York Selectboard race: Allen challenges incumbents in wake of husband's death

YORK, Maine — Carole Allen is looking to return to the Selectboard in the wake of her husband’s death, challenging two incumbents who hope to retain their seats.

Allen, who in the past served multiple terms on the Selectboard, is running against the current board chair, Todd Frederick, and fellow board member Marilyn McLaughlin. Frederick is seeking his fourth term on the board, McLaughlin her third.

Allen described herself as an unapologetic conservative and has been an advocate for residents on a fixed income as property taxes rise.

Frederick and McLaughlin said they want to keep serving the town and have enjoyed working on the board.

Frederick pointed to the success of building a new police station and Short Sands Road while he was on the board.

Both said they look forward to overseeing projects like the completion of York's Climate Action Plan.

“I look forward to an exciting campaign and race,” Frederick said. “The top vote-getters will be the choice for our voters here.”

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Allen committed to race after husband’s death

Allen said she had already served nine years on the Selectboard, and she decided earlier this year she was not finished yet. She said her husband Jerry, a former Budget Committee member involved in York’s American Legion Post, encouraged her to sign up.

“I did have the blessing of my husband at the time to seek a term,” Allen said.

Just weeks later, Allen was faced with tragedy when her husband went missing on March 20. He was found deceased on March 21, according to authorities. Allen said the death was by suicide.

Allen said she never saw signs in her husband's mental health that it could happen, describing only “mild” post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He is having a private burial in Augusta at the VA Cemetery.

“I have no idea what triggered it,” Allen said. “I wish he left me a note. It’s really difficult to understand.”

Allen said she considered pulling out of the race but was motivated by the people who signed her nomination letter.

“I think I owe it to them,” Allen said.

Allen said she is a supporter of local business and would have voted against placing a proposed ordinance on the ballot seeking to regulate short-term rentals. She also said she plans to support York Hospital as it faces the repeal of certain tax breaks by the Maine state Legislature that could put the hospital out of business.

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Allen was recalled by voters at the end of her last term served in 2005. At the time, she and two other Selectboard members voted not to give a permanent contract to then-interim town manager Ryan Hada, and some voters accused them of taking their vote in an illegal executive session.

Allen maintains she committed no violation. She said enough time from the recall has passed that she is ready to seek office again.

“I think at the time I said I wouldn’t give this town five more minutes of my time,” Allen said. “I’ve gone against my best judgment now, but time has gone by.”

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Frederick seeks fourth term on Selectboard

Frederick, chair of the board for the last seven years, said he has been glad about the progress made since he was first elected. He said he is seeking office again because he hopes to help oversee the continuance of that work.

"I'd just like to continue with that, whether it be Parks and Rec enhancements or our renovated town hall," Frederick said.

Before joining the Selectboard, Frederick served on the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. He has a background of 22 years working in state government, including as the Massachusetts director of Forests and Parks. Currently, he is superintendent of the First Parish Cemetery and a supporter of local veterans' groups.

Frederick said the board has worked well together and believes each member represents a different constituency in town to ensure a diverse representation of York. He also said the board has handled controversial issues like the Pizza by Paras building's recent dangerousness hearing by following "the letter of the law."

"We all have York at heart," Frederick said of the current members.

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McLaughlin wants to continue moving York forward

McLaughlin is a doctor of oncology at York Hospital and is seeking her third term. As York Hospital faces the threat of losing key tax exemptions, she said she cannot speak to details about the hospital since it is her employer. However, she will support actions to help the hospital continue to thrive.

“I will do anything needed in order to help the hospital,” McLaughlin said.

She said she is excited about several initiatives in town that she hopes to continue helping along as a member of the Selectboard. Those include the completion of York’s Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan. She also hopes to help facilitate the rezoning of a large swath of land near Short Sands Beach, referred to by the town as the York Beach Greenway District.

“There’s been so much progress made since I’ve been on the board,” McLaughlin said. “There is so much the town still has to do, and I still would like to be a part of that.”

Voting will take place May 18 at York High School from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also on the ballot is a three-way race for an open School Committee seat between Wade Fox, John R Clarke II and Marie Evans.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York Selectboard race: Allen challenges incumbents in wake of loss