How many years have you lived in Maine?: I am a life long resident of Portland

What experiences,  motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective City Councilor?:
I was born and raised in Portland.  I have payed close attnetion to the city council for years.  I have attended countless city council meetings and will be a valuable addition to the council.  I have been an officer at the Portland VFW for five years.  This year I was elected Commander of the post.  I have learned a lot through that experience both in dealing with operational issues and with how to deal with people.

If elected, what would your top three priorities be?  How do they affect Portlander's aged 18-35?:
1.  Keeping property taxes at reasonable levels.
2.  Housing  Working to continue development and increasing available housing within Portland.
3.  Constituency work.  I will ALWAYS respond to those who contact me about any issue.  It is important to keep comunication between residents and councilors.

Please share one positive change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?:
If I was happy with how the city council was operating, I would not be running.

Please share one frustrating change you have seen on City Council AND in Portland over the last year?:
The city council seems to venture into areas in which they have no control.  I am not a fan of Resolutions about issues that the council cannot act on.

What competing responsibilities do you have: professionally and personally?:
I work for the postal service delivering mail.  My schedule is such that I will be available to fullfill my responsibilities as a city councilor.   I am also the commander of the VFW Post 6859 in Portland but my schedule is flexible with that position also.

Are you a homeowner or a renter?: I am currently renting
Do you support reducing the parking requirements for new construction (Y/N)?: I would lean no but it depends on the circumstances
Do you support increasing housing density to build more units (Y/N)?: yes but again it depends on the circumstances
What are you thoughts and ideas about housing in Portland?:
I beleive that it is important to work with developers to increase the housing stock in Portland.  I think we need to work on all types of housing.  This includes transitional housing, mixed use development, and affordable housing (single family).

What is your primary mode of transportation?  How can we improve transportation in Portland?:
I have a Jeep.  I beleive that we can improve public transportation.  I would recommend reducing the fare on METRO buses to encourage more riders.

What economic development ideas would you bring to City Council?:
I will work hard to keep our property taxes in check.  Developers will be more willing to come to Portland if the council demonstrates that we can keep taxes under control.

How do you think the current Council has processed the Maine State Pier development?:
I do not agree with the fluidity of the process to date.  I beleive that when a deadline is set for a RFP it should be adhered to.  Based on that belief, I would base any decision for which company should be chosen (if any) on the original proposals presented to the city.

Do you think it is important to increase regional collaboration?  Why or why not?  If so, what would you do to collaborate more?:
I think that collaboration is a good thing.  One can point to the agreement with South Portland about the 911 service as something we should be doing more of.  I would think that developing a group of communities to make purchases on items in bulk such as oil would save the city money.

What do you think of Portland's overall tax structure, and specifically, about current tax rates?:
I believe that the city must do a better job at setting priorities.  We cannot continue to raise taxes year after year.  I am very concerned about those who are on fixed budgets and the ability to keep up with the increases of taxes.

What do you think Portland should do to encourage the arts and the creative economy?:
I think that the city is doing a good job with the arts district.

What role do you think neighborhoods, and neighborhood associations, should have in our city?:
It is important for neighborhoods to have a voice in the direction of the city.  As a city councilor, I would be willing to attend meetings of neighborhood organizations to get a better feel of what the major concerns of residents are.

What specific steps do you think Portland can make to become a more sustainable city and to safeguard a healthy environment?:
We need to increase our tax base.  I would be open to helping increase development throughout the city to help take the burden off residential taxpayers.  However, I would be VERY hesitant to change zoning easily to accomidate development.