The Portland Republicans debuted a paid column in our local weekly paper today--
ASK SANDY. Here is today's installment:
As promised, I want to continue the conversation we started with our survey by launching this new column. I truly want you to feel free to tell me about your concerns, and more importantly, ask how I plan on addressing them when I am elected as your First Selectman.
I will start by asking the first question, which I have been asked the most over the past few months:
“Why do you want to be First Selectman of Portland?”
Truthfully, I asked myself this question when I considered accepting the nomination. I have a great career that I enjoy and I don’t harbor secret aspirations of being a “career politician”. I was, however, frustrated with some of the inaction and lack of leadership and vision around issues I saw in the town that could and should be addressed such as the potential placement of propane tanks near schools and senior housing, blight ordinances that are “hard” to enforce, and businesses that left and businesses that never were because of red tape and process issues.
I am an attorney and legal strategist with over 25 years of corporate legal and business experience (which includes running a small business) that has provided me with a complementary mix of business and legal skills in the area of employee benefits, contract negotiations, budget management and strategic business planning. Not to be immodest, I feel that I am what Portland needs at this time—a strong leader with a vision for the town that residents can believe in and support. Being your First Selectman is more than just being a “professional manager”. It takes leadership and vision.
To sum it all up—I care deeply about our town and I want to help it be everything the residents want it to be and more.
Now it’s your turn. Ask me a question via email at
asksandyportlandgop@gmail.com
DON’T BE SHY—ASK AWAY!
Sandy Downes
I enjoyed reading your insert in the Rivereast about the possibility of turning the Portland Reservoir into a park for recreational opporunities. I know there is great support for this idea, and urge you to push hard. Let people know how they can help. Show us a vision of what the park could be.... Host your next event there...Form a non-profit org to promote the park... Seek Federal support from Rep Larson.
ReplyDeleteAlong with doing something to allow people to enjoy the riverfront, cleaning-up main street, the Reservoir vision would greatly benefit Portland and its residents.