The League of Young Voters 2009 Water District Questionnaire

 Responses by Ken Levinsky 

 1.  How many years have you lived in Maine?

 I was born in Portland 56 years ago and have lived in Maine my whole life, except for the four years I attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts

 2.  What experiences, motivations, and leadership styles will make you an effective Water Trustee?

 I worked in business and nonprofit administration from 1982 - 2007. Specialty areas included communication, customer service, human resources and accounting.

 I have a background in education and returned to the field in 2007. I am currently employed as an Educational Technician III at Windham High School. I also serve as the Executive Secretary/Treasurer for the two high school athletic conferences, SMAA & WMC (33 schools combined), in southern Maine.

I am appreciative of our water quality, not only for drinking, but also as an April through November swimmer in the Sebago Lake basin, Presumpscot River and at the East End Beach. 

I am in debt to the dedicated leaders, who have overseen these treasures over the years, and feel it is my turn to serve.

 As a leader, I am a sensitive listener, consistently positive and solution oriented.

3.  If elected, what would your top three priorities be? How do they affect young people in Portland?

 If elected my priorities would be to:

 * Safeguard our precious water supply

 * Maintain a workable balance between ratepayer fees, water district needs and competing interests

 * Emphasize customer service, employee satisfaction and public relations

 Young people will benefit by long-term stability in water quality, customer service, employment opportunities and leadership development.

 4.  Please share one positive change you have seen in Portland over the last year.

 A positive change in Portland over the last year has been the arrival of the Maine Red Claws NBA developmental league basketball team. Before even having played a game, the Red Claws have provided renovation to the Portland EXPO, civic contributions, employment and another reason for people and businesses to be excited about greater Portland.

5.  Please share one frustrating change you have seen in Portland over the last year.

 A frustrating change in Portland over the last year has been the accelerated loss of income and employment benefits for many area residents.

6.  What competing responsibilities do you have: professionally and personally?

Competing responsibilities for are balancing family time, the need for income and leading a healthy, enriching life. 

7.  What are your thoughts of PWD rate structures? Do you believe in a progressive or a regressive rate structure?

I would like to comment thoughtfully on questions 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14. This questionnaire has prompted me to study these issues.

8.  What is your position on residential users subsidizing industrial and commercial users?

 Only as much as the subsidy is offset by benefits to the residential users. There must be a balance in contribution by all interested parties, including other utilities, business and government..

9.  What do you think about the Water Trustee pushing the policy that automatically qualifies an individual for low-income water rates if they're already qualified for the CMP low-income rate? Why?

10.  What is your take on businesses threatening to leave Portland if water rate structures increase?

There are many factors, which would cause a business to leave the area. In cases where water expense is the “deal breaker”, then the district must do what is in the best interest of the district and its users. Again any subsidy must offset by benefits to the other users and within a coordinated framework of all interested parties, including other utilities, business and government.

 11.  One of the Water District's stated goals is to make the organization more environmentally friendly. If elected, what steps would you take to reach this goal?

12.  What do you think about the Water District selling access to private companies? What are your thoughts about letting other municipalities tap into Sebago?

13.  What is your position on the Water District contracting with an outside insurance company to offer services like the 2006 mailing around water line breaks?

14.  What steps would you take to reduce the discharge of wastewater into Casco Bay from our East End Sewer Plant?