How many years have you lived in Maine?: 2

What experiences,  motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective Water Trustee?:
For the past 7 years my background has been in aviation.  I the last four of those years have been as a flight operations manager for several private airlines serving very high profile customers.  I have gained much experience working in a high stress, fast paced environment leading with calm and purpose.  Having to work with a broad range of people to solve problems and ensure customer satisfaction while providing a high level of safety is easily translatable to being a Trustee.  I have also been politically active helping with voter registration drives and helping candidates with their campaigns as a volunteer.  I have a high level of commitment for being a public servant and running is not something that I take lightly  My ability to communicate, working well with various groups, ensuring the best for the customer, and when combined with my passion to serve my community and constituents would make me a very effective trustee member.

If elected, what would your top three priorities be?  How do they affect young people in Portland?:
If elected my top three priorities would be increasing capitals improvements for the next generation of water users, providing and equitable rate structure for all Portland residents and environmental sustainability for our water delivery and supply as Portland grows.  All of these issues affect the young here in Portland and will hopefully make Portland a place where people feel like they can stay and continue to live.

Please share one positive change you have seen in Portland over the last year.:
One positive I have seen is the number of local business that have sprung up and the coordinated Buy Local campaigns that have increased awareness and revenues for local businesses.

Please share one frustrating change you have seen in Portland over the last year.:
It is frustrating to see he development of residential units as luxury condos in Portland with out the consideration for the low and middle income unit being created in equal numbers.  His in and of itself is not bad but drives the course of Portland to higher home prices and pushes out some of the more eclectic aspects of Portland that make it unique.

What competing responsibilities do you have: professionally and personally?:
Currently I am the co-owner of a small historic home renovation company and have the ability to schedule myself to meet the demand of the responsibility of Trustee if elected.  I would consider this service a priority and would be able to devote myself to it.

Please evaluate the 2006 rate structure implemented by the Water District.  Both for Residential AND Commercial/Industrial.:
The current rate structure was a compromise with the subsidization gap closed slightly between residential and industrial/commercial users.  I believe that this is a positive trend and while the rates are at the higher end of the scale for most users I would hope to see big returns on this investment by customers in the terms of capital improvements.

What are your thoughts of PWD rate structures?  Do you believe in a progressive or a regressive rate structure?:
I believe in a progressive rate structure.  The more you use the more you should pay.  Currently the cost of delivery method only encourages more use when you are getting it at a discount.  I dont believe that this method is sustainable and it encourages the Water District to increase supply needlessly.

What is your position on residential users subsidizing industrial and commercial users?:
I dont agree with this policy.  Rates should be the same across the board for everyone.  I would like to see that those who live and work and own business here pay the same rate.  Hopefully leveling the rates would have some offset for residential unit because as important as it is to retain and attract businesses I would also what to retain and attract new residents.

What do you think about the Water Trustee pushing the policy that automatically qualifies an individual for low income water rates if they're already qualified for the CMP low income rate?  Why?:
I support this initiative.  A coordinated effort to say that if you are low income for one utility then you must be for the other just makes sense to me.  I would want to make sure that there are protections in place so that it is just and fair in its application but having two different systems seems redundant.

What is your take on businesses threatening to leave Portland if water rate structures increase?:
Businesses threatening to leave over just the water and sewer rates is laughable.  I do want and equitable rate structure but I believe that the water rate is part of the overall economic impact.  Generating economic development rests with the municipality and as the water and sewer provider I want to be a competitive part of that picture, but do not believe that it rests solely with the Water District.  That being said I would love to work with cities to develop strategies that fit into the overall economic picture to attract and retain business in Portland.

One of the Water District's stated goals is to make the organization more environmentally friendly.  If elected, what steps would you take to reach this goal?:
One thing I think we could do more of is make an issue of restricting water usage and encouraging the wide spread use of low water faucets, toilets and other technological improvements that are helping reduce water used.  No water urinal in use are a great example and either through education or credits I would like to see a majority of all new public faculties get these as well as updating existing homes over time.

What is your stand on the Sebago Lake debate: do we increase the percentage of the lake for recreation or do we increase the percantage protected as a water source?  Why?:
With 90% of Sebago open to recreation I feel that there is plenty of opportunity to enjoy what Sebago has to offer.  As the water source for 200,000 people we should do everything we can to protect the needs of these people.  I favor the current restrictions on swimming and boating near the intake pipe and would work with Standish and other local communities to strengthen restrictions to make sure that this important source is available well into the future.

What do you think about the Water District selling access to private companies?  What are your thoughts about letting other municipalities tap into Sebago?:
I am against the idea of private companies having an influence over the water supply and delivery.  The Water District should be able to provide a high level of service at a reasonable rate but should not be in the business of generating excess profit beyond what is needed for operations.  I would encourage other municipalities to join the Water District and collaborate for the best future and use of this important asset.

What is your position on the Water District contracting with an outside insurance company to offer services like the 2006 mailing around water line breaks?:
While this service is one that is a choice I support trying to offer the best possible deal to the customers of the Portland Water District.  However I believe there is oversight need to provide a fair deal for customers if there are no competing plans offered.  I would support the solicitation from as many possible vendors to make sure that if customers choose a plan such as this that they are getting the best deal possible.

What steps would you take to reduce the discharge of wastewater into Casco Bay from our East End Sewer Plant?:
I would love to work closely with the cities to provide for a solution to this problem.  As the sewer issues is a collaboration between the cities and the Water District I would support any efforts to speed this process along or limit the number of occurrences during heavy rain events.