At-Large: Ed Suslovic

Your Top Three Priorities

Increase citizen participation. Improve the accountablity of our elected officials. Remove any barriers to greater flexibility and efficiency in ALL aspects of local government.

Please list prior applicable experience:

Mayor, City Councilor, State Representative having served on the Taxation, State and Local Government, and Regionalization and Community Cooperation Committees, Vice-President of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, Vice-President of the METRO Board of Directors, Maine Municipal Association Legislative Policy Committee, Maine Community Preservation Advisory Committee

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

I bring a wealth of experience in different forms of governance and public policy as well as service on the City Council including a term as Mayor. Most importantly I bring an independent perspective as well as a committment to doing the public's business in the most accessible, transparent manner possible.

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

The most pressing issue is a lack of accountability for our elected officials as well as the lack of a forum for the public to debate a vision and goals for our city. Our current city council-manager form of governance sidelines the electorate when it comes to defining our collective future.

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 report provides some issues to prime the pump so to speak for the current charter commission to revisit. Foremost among them is the structure and make up of the city council. This issue will rise in importance depending on what approach is decided upon regarding an elected mayor.

What other city charters have you examined?

How would it inform your approach to analyzing our city’s charter? I have looked at other Maine cities such as Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, Westbrook, and Bangor for examples of different approaches to municipal governance. I have also scanned the national horizon and have identified some interesting examples such as Boulder, Colorado of cities embracing both grass roots democracy along with professional management.

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

Although I have a strong preference for some form of elected mayor I wish to keep an open mind as to alternative solutions to the problems I identified in your previous questions.

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

Among the issues that need a fresh look are the relationship between the city council and manager with the school committee and superintendent and how to better meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population. Another emerging issue is the growing need to work across municipal lines and tackle some of our most pressing challenges with regional solutions.

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

Yes if a compelling case can be made for such a proposal. If an elected mayor is proposed then the make up of the council must be reexamined in that light.

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

Yes. Current state law has rendered this section of the charter obsolete. Barriers to greater cooperation between ALL city departments must be removed if we are to both improve services and lower our tax burden.

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

Before we educate the public on proposed changes we must first LISTEN to the public. What changes do THEY wish to discuss? What concerns are on THEIR minds? We must constantly ask ourselves how can we work in the most transparent and accessible manner possible. This should result in the people's charter changes being proposed.

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

As I explained in your previous question I would urge my colleagues to first gather public input using listening sessions, community access call-in TV shows, and interactive web sites. All sessions should be broadcast on public access as well as on our web site. If we truly work in a transparent and accessible manner the electorate will know that the proposals came from the people and reflect the preferences of Portland's people and NOT from a closed door meeting.

What else would you like to add?

As the leading proponent and sponsor on last year's city council of placing the question of electing a charter commission on the ballot I am excited to finally be running for one of the at-large seats on Portland's first charter commission in over 20 years. Thanks to the League for YOUR support in passing this important question last November!