Cape Elizabeth Farm Alliance chairman Penny Jordan and Zoning Board of Appeals member James Walsh are both seeking election to the town council seat vacated by former council chairman Mary Ann Lynch last month. The council spot will be featured on a Jan. 27 special election ballot along with candidates for an unexpired term on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees. The following are surveys completed by each council candidate.

Name: Penelope (Penny) Jordan    

Age: 55

Address: 349 Fowler Road

Phone: 671-5341 

Occupation: Owner of William H. Jordan Farm on Wells Road along with my brother (Bill Jordan Jr.), my two sisters (Carol Anne Jordan and Pam Butterfield) and my nephew (Mark Butterfield). During the winter months I seek interim work with non-profits. 

Marital Status: Married     

Spouse’s Name: David Cox

Children: none

Highest level of education completed: Masters in social work – community organizing and program design.

Name and location of school or university last attended: Boston University 

Organizations and activities: Cape Farm Alliance (chairman); Farms for the Future (panel member); Cumberland County Farm Initiative (GPCOG); Farm to School providing fresh vegetables to our schools.

Name: Jim Walsh

Age: No answer provided

Address: 23 Rock Crest Drive

Phone: 799-6730 (Day) 773-2425 (Night)

Occupation: Broker/owner/realtor

Marital Status: Married

Spouse’s Name: Kathleen

Children: Christopher, Michael, Matthew, Kathryn.

Highest Level of education completed: Suffolk University-MBA, Boston College-M .Ed., University of  Massachusetts -BA

Organizations and activities: Catholic Diocese of  Maine-review board (six years), Cape Elizabeth Zoning Board of Appeals (six years).

Top three issues: (in order of priority)

JIM WALSH

1. Fiscal responsibility

2. Excellence in town government (school and municipal)

3. Providing creative solutions to maintain Cape Elizabeth’s unique character

PENNY JORDAN

1. Informed and responsible spending. Decisions made today relative to spending have a long-term impact from a tax and an affordability perspective. As a town, we must spend our dollars wisely. 

2. Infrastructure – long term view – invest in the future. Cape Elizabeth and the country are at a crossroad from an infrastructure perspective. We must become less reliant on oil, we must ensure a safe and healthy food system and we must seek ways to minimize our carbon footprint. 

3. Well educated, involved and productive citizens. I am a product of the Cape Elizabeth school system and it prepared me well. I am a strong proponent of a well-rounded education. Schools must understand the needs of all students and work to provide the best possible education. 

Why are you seeking elected office? 

JIM WALSH

I am running for town council because I believe that my 21 years of living in this wonderful community and the desire to keep it that way summons me to volunteer my time and energy at this important, fiscally challenging time. Balancing the many needs of Cape Elizabeth and the available resources will take resolve and creativity in the coming years. My professional career began in education and expanded into large corporation, non-profits and small businesses. Throughout my career, I have brought people together to solve problems for the common good.  My broad range of experience in both the public and the private sector will complement the skills of the current town council and serve the community at large. As I pursue this opportunity, I plan to listen to my fellow citizens and evaluate what is in the best interest of Cape Elizabeth as our community moves forward.  I would appreciate you confidence and vote on January 27, 2009.  

PENNY JORDAN

  I am a life long resident of Cape Elizabeth. While growing up I watched and listened as my father, Bill Jordan, as he volunteered his time to help create the town people love and are drawn to today. Over the past several years, I have watched and listened as Cape Elizabeth continued to evolve. I now have time to become more involved in this process. 

   My family has owned Jordan’s Farm for generations and has contributed significantly to Cape Elizabeth. I want to contribute my time and energy to Cape Elizabeth’s future. I feel I can be effective because I bring energy and passion to what ever I do. I listen, gather information and strive to make informed decisions. As a business owner, I know the importance of investing dollars wisely; I understand the need to create an infrastructure that can endure and the need to make tradeoffs, particularly when dollars are in short supply. As a member of the town council, I will serve all citizens.

   The world is not stagnant; change is inevitable and exciting and with change comes decisions. My goal is to make sure we understand the long-term implications of decisions. I want to ensure Cape Elizabeth is affordable to all people, prepares its young people for the future and continues to embrace its farming and fishing heritage while acknowledging the need to address the demands of an ever-changing community. Cape Elizabeth is a wonderful community with a rich history and exciting future and I want to be part of that future.