henrybeck.com > Democrat for Maine House of Representatives District #76
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Raised in central Maine, City Councilor Henry Beck is the best choice in the Democratic Primary on June 10 for the House of Representatives. He has a real record of voting for lower taxes, supporting public safety, for the environment, and for growing jobs. Henry Beck will always work for the people and families he grew up with, and he is a Democrat who will make us proud. Rep. Marilyn Canavan endorses him by saying that "Henry is qualified, energetic and committed. He will make a fine Representative for the people of Waterville and Oakland."
ELECTIONS: Beck defeats Tavares in House District 76
6/10/08 - Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE — Henry Beck defeated Antone C. “T.J.” Tavares III for Maine House of Representatives District 76 in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election.
District 76, which is being vacated by Marilyn Canavan, D-Waterville, covers part of Waterville and Oakland. Canavan has served four terms and has reached her term limit.
Beck, a city councilor who will enter his senior year at Colby College in the fall, beat Tavares, a former city councilor and Colby alumnus, 396 to 68, with Beck receiving 367 votes in Waterville and Tavares, 50 in Waterville alone. Both live in Waterville.
Beck, who represents Ward 2 on the City Council, will face Republican Andrew Kabatznick of Waterville in November. Kabatznick is a 2008 Colby College graduate and was treasurer for the Colby College Republicans. He is from Connecticut.
“I am humbled by our large victory tonight,” Beck said after the votes were tallied. “I want to thank Mr. Tavares for running and for his service. I look forward to beginning the general election campaign tomorrow and reaching out to more voters so I can go to Augusta to bring real solutions for the families I grew up with in Waterville and Oakland.”
Tavares said he wishes Beck luck.
“I think he’ll do a great job,” he said.
Beck and public policy scholar highlight employment services for returning veterans
5/26/08 - For more information and details, email Derek Mitchell at dmmitchell@gmail.com
When Maine soldiers return from war, some return with fear and apprehension. Not about post-traumatic stress; not about re-integration into society; not about their families and loved ones. Instead, they worry about something much more basic… jobs.
Nicholas Roy, the public policy scholar at the University of Maine, investigated the challenges veterans face with unemployment.
In 2001, there were 21 Local Veterans Employment Representatives in Maine. These staffers, assigned to State Career Centers, provided direct placement and support services to qualified veterans. Since then, 11 of these representatives have been eliminated. While more and more Maine soldiers were being called to serve their country, services provided to them were being cut.
These soldiers return with scars of battle; not only the physical ones, but those in their memories and minds. At a time they should be with loved ones, they instead must prepare resumes, learn to negotiate with employers, and make money to pay their bills.
Roy, along with Maine House of Representatives candidate Henry Beck, believes more can be done.
Roy proposed an in-combat job search program undertaken by soldiers three months prior to their return to the states. Assisted by their unit commanders, they will assemble resumes, hunt for jobs, and participate in interviews while still hundreds or thousands of miles away.
The program, if implemented, will start with a Workforce Status Survey administered to all soldiers. The results, analyzed by the Maine Department of Labor, would allow a customized career plan to be developed for each participant to optimize their job search.
Beck has pledged to propose the program if elected to the legislature. "Tens of thousands of Mainers have served our state and country in the armed forces," said Beck. "We owe them honor; we owe them thanks; and we owe them jobs."
Candidate Beck ideal on environmental issues
5/20/08 - Morning Sentinel
Preserving Maine's environment and outdoor heritage should be a top issue for all candidates and voters in the upcoming June elections.
In the Democratic primary to replace retiring state Rep. Marilyn Canavan, Henry Beck is an ideal choice if you care about these issues.
As City Council chairman of the first-ever Waterville Committee on Environmental Sustainability, Beck helped pass new rules and agreements to make city buildings more energy-efficient and reduce carbon emissions.
And now he is working on ways to increase recycling in Waterville.
Solving the climate change problem and protecting the environment are so important. We must understand that doing both saves taxpayer money and can create economic activity.
Beck has been a leader on the environment on the Waterville City Council and can be a leader in Augusta in the Legislature.
Tucker Gorman
Waterville
Democrat Beck a great candidate for Statehouse
4/25/08 - Morning Sentinel
As a lifelong resident of Waterville and a Democrat involved in my community, I support Henry Beck for the state House of Representatives. Beck has served my family and me well as a city councilor of Ward 2. He has supported lower taxes, held community meetings to discuss issues such as crime, and been steadfast in supporting public safety.
And in these tough economic times, Beck has never forgotten those most in need, and the values of the Democratic party that respect children, seniors and workers.
There are serious issues for this Legislature and next. Beck has the experience of serving in elected office, but also the fresh perspective needed in Augusta. He has been accessible, visible and always a hard worker.
He is a Democrat who will make us proud, and, as a lifelong resident too, he knows the communities of Waterville and Oakland. Join me in voting for Beck on June 10 in the Democratic primary.
Nathaniel J. White
Waterville
Colby well represented in House District 76 race
4/6/08 - Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE -- The House District 76 race is an all-Colby College affair.
In the Democratic primary, Colby junior Henry Beck squares off against 1999 Colby graduate Antone C. "T.J." Tavares. On the Republican side, Colby senior Andrew Kabatznick, unopposed in the primary, prepares for the general election.
Beck and Tavares have the most hands-on political experience.
Tavares served two terms on the Waterville City Council, including a stint as chairman for most of his second term, which ended in December 2006.
Beck is a current member of the city council, representing Ward 2.
Kabatznick has not served in elected office, but he helped Rep. H. David Cotta, R-China, win the House District 55 seat in 2006.
The Colby trio is vying for the seat held by Democrat Marilyn Canavan for the last four terms. She has reached her term limit.
That would suggest the Republican in the field, especially one with little political experience, would be a long shot at best.
Kabatznick, though, doesn't see it that way.
"I think in my favor," he said, "is the fact that Waterville has a Republican mayor in Paul LePage and part of my district is in Oakland, which has been Republican until recently."
But regardless of his chances, Kabatznick shares with his Democratic counterparts a strong desire to help his community through the political process.
Beck said the House District 76 race is just a prime example of a larger phenomenon.
"I know that in 2008 you are seeing young people getting involved in the political process," he said, "because we are very much at the crossroad in Maine and across the country. And they should be because they want to do something for their community ... This is not about some political organization or about getting press. It is about solving real issues for real people in these communities."
Beck is a worthy candidate for the House
4/6/08 - Morning Sentinel
I was delighted to hear that Henry Beck has decided to run for the Maine House of Representatives. At a time when most people are feeling despair over the caliber of elected officials in this country, Beck is a breath of fresh air.
I've known Beck for the past six years and have been impressed with his commitment to advancing the democratic process. The fact that he has been a city councilor while also attending college is a testament to his willingness to work hard to make a difference locally.
I've worked with Beck on a number of issues, including bringing attention to domestic violence and sexual assault, the need for more police in Waterville, passing the civil rights law and helping to make the Hathaway project a reality.
He's hardworking, honest and committed to promoting and serving Waterville. There's no doubt in my mind he'll be a worthy successor to Rep. Marilyn Canavan.
Karen Heck
Waterville
We had a great victory last night-and I could not have done it without you. I want to thank my family, friends, supporters, and the people of Waterville and Oakland for a tremondous victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary.
For everyone who wrote a five dollar check, put out a sign, voted, or just wished us luck, thank you.
There is tremondous work ahead and I am truly humbled by our win and being that much closer to serving the people I grew up with as a Legislator. The general election will be about you and me, and all of us, working together to improve our state.
-Henry Beck
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