Maxine R. Beecher



1359 Highland Avenue



Education: University of Southern Maine, BS Communication; Golden School of Beauty Culture



Occupation: Owner Maxine’s Beauty Shop; part-time beautician Deering Pavillion



Age: 63



Party Affiliation: Democrat (candidates running for City Council in South Portland do not run on party affiliations).



Political experience: City Council 2003 - 2006; Mayor 2005 - 2006;
Chair of the South Portland Land Use and Zoning Committee 2006; Board
of Education 1982 - 1985; Chair, Citizens Against Alcohol on City
Properties Campaign, 2003; Founder, Substance Abuse and Violence
Prevention Coalition; South Portland Community Advocates for Social
Action 1983 - 2006; Chair, No Child Left Behind South Portland; Founder
and Director of Students Teaching Other People, 2000 - 2004; Election
Warden; Secondary Schools’ Facilities Committee 2004 – 2006



Civic associations: PTA; South Portland Land Trust; numerous municipal grant advisory boards



General statement about candidacy: Three years ago, I promised voters
that I would care about them, listen, and act responsibly. I did. As
Mayor, I pushed this Council to embrace new issues and reach new
heights. We’re rewriting our entire chapter of building codes from
start to finish – a monumental task that Councils have been avoiding
for decades. We’re cleaning Clark’s Pond and restoring the Long Creek
Watershed, and soon our kids will be hiking and learning about nature
in these important reserves. We’re changing the tone of municipal
meetings from experiences that were often nasty and bruising to forums
marked by consideration and mutual respect. It’s long overdue and South
Portlanders deserve dignity in municipal government. We just hired a
tremendously talented City Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation
of the city and to help us grow in ways we haven’t even dreamed of yet.
I’m equally proud of the little things I’ve achieved, such as
installing automated doors at the Community Center. Seniors asked why
the building didn’t have doors that are helpful to the elderly. I
listened. I acted. In a matter of weeks, staff automated the Center,
front and back. I love city government. I love making a difference. And
I hope South Portlanders will look at my record and see that love of
work in my achievements.



Stance on the following issues



TABOR and tax-reform: TABOR offers the taxpayer advantages and
disadvantages. The Council has, so far, heard presentations from an
anti-TABOR group. I have invited a pro-TABOR group to present their
case at a future council workshop.



[We need a] local options tax. Tourists don’t flinch at a penny more
per plate of food in a restaurant. What’s a nickel more per night at a
hotel? An options tax will reduce our reliance on raising real estate
taxes for revenue. It’s simple. It’s fair. But when will our
legislators get the message?



Debt: It takes roughly $77 million a year to run South Portland. That
covers schools, essential services, snow plowing, and even some of the
amenities South Portlanders now expect of municipal government. Our
debt ratio this year is approximately one percent of that figure. And
that includes a $500,000 ballot bond for paving worn-out streets. Our
debt ratio is miniscule, compared to other communities. I do firmly
believe that we should only bond items that have a life span of 10
years or more. City government is expensive. And it gets more expensive
when the State doesn’t chip in its share. The State promised to fund 55
percent of the costs of our educating children. Only now are they
beginning to step up to the plate. Education is our highest priority.
Our children are this city’s greatest assets.



Economic development: South Portland enjoys a remarkable relationship
with a number of nationally-recognized firms, leaders in their field.
But we need to continue bringing in new industries to keep our city
growing. The businesses we invite to our city should be low-impact,
environmentally-sound neighbors. They should want to locate here
because we’re a terrific city to live in.



Infrastructure priorities: We need to invest in our environment. Once
upon a time, we dumped our waste in rivers and streams. Today, we’re in
the business of cleaning up those streams and surrounding watersheds.
Did you know that Clark’s Pond is one of the dirtiest bodies of water
in Maine? Highways. Parking lots. Concrete sprawl. These are real
problems. The city is committed to responsible growth. I’m equally
concerned about traffic: new congestion and noise levels are eroding
our way of life.



Spending priorities: 1.) Education. 2.) Quality staff and services 3.) Infrastructure repair and maintenance

Spending cuts: South Portlanders expect excellence in municipal
government and service. If they receive that level of service, they’re
usually pretty happy with our funding priorities. If they’re not
receiving good service, we know what to cut.



Goals to accomplish: 1.) I want to complete the revision of our
building codes. It’s an enormous undertaking and I’m proud to have
started that work on my shift. 2.) We need to clean up Clark’s Pond and
the Long Creek watershed. 3.) We need to address traffic congestion and
new noise levels, such as those being experienced on Broadway.



What are the issues voters bring up most often? The priorities I listed
above are issues that go to the heart of South Portlanders. As Mayor
and City Councilor, I continue to address our day-to-day issues, such
as road and sidewalk repair, tax abatements, and ensuring that city
streets get plowed. I hear folks asking for a return to the “Big Item”
trash pick up, which we did away with a number of years ago because of
the enormous expense to the taxpayer.



Ways voters can differentiate you from your opponent: 1.) I pride
myself on my ability to listen and to act (my campaign slogan says it
all: “To Care, To Listen, To Act”). I work tirelessly for constituents.
2.) As Mayor, I changed the tone of municipal government. Once upon,
Councilors worked in a free-for-all environment and citizens and staff
were often insulted and hurt. We now work in chambers with civility and
decorum. 3.) I pride myself on a clear and unbiased view of city
issues. I don’t run a large development company, and my first
priorities aren’t “Big Business.”