My husband and I feel very fortunate to call Maine our home, and to raise our children in this beautiful area.

Unfortunately, I do often get questioned on why I am staying here.  I am a Dutch citizen living here with a green card. When I was 40 weeks pregnant and working people asked me “If you were in the Netherlands, wouldn’t you be on maternity leave by now? Do you ever think of moving back?” They asked me when my parents came over, who are retired in their early 60s and have good pensions, “Why are you staying here, where many people cannot retire till they are 70?”. They asked me when we discuss health insurance, “You mean you would pay about 40 euros for health insurance and have no deductible?”  This list goes on and on.  

But I stay here because there are people like Jonathan Fulford, who show such a passion to change things for the good. Jonathan wants a society where everyone has health care and access to good education. He cares about the environment, a stable climate, fair wages, thriving small businesses and healthy farms.

I am not allowed to vote here, but I want to ask everyone to please consider Jonathan Fulford for Maine Senate on Election day. Hopefully one day I will not have to answer those questions anymore because more of this vision will be the reality here!

Jacomijn Gardei

Belfast, ME