Running for Town Council / Campground Closed

Welcome to my blog 'Downtown Dexter'. I suppose it would be good to introduce myself and explain why I am writing this blog. My name is David Giles. I have been a resident of Dexter, Maine for most of my life. I presently teach the Computer Repair/Networking Program at the Tri-County Technical Center and am running for an open seat on the Town Council (more on my bio later). I am hoping to use this as one of the many avenues of communicating with the residents of Dexter in a hope of bringing about change and prosperity to this great Town.

In running for any elected office, one of the first questions people ask is "What do you plan on doing for the Town?" or "Why should I vote for you over the other person?". My initial response would be to say "because I am young, energetic, have a lot of good ideas, and have absolutely no hidden agenda besides trying to make the community better for the average family." Let's face it though. Those responses are vague and pretty empty in substance. Instead I hope to use this blog and other methods to explain how I would change Dexter if given the opportunity. One example of change I would fight for has to do with the closed campground on Wassookeag lake, which is one of the many untapped and underutilized resources in this Town.

If you are not familiar with the closed campground, I would encourage you to visit it. For those who do not even know where it is, drive to Lakeshore Lunch and it is located directly behind it. I have to say that prior to this year I have never really stopped and enjoyed the beautiful views from that part of the Lake. I feel obligated to share those views in this blog. At one time, campers came to Dexter, rented a camp lot, bought gas, propane, grilling supplies from our stores and viewed some of the beautiful sights that Dexter has to offer. Now, the campground sits empty and is actually a drain on the local economy. In asking why the campground is closed, the only answer I have been able to acquire is that the restrooms kept getting vandalized. So, instead of dealing with vandals by using security cameras or some other means, members of the Council have for years decided it better to simply close the doors. Fortunately, Judy Doore who has been our Town Manager for the past three years fought to at least get a camp caretaker to watch over campground which is better than what one council member wanted. I remember sitting in Town Meeting listening as one member of the Council explained that he thought it would be better to tear down the restrooms/showers to prevent the vandalism instead of trying different approaches to fix the problem. I could have fallen out of my seat. I can't imagine how the majority of the Council members can't see the campground as a way of improving the local economy and the Town image.

My solution would be as follows. At the moment we have a couple who act as caretakers for the campground. By the way, they are doing a phenomenal job and I have no problems with them at all. I do however think that we can return at least part of the campground to exactly that; a campground. My recommendation would be to rent out seasonal lots to a small number of campers. Even six to twelve campers located there all summer long would be better than nothing, which is what we have now. I am presently researching how much the average seasonal lot would rent for. I have an idea that 6-12 seasonal lots would generate thousands of dollars for the Town, not to mention the support it would provide for the stores, gas stations, and other small businesses in the area. (If anyone knows some of the other campgrounds rates feel free to pass them on to me).

As with any endeavor, There is bad with the good, and I am sure that there would be unintended consequences with my suggestion or anyone elses. However, to ignore the good because you don't want to deal with the bad is just plain wrong and that is what the Council has done for years now at the expense of the taxpayers. If elected, I look forward to working with Council members and the community to find solutions. If you see me around Dexter and have any ideas on how to improve the Town, including what you think should be done to the closed campground, feel free to express those ideas to me. I know that I am young and energetic, but I also know that it takes more than one person's ideas to make lasting positive change. If you happen to like my views, or at least think I would be a positive addition to the Town Council I would appreciate your vote in November.