2007. She later received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Plymouth State, and currently owns a footwear sourcing brand.
“I’m very proud of our town, what it was, what it is, and what it will become tomorrow and always,” Nedeau said. “I love to serve our town and our neighbors.”
As an incumbent, Nedeau hopes to bring her experience as a member of the Select Board into a second term.
Along with issues such as housing, sea level rise, and the epidemic of Kennebunk’s weak trash bags, Nedeau believes engagement with the public, the current form of government as a Select Board, and economics are the three biggest issues facing Kennebunk.
If re-elected, Nedeau said she hopes to communicate and educate the public on what the board can do to serve the residents of Kennebunk.
“We do every form of outreach. This board has worked really hard to be boots on the ground to engage with people,” Nedeau said. “I will sit in any of your kitchens on any day of the week and listen to your issues.”
Karen Plattes Courtesy photo
Karen Plattes
Karen Plattes grew up in a rural area, and worked in nonprofits for30 years. She has extensive experience managing state and federal government grants, and said she believes this will help her as a member of the Select Board.
With a good amount of practical knowledge about getting down to the nitty gritty and taking care of problems, Plattes said she can provide a good, balanced voice for the board.
“I’m told that one of my greatest strengths is that I really listen,” she said.
Three of the most important issues facing Kennebunk right now are communication, land use, and civility, Plattes said.
As climate change continues, Plattes said the town needs to plan for everything that it can, including effects of climate change like warming water.
The town also needs to create a land use plan, and communicate more effectively.
“We need to be much more civil to each other,” Plattes said.
Lisa Pratt Courtesy photo
Lisa Pratt
The second of two incumbents in this June’s Select Board race, Pratt has spent much of her career as a healthcare provider at an Emergency Department Trauma Center.
Over the last three years, she has gained a tremendous amount of institutional knowledge, and formed strong relationships throughout the town, Pratt said.
“This is very hard, but it’s also very rewarding,” she said.
To Pratt, the number one issue facing Kennebunk right now is Climate Change. Currently, Pratt serves as the vice chair of the Climate Action Plan Task Force, and said she is running to continue this work.
“Regardless of the cause, it’s a real and present danger, not only to our coastline and infrastructure,” Pratt said. “Climate change will affect our public health, our budget, emergency preparedness, and so many other aspects of the town.”
In addition to climate change, two other issues Pratt believes are facing the town are the expiration of Kennebunk’s solid waste contract in 2025, and maintaining adequate staff levels in town.
Kennebunk voters will elect three Select Board members at the Kennebunk Town Hall on June 11.
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