I hope this doesn’t come as too much of a shock, but surprise – there is no working relationship between Portland’s mayor and Portland’s city manager. They are two separate entities, with separate missions and job descriptions. Any attempt to dovetail their duties or responsibilities would be fallacious.

The city manager runs the city, period. The mayor’s position is largely ceremonial and for show; both obtain guidance from the City Council, which looks to input from the citizenry. This is all as it should be.

The council interprets citizen input on issues affecting the city or state and provides appropriate guidance to both manager and mayor accordingly, for action required.

Edward Valente

Scarborough