With Vana at home
Natalie Conn from The Sunday Best took this photo as part of a series on the candidates in places they value. My home is the place I treasure because it is where my wonderful wife Vana lives, and because it is a microcosm of the beauty and grace of Portland.
Interview with Jason Singer, Portland Press Herald
Filed under: Articles about Ralph Carmona, Audio, Campaign Trail, Videos
Thanks to Jason for taking the time to talk with me! I think this came out well, and I hope you’ll share it with others who haven’t made up their minds.
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…
Filed under: Articles by Ralph Carmona, Campaign Trail, Photos
A Portland Press Herald reporter was driving by and saw me posting signs. He smiled and yelled out: “Hey, I thought you left that to the volunteers!” I replied: “I am the people’s mayor!”
Which isn’t to say that we don’t have volunteers — indeed, I am very grateful to those who have helped me get the word out about this candidacy! If you’d like to help, e-mail me at ralph@carmonamayor.com. Let me know if there’s a spot in your neighborhood — or in your yard — that needs a Carmona for Mayor sign!
A young volunteer helps with sign setup -- done at night so as to avoid causing traffic trouble.
Coming soon to a neighborhood near you!
Filed under: Campaign Trail, Photos
It’s yard sign time all over the city. While signs don’t win elections, they certainly help! If you would like a Carmona for Mayor yard sign, e-mail ralph@carmonamayor.com and we’ll make sure you get one!
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.
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Carmona for Mayor
P.O. Box 15111
Portland, ME 04112-
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