in the news
Kennebec Journal
Thursday, September 21, 2000
Austin seeks Senate position
Copyright © 2000 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
CHINA — Joann Clark Austin, a China attorney, is challenging
two-term incumbent Sen. Beverly C. Daggett for the Senate
District 15 seat, representing Augusta, China, Vassalboro
and Winslow in the Legislature.
A selectwoman in China for more than 10 years — in the 1980s
as well as the past three years — Austin said her concern
for Maine communities and its environment played a part in
her decision to run for the Senate.
"Each of our communities has village centers and traditions,
and rural agriculture — things that add value to our lives,"
Austin said in a prepared statement. "Our communities are
affected, not only by municipal government, (and) state agencies,
but also by how businesses situate themselves in areas."
She said she returned to municipal government three years
ago because of concern over local education. "The balance
between our children and our property taxes and school budgets
is critical," she said.
Austin says her background in finance and taxes leads her
to what she describes as "conservative spending," noting she
was a high school teacher for three years and serves as president
of the Oak Grove School Foundation, which gives grants for
education in central Maine.
Austin said 20 years ago she chose to open her law practice
in a small town because she felt there was a need in more
rural settings for legal services. She compares her practice
of law to a country doctor. She said she has a commitment
to small business.
Issues that affect veterans and the elderly have become more
pressing," Austin said. "The services that Togus provides
are crucial to us. Social Security and veterans benefits need
to be protected. Fair exemption or taxation of retirement
income is an issue of great concern, and all these decisions
must be made in the light of the same need to balance a budget
that we all have in our lives."
As president of the Oak Grove School Foundation, Clark said
she was instrumental in 1989 in initiating development of
the old Oak Grove School campus into the state's new Criminal
Justice Academy in Vassalboro.
A member of the fifth generation of her family to live in
China, she has a son, Tarn Petty, and is a grandmother. She
is a member of the East Vassalboro Grange and is on the board
of FirstPark in Oakland.
[Top of Page]
|