District 4: John Spritz

Your Top Three Priorities

1.Establishing a process that is fair, open, and thorough
2.Determining if the charter needs revision, and if so, by what means
3.Making a convincing case to the voters for any recommended changes

Please list prior applicable experience:

-- Resident of District 4 since 1992
-- Co-founder and current president of Back Cove Neighborhood Association
-- Former owner of small business in downtown Portland
-- Involved participant in local school closings/openings

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

In an era of increasingly scarce resources, Portland needs to ensure that it is achieving and providing all it can on behalf of its residents. The Commission's work can help to focus that process, and I hope to assist that ongoing discussion. I would be proud to be a part of an attempt to "take the city's pulse" in these dynamic times.

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

There is a perception that the process of moving significant projects through City Hall is in some ways "broken," that the leadership or skills are missing that can pull Portland together. First of all, is this indeed the case, or are current issues coloring the picture? Secondly, are the problems so systemic that only changing the Charter will resolve them? Thirdly, if we do need to change the Charter, where do we change it, and how will we measure success over time?

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

I was most intrigued by the number of issues the Commission chose not to address (including whether or not Portland needed an elected mayor). Much of that Commission's energy seemed to focus on the nuances of how elections are held, an issue that is apparently resolved. I would look to Pam Plumb to provide any significant historical continuity.

What other city charters have you examined?  How would it inform your approach to analyzing our city’s charter?

Among others, I've read closely the charters of Concord and Nashua, NH, cities slightly larger and smaller than Portland. The vast majority of what most charters contain appears to be identical, municipality to municipality. More important is addressing Portland's specific needs and dynamics.

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

As I understand it, the point of the Commission is to gather and weigh evidence on a number of issues, of which an elected-mayor is only one. I am agnostic on the subject, and would look to my time as a Commission member to hear and consider the arguments pro and con.

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

As I read the current form of the Charter, there are no glaring omissions or misdirections that I perceive. However, it has been more than 20 years since the Charter has been throughly examined, and once it is held up to the light of day, there may be obvious improvements to be made. Also, advocates for certain causes who did not or could not speak up in 1986 may now make their causes heard.

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

Only if sufficient and compelling arguments were made to the Commission that redistricting would allow the city to better serve its residents.

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

It's premature to answer that question. The Commission should be peopled with citizens with open minds, not predispositions. As I said before, the cases first need to be made, pro and con.

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

This is critical. I would not expect the public to make informed decisions about recommended changes unless there were first clear explanations of why the Commission recommended what it did, and how any recommended changes could benefit the people.

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

It is the Commission's responsibility to bring the public into the process, through engaging individuals, business and non-profit groups, and neighborhood associations. Among other things, the Commission might consider locating its meetings regularly in different parts of the city, to more easily interact with local communities.

What else would you like to add?

In my professional and civic life, I typically act as a moderating force between extremes. The Commission is, if not a once-in-a-lifetime, then a once-in-23-years chance to do so. We should seize this opportunity and ensure that the people on the Commission represent not just the communities of Portland, but the inherent fairness of Portland, too.