How many years have you lived in Maine?: 24 years

What experiences,  motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective City Councilor?:
I have served on city council for nearly six years and prior to that I served as a member and Chair of the School Committee.  My experience as a child of the civil rights era is what motivates my lifelong commitment to community involvement and activism.   My strongest motivation for action in the political arena is my deep love for the founding principles of American Democracy and my commitment to working with others to have our country live up to those ideals.   My preferred leadership style is to be collaborative and I attribute my effectiveness as a member of the Portland City Council to the fact that I live by my belief that everyone matters, everyone is heard, and everyone has value.    I believe that elected officials make better decisions when public decisions are made in the sunshine using a  transparent process in which the community has full access to the documents and information that form the basis for each decision.

If elected, what would your top three priorities be?  How do they affect Portlander's aged 18-35?:
If re-elected, I will continue to place my strongest emphasis of education, housing, community development and civic engagement.  These areas of emphasis will affect Portlanders of all ages including those 18 to 35.  For example, half of Portland residents are renters.  Many of these renters are in the age group that you cite in this question.  And, as a member of the Council Committee on Housing I co-sponsored proposed ordinances changes to improve inspections and enforcement of the housing code in the citys rental market.   I rolled up my sleeves to support the Opportunity Maine initiative, by not only sponsoring a favorable council resolution but also personally gathering hundreds of signatures during the petition drive to put that question on the ballot.

Please share one positive change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?:
One positive change I have seen in Portland over the last year is the growth in the issue advocacy by  high school age youth as evidenced by the recent study to examine and recommendations to improve the way that youth are portrayed in the regional media.  This outstanding project was conceived and executed by a group of High School students and culminated in a very well organization press conference and advocacy event lead by those students.
One positive change that I have seen on city council is the significant progress made towards selecting an entity to implement a balanced development plan for the Maine State Pier.  Completion of this project (whomeverturns out to be the selected) will give the city an improved deep water berth, and expanded water dependent uses while preserving public access.


Please share one frustrating change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?:
One personal frustration is that I have been unsuccessful in moving the vital work of the Portland Sustainability Task Force and the very exciting report that the group have developed from draft #280 to print and distribution.  One frustrating change I have seen on City Council this last year is the more personalized tone of council deliberation of sensitive issues on which the members have strong views.

What competing responsibilities do you have: professionally and personally?:
I enjoy managing a number of roles:  professionally and personally.
Professionally, I am an attorney, employed as the Director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) within the Maine Department of Labor.  Our core mission at BRS is helping Mainers with disabilities to obtain, maintain and sustain competitive employment.  We serve clients through a central administration group and three direct service divisions: the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), and the Division of Deafness (DoD).  As Bureau Director, I am responsible for a staff 150, working out of 12 offices around the state.
My other community activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Civic Leadership, as a member of the USM Board of Advisors;  as an incorporator for Gorham Savings Bank and as the Council Liaison to the Board of Portland Community Chamber of Commerce.
Personally, I am a mother and grandmother who feels blessed that my daughter has returned with her young family to live and work in Portland.  My 15 year old son is a student at Casco Bay High School.   I serve as a driver and groupie for his ex-curricular involvements including Deering HS Football,  Ski Club  and Portland Power Pigs Rugby.



Are you a homeowner or a renter?: I am a home owner

Do you support reducing the parking requirements for new construction (Y/N)?: Maybe.  It depends.  We need to accomplish a complete and comprehensive overhaul of the rules.  Until we do so, I am OK with these decisions being made case by case.

Do you support increasing housing density to build more units (Y/N)?: Generally yes, but it depends.   We need to accomplish a complete and comprehensive overhaul of the rules.  Until we do so, I am OK with these decisions being made case by case.

What are you thoughts and ideas about housing in Portland?:
I have served on and now Chair the Council Housing Committee.  Working offer address the diverse housing needs of the citys population has been a priority for my 6 years of service on Council.   Over the years I have worked to pass housing policy that enforces housing code compliance in the rental market; improves options and services available to help homeless residents access safe shelter, find work and get back on their feet; and adds to the stock of affordable rental units for low income residents and affordable ownership opportunities for low-income first time buyers.

What is your primary mode of transportation?  How can we improve transportation in Portland?:
My primary mode of transportation is my automobile.  My teenager relies on me and his bus pass to get around the city.   We can improve transportation in Portland by building out the current public transit routes, and improving the safety and connectivity of bicycles routes around the city and providing more and better bicycle racks.   My son and I had relied on our bicycles for recreational transportation and to run errands but have just this month suffered a second set of bicycle thefts in our neighborhood.

What economic development ideas would you bring to City Council?:
As a member of the Council Community Development Committee, I have had the opportunity to participate in the thinking and articulation of development policy, to work to balance competing regional, municipal and neighborhood development priorities and to make forced choice recommendations of specific policies and projects for consideration by the full Council.
I have loved this work.  At this point in time in the citys development, I would place the highest priority on balanced growth with a preference for focusing public effort on enabling the growth of small, locally owned and niche businesses, while being careful to avoid creating impediments to the sustained viability of the citys large business interests.


How do you think the current Council has processed the Maine State Pier development?:
I served as one of three members of the CDC that reviewed the MSP proposals.  One of my priority concerns was to assure that the review process was fully open and transparent with ample opportunity for public input.   From my perspective the review by the CDC was both legal and legitimate.   Whatever concerns a member(s) may have about the CDC process, that process is over.  The matter is now in the hands of the full Council to proceed or not proceed as we will according to a process approved by the full Council.    It is now two meetings past time to close the door on the CDC process and be accountable for influencing whatever approach the full Council takes to reviewing the proposals and selecting a developer or not.   

Do you think it is important to increase regional collaboration?  Why or why not?  If so, what would you do to collaborate more?:
Yes, and the citys lead staff from the Fire Chief and the Police Chief, Public Works, Transportation, Parks & Rec, Public Health, etc, etc, been engaged leaders of many surrounding communities and beyond in discussions and projects that reflect this ongoing collaboration.

What do you think of Portland's overall tax structure, and specifically, about current tax rates?:
Constituents negative response to municipal tax rates has reached a fever  pitch so far thats it threatens to drown the life energy of the city.    The citys efforts to address its special and unique needs via the imposition of a meals and lodging tax have been rebuffed over and over by the Maine Legislature.  I admit to being frustrated and uncertain what to try next.  I stand willing to join in and help push forward the next brilliant idea proposed by others.

What do you think Portland should do to encourage the arts and the creative economy?:
The Portland performing arts, sports and creative economy scene is a vibrant asset to the entire state.  We should do a better job of marketing Greater Portland as a prime destination for a weekend and or evening out to other communities within Maine.  I believe that Portland is uniquely positioned to serve as a hub for marketing Maine tourism to various segments of the travel and recreation industry.  Greater Portland should be marketed as an attractive home base for virtual corporate employees and entrepreneurs.  And, Portland can do more to actualize its role as a headquarters city for Maines creative economy.  The city should play a stronger role as a hub for marketing high end Maine made crafts and products and directing tourist, visitors and other Mainers to locations throughout the state where these goods and produced.

What role do you think neighborhoods, and neighborhood associations, should have in our city?:
Neighborhoods, and neighborhood associations are the backbone of the City.  The Council should do more to get out of the city hall building and into the neighborhoods.

What specific steps do you think Portland can make to become a more sustainable city and to safeguard a healthy environment?:
Jim Cohen took the bold step of creating the Sustainable Portland Task Force during his year as Mayor.    He appointed me to Co-Chair the Task Force with Nathan Smith and Mayor Mavadones  reappointed me to that role this year.  If we can ever get the task Force report printed and distributed it offers an excellent inventory of the work taking place all over the city to make Portland a green city.  The report provides an inventory of city and regional environmental initiatives across multiple disciplines as well as a laundry list of activities we can each undertake to improve and nurture a healthy urban environment.