Thornton Academy Postscripts Alumni Magazine Fall 2016 | Page 6

Making choices to balance career and family is rarely
simple either. Senator Valentino shared why she
decided to retire, “Retiring as a Senator was a serious,
thoughtful decision. It was about timing. My mother’s
health deteriorated while she cared for my father who
suffered from Alzheimers. He wandered, asked the same
question over and over again, and it took a huge toll on
her. After my father passed, my sisters and I realized
that my mother needed help. She had suffered several
mini-strokes and a hip replacement. The caregiving
responsibility had fallen mostly to my sister, Debbie
Chwalek ’72, because my other sister, Vicky Valentino
’76, owns and operates Moat Mountain Brewery in New
Hampshire with a staff of sixty five, and I was always in
Augusta.
Sen. Valentino ’74
and Rep. Chenette ’09
with the Saco Middle
School band as they
performed the National
Anthem for the Maine
Legislature at the State
House.

“When my mother-in-law passed away last December,
I thought, why can’t I spend time with my mother? She
needs me. I’m turning sixty. I’m celebrating thirty years
of marriage. I need to step up to the plate. So, now, on
Thursdays and Fridays, I take care of my mom who is 88
years old and still enjoys shopping and going to lunch.

“I decided that this was a good time to leave the Senate.
I had come full circle. I had chaired Work Force
Development and Judiciary committees; I had served
on the Transportation Committee, which took me into
tunnels under the Turnpike. It was a huge load. I wanted
to do things extremely well and I feel I’ve done a good
job. I’ve worked hard. I’m not termed out or voted out.
I’m leaving on a high, positive note. I’m starting a new
chapter in my life. But I think that you have to make sure
“I was renowned for my files. I read the paper and clipped
that there’s someone responsible to take your position.
articles every morning. If you go shopping, say at Shaw’s,
Mentoring is about helping that person who’s behind
people expect you to
you, taking them
know what’s going on
under your wing.
at DHHS or Fish and
I have mentored
“When my mother-in-law passed away, last December, Representative Justin
Wildlife. I stayed in
I thought, why can’t I spend time with my mother? She Chenette ’09 for six
Augusta during the
needs me. I’m turning 60. I’m celebrating 30 years of
week. I would leave
years. He’s running
on Sunday nights
marriage. I need to step up to the plate. So on Thursdays for the Senate seat
and stay in a hotel
I occupy and I’m
and Fridays, I take care of my mom.”
room. Most nights,
confident he will do
I would work late at
a good job. It makes
the State House all
it easier for me to
by myself. I’d return
leave.”
home Friday night, do laundry and shopping on Saturday,
and return to Augusta Sunday. That has been my life for four
This conversation with Senator Valentino left me curious
to six months of the year for the past twelve years.
about her mentorship of Representative Chenette; how
had working with Senator Valentino influenced him?
“Being a successful legislator starts with earning a reputation
where people will respect you and listen to what you have to
The following profile of Representative Chenette ensued.
say. It takes a long time. Everyone always knew where I stood.
My ideals were clear. I’m a clean election candidate. I have
Senator Valentino lives with her husband Curtis Scamman
no PAC. I did it my way. I’ve gone into prisons and sat down
’66 in Dayton.
with convicted criminals and correction guards and listened
to them. Who can say that? I’ve learned that there are not just
two sides to a story; there are many sides to a story. Nothing
is simple.”

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