SCARBOROUGH – This fall three incumbents and several newcomers are all seeking election to the three available seats on the Scarborough Town Council.

There are seven candidates in all – Shawn Babine, Roger Beeley, Peter Hayes, William Somers and incumbents James Benedict, Katherine St. Clair and Richard Sullivan.

Shawn Babine

Age: 48

Occupation: Loan Officer with Primary Residential Mortgage and owner of Babine Enterprise LLC, a small business consulting group

Political experience: Scarborough Board of Education 2000-2002, Scarborough Town Council 2002-2011, Cumberland County Budget Advisory Committee, 2005-2006 and staffer for the 2010 Steve Rowe for governor campaign

Q: Why are you running?

A: I am running for office because I believe I have something to contribute. I have the experience that matters in transforming complex issues into practical solutions as an active listener and thoughtful facilitator.

I also feel the financial constraints facing Scarborough voters and the need for stronger advocacy and fiscal stewardship. And, I want the new council to be stronger local leaders and regional advocates.

We should be focused on fiscal stewardship and transparent long-range planning. This November’s statewide election is critical to Scarborough’s future as the governor and the Legislature eliminated the homestead exemption and reduced our funding from the Maine Revenue Sharing fund.

Going forward, we need to be concerned with local funding solutions and potential volatility in the tax rate. At the same time I hope the new council seriously looks into expanding Scarborough’s property tax credits for seniors, while also extending those benefits for our veterans.

We must be diligent and begin the next round of comprehensive planning. That planning must include sustainability while supporting growth in the right places and improving transportation planning. We also need a thorough review and analysis of our growth management ordinances, and economic planning.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: Expenditures, taxes and debt occupy the public’s attention every election and while some may believe they are three separate issues, they are in fact one.

All three are critical and co-mingled when defining fiscal policy and planning. We need to do more and be more diligent in what we spend our money on and how much we spend.

Balancing the needs of our schools with the needs of an entire community is increasingly important. Our school needs are as important as every other department. There is increasing pressure to do more with less. The problem taxpayers have is the lack of transparency in spending by its elected officials and administrators.

Citizens are growing concerned with the lack of long-term planning. Many believe our council gets distracted too easily and falls short in understanding the long-range impact of decisions.

Too often we pass new ordinances without any post-enactment impact analysis.

We need a complete assessment of the growth management ordinances that have shaped our residential growth for the last decade. Addressing how we plan, and what we plan for, is also essential in facing new and old challenges. How we communicate those plans is as important as what we plan.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: Scarborough has a well-balanced and blended mix of a residential and business tax base. Scarborough is the 10th largest community in Maine and we continue to be the fastest growing community, both residentially and in business growth.

The council and the Scarborough Economic Development Corp., SEDCO, have accomplished much over the last decade. But, the council must continue, even escalate its work, to evaluate where town ordinances have failed; where can we retract, refine, or add new ordinances, policies and processes so that we may be more business friendly.

Proper management of Scarborough’s tax increment financing program requires the due diligence that guarantees we maximize the town’s value of every eligible project.

I hope Scarborough’s economic future includes moving toward a model similar to the programs offered in Biddeford and Saco whereby SEDCO could offer business loans to start-up and existing small and micro-businesses in Scarborough. That new program could also offer technical assistance grants, support larger capital grants for emerging market entrepreneurs and agricultural-based grants for new farmers.

I would also like to the see the council and SEDCO partner in a Scarborough Growth Potential Study that would assesses the town’s economic, social, environmental and infrastructure capacity to grow and expand in the future.

Roger Beeley

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired

Political experience: Never held elective office

Q: Why are you running?

A: I’m running for the Town Council because I want to continue to serve my community. During the last three decades I’ve been actively engaged in numerous town-affiliated boards and committees.

During the 1980s I also became actively engaged in the Scarborough Kiwanis Club as well as the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, in particular its Public Policy Committee. I served on each of these organizations for more than 20 years.

During this period, through the contacts I developed and the relationships I established, I also had the opportunity and privilege to serve with many fellow citizens for the expressed purpose of making Scarborough a better community in which to live and work.

I’ve served on the Scarborough Vision Committee, as chairman of the SEDCO board, as an election warden, as a trustee for the Scarborough Public Library, on the Scarborough Growth and Service Committee, as chairman of the Scarborough Middle School Building Committee, on the Scarborough Transportation Advisory Committee and on the facilities committee for the school department.

Being a town councilor can be a demanding and thankless job. Being retired, I have the time I feel is necessary to be a totally engaged councilor.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: Revenues and expenditures. Scarborough, as with all communities, is facing challenging times regarding reduced state aid creating more demands on local property taxes.

That’s why it is imperative that budgets be thoroughly scrutinized, making sure that we’re using taxpayer money as efficiently as possible. We also have a responsibility to maintain the town’s assets, infrastructure and services in the manner to which the citizens have become accustomed.

Continuing to position Scarborough so it remains an attractive community to both live and operate a business is also key. I believe Scarborough has done an excellent job in this area as witnessed by the population growth, as well as the number and diversity of its businesses.

I’m concerned with the fracturing of the community into various interest groups and the manner in which they sometimes conduct themselves. An engaged and informed citizenry is paramount in a representative democracy, but too often positions solidify and compromise is thrown out the window.

During the debate and discussion of particular issues, the rhetoric becomes heated and uncivil, sometimes becoming personal. This type of intransigence and behavior results in a lack of respect, trust and compromise, which is essential in our form of government.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: I currently serve on the Scarborough Vision Committee and while serving on the SEDCO board in 2008 we decided to take advantage of the significant reduction in commercial activity to survey the town’s business community.

We wanted to get a sense of how they felt the town was handling commercial/business affairs. That endeavor resulted in the creation of the vision committee. I feel very confident that Scarborough is well positioned to take advantage of the next upsurge in commercial activity.

We’ve got excellent locations with the needed infrastructure already in place. We’ve got an excellent economic development operation in SEDCO. We’ve also got a diversity of businesses that gives us some immunity against a financial setback should one large business fail or decide to relocate.

In addition, we have a professional town staff that works closely with SEDCO. We can offer prospective business owners and/or developers the level of assistance rarely found in other communities. I can say this because during one of our vision forums I personally heard architects and engineers state that they have no problem working with Scarborough.

James Benedict

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired

Political experience: One term on the Scarborough Town Council, also served on the town’s ordinance, appointments and coastal waters committees

Q: Why are you running?

A: I am running for re-election because I believe I can be beneficial to the Town Council. I feel that I have proven over the past three years that my voting has been consistent with the majority of taxpayers.

I also believe that our property taxes would be less if there was a more prudent commitment to our bond funding. I believe if there was a more practical decision on how we paid for large items, we could appropriate the money on a yearly basis.

I also believe that the schools could do a better job of budgeting by keeping the taxpayers in the front of their minds as they make their decisions because when I vote, I always keep the betterment of the taxpayer first and foremost.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: First is maintaining a desirable community. We have to make sure that petty things do not change the decades of hard work that has been invested.

Secondly, the importance of critiquing the budget, which is the backbone of keeping all ages of citizens being able to afford living in town, especially the seniors, who have spent years to achieve their status. I have also been told, by various social circles, that Scarborough needs to be extremely careful on how the town’s money is spent.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: I believe taking a small business poll would basically point the town in the right direction. As none of us have a business background, we could gain from their input on cell towers, weighing in on the Dunstan revitalization and other growth agendas in town – those opinions should be welcomed by the town.

I also think that small business gets lost in the decision-making that pertains to them. When ideas surface that involve most businesses and taxpayers, there should be a general meeting or workshop for them to attend so they know exactly what is being considered.

Peter Hayes

Age: 58

Occupation: Self-employed healthcare consultant

Political Experience: Served on the Healthcare Reform Commissions created by Gov. John McKernan and Gov. John Baldacci

Q: Why are you running?

A: I have worked in Scarborough for 30 years, and lived here for 15. Until recently, I have felt our Town Council has governed in a fair and balanced manner. But, during the past 12 to 18 months, this council has been presented with a series of very complex and challenging issues.

In observing how they dealt with these challenges, I have become increasingly concerned about how the council is conducting the business of the town. Their leadership style does not appear to be inclusive or transparent and their decisions and the process they’ve used to make them, has resulted in a divided and polarized community.

Unfortunately, many residents feel their voices and concerns are not heard or appreciated. The council has made a series of decisions that seem to be totally disconnected from the majority view of the Scarborough residents.

I also bring 30 years of business experience and proven leadership skills in building coalitions at the local, state and national levels. I have received national and state recognition for working collaboratively with various stakeholders, as well as for my strategic and innovative approach to problem solving. I feel these skills and experiences will contribute to significantly improving the town governance process and future outcomes.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: 1. The budgeting approval process. The annual budget review and approval process has resulted in tremendous frustration and tensions within our community. It has become a polarizing and difficult discussion that has often resulted in unpleasant characterizations of residents with varying viewpoints. Too many residents feel their voices are not heard, or considered, and the process lacks transparency.

2. Real estate and debt tax burden. The significant and rapidly growing debt is putting immense pressure on the budget process and on our property taxes. The current unpaid debt per Scarborough resident is approximately $12,000, which is notably higher than in our peer communities.

In addition, the increase in real estate taxes for many residents is becoming an affordability issue. Balancing the needs of the community by growing a budget that is too high for some creates divisiveness on critical issues, such as education. The issue of fair and accurate property valuations and needs versus wants is creating a wide divide in our community.

We need to bring all of the stakeholders into the budget and tax discussions, including education representatives and seniors, and begin working toward common goals of great schools and community services that are affordable and sustainable by all our residents.

3. Council culture change. Currently, residents of Scarborough are very frustrated with the governance process. They feel their voices are not being heard or respected and a series of council decisions have not represented the majority view. It is time to create an inclusive culture and connection between the council and the constituents they represent.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: No answer provided.

William Somers

Age: 45

Occupation: Director of risk operations

Political experience: Service on the board of directors for a large condo association

Q: Why are you running?

A: I am running for Town Council because I have the desire to provide a stronger community presence, greater transparency and informed, common sense leadership.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: 1. Taxes. It’s time to take a common sense look at how we are spending our money. This doesn’t mean we have to cut, cut, cut, but rather we must strive to prioritize and get the best bang for our buck.

It’s everyone’s shared responsibility to ensure we not waste our financial resources and that we are being prudent when we are spending tax money. We have to begin understanding the economic impact of years of wasteful spending and we cannot keep adding to the tax burden.

2. Communication. I have heard from many people that they are concerned about the lack of transparency and communication from the council to the citizens. We can do better and we should be held accountable to provide better answers to the questions people have. This should include the use of modern communication methods, such as email, blogs and e-messaging, that would provide regular updates on the issues being debated.

Decisions that have a significant impact on the citizens of Scarborough need to be made very public to ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to be a part of the process. Serving on the council means being an active listener and being responsive to the town residents. I would take that responsibility very seriously.

3. Land use, economic development and shared access. We have valuable natural resources in Scarborough that attracts seasonal visitors and businesses and also provides necessary recreational opportunities for everyone who lives here. We need to ensure these resources are properly governed to foster additional business opportunities, while also ensuring continued shared use for all residents of the town.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: I would like to see the council establish an economic development/ business initiative committee with a mandate to determine what we, as a community, must do to attract new employers to our area, and to also focus on how we can help to prevent the loss of existing employers. I would survey existing businesses to determine what is important to them and what would be detrimental, or positive for their business.

Kate St. Clair

Age: 37

Occupation: Marketing director for Voice Kite and president of the Team Kyle Foundation

Political experience: One term on the Town Council

Q: Why are you running?

A: I’m running again for re-election because I feel like I still have so much more work to do. Two years is just barely enough time to learn how things work. Now I’m ready to jump in with both feet and make a real contribution. I love this town, that has not changed, and it will never change.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough

A: Taxes, budgets and communication.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: I think SEDCO does an amazing job and I personally hope to work with them more directly to contribute to helping our town to grow.

Richard

Sullivan Jr.

Age: 50

Occupation: Portland firefighter for 27 years and owner of a local landscaping business

Political experience: Chairman of the Scarborough Town Council, former member of the Scarborough Planning Board

Q: Why are you running?

A: My reasons for running for Town Council have not changed from the first time I ran – serving my town and the community. I have always felt the need to help my friends and neighbors, whether it was raking leaves as a young boy, doing service projects around town as a Boy Scout or serving on the Scarborough Fire Department.

Eight years ago I decided to continue my service with a run for a three-year seat on the Town Council after serving on the Planning board for a year then. Accomplishments during my time on the council include helping to create a senior property tax rebate program, creating a donation program for fuel assistance, making cuts to municipal spending, properly funding education and supporting recreational opportunities, such as the Eastern Trail and the land trust purchase of the Benjamin Farm.

As council chairman, I also successfully negotiated a resolution between the Dog Owners of Greater Scarborough group and my fellow councilors, started council workshops to make government more transparent and making the public more informed about the issues.

If re-elected I will continue to improve communications between town government and its residents. I will always be open to new ideas on how we can make local government work better.

Q: What are the three biggest issues facing Scarborough?

A: Taxes; local government transparency; and education.

Q: What could/should the town do in terms of economic development?

A: No answer provided.

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