The South Portlander

Why is it that politicians like Steve Onos just can’t resist sound bites and saying what they think the public wants to hear?

And am I the only one that thinks his responses sound like he is a little bit full-of-himself?

From what I’ve read about both candidates, it sounds like Patty Smith is the better choice; particularly with her MBA and HR experience.

You know, at this point in the process, I am just happy that people are putting themselves out there. I don’t think it’s right to make snide anonymous comments about people who are deciding they want to give something back and, more importantly, bring new blood and change to the Council. Let’s encourage more folks to step forward. Then make your choice at the ballot box.

LET,NDT:
I agree that new blood is exciting and we should encourage more residents to get involved. Though, I am not sure why you inappropriately called my comments “snide” (a : FALSE, COUNTERFEIT b : practicing deception : DISHONEST <a snide merchant>. I was simply commenting that Onos’ responses sounded like sound bites...wouldn’t you agree that politics would be much better if politicians just spoke the plain truth and didn’t try to feed us what we wanted to hear? And my second comment was to see if I was getting an accurate read on this politician. You could have just replied “I didn’t get the impression that he was full of himself” rather than resorting to name calling (which I think is what you implied you don’t like).

Hmmm… I certainly think my post was less name-calling than the ones where you named Steve Onos and said he “sounds like he is a little bit full of himself.” It seemed judgemental at this stage in the game, as does calling him a “politican.” I’ve never met the guy myself, but someone who has been a volunteer school board member and now is ready to run for city council should be given a chance to speak for himself before people start making off-the-cuff judgemental statements. As should Patty Smith, who also seems like a solid candidate.
From your comments, it seems like you are looking for change as much as the rest of us. Why not encourage anyone who wants to help to come forward?

Why don’t both of you take out papers and run for the seat? 

I agree with westend, the more the merrier. However, what we need are fewer candidates who run for the wrong reasons. Running should not be about an ego boost, a power trip, or building a better resume. It should not be about getting free health care insurance or other perks that come with public service. We’ve all heard how unresponsive Morgan, Hughes and Loring have been. So why would we even consider re-electing them? If we are paying attention and doing our jobs as involved taxpayers, they would know not to run again based on the negative performance feedback they recieved from us. So, if you are one of those complaining, hopefully, you called each of them and told them you are unhappy with them and will not support their campaign. Get involved, pay attention, and vote wisely.

My personal goal is to elect candidates with professional business and board experience. Until we elect Councilors who act like a true Board of Directors, and oversee the CEO (city manager), and answer to the shareholders (taxpayers), we will never reach our full potential as a City. This could be the best corporation in the State to work for or contribute to, yet we consistently get saddled with those more interested in bees, chickens and dogs than whether we have affordable homes, a healthy business economy, or quality educational opportunities.
For these reasons, I will be proud to support Patti Smith for the District 2 City Council race. Similarly, I will be supporting Tom Coward in his race for my former seat in District 1 against Claude Morgan. Many of you already know that although I endorsed and supported Claude when he ran three years ago, I will not support him this year as I feel his ambition and ego have gotten in the way of his serving the needs of South Portland.
If you believe that South Portland has the potential to better serve our residents and businesses, then join me in voting for Tom Coward and Patti Smith for City Council in November. If you wish to get involved and volunteer, please drop me an email.
Sincerely,
David Jacobs

I guess my question for Steve is what is a ‘career banker’?  Does he currently have a job?  With what bank?  In what capacity?

I know I am risking being blasted by “Lets encourage them...”, too, but I personally am suspicious of those who look at local politics as a career or resume builder. It appears Steve Onos mapped out his terms on the School Board to parlay that into getting elected to the Council. What is next? A state race or governor race? I like people who run because they want to make a difference or give back to the community. No one should be discouraged from participating. However, do it for the right reasons...not to boost yourself. Look at the mess that has made for Claude Morgan.

We met Patti Smith at a house party this week and we were very impressed with her ideas and energy. Even though she brings business experience and professionalism to the table, she still manages to be relaxed and accessible. Her HR experience has taught her to listen and to find solutions. We are excited to vote for Patti Smith for City Council in District 2; she is the change we need.

did ya’ll see the Sentry this weekend where steve onos says he has been planning his run for council since getting elected to the school board? And his quote that he has a knack for politics?  Sounds like he has just the right amount of ego to be a politician all right! Of course, I want to vote for someone who can help me not in order to help themselves. sorry steve, i’ll be voting for patty.

Some might lead you to believe that the District 2 race is merely about choosing a Democrat over a Republican (noting in reality that Steve Onos has been an Independent longer than I have), and that Patti Smith deserves your vote simply because she is probably correctly perceived more liberal than Steve in her local or national views.
I would disagree.  Robotic party lines or party perceptions are no way to vote in my opinion - it is about people not parties.  And I say that as someone who strongly supports Tom Blake and Lynn Bromley locally, Susan Collins in the Senate, and nationally would be perfectly ok with an Obama-Palin ticket and letting Biden be Sec. of State and McCain Sec. of Defense.
Committed, solid, charismatic leaders for the right job at the right time regardless of how much they agree or disagree with others around them.  Last time I checked (but please watch the incredible mini-series for affirmation) Adams and Jefferson worked darn well together, got plenty done, but often debated and often disagreed.  Balance is a good thing.  Who would be the best city councilor to help South Portland tackle some major issues and needs at this time?
Who would best compliment and improve the Council, and provide new and important, not replicated, skill sets to the team?  Those are the key questions.  And though Patti Smith seems like a terrific person with a lot to offer So Po on Planning Board and Conservation Commission - Steve Onos is the better choice at this time.  When you think about what is coming down the pike regards High School funding and Middle School consolidation, Steve’s significant background, acumen, and contacts on the School Board will be vital.
When you think about the asset management issues that So Po is faced with, Steve’s experience in business management, banking and finance will be helpful.  And when you think about what makes a good, high performance, effective, well-rounded group of seven caring individuals it is not about cloning Tom Blake (which Patti Smith represents) or Steve Onos for that matter but having an important array of skills, passion, and ideas leading So Po.  In diversity we have strength and value.  I for one have been quite outspoken in my public service about the past history of our boards and councils being too far pinned to one side of the spectrum (call it the pro-development side perhaps) with some damaging effect - let’s not swing too far the other way.  We need a Steve Onos on Council just as much as we REALLY needed a Tom Blake on Council (and a Steve Jocher and Caroline Hendry on Planning Board) I have great respect for Tom, David Jacobs and others who support Patti Smith.  We can agree to disagree on this one.  Good luck to both candidates, and as I have said prior, the fact we have a competitive landscape and an engaged and attentive citizenry - is what matters most towards building a strong future for our great city.

Don, I appreciate your kind comment; please know that I have great respect for you as well. I am thankful that we can “agree to disagree” on who we support and still remain colleagues and friends. There is so much work to be done on the local level and it is important that every voice is heard. With that said, however, the arguments you use to support Steve Onos are the very reasons I cannot support him. His voice is so very similar to the ones that have been leading us for the past few decades. The first time I’ve seen “party lines” appear in any of these posts is by you. No one has been using the words Democrat or Republican, conservative or liberal to discuss these candidates. But even if they had, I think many would agree that the make up of our leaders has not represented the makeup of our City. South Portland has become quite a progressive city, yet, the only choices we are offered as of late are of those with conservative views, such as Steve Onos. I have great respect for Steve and his service, but his experience and singular passion for education clearly make him better suited for serving on the School Board. It is no secret that my service rocked the boat because I challenged the status quo. The election of Rosemarie DeAngelis further pushed buttons because I then had an ally in asking questions about how/why we governed the way we did and we shined a light into the dark crevices of city government. Tom Blake fits in to this mold as well but he is less threatening than I or Rosemarie because of the tremendous public support he receives. This only confirms that the public is seeking more “Tom Blakes” who will listen, ask questions, and serve their best interests. I agree with you that Patti Smith has many similar, positive traits as Tom Blake. You said in your post that “balance is a good thing.” I couldn’t agree more because CURRENTLY THERE IS NOT A BALANCE ON THE COUNCIL. We don’t need more of same which, please forgive my being frank, is what we would get with Steve Onos. This is why I enthusiastically support Patti Smith. Not only would she offer a gender balance on the Council, her progressive voice would counter the more conservative status quo and she would be a much needed ally for Tom Blake. You further cement my decision to support Patti Smith by saying, “In diversity we have strength and value.” This diversity (and subsequent strength and value), the leadership and business management skills, the HR experience, and the values many of us long for in our city leaders can be found in Patti Smith.