As a former Portland city manager, who held the position during the community debate on an elected mayor, I am often asked my views on the position now that we have had about five years experience with the position. I have said to many who have asked me this question that only time and the performance and qualities of the persons holding the position will provide the validity of the voters to create the position of elected mayor.

The Dec. 5 letter to the editor by Steven Biel, which calls into question the attitude of Portland City Manager Jon Jennings’ views of Portland residents, is absurd if not downright false.

First, Mr. Jennings and his family are not longtime residents of Cape Elizabeth. They live in Portland as a city manager should do in the city he serves.

Second, I have known Mr. Jennings for more than 10 years, from when he first visited Portland to explore the market for basketball (now the Maine Red Claws), to his work on the redevelopment of Thompson’s Point and now as our city manager.

I know from my conversations with him that he feels deeply about this city and the need to balance the ever-increasing demand for services with the ability of our taxpayers to pay for those services. Hard decisions have to made when a municipal budget is developed and the India Street health clinic, as worthy and important as the service is, is an example of the leadership that Jon has shown as our city manager.

When I was city manager, we had a very difficult budget year during the recent Great Recession, which required that I recommend that the city terminate the Fourth of July fireworks.

No sooner had that decision been announced than Jon called me and said he would put together private parties to fund the event and was even able to expand the festivities to include the Portland Symphony. He understood that in a difficult budget year, which also included reducing services and laying off city staff, community spirit was important.

Leadership in municipal government requires that a person understand what is expected of his position. Mr. Jennings is the chief executive officer of the city, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. It is time that Mr. Biel and Mayor Ethan Strimling accept that fact.