At-Large:  Thomas Elliman

Your Top Three Priorities

1.Effective City Government
2.Efficient City Government
3.Ethical City Government

Please list prior applicable experience:

Eleven years in Maine Radio and TV broadcasting. Twenty seven years marketing, advertising and public relations in and out of Maine. Community service includes many church volunteer activities, Maine Public Relations Council, Advertising Club of Greater Portland, Kiawanis Club.

What do you hope to accomplish as part of the commission?

Improvement in Top Three Priorities (above).

What do you see as issues within the current structure of city government?

Popular election of the Portland Mayor.
Accountability of the School Committee.
Bonded Indebtedness.

What are you thoughts on the 1986 charter report? What prior issues would be the most helpful for the current Commission to consider?

The 1986 Commission appears to have done a thorough and thoughtful job. Given the state of the economy in 2009, financial issues may become even more important this time.What other city charters have you examined? How would it inform your approach to analyzing our city’s charter? I am in the process of studying Maine cities and cities of similar size to Portland.

Would you support an elected mayor? If no, why not?

Leaning favorable.
Heard various viewpoints pro and con during the nomination process.

What parts of the current city charter do you feel are antiquated?

The Charter has been updated as necessary to reflect appropriate changes.

Would you consider re-districting the City of Portland? Why and how?

2010 Census needs to be considered.
Other questions should be determined in Commission meetings.

Would you modify the current relationship between the school committee and city council?

If appropriate. Affected by state law. Requires study and deliberation.

What role do you think the charter commission should play to educate the public on changes made to the city charter?

Open process needed.
I strongly support the widest possible communication.

What role is the charter commission for public engagement during the process of re-examining the charter?

Transparency.
Open Meetings, Hearings, Forums and neighborhood meetings.
Connection to city website with on line postings. Two way email contact list. Utilize Facebook and Twitter as appropriate.

What else would you like to add?

Charter changes should be carefully considered as they are difficult to reverse or modify.