Maine GOP chair visits the region

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Dr. Demi Kouzounas, chairman of the Maine State GOP, was the guest of the Piscatquis County Republicans on Friday evening in Dover-Foxcroft.

She described her recent meeting with President Trump and Vice President Pence in the Oval Office. As a first-generation Greek American immigrant, she spoke about her family and how they adapted to American culture. She and her husband were the first husband-and-wife team to attend Tufts University medical school.

The issue of immigrants becoming Americans was also discussed in light of the recent vote in the state Legislature on a Republican proposal to outlaw female genital mutilation. Democrats voted to keep the practice legal, while Republicans favored outlawing it, believing immigrants should adopt American customs.

Kouzounas was introduced by Chairman Charles Shaffer of Sebec and greeted by Rep. Norm Higgins, County Commissioner Jim Annis, former County Treasurer Gail Lynch, Patty Davis of Sangerville, Attorney Gerald Nessman and other committee members, along with first-generation Greek immigrant Kathy Johnson of Monson.

Kouzounas is a dentist with nearly 30 employees at locations in Scarborough and Skowhegan. Along with her practice, Dr. Kouzounas also helped start Bright Smiles, a dental clinic for low-income children in Portland, and is co-founder of Dentists Who Care For ME, which provides a free day of dental care each year. She also serves as state party chairman without pay, having returned the $60,000 salary to the state party.