Pursuant to the City Charter, Article II, Section 2, the only requirement to be a Portland city councilor is that an individual be a resident of the city for a period of at least three months. I find that irresponsible and unconscionable. An outsider could move to Portland and be elected with outside money.
The following should be required to become a city councilor: be a resident of Portland for at least five years, be a U.S. citizen, be a registered voter, be a homeowner, not have any felony convictions, disallow outside “champagne” funding, and most importantly, be at least 40 years of age.
It is extremely concerning having young and inexperienced people elected to the council. My city councilor (Brian Batson) is only 25 years old.
Owning a couple of business suits and being “classroom smart” does not qualify an individual nor substitute for years of life experience. These young people vote on our $330 million combined budget, and some don’t even own their own home. Every financial decision that is made affects every homeowner’s property taxes.
The City Charter needs to be changed with updated requirements to be a city councilor. Where are the quality, experienced candidates like James Cohen, Nathan Smith, Jim Cloutier, Tom Kane and George Campbell?
Janet Daigle
Portland
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