News Features

Two candidates for Portland Water District Board of Trustees

Hydro power to the people

By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF | October 28, 2009

Two people are vying for a vacant one-year term on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees. We asked each of them to write a few words about the importance of the water district.

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Ken Levinsky
56, educational technician, former executive

The Portland Water District safeguards our area’s clean and good-tasting water supply and the lake it comes from. The future of greater Portland depends partially on long-term stability in water quality. That is the mission of the board of trustees, professional management, and highly qualified employees of the district. The district works to maintain a reasonable balance between ratepayer fees and water-district needs. It ensures that residential, industrial, and commercial users all pay their fair share. It also provides over 200 good-paying, local jobs. The district is working with local municipalities to reduce combined sewer overflows. Progress is being made so that storm runoff will no longer overwhelm the wastewater-treatment plant, resulting in the bypassing of all but primary treatment. A cleaner Casco Bay is an investment in our future, providing for a high quality of life, which attracts residents, businesses, and tourists.

Oliver Outerbridge
48, holistic health counselor, owner of Bonobo restaurant

Do you care about your water? Do you care if it sustains your health or causes you harm? As a candidate for the Portland Water District board, I pledge to provide the people of Portland with the best, living, life-sustaining water possible. I will demand a thorough review of the district’s practice of adding hydrofluorosilicic acid to the water supply for the purported benefit of preventing tooth decay. I believe the practice of mass medication is unethical and unconstitutional. The addition of a known neurotoxin, the main ingredient in rat poison and Prozac, is outrageous and must end now! To the people of Portland: I oppose those who would seek to poison you under whatever pretense. Please, please, educate yourselves on the dangers of hydrofluorosilicic acid (fluoridealert.org) and vote on November 3!

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ARTICLES BY PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF

OUR ENDORSEMENTS | October 29, 2009
Statewide referenda and Portland local races

TWO CANDIDATES FOR PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES | October 28, 2009
Two people are vying for a vacant one-year term on the Portland Water District Board of Trustees. We asked each of them to write a few words about the importance of the water district.

WHERE TO GO TO VOTE | October 28, 2009
Polling hours November 3, 7 am-8 pm

PORTLAND SCHOOL COMMITTEE CANDIDATES | October 28, 2009
While the District 1 and at-large races are uncontested (with a newcomer in the former and a one-term incumbent in the latter), we offer here those candidates’ answers, as well as those of the two candidates vying for the District 2 seat being vacated by Robert O’Brien.

PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES 2009 | October 29, 2009
While the District 2 and at-large races are uncontested, we offer here those candidates’ answers, as well as those of the candidates vying for the District 1 seat, incumbent Kevin Donoghue and challenger Charles Bragdon.

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