Monday, October 5, 2009

Questionnaire for The Current

Here is an early release of my responses to the questionnaire given by The Current.

AGE: 27

ADDRESS: 37 Cottage Road, Apt. A, South Portland

OCCUPATION: was Direct Care OQMHP at Spurwink Services until layoffs - now starting up eco-friendly home-cleaning service

EDUCATION: Music B.A. - State University of New York at Oswego

PERSONAL: I live with my loving wife (Jessie) and canine companion (Abby). We came here from Syracuse, NY looking to start a new life, and are thankful for where we ended up. Living here has allowed us to become happier and healthier beings.

POLITICAL AND CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Maine Chapter Leader for StudentLoanJustice.org (grassroots organization trying to restore standard consumer protections to student loans), member of SoPoDOG, the South Portland Land Trust, Hour Exchange Portland, Local Sprouts Community-Supported Kitchen

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND WHAT MAKES YOU STAND OUT AS A CANDIDATE?

I desire to be a voice for the people of South Portland, and take their views into consideration when making important decisions. I also want to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the Council. I see my newness to the political scene as an advantage, as I have the ability to foster new positive relationships.

ON THE ISSUES:
The following are some questions on issues that are likely to come before the City Council in the next year or so. Please discuss your stand on these issues and why you take that stand. Please respond fully so that voters can understand your position.

1) In Nov. 2007, city voters by a wide margin rejected a plan to borrow $56 million to build a new city high school. Now the Secondary Schools Facilities Committee is working on a plan for a new high school that would cost less money. The committee is still working out costs, but this proposal could be in the $40 million to $49 million range. The committee wants the bond proposal to go to voters in June. What is your position on replacing South Portland High School?

It is important that our students have a safe and secure environment to learn and thrive in. Work needs to be done, and I am looking forward to seeing the ideas that the Board of Education is coming up with. In terms of financing the project, we should have transparency and public input in order to eliminate the fear of wasteful spending.

2) If the council decides to ask voters to approve borrowing money to build a new high school, should the council send that bond question to voters at a June election or at a general election in November, when more voters go to the polls?

It is the responsibility of the citizenry to be educated and engaged in the governmental process no matter what time of year it is. In times when nearly 1 out of 5 people are unemployed, it would be unfair to postpone progress on such an important project because of citizen apathy. It is important, though, to recognize that other issues can be better served if presented at general elections.

3) Budget: If TABOR II and another ballot measure reducing the motor vehicle excise tax pass at the polls in November, city officials say South Portland could see a drastic reduction in revenues, necessitating cuts in city services and tight future budgets. What are your ideas for coping with this potential lack of revenue and increasing expenses for fixed costs (such as energy) in the budget?

The City of South Portland should be making every effort to plan for this kind of future regardless of this November's election results. It should be looked at as emergency preparedness, as it is predicted that we are likely to see skyrocketing oil prices and continuing economic turmoil. This has to be approached from many angles, including decreasing our dependence on fossil fuels, stopping wasteful spending, increasing efficiency, encouraging sustainable development, and finding new and innovative ways of doing business.

4) The city is considering getting into the energy business by partnering with Fairchild Semiconductor and National Semiconductor to build a city-owned heating and cooling power plant next to those two companies. The companies, two of the largest employers in the city, would benefit from lower energy costs. The city would generate revenues by selling thermal energy from the plant, which would be powered by natural gas. City taxpayers would be asked to authorize a bond to pay for the plant’s construction if voters authorize bonding for it. The cost of the plant is not yet known but it could be around $50 million. Do you support this project? Why or why not?

I want to see National and Fairchild continue to operate in South Portland; however, in good conscience I would not be able to support the proposed combined cooling/heating power plant (CCHPP). Although natural gas is the cleanest of all the fossil fuels, its use still contributes to a net increase in CO2 emissions: this is contrary to South Portland's commitment to the US Mayor's Climate Protection Agreement. Also, the CCHPP's operation will be jeopardized by the depletion of natural gas supplies at some point in the future, as it is a finite resource. Whether it be 15 years or 50 years from now, we should be prepared by utilizing renewable energy to the greatest extent possible today. We would be providing a short-term solution at the expense of a sustainable future, with no real guarantee that jobs would be preserved.

5) What are your thoughts on maintaining the city’s park system? Much of the park infrastructure was built in the 1970s and 1980s and the city says it’s drastically in need of replacement.

Maintenance and improvement of our parks should have high priority. South Portland's park system is one of the most valuable resources we have as a city, as it contributes to the health and well-being of people from here and away. Certain areas definitely need replacement (ex. bridges in Hinckley and Mill Creek), but how much throughout the city is up to debate.

6) The Maine Renewable Energy Consortium, a group of private investors, wants to build a 20,000-square-foot co-generation power plant fueled by wood chips to sell power to nearby businesses and back to the power grid. The consortium also wants to construct a 40,000-square foot fermentation bioreactor that would burn organic material. Vapors and off-gasses from the biomass plant would be burned in the cogeneration plant. The two facilities would be located near the Rigby Yard railroad junction. What is your opinion of this proposal?

This is the kind of project that has the potential of creating jobs, utilizing a local renewable resource, and giving businesses a competitive edge in the marketplace. Rigby Yard could also benefit from the rejuvenation. Focus should also be given to the kinds of businesses that would operate in the "Bio-Energy Eco-Park" aspect of the project, and how they will contribute positively to the community.

7) Please discuss any other issues that would be important to you as a city councilor.

I want to help see South Portland move in the direction of ecological and economic sustainability. Relief for seniors and other people with low fixed-incomes has also been a reoccuring concern on my visits with people in the community.