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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.

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