John Piotti and his wife, Susan, made a conscious decision to move to Unity 21 years ago, because of the people and rural character they found in western Waldo County. John and Susan both grew up in large families in small New England towns. "We were taught to work hard, be thrifty, and to serve others," says John. Both did well in school and saved their money from summer jobs. They went on to college in Boston, where they met. "We enjoyed our time in the 'Big City,' but knew we wanted to return to rural life. We came to Unity as soon as Susan finished graduate school," explains John.

John's family has deep roots in Maine, but not in western Waldo County. His natural tendency is to get involved, but he wanted to go easy until he knew the community better. So he kept pretty quiet when he first joined Unity's Comprehensive Plan Committee in 1989. A while later he volunteered to write the Committee's newsletter. And then in 1993 he was asked to co-chair the Committee with dairy farmer Dick Perkins.

The work that John, Dick, and many other community volunteers undertook is now viewed as a big success. Unity in 1995 adopted what is generally recognized as one of the most creative and admired land-use ordinances in the State, with real teeth to protect farmers' rights and to preserve rural character. While proud of what the ordinance contains, John is much prouder of the process. "Everyone was welcome and all opinions were respected. We held 22 public meeting in a single year." The final document was a compromise in the best sense of that word. Unity was able to pass a meaningful ordinance when many communities don't even get to the point of adopting a comprehensive plan. This is what can happen when a diverse group of caring people work together.

John has been involved in much more in the community than planning. Most notable perhaps is his role as the volunteer Executive Director of Unity Barn Raisers, a local non-profit organization with approximately 200 members. In the last five years, the Barn Raisers have:

• Transformed a vacant downtown building into a new Community Center.
• Created a Farmers' Market and a Community Meals Program.
• Planted over 70 large street trees and over 50 rose bushes.
• Built two miles of new community walking trails.
• Provided $80,000 in low-interest loans to local small businesses (in Unity and Troy).
• Renovated a highly visible downtown building (the former corner drug store).
• Engaged hundreds of local children in creative arts programming.
• Participated in "work days" and "service events" to improve and beautify the community.
• Held community forums to help local people plan the future they want.

John's volunteer work goes far beyond Unity. He has been serving the broader interests of western Waldo County through two important regional organizations: the Kennebec Valley Council of Government (KVCOG), where he now serves as President, and the Regional Advisory Committee to the Maine Department of Transportation (RTAC #4), where he has served as Chairman for two years. He's also involved in several other organizations making a difference in rural communities, including Maine Farmland Trust, where he serves as Vice-President.

When asked why he's so devoted to community service, John responds: "That's the way I've always been. It's how I was raised. I've been blessed with fantastic opportunities to lead, and I have a need to give back." John is also blessed with a boss and a family that encourage and support him. "They make it possible," he says.

For 11 years John worked for Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI), a statewide non-profit organization that is as committed to community as he is. CEI is recognized as a national leader in "sustainable community development," with programs that range from building affordable housing to creating "living-wage" jobs for low-income persons. At CEI, John created the Maine Farms Project, which has helped over 300 small Maine farms improve farming practices, access new markets, and become more profitable.

CEI views farming as a critical sector of the Maine economy, one that deserves active support. Though some people don't see a future for Maine agriculture, many who have examined the subject closely think differently. The Legislative Task Force on Farm Vitality, which brought in expert witnesses and conducted exhaustive hearings with farmers around the state, concluded that "extraordinary opportunities exist for developing agricultural enterprises in Maine." John had the honor of serving on that Task Force as a citizen member. He contributed significantly to the Task Force's final report.

John has 25 years experience developing public policy. (He has worked on issues involving the Environment, Community & Economic Development, Agricultural & Food Security, and Transportation.) Even before being elected to the Legislature, John had written legislation, and had worked to ensure its passage. He has considerable success (both locally and at the state level) working to build consensus, just as needs to happen within the Legislature. He thoroughly understands the political process, what works and what doesn't. That's why John has been effective in Augusta from day one.

John's family is used to his active involvement in outside pursuits. "I'm not sure how he does it all, says Susan, "because he is always there for me and the kids as well." But John claims that Susan is the one who makes it all possible. "She's a remarkable person."

Susan grew up in a small Vermont town, the daughter of a Yankee banker. She went on to Wellesley College, and met John while he was a student at M.I.T. Susan had once planned to go to Medical School, but decided as a college senior that the hectic life of a Physician wasn't what she wanted. She wanted the time to devote to a family as her mother had done. So she chose a different path, going to graduate school to become a Physician Assistant (PA), a less stressful career and one that she could more easily pursue part-time.

For many years, Susan worked in the Emergency Department at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville. Then in 2001, she started a new job in downtown Unity, at the new community health center ("New Horizons"). This fulfills her dream to live and practice medicine in the same community. She works only part-time, which leaves her the time she wants for her family, including volunteering in her children's classes at Unity Elementary School, coaching field hockey, and teaching Sunday School at St Margaret's Episcopal Church. She also carves out a few hours a week for her personal passion-singing. She is an active member (and past President) of the Penobscot Bay Singers.

John and Susan have two children, Anna (14) and John (11). Anna is in ninth grade and John in is the sixth grade. At last check, Anna wanted to be teacher when she grows up. Johnny, like his dad, loves everything about boats, and is having trouble deciding whether to be a lobsterman or a farmer.

John's mother, Jeannette, lives in downtown Belfast. At age 88, she remains active with St. Margaret's Church. John has sisters living in Lincolnville, Farmingdale, and Falmouth, and another in Boston. John's father died suddenly when John was eleven, 36 years ago this past spring. John remembers the day clearly, how he was playing baseball in the backyard when the phone rang with the news that his father had been killed.

"I think about my dad every day," says John. "He was a really good man, loving and humble. He was, and remains, my role model."

It was a difficult decision to first run for public office, but John is confident he and Susan made the right choice.

"I've so enjoyed the opportunity to serve. I feel blessed that local people trust me to represent them. It is a true honor. I work hard every day to make sure I deserve that honor."