FARMINGTON — Ron Gelinas, who owns a jewelry store downtown, wanted to know what Republican U.S. Congressional candidate Kevin Raye will do to help small businesses compete with larger ones.

Gelinas, 62, fears larger companies benefit from unfair advantages not available to Mainestone Jewelry, the shop where he has sold gems and trinkets for 15 years.

Companies that sell jewelry online, for instance, don’t pay state sales tax or face some of the same federal regulations as small businesses, he said, and legislation to fix these problems is vital “just to level the playing field.”

Raye, who campaigned Thursday in Farmington, agreed the federal government can do more to reduce regulations and taxes to help small businesses. He said that, if elected, he also will push for more vocational programs as another way to give people better tools to succeed in running their own business.

Later as he walked downtown and talked with residents, Raye said he supports passing legislation to cut off some social services to help people find work if they don’t show they are using the aid appropriately.

He is running against Blaine Richardson, of Belfast, in the June 12 2nd District Republican primary. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Mike Michaud.

Gelinas, a Republican, said he benefited from a program in school that allowed him to develop on his craft skills. He said the program was unique back then, but led to him opening the jewelry store. He added that he supports Raye because he is a business owner. Raye owns Raye’s Mustard in Eastport.

After buying books at Devaney, Doak & Garrett Booksellers, Raye stopped at the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area and spoke with Lisa Laflin.

Laflin, the organizations executive director, told Raye the region struggles to provide social services to residents. The community, for instance, doesn’t have a homeless shelter, she said. She added that the United Way partners with other area groups, however, to pool their limited resources to address this and other problems.

Raye, who is state Senate president, told Laflin he agrees there are issues with getting federal aid to people, especially in rural communities such as those in Franklin County.

He added, however, that he supports cutting off some social services that help people find jobs and training if they don’t make progress.

Raye plans to push for federal programs that set benchmarks and closely monitor how people use social services, saying he doesn’t want to “enable” abuses of the system.

Laflin said the United Way takes a similar approach and encourages people to take responsibility in their success. She wouldn’t say what her political affiliation is, but said she supports candidates who listen to and address the needs of rural communities.

Raye, 51, lives in Perry with his wife, Karen. He lost a close race for Congress against Michaud in 2002. He toured Farmington Thursday with State Sen. Tom Saveillo, R-Wilton.

David F. Robinson — 861-9287

[email protected]