Editor:

I just wanted to write and say thank you to the Scarborough voters who supported me at the polls Tuesday for Maine House of Representatives, District 127. I appreciate the confidence you have placed in me. I will work hard every day to earn and maintain your trust.
As for those citizens and taxpayers who did not support me, I would like to serve you well the next two years and also earn your trust. You had a good man you were backing in John McDonough. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his service in Augusta.

What now? I have much to learn. I will need the help and input from many people to gain as much information as I can about their problems and challenges. There are many important issues facing our town. Fortunately, we have some talented people I would like to be able to call upon to do good things in Augusta on those issues. Scarborough just celebrated its 350th birthday. My goal in office is to make sure I reach out and get ideas or feedback from at least 350 people each year. If I do that, it will be a good start.

I had the unique opportunity to go door to door nearly every day during the past few months; thank you to those people who were able to give a minute of their time to share with me the issues they felt were important to our town. More importantly, I encourage those who weren’t home, or who lived on streets I wasn’t able to get to, to contact me directly. My job is to listen to you and take your concerns with me to Augusta. So please do not hesitate to reach out to me by e-mail – SeanFlahertyForScarborough@gmail.com or phone 450-4188.

Again, I thank all voters of Scarborough who turned out in record numbers. I look forward to serving our town in Augusta during the next 2 years.

Sincerely,

Sean Flaherty
Representative-Elect to Maine House of Representatives
District 127 (Scarborough)

SCARBOROUGH, ME - At 12:00pm on Novemeber 5th, 2008, Scarborough town officials announced results for all town races, including the results for Distrcit 127. Sean Flaherty (D) defeated incumbent John McDonough (R) by more than 650 votes - a 12 percentage point victory.

Sean Flaherty sent a message to his supporters:

First of all, thank you all so much for voting, for calling friends, for calling voters, for helping us out in whatever way you could.

When all the votes were finally counted, we came out on top!  The final numbers were 56% to 44%.

But we won because we had the right message - not a partisan one. And we were able to spread the word, thanks to you, that led to a resounding 12 percentage point victory over an experienced incumbent.

It was a great win and I have so many of you to thank!

A huge thank you all of my supporters: especially to my two top supporters - my parents Heidi and Peter who were at my side tirelessly all the way; my grandparents Walter and Jackeye Hansen and John Flaherty; Dan Warren, my campaign director; the Mack family; Jean Kelley; Jackie Perry; my many Aunts and Uncles; Gloria Walker, my treasurer; my friends from Washington, DC who made phone calls from away; my many family and friends here in Scarborough; and so many others who were so supportive over this 8 month journey.

I also want to thank my opponent, Rep. John McDonough, who ran a great, fair, and very honorable campaign.  We talked earlier today and he was so kind and very gracious, and I thank him for that.

Thank you all for the good luck wishes over the past few days, and the kind messages you’ve sent since the results were posted.

Thank you for everything,

-Sean Flaherty
Representative-Elect
Maine House of Representatives
District 127 (Scarborough)

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The Forcaster:

‘Flaherty Makes Splash’

A native son and championship high school swimmer upset the incumbent Tuesday in House District 127.

Democrat Sean Flaherty, 23, of Pine Point Road, defeated Republican Rep. John McDonough, 67, of Old Blue Point Road. Flaherty received 3,089 votes, or 56 percent, to McDonough’s 2,432.

On Wednesday, Flaherty said he was “feeling pretty good and relieved that it’s all over.”

He said “the first order of business is to get up (to Augusta) and get a hold of how the process works.”

“I have nothing but respect for Representative McDonough and what he’s done in his career,” Flaherty said. “He ran a great campaign; he stuck to the issues and didn’t use any negativity at all, which I was very grateful for.”

McDonough was seeking a second term. He had previously served two terms in another district while living in Portland and also served as that city’s mayor for two years.

Although he acknowledged he was disappointed that he lost, saying “it’s a whole lot nicer winning,” McDonough praised his opponent.

“I’m very pleased a nice young man like Sean Flaherty won the race and I know he’ll make the people of Scarborough proud of him,” he said.

Read the entire article ‘Flaherty Makes Splash’

PolitickerME.com

‘The 124th Legislature’

Seven incumbents were unseated: Robert Walker (R-Lincolnville), Donna Finley (R-Skowhegan), Tim Carter (D-Bethel), Michael Vaughan (R-Durham), John McDonough (R-Scarborough), Don Marean (R-Hollis) and Bonnie Gould (R-South Berwick).

The 124th Maine House of Representatives is as follows. This is according to preliminary results, and there will be several recounts.

Read the entire article ‘The 124th Legislature’

Maine Today / Portland Press Herald

‘Scarborough Rejects Slot Machines’

SCARBOROUGH — Voters narrowly rejected a proposal to allow the Scarborough Downs harness race track to operate slot machines, a result that was delayed because of a voting machine error Tuesday night.

In legislative races, Sean Peter Flaherty defeated incumbent John F. McDonough in the House 127 race and Peggy A. Pendleton was re-elected in District 128, defeating challenger Artemas M. Pickard.

Read the entire article ‘Scarborough Rejects Slot Machines’

Scarborough, ME - Former US Senate Majority Leader Sen. George Mitchell of Maine recorded a message that was delivered today to Scarborough voters:  “Elect Sean Flaherty!”

“I am thrilled to have Senator Mitchell, one of the great statesmen of our time, counted among our campaign’s supporters,”  Flaherty said.  “His work for the state of Maine, for the nation of Ireland, and for peace in our world all speak for themselves; I am humbled that he would ask Scarborough voters to consider supporting me.”

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From The Scarborough Leader

Editor:

I am writing in support of Sean Flaherty, Democratic candidate for the Maine House of Representatives from Scarborough.

As a teacher at Scarborough High School, I knew Sean as an outstanding scholar, athlete and school citizen.  He was an enthusiastic member of the student congress, an activity which required students to research, write, and debate legislative issues.  He consistently won recognition on the state and national levels for his knowledge, skill in debating, and fairness.

Sean was a key member of several highly competitive swim teams, and always displayed the character and sportsmanship that honored his family, school, and town.

My late father, “Packy” McFarland coached for many years. He always said that “it was important to have good athletes on your team, but it’s more important to have good people.”  In Sean Flaherty, we have the opportunity to elect a young man of exceptional promise, and I urge you to support his candidacy.

Martha Williams
SHS Class of 1966
SHS English teacher 1972-2004

From The Scarborough Leader

Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Sean Flaherty’s candidacy for House District 127.  Sean Flaherty has been a life-long resident of Scarborough.  His family has been rooted in the area for several generations and has strong ties of service to our community.  Sean was an outstanding leader, scholar and athlete while attending Scarborough High School.  You may remember that he led the Scarborough swim team to a state championship.  Sean also won state and national recognition through his work in the Student Congress.  He has demonstrated a keen sense of identifying issues and solving problems, a skill that will serve him well in Augusta.

Sean has recently left a successful position in Washington, D.C., to return to our town because he wants to make a difference and believes there needs to be a change in the current legislative attitude in Augusta.  Sean will use hard work and the highest level of integrity and common sense to bring new ideas to the long-existing problems of partisan bickering and old political thinking.  We need someone who understands Scarborough and who has made a commitment to the town to lead us in Augusta.  Please join me in voting for Sean Flaherty for House District 127 on Nov. 4.

Neil D. Jamieson, Jr.
Chairman
Scarborough Democratic Party

From The Scarborough Leader

Editor:

I am writing to support Sean Flaherty for Maine House Representative from Scarborough. I have direct experience working with Sean in the “political arena” – we served the class of 2003 as president and secretary at Scarborough High School. Sean’s busy schedule as a phenomenal athlete, great student and dedicated member of many student organizations never got in the way of his commitment to our class. He was always there for last minute meetings and spent many late nights helping me and the other officers plan and execute class events. He was always careful to consider how our responsibility as class officers to be representatives for each classmate should guide our actions and decisions.

Sean carried out his commitment as class secretary as more than a title and an obligation to be somewhere; instead, he took it as an opportunity to help transform our class from students who went to football games and prom together into a cohesive and spirited community. Such a community forms when its leadership encourages the participation of its members – Sean understood this idea as a high school student. I am confident that his cognition of the transforming power of leadership has only sharpened with time.

As a student of leadership studies, I have learned to value the depth of leadership beyond authority and position. James MacGregor Burns, esteemed scholar of leadership in American politics, wrote, “The genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders care about, visualize, and act on their own and their followers’ values and motivations.” Sean Flaherty is this kind of leader — attentive, engaged, committed – and I urge you to vote for him on Nov. 4.

Rebecca Condon
Scarborough

From The Scarborough Leader

Editor:

I recently received some very valuable information that should be made available to seniors and any citizens of Scarborough who may be struggling to pay their property taxes. Having worked for more than 15 years with seniors as they contemplate moving from their home to a retirement community, I have seen first hand how stressful the issue of property taxes has become. Sean Flaherty, a Scarborough native and candidate for the Maine House of Representatives in Scarborough, is trying to spread the word that little known state funds are available that will ease the burden of Scarborough property taxes, due on Oct. 15.

It is so encouraging to have a young man like Sean Flaherty looking out for seniors and others in Scarborough who may be having difficulty during these very uncertain economic times. He grew up in Scarborough, and in talking with people during his campaign for the Maine House, has found many who are retired, have no source of income, and cannot write a check to the town for a growing property tax bill. Those folks should be told of the methods of help available to them.

Maine residents who paid more than 4 percent of their 2007 income in property taxes may qualify for a rebate. Renters may qualify if they paid more than 20 percent of their income in rent. For low-income seniors, the 4 percent and 20 percent limits are waived. This Maine’s Property Tax and Rent “Circuit Breaker” Refund Program was created to keep people faced with high property values in their homes, but for years, fewer than half of those who qualify for the rebate have filed to receive it.

To apply for the rebate, you can pick up an application at Town Hall, call Sean Flaherty at 450-4188, email him at seanflahertyforscarborugh@gmail.com, or even file online. The online application is available at  www.maine.gov/taxrelief/revenue. Additional tax reductions are available at the same website for veterans and their relatives, farmers, homeowners, and many businesses. Thank you to Sean for his concern for the citizens of Scarborough during these very challenging financial times.

Gloria Walker
Scarborough

SCARBOROUGH, MAINE - Last week, first term Scarborough Rep. John McDonough told the local weekly paper, The Forecaster, that McDonough wouldn’t take a position on the pending Referendum facing Scarborough  voters on November 4th.

The Forecaster was the first to report McDonough’s non-position in their October 9th article, McDonough Faces House Challenge from Flaherty;

“While he said he’s not against casinos, McDonough will vote no on Question 2, which asks voters to approve a casino for Oxford County, because “it’s not the way to go,” especially in that remote area, he said.
But he said he won’t take a position on the proposed racino in Scarborough.“

“I will take a position,”  Flaherty said, “because I know it’s not the right plan for our community.  I’ve been going door to door and telling people straight, ‘I’m opposed to the racino and I will work hard in Augusta to defeat it there.’ ”

“That’s why I am running for the Maine State House, to be a leader on the issues important to our town,” Flaherty added.

Flaherty expanded on his comments in a Open Letter to Scarborough which appeared in the Scarborough Leader October 17th Edition:

Editor:

As I campaign door to door in our town, I hear many concerns ranging from energy costs to potholes.  But one issue continues to be brought up on porches and sidewalks across our town: a Racino in Scarborough.

Most people I speak with have no issue with Scarborough Downs.  Harness racing has been an important part of Maine’s history as an agricultural state and Scarborough Downs has been a fixture of our community.  But what is worrying people is the inclusion of video gambling in the form of slot machines here in our own town.  I share their concerns for a number of reasons.

One concern I have is the proximity to our schools; Wentworth, the Middle School, and the High School are all within blocks of Scarborough Downs.  With gambling comes consumption of alcohol which impairs drivers.  Our community uses facilities at our schools throughout the evenings for sports, clubs, and more.

Another concern I have is the type of economic growth we are supporting in town.  I am always pleased to see more businesses in town, but I am fearful when very few good paying jobs come with the development.   We need to be supporting growth that will be dependent on consumers, not gamblers.

If the referendum does pass, it still must be approved by both the Legislature and the Governor.  I will continue to oppose the plan in the Legislature to prevent slots from coming to our town. More importantly, I will be a leader on the issues important to our town and not take a back seat on the tough ones.

Sincerely,

Sean Flaherty
Candidate For Maine State House
District 127 - Scarborough

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SCARBOROUGH, ME - A group seeking to promote good environmental practices by Scarborough motorists and citizens has announced the deadline for nominations for the annual Woodin Awards.  Sean Flaherty, chair of the nomination committee for the awards, is asking citizens to e-mail or mail him their nominations for the awards by October 24th.

“This award is seeking to encourage carpooling and ridesharing among families involved in all the youth sports activities in Scarborough. We are very fortunate; we have a number of great programs in our town, and thousands of people participating in all of them. That is the good news.”

“The bad news is that we all tend to take our own cars each place we go to. That is a lot of exhaust and gasoline used. We are using the Woodin Awards to promote carpooling, and other environmentally friendly practices,” Flaherty said.

To nominate a person or family for a Woodin Award, contact Sean via e-mail SeanFlahertyForScarborough@gmail.com, phone 450-4118, or mail PO Box 6998 Scarborough, ME 04070.

Flaherty says once the nominations are in, the group will select winners. There will then be an awards presentation at which Woodin will help award trophies to the recipients.   The categories are: Smallest Carbon Footprint; Best Carpooling; and Most Miles Traveled for parents with kids in sports.

The Woodin Awards are named after Scarborough businessman, benefactor, and youth sports backer Eddie Woodin.  Woodin is known throughout the region as a fervent supporter of birds, wildlife and gardens. He was a highly recruited baseball player at Colby College, and operates his own international business company out of headquarters in South Portland.

“Eddie Woodin is a man of great principle who puts his resources, time, and energy where his mouth is. He realizes we need to be active in our towns for our families but do so in a responsible way,” Flaherty said.

Flaherty will be soliciting assistance from Scarborough High School student Adam Cohen to help spread the word.   “Adam is president of the freshman class at SHS. He would be a good one to help notify families in the school system of the awards and the opportunity to nominate a deserving, environmentally conscious family,” Flaherty added.

The Woodin Awards were started last year by Dan Warren of Scarborough Youth Sports Forum.

For information on the awards, contact Flaherty via e-mail SeanFlahertyForScarborough@gmail.com, phone 450-4118, or mail PO Box 6998 Scarborough, ME 04070.

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