City Council Candidate Q&A
Questions written by SP Land Trust Board members
and provided to City Council candidates via email
To learn more about the November election, visit South Portland’s City Clerk webpage.
City Council candidate name and district information is shown below.
City Council - District Three (3 year term)
Robert Kierstead
Misha Pride (incumbent)
City Council - District Four (3 year term)
Steven Riley (incumbent)
Jessica Walker
1. What factors would you take into consideration when an issue arises that involves conflict between business development/potential for tax revenue and environmental concerns? Essentially, how important are both short- and long-term environmental impacts in your decision-making? For example, given our commitments to coastal resiliency and climate change action, how would those commitments be balanced against proposals for increased development in environmentally sensitive areas?
Kierstead: I would look at how we can balance development and the environmental impact. If that development is in a potential flood zone we would certainly need to make sure appropriate actions are taken to make it resilient to potential weather related events. We should look to promote development that does not impact the environment in a negative way from construction throughout its expected lifespan.
Pride: I believe I have shown in my almost 6 years on the Council that I keep climate change and and climate resilience top of mind when approaching city business. Council has made action on climate change a top priority in each year that I have been on the Council. Obviously, there are times when we need to do a cost benefit analysis and there is a balancing when it comes to developing land. I have supported protecting our open space simultaneously with trying to encourage targeted development that results in responsibly situated dense housing.
Riley: I would study the information provided by the Planning, Code Enforcement and Sustainability Departments and other City Staff to make sure the issue at hand adheres to our climate resiliency goals. I would also review the Comprehensive Plan to make sure the issue is compatible with it.
Walker: There are several questions we need to ask before we can make any decisions; what are the short and long term gains? What are the short and long term costs? Are today’s revenue dollars going to be tomorrow’s tax bill? If we don’t look at the long term climate impact of any potential development, we’re not seeing the true financial picture. No one has a crystal ball, but we know that climate change is here, and as a coastal city we have a responsibility to, at the very least, not make things worse. We need to look at all aspects of any potential project to see what the true environmental costs might be in five, ten, or fifty years. One Climate Future must be the central tenet we use when answering our questions, and we need to ensure that we understand the long term implications of any perceived short term gains.
2. With regards to decisions or issues that arise that may have an environmental impact (either short- or long-term), how would you gather information about that impact? Or, who would you contact to obtain scientific information to inform your decision or opinion?
Kierstead: I would look to see if there is a similar instance where this has happened before. What was done to mitigate the impact and if it was successful. I would also want to hear from those who are experienced in such matters and list the pros and cons to each proposal.
Pride: I gather information in two ways: first and foremost, we have a professional staff, including a sustainability director, who have a good knowledge-base to draw from. Second, I listen to our concerned residents and sometimes do independent research about the impacts our decision-making has on the environment. I do my best to always listen to science.
Riley: I would reach out and seek input from professionals who are non-bias, in other words, they are not involved with the issue before me.
Walker: Great question! Research is the key to making an informed decision. Our Sustainability department is a phenomenal resource, and I would start there to see what information they have and also who they would recommend for outreach. We have several city committees that also could be beneficial in gaining a better understanding. Finally, the academic journals at the USM library would also be essential to round out my knowledge of the topic or issue.
3. How would you utilize/consider input from city committees, boards or commissions when making a decision on behalf of the city? For example, how would you consider input/opinion from the Conservation Commission on issues of environmental impact
Kierstead: I am someone who wants to get as much information as possible before making an informed decision. I would welcome input from committees, boards, commissions and citizens to help make the best decision I can for the City of South Portland.
Pride: I consider the input of every committee when making a decision that involves that committee's area of concern. I do note that volunteer committees are made up of enthusiastic citizens, who are not always experts. I appreciate all of the hard work and thought that goes into committee work, and give it due weight.
Riley: I would welcome input from the advisory City Committees and boards and use this information to help me come to a decision that is best for the City and its residents.
Walker: As a proud member of both the Library Advisory Board and the Waste Reduction Committee, I know firsthand what great work our committees do. One of the things that I’d like to do if elected is to increase the communication between the committees and council by establishing a round robin schedule where we take turns attending various committee meetings during the year. I think that the committees can have a wealth of knowledge on a particular topic and can speak directly to an issue in an informed way. Seeking committee input on a specific topic prior to a meeting could be incredibly useful as part of the overall decision-making process.
4. How will you ensure all communities and neighborhoods within South Portland have equitable access to public lands, green spaces, and outdoor recreation opportunities?
Kierstead: One of the best things about South Portland is that there are many areas throughout the city with outdoor spaces that are accessible to residents. There is still more that can be done to improve those spaces. I would work to make sure those spaces are protected and we have a plan to keep those spaces safe and available to all residents.
Pride: I believe in open space, and favored our tiering system as well as the use of conservation easements to protect city land from development. Unfortunately, not all of the Council agreed with me.
Riley: I would ensure that all the City's public lands, green spaces and outdoor recreation opportunities are ADA compliant and accessible to all in our community. I would also work to make sure that public transportation is available to these locations.
Walker: That’s a tough one. Living on the west side of the city, it’s harder for us to access those spaces without a car. We need to increase safe bike and pedestrian trails to our green spaces and outdoor recreation areas to ensure that we can all access it. We should consider a free bus service in the summer for students that runs to and from Willard Beach several times a day. We need to connect the west side of the city to the greenbelt, which will help residents access Wainwright. Our parks and beaches are places for community connections, and we need to be able to access them equitably to grow those connections.
5. According to co-author Nicolas Koch regarding a recent study of the relative effectiveness of 1,500 climate policies from across the world (1): The key ingredient if you want to reduce emissions is that you have pricing in the policy mix. If subsidies and regulations come alone or in a mix with each other, you won’t see major emission reductions. But when price instruments come in the mix like a carbon energy tax then they will deliver those substantial emissions reductions.
For each of the following, please indicate whether you feel:
a. Not enough is being done to slow the rise in global warming and the catastrophic effects it will have for human civilization.
Kierstead: There are many things that are being done currently that are having an impact. From new building standards to reduce energy usage to more efficient vehicles. As more innovations come to market it will continue to reduce the environmental impacts.
Pride: I'm not sure how to answer this. I think your'e asking me whether I agree with each statement. I do feel that (a) is true globally.
Riley: I agree. I do believe that South Portland is ahead of many communities with our climate resiliency goals and our commitment to One Climate Future.
Walker: I agree. While I understand there is a cost implication, I feel we need to be more aggressive with the steps we take to mitigate global warming.
b. Putting a tax on fossil fuels (making the polluters pay) is a necessity; clean energy incentives and regulations are not enough.
Kierstead: Incentives and regulations should be enhanced as much as possible to meet goals. Adding more taxes would negatively affect lower income families more. I would like to see more incentives to reduce energy use and utilize cleaner energy options.
Pride: I think we need to consider (b) carefully. In principle, I believe polluters should pay, but I also think this isn't something that should be handled at a local level.
Riley: Increasing the taxes on fossil fuels will make them more expensive which will lead more people switching to non fossil fuels alternatives.
Walker: I agree. It may not be popular with the business community, and we’d need to be careful that the costs aren’t just passed on to the consumers, but often times financial incentives, or disincentives in this case, are a necessary tool to effect change.
c. As is being done in New Brunswick and other places, funds raised from putting a tax on carbon (a carbon fee) should be returned to citizens to help offset increased energy prices (carbon dividend).
Kierstead: I believe that we should look for ways to decrease energy prices as much as possible. Maine has one of the highest cost of electricity in the country. If there are any funds received from a tax they should be returned to the citizens.
Pride: Same with (c), it should not be handled at a local level, but also I worry about unintended consequences, and would like to look at how this is working on a logistical level in New Brunswick.
Riley: I agree. Returning carbon fees to citizens who choose to purchase alternative energy products will incentify more people to buy and use them.
Walker: I agree, be it via cost reduction, or in terms of tax credits or individual assistance to help citizens prepare for climate change.
(1) Climate policies that achieved major emission reductions: Global evidence from two decades, Stechemesser et al., Science 385, 884-982 (2024), 23 August 2024.