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.
Maine Points interview
Filed under: Articles about Ralph Carmona, Audio, Campaign Trail
WGAN’s Mike Violette interviewed me July 17 about my campaign, and he did a great job guiding a fun and informative conversation. Some of the things we talked about:
- The importance of people coming together from different perspectives to make progress
- The influence of the old Lloyd Bridges series “Sea Hunt” on my life
- Sustainable economic growth and business
- My journey to Portland (thanks to my wonderful wife Vana)
- Public safety and the choice of a new police chief
- My highest political ambition (which is to be mayor of Portland!)
- Growth and revenue from the talented people of Portland
- My support for the Thompson’s Point project as a growth engine for locally-owned businesses (not “trinkets and trash” culture)
- Portland’s graffiti ordinance
Portland, young and old
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail, Photos
Among my conversations last night were talks with two Republicans. One was a woman in her eighties. She said she supported issues over party and was open to supporting me.
Another voter and I talked for almost an hour. He was clearly a prominent and active member of the community. We engaged in animated conversations regarding city call responsiveness, immigration, crime and civil rights. He was a real straight talker. We had real differences. But we also found a common respect in our arguments and in our listening to one another. He mentioned he would consider voting for me and we talked about getting together again. We both parted ways with smiles on our faces.
I was delighted to meet young voters at the Deering Oaks farmer's market, and even persuaded one or two of them to hold up my sign for the camera! Here's Sarah Davis, whose many talents include playing the cello.
This morning, I attended the Portland Farmers Market at Deering Oaks, gathering signatures from Portland voters for my nomination. I got support on the spot from a number of people, especially younger voters excited about the prospect of my vision for a Portland on the Rise. One invited me to a Fair Food Farm Tour on July 30th at 200 Anderson St. in Portland. I plan to be there!
I also attended the 150th Commemoration of Sgt. Alonzo P. Stinson, the first Portlander to give his life in the Civil War. He was killed in July 1861, at the Battle of Bull Run, Virginia. It was the first major battle of the Civil War and a rout of the Northern Union Army. The ceremony took place at 11:30AM in front of Stinson’s granite monument in Portland’s Eastern Cemetery.
I had the opportunity to see Nick, another of the mayoral candidates. In the tradition of positive campaigning, we signed each other's nomination papers.
There’s rain in Maine? No strain for this campaign
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail
My high school was depicted in the movie "Stand and Deliver."
I spent much of yesterday talking with voters yesterday around Monument Square. Many folks were thankful for the outreach. They expressed the need for someone who plays well with others and a couple of familiar faces saw me and simply smiled and said stuff like “go get ‘em, Ralph.”
An African-American artist named Nicholas spent 20 minutes debating the pluses and minuses of taxation and international trade. In the end, he nominated me and wished me the best of luck.
A young woman talked with me on her bike and expressed concern about her husband’s business being overwhelmed by city politics and graffiti. “We want green energy, we love the city, but it is killing my husband’s business.” I talked about the use of a diversity ordinance that recognizes differing profit levels profitability reflective of different services and products. To allow for one of too much of a single value creates inequities and, worst of all, sterility. She said we need someone who can “get us to a tipping point” to make things happen. She was amazed that I was familiar with Malcolm Gladwell’s assessment of that kind of change and its possibility for change in Portland. “The fact that you are familiar with Gladwell and his book The Tipping Point is reason for me to vote for you!”
Walking in the rain last night, I shared thoughts with a voter who said she had been contacted by another candidate, Ethan, who has yet to file. I emphasized that Ethan is a nice man and I am willing to sign his nomination papers and other candidates that I know (five, so far) because we all need to be positive and come together for the sake of Portland. Moreover, I am in this to win! She laughed and said “you certainly have the stuff it takes!”
Umbrella in hand, I talked with a husband and his wife. He listened, but she asked numerous questions about the Bayside and Thompson’s Point projects. Most important to her, however, is the future of public schooling for her two children. I emphasized that the greatest investment we can make is in our public schools and quoted investment banker Felix Rohatyn (he help bail out New York City during the 1970s) to that effect.
She was also impressed that my doctoral research was on inner city public schools and that I survived a poverty and segregation to get a doctorate. I mentioned that my East Los Angeles high school was depicted in the movie “Stand and Deliver” and her husband spoke up: “I saw that!”
After 20 minutes, she apologized for keeping me in the rain. But I said: “I think it speaks to the 3-S principle one of my supporters referred to in describing me: Stamina, along with Spirit and Smarts.” She said: “No kidding; we will be in touch!”
Beating the odds
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Portland Issues
My congratulations to LearningWorks for bringing Governor Paul LePage to Portland this week to share his personal story of childhood poverty and violence at a public forum.
No matter what your opinion of his governance, his story is a moving one. Like LePage, I grew up in a troubled family in a tough neighborhood — a segregated East Los Angeles community plagued by gangs and high school dropouts. In an April private meeting, I advocated for policies that will make things better for the young people of Portland, but we also connected over our shared experiences of domestic violence and difficult fathers.
Before this week’s forum began, I had an opportunity to talk briefly with the governor about his commitment to attend a public policy forum that I will help lead in Portland. Unfortunately, there was not enough time for me to ask a question during the session. But following his talk I was able to briefly ask the Governor what was on my mind.
It was simply this: Did he reconcile with his father as I had done with my dad? He had not and, pressed for time, could not elaborate. I told the Governor that the reconciliation I had with my father created a positive bond during his final years of his life. From then, until he passed on, this once-violent man of rage praised and loved me as a fortunate son.
Governor LePage and I are both “fortunate sons” today – we have worked and educated ourselves, and have the opportunity to encourage and support kids like we once were. I cannot answer for him, but part of my reason for seeking public office is to send a message to young people: You are worth something, and you can rise beyond what anyone else expects of you.
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Carmona for Mayor
P.O. Box 15111
Portland, ME 04112-
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