Closing argument

The overarching challenge for our town is to “Keep Portsmouth Portsmouth.” I’m John McDaid, and I’m running for Portsmouth Town Council to help make that happen.

Maintaining our town’s unique character should be the test for any Council decision. That means managing development and preserving open space, but it also means maintaining the quality of our schools, ensuring that town services are delivered efficiently and effectively, and supporting our local economy. It means managing threats (like rising sea levels), implementing sound, evidence-based policies (the wastewater management district), providing for safety and security (the new police station), and developing a shared vision for our town’s future (the Comprehensive Plan).

A bit about my background. I taught communications and writing in college for seven years. I led the team that created one of the first hypertext writing programs in the country at NYU, a program I coordinated for two years.

But as wonderful as it is to teach, I wanted opportunities to apply my skills beyond the classroom. So I moved to the corporate world, where I spent 22 years as a project manager and communication technology specialist for an international consulting firm. I've run everything from small web projects to a million-dollar software development effort, working with distributed teams under tight budgets and timeframes, which has given me a toolbox of skills in communication, coordination, and consensus building. 

I've also pitched in where I can to help out our town and our state. For ten years, I've run a local web site, harddeadlines.com, providing news and commentary on Portsmouth issues. As a freelance journalist, I've reported on Rhode Island issues for RIFuture.org, where I was credentialed to cover the UN 2014 Climate Summit and the Democratic National Conventions in 2012 and 2016. 

I served on the Town's recent Charter Review Committee. I've been a volunteer member of the Portsmouth School District technology committee for more than five years, and was appointed by the School Committee to both the Facilities Committee and Technology Subcommittee. For the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a mentor to PHS students doing senior projects.

I retired this year, and want to take the next step in serving our town. As a proven communicator, I will work to strengthen the connections between our local government and community. My experience in business and education will help me analyze problems and make fact-based decisions. And as a parent and proud third-generation resident of Portsmouth, I will always be guided by what's right for our families and our town. 

I thank you for your time and your consideration, and ask for your vote on November 8. 

This letter appeared in the Newport Daily News, 11/4/16.