The real work is beginning
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail, Portland Issues
I'm not the tallest candidate -- but I might well be the hardest-working. (Photo by Gordon Chibroski, Portland Press Herald)
Last week, at the Portland Club, all 15 mayoral candidates each had three minutes to speak before an audience of about 100 people. So much to say, I thought, so little time. Crunched for space, the media provided only a symbolic glimpse of what I said. So, below are my comments, with a few additional thoughts to spare on this website.
I spoke without notes or podium before a group of 100 folks at the Portland Club. I gave them three reasons why I should be the next Mayor of Portland.
And I did it through the words of a good neighbor and supporter who often says: “Ralph is my “3-S Man.”
The first “S”, she tells people, is for the SPIRIT to take on the character of issues. As an example, I gave my ability as the only candidate to reach out to Governor LePage and have a private meeting with him regarding civil rights and the impact of his proposed state cuts on Portland.
I could have also added that it is also because I have no scores to settle because I am not a part of the city hall power structure, have not spent my life running for office, and no intention to use the mayoral position as stepping stone to higher office.
The second “S” is for SMARTS. Not just academic (I have a doctorate) or street (dysfunctional family in a segregated Los Angeles community), but business, academic and political smarts to make the right decisions on issues. For example, I am the only mayoral candidate to publicly support the $33 million civic center bond renovation measure that will be on the November ballot. I emphasized that Portlanders have been struggling about the center for 15 years. We are on the verge of losing business, a possible ADA suit, and attendance decline and a leadership decision, of what I would do as mayor, was needed. I mentioned that two other candidates have followed my lead and that is a good thing.
I could have also mentioned my support for the Thompson’s Point project which, like the Civic Center renovation, exemplifies of my effort to act as mayor now and show that I am focused on increasing revenues — without property tax increases — to grow our economy and protect our public services.
The third “S” is for STAMINA. It is the stamina of a child who survived domestic violence and poverty to earn three college degrees. A 97-pound, four-foot, seven-inch high school kid, who dreamed of being a professional ballplayer, only to fail at qualifying to join the high school team.
In the face of failure, I quickly joined a newly high school swim team. But I had a problem: I did not know how to swim! After the laughter died down, I talked of how I learned all four strokes, competed in the individual events, and became a lifeguard.
It is the stamina of someone who has over 40 years – longer than some of the candidates have been alive – of public policy and political experience working for what was once the largest financial institution in the world and the sixth-largest municipal utility in the country. I was responsible for working at all levels of government, but emphasized that I worked with cities bigger and smaller than Portland.
I could have added over 20 years both as an adjunct professor and lecturer at campuses, like Smith College and USM, and civil rights leader at all levels of government.
When all is said and done, I concluded, none of the candidates are angels when it comes to the art of politics. But Portland will need a 3-S Mayor to lead with SPIRIT, SMARTS and STAMINA.
And I am your guy.
I will be the kind of mayor, I wanted to add, who that will have the prudence and temperament to focus and bring the city together on the right issues. A mayor who can get us on the side of angels.
Carmona supports Avesta affordable housing efforts
My support is rooted in the need for us to get things done. It is the harbinger of a mayoral leadership to stimulate Portland job growth and economic activity. It is why I have testified in favor of the Thompson’s Point and support the Avesta Adams School housing project.
Such endeavors are reflective of a need for us to increase quality Portland jobs and revenues. These efforts will increase consumer demand. And all this will respond to recent devastating state cuts that have been handed to us by shrinking state revenues. These projects are all, in the aggregate, stimulants for business activity, more jobs, increased wages and new revenue.
Avesta’s affordable housing efforts, for example, keep low-income Portlanders in the city to increase consumer demand and decreases carbon auto driving to some affordable distant non-Portland region. By providing residency that stabilizes the lives of those who are homeless, Avesta projects have decreased the cost of homelessness by decreasing unnecessary medical emergency and law enforcement calls.
Carmona supports Civic Center bond measure
Filed under: Campaign Trail, Photos, Portland Issues
The Cumberland County Civic Center needs updating to continue making money and providing cultural and entertainment opportunities for the city. (Ralph Carmona photo)
Portland, MAINE (August 13, 2011) – Today, Ralph Carmona became the first Portland mayoral candidate to publicly support the $33 million civic center bond measure that will be on the November ballot.
“This general obligation bond effort could not come at a better time. The window of opportunity in a deflationary economy — with bottomed-out interest rates and unprecedented low requests for proposals (RFPs) from construction companies could not be better.
“And to the greater end, this means more jobs, increased revenue and better quality of life for Portland residents.
“The Civic Center is a proven success that generates $12 million to $15 million annually to the Portland economy. It will keep on giving and pay for itself all the more if we make these improvements. And if present estimates are fully realized, there will be no county tax increase.
“With greater access for more diverse shows, more restrooms for women, and legal access for the disabled, it will add to the entertainment center’s attendance and quality of life for those coming to Portland and be a boom for surrounding non-profit efforts and restaurants in the area.
“The bottom line is that this has been a moneymaker for six of the last seven years. With improvements, the estimated income after expenses will be over $1 million annually. Without these changes, the center will become a losing proposition facing lost revenue and potential lawsuits for failing to meet federal mandates like the Americans for Disability Act.
“The innovations from the bond measure will add to the diversity and affordability of entertainment that is provided by Hadlock Field, the Exposition Center, Merrill Auditorium, the State Theater and Thompson’s point project. And two-thirds of Portland voters and surrounding business owners I have talked with strongly support this endeavor. Without it, there will not be a place with the kind of entertainment capacity (6,500) that the outdated 34 year-old Civic Center provide. About half-million people visit the Civic Center annually and the five hotels and 65 restaurants surrounding it will benefit more from this renovation.
“The retirement of the Cumberland County jail bond will mean a $2 million decrease in county expenses that could be applied to the renovation project. It will certainly add jobs and stimulate growth for Portland’s economy. This is not a spending cut, fiscal deficit spending or inflating effort. It is a stimulant for a revenue-maker that is becoming an embarrassing eye sore for our city. Too much media attention has been focused on the Portland Pirates hockey team’s support for this renovation and how it will affect their stay here in Portland. But the reality is that the team provides only 35 percent of the entertainment activity at the center.
“Former Portland City Manager and past trustee of the Cumberland County Civic Center, John Menario, is right when he says the ultimate quality of life that the Center provides is an affordable venue for those Portlanders who cannot afford to go to Boston or New York. ‘If you want to know quality of life,” he emphasized to me recently, ‘it is on the smiles of those children who get that opportunity to see events like Sesame Street Live. Those smiles are priceless.’”
One voter at a time
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail, Photos, Portland Issues
Meeting voters on Munjoy Hill
Connecting with voters in neighborhoods carries an emotional and personal dynamic that is irreplaceable. I’m not not having volunteers leave impersonal cards or sheets at the door. They get ME. And I get them, and a valuable chance to learn from each encounter.
I called out to one baby-boomer gentleman, walking his dog: “Are you a Portland registered voter?”
Answer: “Yes, who are you?”
“My name is Ralph Carmona, I am running for mayor of Portland, and I need your vote!” I tell him my story and he not only supports me, but is open to doing a yard sign. As it turns out, I had skipped his home completely; it had a “no solicitors” sign on it.
Another older voter had just signed a nomination form for a previous candidate who had been in the neighborhood. We talked and he agreed to take a yard sign for me!
I then saw a young couple with shopping bags, walked over and we talked about my candidacy. The boyfriend was visiting, but gave me his address. They both were mesmerized by the notion of someone from East Los Angeles meeting a Mainer in his fifties, marrying and following her to a Portland they love to make change — a candidate with accomplishments seldom achieved by people who have been in Maine their whole lives. They seemed excited about my candidacy and were supportive.
Later, a few blocks away, a young man drove by and yelled out to me, “Are you the guy running for mayor?” When I said I am, he said he wanted to ask me something. It was whether I supported general assistance. A college graduate, he held two jobs, one at the local Goodwill and another as a cook at a prominent restaurant. He is concerned about losing food stamps to help him through.
I told him general assistance needs to be supported to give people a hand-up — not a hand-out. He agreed. We talked about the difficulties of those his age and he saw my empathy because I have five children in his age range going through the same struggles for a viable future. He then said: You’ve got that integrity that my mom talks about. I want to support and help you in your campaign! That’s a big sacrifice from someone who’s already putting in so much of his time just to get by.
In a completely different neighborhood, I saw a man who had a racing car. He and I talked and he said he really liked my message and was inclined to support me. The next day, as I walked the neighborhood, he drove by and yelled out: “Go get ‘em, Mr. Mayor!”
I had a long conversation with an older man who tried to lock me into the intricacies of Portland’s political history as a reason not to support me. I told him that I do not have all the answers, but I would love to have him as an adviser. We parted on good terms. The next day, one of his neighbors told me, “Do not let him bother you, keep doing what you are doing.”
Perhaps the most difficult conversations have been with voters very hostile about immigrants. One voter even suggested shooting immigrants. In the end, I found common ground even with that person.
I knock on the door of one of Portland’s most prominent political figures. That person talked about key Portland issues and indicated possibly supporting me. Was this because of how I felt about a particular issue? “No,” is the answer, “I know you know who is running, and I believe you will be objective and decisive.” I’ll try to live up to that!
Thanks Tim!
Filed under: Articles about Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail, Portland Issues
My Munjoy Hill neighbors are great people. Just look at this letter Tim Baehr wrote to the Press Herald:
Did the mayoral race get “serious” only after Ethan Strimling’s entry into the vast field of candidates? (“Greg Kesich: Portland mayoral race gets serious with Strimling’s entry,” July 27)
OK, Strimling has a high profile, for good or ill. And it’s hard to pay attention to a field of – what – 19? Oh – Strimling is bringing a sense of “drama” to the race, as if things won’t get dramatic enough as November rolls around and specific plans and promises of all the candidates emerge.
Right now, Strimling seems to have just one major plank in his platform: “(E)conomic development is the key to everything. Once you do that, all your other problems go away.” Really? All our problems?
I’ve been observing one candidate who has a broader approach. (Full disclosure: he lives downstairs from me.) Ralph Carmona has been walking the city, rain or (100-degree) shine, getting almost all the required nomination signatures himself and knocking on over 800 doors so far. I’ve seen him at the Wednesday farmer’s market listening to — not just talking to — people who disagreed with him. He may not win everyone over to his views, but they’ll know he listens.
With his academic background in political science, practical background in industry and political organizing, and personal background as someone who can truly bring people together, Ralph can lead already-great Portland to new heights in livability, economic development, education and national prominence.
Don’t take my word for it. Watch and listen. You’ll find that Ralph is the real deal.
Naturally, I’m flattered — but I’m also working hard to live up to the high standards needed to be worthy of such praise. If you think I’m doing a good job, why not write a letter to the editor yourself? And if you think there’s more I can be doing, or if you have questions about the issues or my campaign, I hope you’ll talk to me directly.
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Carmona for Mayor
P.O. Box 15111
Portland, ME 04112-
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