PORTSMOUTH — We recently asked the 15 candidates for Portsmouth Town Council for their opinion on how to relieve the tax burden for residential property owners.

This time, we asked them the following question: What are your personal goals as a council member if elected (i.e. Initiatives you’d like to focus on, problem areas you’d like to tackle, etc.)?

Their responses follow, in reverse-alphabetical order by the candidates’ last name.

Linda Ujifusa (Democrat)

I want to focus on taking actions that will allow us to pass sustainable, more transparent budgets that protect our schools, infrastructure and quality of life with minimal budget increases. 

To do that, we must clearly and carefully chart Portsmouth’s future through updating our Comprehensive Plan, Hazard Mitigation Plan, Charter and ordinances. I want to make sure this process allows the concerns of all residents to be heard and properly balanced. 

Finally, I want to make sure the key priorities identified in the town’s comprehensive analysis of our properties and hazard mitigation plan are incorporated into our rolling five-year capital improvement plans and future budgets.

J. Mark Ryan (Democrat)

My goals are to continue and improve prudent fiscal policies enacted since I joined the council in 2016. Specifically, we have instituted zero-based budgeting so that every expense in every department must be justified annually. 

In addition, we have finally created rolling five-year capital improvement plans and undertaken a comprehensive professional analysis of town properties to prioritize what we spend. 

Because of these initiatives, we have been able to support our schools, capital improvements and essential services, and simultaneously deal with serious problems of decreased state aid and past deferred maintenance.

Peter Roberts (Independent)

• Open, upfront local government

• Developing better safety measures in Portsmouth public schools

• Responsible spending of taxpayer money

• Upkeep of current infrastructure

• Fix roads that actually need to be fixed

Jeffrey Richard (Republican)

My primary goal is to get control of the property tax and the fees that make living in Rhode Island expensive. 

I have a dream about a large regional recreation center on the tank farm property. I will push for Portsmouth to acquire the land at the top of the property to build an all-purpose facility operated by member dues.

Elizabeth Pedro (Republican)

Balancing the budget is the foremost duty of the Town Council. Our goal is to live within our means, so it’s important to understand the difference between needs and wants. The town and its constituents’ households are faced with the same task, to be cost-efficient.

School safety must be further considered. Portsmouth has not been spared from the growing opioid epidemic, nor from violence in our schools. I would like to see more attention given to these issues, especially from a policy perspective, which can be done without cost to the town.

Maintaining the character of our town has always been important to me. I want to see all citizens weigh in on the Comprehensive Community Plan, as their input is imperative. I want to ensure that the residents are completely satisfied with this plan and that the character of our town is protected.

Paul Kesson (Republican)

In this current term I have observed a lack of transparency in our town government. My goal will be to try to insure both the residents and councilors have full insight into town expenditures. Each monthly budget presented shows only the discretionary expenditures. Major cost-drivers, such as town employee salaries, need to be included so trends can be identified before they become problems. 

I will also uncover areas where best government practices are not being followed. For example, the public needs a clarification of the $2 million of unexplained expenses that were exposed in 2016. The town administrator’s report confirmed that monies had been merged into the general fund, which aided the bond rating, but did not explain the increased expenditure.

Andrew Kelly (Democrat)

Given the opioid epidemic, I’d like to bring my experiences on the School Committee to bear on educating and shifting perceptions at the town level.  

I want to ensure residents are getting the most bang for their buck by managing expenditures, as the School Committee did successfully with minimal and justifiable budget increases, while seeking alternative revenue sources and advocating for more state funding.

I’d like to try to expand the successful model of community building already in place in Island Park and Common Fence Point to see if there are ideas applicable to fostering more townwide civic involvement. 

Leonard Katzman (Democrat)

One initiative I want to focus on is to make Town Council meetings more accessible. Council members must be responsive to the concerns of all the residents of our town. Unfortunately, there are now Town Council members who seem to take direction from just the small handful of people who show up to every meeting and monopolize the discussion. 

I know that many town residents, such as those with children or the elderly, simply can’t spend hours at a nighttime council meeting waiting to be heard. If I am elected, I will champion implementing modern technologies that can enable more citizens to participate in their government. Access to town government shouldn’t be the luxury of only the few. 

Keith Hamilton (Republican)

I would like to finally bring our parks and recreation trash collection into the 20th century with designated recycling and trash receptacles.  

I also want to help our youth sports organizations grow in conjunction with our recreation department — perhaps utilizing the Coggeshall building as a new recreational complex with after-school help and fitness facilities.

Dave Gleason (Independent)

If re-elected, personal goals include completing the town’s Harbor Management and Comprehensive Community plans. Of the two, the Comprehensive Plan is the most important and is long overdue after eight-plus years. Potential plan changes will lead to re-writes of our zoning rules and regulations, which now too often requires action by town councils to make spot zoning changes, often benefitting individuals or businesses, not necessarily the town. Completing the plan with public input will potentially bring the 1992 vision of the town up to modern times, promoting smart business while retaining valuable farms.

Regarding the zoning changes required to match the Comprehensive Plan, I would advocate for an independent review by parties not politically affiliated with Portsmouth. A town official recently stated that Portsmouth has one of the most ambiguous zoning ordinances in the state. It is wide open to legal interpretation and makes for difficult enforcement, among other issues. Additionally, all town ordinances, not just zoning related, need review/updates, but await completion of the Comprehensive Plan.

Larry Fitzmorris (Republican)

If elected to the council I would address the following initiatives:

Improve council engagement in budget development, including setting tax rate increase guidance and spending priorities. This is the council’s primary obligation.

I would improve council oversight on the construction of the new police station. I would limit costs to a total of $10 million, prohibit transfer of project costs to the town budget and ensure all change orders (cost increases) are approved by the council.

I believe that final decisions on many important, and expensive, town issues can be decided in public. I would advocate for public votes for labor agreements, land purchases, formal agreements with state agencies and legal settlements.

Ray Davis (Democrat)

Public service is about helping the people of Portsmouth and it starts with promoting civility, respect and cooperation in all Portsmouth town government, beginning with the Town Council.

• Maintaining fiscal responsibility and expanding economic opportunities carefully

• Improving the quality of life for all Portsmouth residents

• Supporting public safety and first responders

• Providing safety and wellbeing for students and maintain high-quality public education 

• More collaboration on the council as well as with neighboring communities

• More awareness and support for the needs on Prudence Island

• Protecting the beauty and history of Portsmouth

• Promotion of the arts and developing economic opportunities to do so

• Work closer with state and federal legislators to increase aid to Portsmouth

• Maintain and utilize town properties and departments to their fullest potential

Debra Cardoza (Republican)

As a council member, I would like to address the lack of civility in the council chambers.

It is very unfortunate that one needs to be represented by a lawyer to establish their side and be heard by town boards and sometimes even the council.

It is also extremely unfortunate the residence do not feel comfortable in presenting their views or concerns before the council. Citizens have experienced this during discussion of an issue or at a public hearing because of disorderly or shouted comments from people that disagree.  

Kevin Aguiar (Democrat)

If re-elected, I plan to actively participate in the Comprehensive Community Plan update and continue as a liaison to the Economic Development Committee. 

I feel these are two important elements to help guide economic development and preserve Portsmouth’s rural character.

Daniela Abbot (Democrat)

My primary goal will be to improve outreach and community engagement by talking to more residents about the issues with which we are dealing at Town Hall. 

Beyond that, I look forward to working with colleagues on the Town Council on initiatives that bolster economic development that improves our quality of life, strengthens our school system, and protects our coastline and other natural resources.