PORTLAND BALLOT 2023
Portland Mayoral Candidates Answer Reader Sourced Questions
By Tony Zeli
On Tuesday, November 7th, Portland voters will choose a new mayor. The candidates include three current city councilors, who are Pious Ali (at-large), Mark Dion (D5), and Andrew Zarro (D4); former city councilor Justin Costa; and political newcomer Dylan Pugh. Mayor Kate Snyder is not seeking reelection. The WEN mayoral candidate questionnaire was developed with reader input to address topics that may not be front and center in other forums.
The mayoral office is held for a four-year term (unlike other city council seats that are for three years). The mayor serves as the chair of the city council and appoints members to council committees. The mayor must work with the city manager to budget and run the city’s day-to-day operations.
The following five questions were developed with input from readers. They address the topics of clean elections (it’s the city’s first election with public funding for municipal candidates), age-friendly communities, livable streets, parking, and urban trees. The candidates were given a 100-word limit, and their responses were edited for length where necessary. We have published responses starting in random order and then rotating for each question.
1. You are among the first group of mayoral candidates in Portland to have accesss to a voluntary campaign financing program, Portland’s Clean Elections Fund. Did you choose to use public or traditional campaign financing and why? Do you support the clean elections program, or do you have suggestions for other campaign finance reforms?
MARK DION
I did not choose to participate because the amount of funds that were going to be allocated to mayoral candidates was too high. It was out of proportion to what is assigned to fund an at large councilor race which is a similar city-wide campaign effort. Also, I rejected the proposition that funds could be allocated to a potential candidate prior to petition certification of their candidacy. Also, the process itself is too bureaucratic which actually hinders the work of becoming qualified.
JUSTIN COSTA
I have long supported clean elections and am participating in the program because I believe strongly in its purpose. That said, there are some significant problems with the program that this Council constructed. The City program effectively disallows electronic transactions, which is a significant barrier to candidates trying to qualify for the program. The current program also requires incredible amounts of paperwork for each donation, something that’s not required for privately financed candidates. These kinds of administrative hurdles significantly undermine the goals of clean elections, which are to reduce the influence of donors, reduce the amount of time candidates spend worried about fundraising, and make the political process open to more potential candidates.
ANDREW ZARRO
Yes, I am the first person in Portland’s municipal history to take out papers to be a clean elections candidate and to qualify. The program is a way to keep special interests out of our elections. With traditional candidates we see businesses and individuals capping out maximum donations, PACs formed to run slates of candidates, and a hyper politicized sentiment like that of our national politics. With a clean elections program, we are able to focus on the issues, not the dollars. I have made suggestions pertaining to the administration of the program including sync ballot and qualifying contribution signatures so there are not so many redundancies and include an online payment option.
PIOUS ALI
The influence of a few individuals with the ability to fund certain candidates is why I fully support the clean elections program and why I fought for the program to be inserted into our charter (where politicians couldn’t amend it) and ultimately for it to be fully funded. I also believe the program will broaden participation to include members of our community who may otherwise not be able to raise enough money… I am using traditional funding for this campaign because I decided to run too late in the process to effectively collect the small donations needed.
Other democracy strengthening reforms I plan to achieve as mayor include much greater lobbyist disclosure… implementing participatory budgeting, creating an office of resident engagement and inclusivity, and strengthening the citizen initiative process.
DYLAN PUGH
We ultimately decided against pursuing clean elections funding due to the practical challenges of collecting cash or check contributions. However, I do fully support the program and propose the establishment of an online platform for $5 contributions, inspired by Maine’s Online Qualifying Contribution Service. This approach would offer convenience for everyone and accessibility for individuals with vision and dexterity disabilities. Additionally, we should aim to sync up the ballot access and fundraising paperwork, which would streamline the process for candidates and the public.
2. In 2014, the City of Portland joined the Age-Friendly Network sponsored by AARP and the World Health Organization. Two of the 8 Domains of Livability in Age-Friendly communities are Respect & Social Inclusion and Social Participation. What actions will you take to ensure that older residents of all backgrounds are able to avoid the social isolation and loneliness so common among many people today?
JUSTIN COSTA
Demographic changes mean that attention to being an age-friendly community is becoming more and more important. I think city government’s biggest role is to support ongoing efforts of those in the community, whether those be targeted at specific things or whether they be more global efforts like those of Portland Area Villages’ efforts around aging in place. City Hall can certainly be involved in specific programs targeted towards the elderly, but the key is to encourage continued attention to these concerns from the broader community including neighborhood organizations, local businesses, and private citizens.
ANDREW ZARRO
The Age-Friendly Network is something I have supported for quite some time. As the former President of the Back Cove Neighborhood Association, I worked closely with the Office of Elder Affairs and community volunteers to promote Aging in Place initiatives, helping residents with tasks like shoveling their sidewalk, running errands, making appointments, etc. During this year’s budget I supported investing in an additional staff person for the Office of Elder Affairs to increase capacity for the office. I envision Portland taking a greater role in building an age-friendly community by investing in infrastructure (community centers) and social programming for our aging neighbors.
PIOUS ALI
One of the top issues facing our elderly is the lack of affordable housing. Being trapped in a home or apartment that drains every penny of your retirement income and savings exacerbates depression and loneliness. That is why solving the housing crisis will be one of my top priorities as mayor.
I have laid out a five-step plan to confront and reverse the housing crisis, especially as it pertains to our elderly. You can go to [my campaign] website to read more details.
I also currently serve on the board of AARP Maine, and we are looking at how to improve the programs provided to elderly residents and how to extend our programs to marginalized groups like immigrants and others.
DYLAN PUGH
As Portland changes, it will be essential to preserve and honor the voices of the city’s longtime residents. I will focus on establishing mentorship programs that pair older residents with younger Portlanders, especially new Mainers and asylum seekers. Another avenue to pursue is cooperative housing. We should ensure that older residents are empowered to live in the heart of the city in diverse, intergenerational housing. Safe and accessible public transportation is essential to accomplishing this goal. I would also support senior involvement in community science, which is a fulfilling and low barrier way to help our scientific community.
MARK DION
The first order of business is to check or control the growth of taxes so they can stay in their homes. We cannot keep squeezing their limited income and create stressors that are debilitating to their well-being.
Since the Report you reference is almost ten years old, our Office of Elder Services should engage in an assessment of the current state of affairs for our seniors. I did vote in support of adding an additional nurse coordinator to facilitate services for our elder residents. We have also persevered in sustaining the fiscal viability of the Barron Center to provide assisted living units for our elder residents.
3. What steps would you take to improve livability along busy arterial corridors and create streets that are bike and pedestrian friendly? How can the city make more parts of the city walkable and accessible?
ANDREW ZARRO
I am a proven champion for multimodal transportation on the Council. We must introduce traffic calming measures such as narrow, two-way streets and raised crosswalks to reduce vehicular speed. We must widen sidewalks, ensuring they are well-lit and obstacle-free, fostering a safe environment for pedestrians. I support dedicated bike lanes, physically separated from motor traffic by planters or barriers, to enhance cyclist safety. Install pedestrian crossings at regular intervals, with priority signals for walkers and cyclists. Integrate public transit stops seamlessly, ensuring accessibility for all. Finally, promote mixed-use developments, bringing amenities and services closer, reducing the dependency on vehicles, and thus making more parts of the city walkable and accessible.
PIOUS ALI
If we want to confront climate change, the work begins right here. And reducing our carbon footprint begins with reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Making our city more walkable and bike-friendly is a key component of that. That means more bike lanes, better sidewalks, adequate lighting, and shifting away from our car-based culture.
But confronting climate change also means taking bigger, more significant steps like cleaning up cruise ships, imposing a carbon impact fee on new development, enforcing and strengthening Portland’s voter approved Green New Deal, and requiring commercial buildings to benchmark and reduce their carbon usage. We also need to look into developing a municipal consumer owned utility, so we can stop relying on the multinational corporate investors of CMP to implement green technology.
DYLAN PUGH
My first goal would be reducing traffic speed, which we can accomplish by redesigning major arterials. This would also allow us to incorporate street trees, landscaped center strips, and protected bike lanes. We should continue to work with Portland Trails to create a network of green pathways to connect neighborhoods and parks.
We should expand public transit options, to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. Transit should run more frequently, and we should expand the number of stops. This must be an ongoing priority, so I support reinstating the position of Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator at the city level.
MARK DION
We can “shrink” certain roadways to expand pavement accessibility for bicyclists. Road design or reconstruction should incorporate wider raised pedestrian crossings where feasible to increase pedestrian needs and afford tangible buffers to calm traffic flow.
JUSTIN COSTA
The most important thing the City can do is work towards ensuring that bike and pedestrian concerns are incorporated into the standard planning processes for infrastructure and streets. We’ve seen a slow move towards greater concern for bike and pedestrian safety via the removal of “slip lanes” throughout the city, the shortening of crosswalk lengths by extending sidewalks, and things of that nature. If we ensure that opportunities to improve are a core part of our street design and maintenance, I think we can ensure progress.
4. What will you do about parking? Whether for residents, workers, shoppers, or visitors, as the city grows so will the demand for parking spaces. What are your solutions for affordable, public parking that is fair for residents while supportive of downtown businesses and services?
PIOUS ALI
The solution to our parking problem is not more parking garages, parking spaces, or parking lots. That will only further harm our planet and ultimately make congestion worse. The answer is a dramatic investment in public transportation, so our buses run more frequently, later into the evening, and at reduced costs for our elderly and low income.
DYLAN PUGH
Frankly, I think we already have too much surface level parking. Large parking lots occupy space that could be dedicated to housing, exacerbate the urban heat island effect, and have a negative impact on our environment. My vision is to convert large parking lots into green spaces, or mixed-use buildings that combine residential and commercial spaces. We should explore underground parking lots or lots that are integrated into housing structures. The most sustainable path forward is to reduce car dependency by creating a city in which it is safe, convenient, and enjoyable to walk, bike, and use public transit.
MARK DION
Fair is an elusive goal when discussing parking. Everyone has a belief that their need should be seen as a priority. All are valid but our inventory is limited. In that light, I have concerns about how much of that parking resource has been captured by for profit entities. While the City sees a parking space as a public resource to be “turned over” as often as possible. Parking is becoming privatized, which has adverse consequences on any person seeking affordable access to a parking slot. I want to explore this issue and advocate for a better outcome for those seeking affordable parking use.
JUSTIN COSTA
There’s no easy solution for parking, especially around downtown. Like many Mainers, I want to be able to park close to where I’m going, but I also resist ever parking in a garage. I think we need to encourage smart developments, especially commercial ones, that incorporate parking into their designs (i.e. some levels of parking incorporated into commercial buildings). Over the long term, the City should work with businesses to support and identify opportunities to have major employers provide shuttle services from remote parking lots (something like what Maine Med has been doing with its employees).
ANDREW ZARRO
I believe cities are for people, and the automobile has done a great deal of damage to our city (Franklin Arterial example). We need to recalibrate our city to balance multi-modal transportation, including the automobile. Parking challenges necessitate innovative solutions. Multi-story parking facilities, with housing above, can significantly increase the number of cars that can be accommodated within a limited footprint. I’d also implement tiered pricing to make it affordable for residents while deterring long-term use by visitors. Promoting public transportation and carpooling can reduce the number of vehicles requiring parking and partnering with downtown businesses to offer validated parking can support them while ensuring turnover. This holistic approach balances the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
5. What can the city do to protect urban trees and increase the tree canopy especially in more densely populated areas?
DYLAN PUGH
I would promote the recommendations of the Portland Urban Tree Canopy study to increase Portland’s canopy cover from its current 23% to 40%. This is an equity issue, especially in more densely populated areas. We can encourage tree planting on residents’ private land through Portland’s co-op tree planting program. I would also promote expanding the program to include planting living mulch with native plants, which protects trees by reducing soil compaction, retaining moisture, and provides the additional benefit of increased biodiversity. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with the Portland Youth Corps, which is a fantastic program.
MARK DION
Plant as many trees in as many public spaces as possible. Do what we can to save mature trees from destruction on a predicate that efficiencies in land development necessitates their removal. We are the Forest City and that identity should not simply be aspirational.
JUSTIN COSTA
I think the smartest thing the City can do is just to make sure that this issue is explicitly accounted for across City staff, boards, and commissions. In my time in government, I’ve never heard anything other than support for efforts to increase the city’s tree canopy, but no one is particularly responsible for those efforts. The arborist may think about the issue, the sustainability office may think about it, Parks Commissioners may think about it, but it’s not the core of what any of them do. Similarly, I think we could explore ways to provide consistent funding for these efforts (the Land Bank Commission, for instance, receives a consistent allocation from the Capital program).
ANDREW ZARRO
Urban trees provide a myriad of benefits, from air purification to reducing heat island effect to an aesthetic appeal. In densely populated areas, protecting and enhancing the tree canopy is critical to tackle climate change. We must implement stringent regulations against unnecessary felling of trees during development and impose penalties for violations. Introduce tree planting initiatives, encouraging community participation, and fostering local stewardship. Prioritize green infrastructure in urban planning, integrating trees into cityscapes and building designs. I championed investing ARPA funding into street trees in Bayside, a neighborhood with the fewest trees. Trees are critical urban infrastructure that are essential to public health and well-being.
PIOUS ALI
As your councilor, I have voted multiple times to increase tree planting in Portland. Most recently I voted to use ARPA and CDBG funds to start planting more trees in the East and West Bayside, areas traditionally neglected, as many poorer urban neighborhoods across the country are. Although these are good steps toward closing the inequity in tree distribution across our city, as mayor, I will continue protecting what we have while ensuring additional resources are added.
We are the Forest City after all, and we must live up to our name. For the planet and for our quality of life.
Election Day
Polls open Tuesday, November 7th at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Residents can register to vote on Election Day. To register to vote you must provide documents to show both proof of identity and proof of residency. A driver’s license or state ID card with a current address meets both criteria. View a list of Portland’s polling places here: https://www.portlandmaine.gov/177/Polling-Places.
Absentee Voting
Voters may request an absentee ballot online or by calling the city clerk’s office at 207-874-8677. In-person absentee voting begins Tuesday, October 10th, in the State of Maine Room, Second Floor of City Hall. The hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Thursday, November 2nd, the clerk’s office will remain open until 7:00 p.m. This is the last day to absentee vote unless granted an allowed special circumstance. To learn more about absentee voting in Portland, visit https://www.portlandmaine.gov/173/Absentee-Voting-Information.
