Councilors,
As we approach a new year, it is always a good time to reflect where we
have been, where we are and where we are going. I think that all of you
would agree that the past month or so we have not been in a good place and
we need to turn that page for the benefit of our community.
I have heard from numerous members of the public that we are not doing a
good job when it comes to professionalism, respect and understanding. We
are being watched and we are being scrutinized. Our actions and how we
handle issues are directly impacting how the public responds. We set the
tone and we need to set a more positive tone Councilors.
We are all different and I plead with you that as we proceed as a council, that
we understand the fact that we are different, different with beliefs and
different with approaches. These differences should be advantageous to
any team and we must turn these differences into a positive, enabling us to
work more effectively together. A team working together can accomplish
great things.
Please, let us respect each other. Instead of criticizing or questioning each
other and our citizenry, let us funnel our energies into finding workable and
positive solutions to the problems that face us. We are community leaders
and we must rise above our differences for the benefit of community. All of
our citizens do have good intent and they do indeed deserve better.
We have a responsibility to be civil, to respect all, and to work together. Let
us rise above any name calling and accusations. Let us listen to the public
and work with them as well as with each other. Our actions are hurting staff
as well as our residents. If you have any issues with staff or operations of
our city, please deal directly with Jim Gailey. He is our manager and the only
person we should deal with regarding staff and day to day operations.
If any one of us have an issue with our standing rules, our processing or how
we do business then we have a process in place to discuss and potentially
resolve your concerns; our workshops. On the second Monday of every
month we examine our future workshop list. We can add and subtract any
issues as long as there is another councilor agreeing with you. Please utilize
this process that has worked well for several years now.
I believe it is unprofessional to argue with staff or member of the public in an
email or in public. We, as trusted public officials, must rise about this and
strive to be positive, professional and productive.

 We are fortunate to live in the wonderful city of South Portland. We are also
fortunate to be able to represent our residents and businesses. We have
been given a tremendous responsibility and I plead with all of you to work
together for the greater good of all. We must always look at the bigger
picture. We have a wide variety of issues to deal with and we cannot get
bogged down on any one issue, regardless of the importance of that issue.
Our goal setting workshop clearly showed us the scope and the multitude of
challenges facing us.
You do not need to respond to this email but I am more than willing to meet
with any of you individually if you would like to chat about this matter or any
others. As Chair of our meetings and as Mayor of South Portland, I for one
will try harder to be more respectful and understanding of Council members
and citizens alike. I only ask that you join me in this renewed effort. We can
and we must do better. Let us use our differences and our individual skills to
our advantage by being a team, a team dedicated to the betterment of
South Portland.
So, let us reflect and move forward.
Happy New Year to you all!
Tom