Municipal spending:

Thomas Blake: Currently our taxes are as great a burden as the
taxpayers can handle. We also cannot cut city services. We must tighten
our belts, we must ask questions. We must expand our friendships,
increase our partnering, broaden our income base and encourage greater
State funding by lobbying to a stronger degree with our elected
representatives. We should explore local options to increase revenues.
We must utilize the skills of all of our people, our young and our
seniors, our white collar and our blue collar, our small businesses and
our large corporations to develop strategies to assist us so we can
maintain our current municipal services.

Linda Boudreau: I believe that the Council is responsible for spending
the least amount of money to get the best possible services that the
residents of the community need for their health safety and welfare.

Donald Legere: I believe in having a vision and investing in the
community. Operating expenses need to be continually evaluated with an
emphasis on operational efficiency.

Louie Maietta: Priorities need to be identified from top to bottom and brought under control.



Tax-reform priorities:

Boudreau: State law determines how we are taxed. I feel that broadening
the tax base and adopting a local option sales tax are ways the state
could address tax reform. Reducing taxes at the local level will come
from consolidation, some privatization of services, impact fees, and
reviewing and controlling the expansion of services.

Legere: Promoting economic growth in the existing business sectors will
lead to a stronger business community. This in turn will lower the
residential tax burden. Implementation of an annual revaluation process
will allow more predictability for the taxpayer resulting in less
dramatic shifts in taxes. This will also ensure the city is compliant
with state law pertaining to the percent a property’s tax value is
compared to the market value. This is essential for maximum state
property tax relief for the residents.

Maietta: There needs to be a super majority vote (5 out of 7) of the
council to spend tax payer’s money on any one item over $25,000.

Blake: I do not have the magical formula for tax reform. It is clear
though that Augusta needs to do something and we need to encourage
action through our representatives. We need to do a greater job at
sharing the state revenues so that more comes into South Portland and
less goes out.



Growth and development:

Legere: Focus should be put on making the community stronger by working
toward helping the existing business sectors grow and prosper.

Maietta: It is a necessity to keep up with the quality of life that the
citizens of South Portland expect. People want to live in the community
that they work in and South Portland is fortunate to have the business
climate that we have.

Blake: South Portland is a very diverse community and it is that
diversity that makes us the nice community we are. There is a fine
balance though and that is achieved through community involvement that
encourages quality development. We can encourage developers to do more
but we cannot mandate it. Chapter 27 on zoning is now being reviewed
and the community must be involved to assure that changes reflect what
people desire. The changes must protect our environment and assure
quality development that mixes with our neighborhoods.

Boudreau: The city needs to welcome growth in commercial and industrial
areas. We need to review and direct growth in residential areas to
maintain quality of life and do our part to protect open space and
provide for a healthy environment.



Education funding:

Maietta: The funding for “education” is a priority. It is the way that
the money is spent after it is allotted that is disturbing. Teaching
kids should be the #1 priority. Consolidating services with the
municipal departments would allow for better pay for teachers that
teach our kids.

Boudreau: We need to provide the best possible education for all
children in South Portland at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.

Blake: South Portland has a high evaluation and a lot of money flows
into South Portland. Due to our evaluation, the money flows to Augusta
where it is distributed to the more rural, poorer communities. As a
result, we have to assist funding school facilities in much of Maine
while funding SP at the full amount. We need a concentrated effort to
lobby Augusta and let them know that our people have spoken and have
had enough. We need help! We must increase our lobbying and networking
with our elected representatives to change the exiting formulas to
bring more dollars for education to South Portland.

Legere: The city should continue to achieve greater funding from the
state. Investments must be made in the schools to provide opportunities
for the students to be prepared to face the challenges of today’s ever
changing world. Funding needs to also include resources for continued
training and evaluations of school personnel.



Economic development:

Boudreau: Economic development helps South Portland provide jobs, build
its infrastructure, pay for its education system and provide the public
safety and recreational services that residents want. We need to
encourage economic development and work with businesses to provide the
best opportunity for their success.

Legere: Focus should be on existing business sectors.

Maietta: More attention needs to be given to all of the businesses, big
and small to assure that we keep and attract all that we can.
Businesses are our biggest taxpayer and the residents would be taxed
out of their homes if they had to pick up the cost of business leaving
our tax rolls.

Blake: The economy in the entire country and state is not very healthy.
We must promote economic development without sacrificing the
environment or placing the burden on the local taxpayers. South
Portland is a desirable community to do business in. With a positive
attitude and a unified approach from business and citizenry alike, we
should be able to continue to attract reputable businesses.



Infrastructure priorities:

Blake: Due to the development pressures that South Portland has faced
over the recent decades, we have some serious infrastructure needs. The
City Council just identified 15 infrastructure needs. We need to
evaluate and prioritize these needs and work on them in an aggressive
fashion while seeking Sate and Federal funding to assist us with our
needs. Those that involve life safety, education and the environment
should be at the top of the list.

Boudreau: Clean water, a working sewer system and roadways that are
safe. Buildings must be maintained and constructed when necessary to
provide healthy and efficient workplaces for our employees.
Recreational opportunities should be provided when possible so that
people can feel a sense of community and can maintain a healthy
lifestyle.

Legere: Completion of Exit 3, Southbound ramp onto I-295 at Lincoln
Street. Designated truck route from Turner’s Island terminals. Sound
barriers for residents on the I-295 corridor.

Maietta: South Portland has done a great job of taking care of the
infrastructure. The problem we have is with State-funded jobs, we are
paying a higher share of the work that is being done. South Portland
doesn’t do a good job in fighting Augusta for funding that is needed to
do roads, bridges, sound barriers, school renovations, etc.



Spending priorities:

Boudreau: Public safety, education, and infrastructure.

Legere: Maintain existing services, education, economic growth.

Maietta: Fire and Rescue Department, Police and Dispatch Department, Public Works Department.

Blake: Education, public services, public works and parks and recreation.



Spending to be cut or eliminated:

Legere: None known, but will be continuing to promote dialog that evaluates efficiency.

Maietta: More departments could be consolidated with less department heads.

Blake: We can tighten our belts. We can do some consolidation. Most
importantly we need to work with our partners and expand our revenues.
I am not in favor of eliminating any municipal services.

Boudreau: I don’t believe there are areas to be cut or eliminated. If
the cost of the current services grows, I think we should continue to
look at efficiencies, cost sharing, consolidation of departments and
services, and partnerships with other communities.



Goals to accomplish next term:

Maietta: Having the council be more open with the citizens.
Accountability from the entirety of municipal departments and the
school departments. Show more of a presence in Augusta and go after
what we need for funding this City that is the biggest sales tax
collector for the State of Maine.

Boudreau: Annual revaluations; more participation in city government
and a street light at Sawyer and Broadway (this has haunted me for
years!).

Legere: Tax stabilization, develop a plan for smarter use of municipal
facilities, implementation of an economic plan to foster growth in
existing business areas

Blake: I would like to see the public become more involved in the
community; we also need to prioritize our education and municipal needs
and work diligently on accomplishing them and we need to update our
Comprehensive Plan and our Open Space plan.



Issues voters bring up most often:

Blake: Development issues and how they have damaged our watersheds,
stressed our infrastructure, left insufficient open space, etc. We have
an excellent opportunity now, through the Chapter 27 review committee,
to tighten up our ordinances and I encourage public participation to do
this. Taxes are too high. We must increase our revenues and look to
Augusta, Washington and other sources to increase our incomes. The
school bond issues and educational needs. We must prioritize our
education needs and begin a plan to activate them expediently.

Boudreau: People ask me about the issues that are currently on the
agenda and in the press; chickens, city manger search, and the high
school bond are important to them right now. The chicken issue is
decided, the manager search will be done in a process that respects all
applicants and I’ll be voting against the high school bond because I
don’t believe the city has the information needed relative to impact on
the city’s financial status nor has it developed its priorities. More
importantly as I campaign, people thank me for running and appreciate
that I take the time to study the issues and that I am fair and honest.

Maietta: High School renovations, I would not vote to borrow $56
million that would do major damage to our elderly and their ability to
continue to live here in South Portland.

Legere: The High School renovation project. I am in favor of proposed
renovations to the high school. We are in desperate need of facilities
that allow the opportunity for all our students to have educational
opportunities. The bond referendum is very costly and cannot be taken
lightly. The fact is that it is now up to the voters. I believe I have
the financial background and understanding to help the city navigate
through the financial challenges that will face the city if the
referendum passes. If it doesn’t, I will continue to support a
renovation project and will work with the school facilities committee
to develop another plan to present to the voters at the earliest
opportunity.



Ways voters can differentiate you from your opponents:

Blake: I am a life long resident and have an endless record of strong
community involvement. I am a team person and can build a solid team of
citizens to make great South Portland even greater. As a 27-year
employee of the city, I know the city extremely well and from day one
will be knowledgeable and effective.

Boudreau: I have more experience. I am a recognized leader in the
community and region and voters know that I will do the work necessary
to be the best possible councilor they can elect.

Legere: I’m taking a supportive stance on the school renovation bond,
but maintaining a steadfast position to be smart about how the project
proceeds. Very broad experience; community experience and involvement
not limited to a single issue. Have an actual plan for tax
stabilization.

Maietta: Knowledge and experience with State and Local Government. My
past record will show my availability to all citizens who want someone
they feel comfortable going to for answers. I will ask the tough
questions and will not stop until I get the answers.