The South Portlander

Looks like the pro-dog folks are beginning to carry out their threats to challenge sitting councilors… Should be an interesting election. The dog group is very well organized.

While anyone would be a better choice than Kay Loring, it remains utterly bizarre that dogs are the driving force for so many South Portland residents to get involved in local government.  Blogs and yahoo groups have never been so active, what about other issues, or is self interest the only true standard for political awakening?

While I am a dog owner/lover, I am not sure I could be accused of being active in my community just because of my dog. Sure, my dog gets me out of the house and I meet lots of new, interesting residents on the beach in and the parks. And, since my relationship with my dog is equivalent to that of a parent and child, of course I am going to be on guard if someone threatens our ability to participate in the enjoyment of public spaces. With all that said, however, I know Patti through her volunteer activities with the South Portland Land Trust which advocates for smart growth and preservation and conservation. This is an issue even more dear to me than dogs on the beach. It is unfair to label others, particularly those you don’t know.  So, I will be happy to vote for Patti because she is not about one issue, she is about bettering the community for all who live and work here.

I’ve never met Patti but she seems to have the background and compassion the Council sorely needs. The days of small-town backroom deals are over if more people like Patti and Tom Blake serve!

Heck, if she can not fall asleep during meetings, she’ll be a huge improvement!

Regardless of why she is getting involved, the point is that she is getting involved and she is qualified and passionate.  It’s a far better reason than health insurance, etc.  I’m glad to see people step up.  Perhaps more people will run and there won’t be any “shoe ins” who run unopposed.

If she supports Obama, then Patty has my vote! It is time for change on the national level and the local level! Lets clean up the mess the Republicans have made (including Boudreau, Soule, Hughes, Loring - and fake Dems Beecher and Morgan)! Time for hope, time for change!

The council could really use someone with an MBA as well as a human resources specialist. Go Patty!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Patti seems like a great choice. Having said that, I hope she does not launch her campaign on the ‘dog issue’, as it will be deadly! The Dog Owners Group may be well organized, but if Patti does not speak for ALL residents and starts with taking a strong position in favor of one side, rather than taking time to review the issue and consider ALL options, she will lose more than my support. I too am an animal lover, but it is not what drives my politics. I want someone with substance, thought, depth, and a sense of how to meet the needs of all residents on many other issues. This one issue cannot take precedence or sit in the foreground--it should only be an example of how to bring folks to the table to resolve conflict and think openly. I wish Patti luck, but I will be watching closely--at all the candidates!

Well said, JUST ME. Very well said. In city issues, there never seems to be any sense of compromise. Everything is seemingly decided on an “all or nothing” basis.
And I for one would like to hear Patti speak a few times. Watching city council meetings is a study in out and out bloviating, with each speaker falling more deeply in love with the sound of his or her voice at each meeting.
Maybe the dog issue will be the impetus for all of us to sit up and start considering more closely our choices - starting with demanding better ones.

I know Patti and I can assure you the dog issue is NOT her driving motivation for running. She is a thoughtful person--with interest and expertise in many areas. And I would be surprised if she took an absolute stance on any issue, including dogs on the beach. She is skilled at working toward solutions that have everyone’s best interest in mind. That’s not always easy, but at least she’ll strive for it. She will certainly have my vote.

You can’t knock the SoPo Dog Owner’s Group for being well organized. This is democracy working at the highest level. People are involed and getting candidates to represent their views. It should be a great voter’s turnout election day!

there are already dog owners on the council.  dog owner or not a dog owner, she has thoughts and ideas to better the environment and building sustainability, that is more important.

It’s about time an intelligent person with manners has put their hat in the ring. I have met Patti at community events and her personality is very open and honest. We need new blood in a group of councilors that has tried to squash involvement by the community. I look forward to learning more about Patti as her campaign continues! Good luck!

I know Patti personally, and she is truly a wonderfully compassionate person who cares about the environment and her community.  While she is a dog owner, she is more about using her business sense to make sure the high taxes our residents pay are spent wisely.

If candidates like Patti understand that they serve us and not the other way around, then she has our vote!

After being scolded by Linda Boudreau for daring to voice our displeasure with the current council, I am more determined to vote in new faces this election. I will vote for Patti Smith and Tom Coward, but does anyone know who to vote for against Jim Hughes?

I’ll tell you that Jim Hughes lost my vote when he reappointed Carol Thorne to the planning board. She is so pro-development, I expect to see her driving the bulldozer to clear trees on some of these new projects. Hughes says traffic is his number one concern and then he reappoints someone who promotes increased traffic...I don’t get it.

If Mark Gandolfo is running against Jim Hughes, he’d be a major improvement.

Check out Patti’s website for more info at: http://www.pattismithforsouthportland.com

I am voting for Patti Smith, Tom Coward, and Mark Gandolfo. I like that all three newcomers are talking about transparency. Surely we have all had enough of back room deals and private email conversations from our “leaders.”