Tim Nason of Dresden has filed nomination petitions to run for the Maine House of Representatives in District 53, which includes the towns of Dresden, Alna, Pittston and Wiscasset.

The seat has been held by Peter Rines of Wiscasset who is termed out.

He began his campaign in February at the Democratic caucuses in Pittston and Wiscasset, where he collected signatures and donations to qualify for Maine Clean Election funding.

"It was an amazing day [February 10], with record turnout everywhere and a lot of excitement generated by the Presidential campaign," Nason said. "After collecting signatures and small donations for my campaign, I then switched hats and led the group caucus in Wiscasset before convening our own Dresden caucus in a corner of the Wiscasset Middle School gym. We rushed things a little to avoid the impending blizzard, but after making our choices for Obama or Clinton, some of us ended up driving through whiteout conditions to return home."

"My motivation for running is that I love Maine and the towns in my district," Nason said. "I look forward to meeting with residents so that I can best represent all constituents."

He believes that economic development is the key to Maine's success, which should be approached with creativity and an open mind. "Maine's economy is wonderfully diverse, with employers large and small - including schools and state government, with entrepreneurs and many self-employed people as well. We enjoy such a wealth of talent and smarts, a can-do attitude, combined with natural resources that could be managed to add extra value."

"Innovative, high-tech products and services can flourish alongside tourism, cooperatives and non-profit organizations. Top-notch education, for residents of all ages, is the other critical component of strengthening our economic diversity. My first step will be to invite everyone to share ideas with one another about how to grow our economy at the community level. Talking about these issues with residents will be an exciting part of meeting the voters in my district."

Nason expects that concerns about taxes, education funding, management of state services, and healthcare costs will be on the mind of many voters.

"These are big issues," Nason acknowledges, adding that "every state and country confronts them every day. They're not simple matters, and they get more complicated when the national economy takes a dive. I don't have simple answers, but I'm going to suggest that we try common sense. Let's see if we can streamline state government a little (yes, consolidate and simplify) with the ultimate goal of securing the state's safety net for the most vulnerable citizens and improving Maine's infrastructure. At the same time, we should make sure that residents are given accurate, clear information, and are provided with many, many opportunities to help plan Maine's future. My campaign will start with the slogan, `Let's Talk.' "

Nason is completing a master's degree in New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine, and currently serves the town of Dresden as chair of the Conservation Commission. He has also served a term as president of the Dresden Historical Society, and as chair of the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay land trust.

He has worked for 34 years as a graphic designer for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, and also designs the Dresden Communicator and the town's Annual Report. For the past three years, he has chaired the Lincoln County Democratic Committee. He lives on a rural property with Susan Leiter, who works at Treats in Wiscasset.

Three of his six daughters, Amelia, Brianna and Jillian Grohman, attended Dresden Elementary and Wiscasset Middle School, before attending high school at Waynflete in Portland. They now live, respectively, in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Durham, North Carolina; and Lawton, Oklahoma.

Nason welcomes volunteers to help with his campaign. He can be reached at 737-8278 or via email by writing timnason@gwi.net .