NGX will be publishing candidate profiles soon, but we’re awaiting information from some of them. Meanwhile, here’s a glimpse at who’s running for select board and school board.
SELECT BOARD
Four candidates for two seats
Tammy Donovan grew up in New Gloucester and is a special education teacher. She’s also a Little League volunteer, was a member of the Harraseeket Grange, and served on the Land Use & Management Committee. Tammy is completing her first term on the board, during which she has served as liaison to several committees.
Nick Planson* grew up in New Gloucester, went away to college and worked in engineering management before returning home. He’s runs two businesses that focus on sustaining the working waterfront, the Boat Yard and Shred Electric, and serves on the board of Sea Meadows Marine Foundation. Nick serves on the town’s Budget, Land Use Planning & Management, and Public Safety Committees.
Brian Shedlarski is a realtor with Niles-Shedlarski & Co. He serves on several town committees, including chairing the Land Management & Planning Committee, and the Budget Committee, and as vice-chair of the Economic Development Committee. This is his second run for select board.
Dustin Ward* was a pastor who now leads diversity and implicit bias training for organizations and municipalities. Dustin won a one-year seat on the board last year and would like to continue serving for another three year term. He is liaison to several committees.
SCHOOL BOARD
Six candidates for three seats
Cristie Barone* has been a school nurse for GNG schools and now supports other nurses through the Maine Department of Education. She has grown children. She served in the American Red Cross for ten years, and taught English and First Aid in Paraguay.
Penny Collins* is a clinical social worker who has two children in local public schools. She served for several years as vice-chair of the Fiddlehead Public Charter School’s board, and board president for Portland NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness), and is founder of the Cumberland County Children’s Theater.
Misty Coolidge* owns two businesses (Coolidge Family Farm and Maine Mixologists), and has three children who attend Memorial School. She volunteers for the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Misty is completing her first term on the MSAD #15 school board and seeks to continue.
Adam Lee* is an electrician who is education director for Maine Electrical Institute. He was a youth pastor for his church for eight years, and has mentored local youth. Adam serves on the recently-launched Ad Hoc Committee on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Dorene Libby has been a home school teacher, owner of an insulation business, and co-founder of MEaudit.org. She also volunteers for the Family Crisis Center. Dorene was appointed in spring 2022 to complete the term of a school board member who moved out of town, and would like to continue.
Laura Jane Sturgis, a retired English teacher, is a long-time New Gloucester resident who has served on the select board, and has been on the school board for one term. She would like to continue her work on the school board for another term.
* Indicates candidates who participated in recent candidate forums. You can watch the forum videos on the Town website:
Select board
School board
