A letter to the editor supporting Harris-Howard

Bettie Harris-Howard

Letter to the Editor

Maine native Bettie Harris-Howard of Lebanon is running for the Maine House of Representatives District 20.

Bettie is a Graduate of UMass with a Masters in Criminal Justice, is a Retired Nurse and a Nursing Home Administer. She is currently a member of the Lebanon Budget Committee, the Conservation Committee and Chair of the Town Board of Appeals.

Bettie has been a strong administrator, able to engage professionals of various backgrounds to come together to improve conditions and settle disputes. She is willing to work with members of other parties to improve the lives of all Mainers.

She believes in strong education programs that prepare our children to be ready to take on further education and training to develop marketable and competitive skills. Our Economy is dependent on our ability to attract employers with a ready, creative and skilled workforce.

The Environment is paramount to our sustainability and health, Bettie believes we have a right to know what is in our food, to limit the use of carbon pollutants, toxic chemicals, harmful pesticides and fertilizers in our environment.

Ms. Harris-Howard is a strong advocate for Healthcare for all, knowing that access to good preventive care and healthcare reduces the burden on everyone and provides a strong work force.

Bettie Harris-Howard lobbied at the state house to prevent the elimination of Drugs for the Elderly and Medicare Support Program in the past 2 years. These cuts would have meant that Seniors and the disabled would have had to choose between, food, heat and medication thereby increasing the healthcare costs, hospitalizations and Nursing home admissions. She is anxious to work with the legislature on programs that support our Seniors that enable them to age in place in their homes safely.

Mainecare is of concern to everyone, Bettie believes that everyone deserves a job and the opportunity to support themselves and their family. She believes that we should all pay and receive our fair share, and by putting those that are able to work back into the work force with effective programs and paying everyone a living wage we can substantially reduce the need for social safety nets and the tax burden on our residents.

Bettie is out there right now, knocking on doors, talking to voters. Please give her your comments, ideas and vote on November 4th.

- Ellen Harris-Howard

Lebanon, Me