Portland voters will soon choose a new mayor and I urge support for Mark Dion. He knows City Hall as a city councilor. He knows Cumberland County as a county sheriff. He knows Augusta as a state representative and senator. He knows the roles of mayor and city manager working together for Portland’s future.

This year’s election takes place in a city with a sense of unease about the future. Examples of this are:

• The growing homeless encampments with no social or safety controls and a council divided on how to address the issue.
• An influx of new arrivals who are finding housing only in hotels or motels.
• An inflated housing market that is pricing out new homeowners and tenants.
• A growing perception that police, trained in public safety, are being constrained by the City Council’s social policies.

Portland needs a mayor who is ready on day one. Mark Dion is that person.

Joseph Gray
former Portland City Manager
Portland