Three Independents Running for Portsmouth Town Council Seats

PORTSMOUTH, RI – Portsmouth holds partisan elections for the town council seats; but in addition to the Democrats and Republicans, three Independent candidates also have thrown their hats into the ring.

Their names, as Conni Harding pointed out, happened to be omitted from a story previewing a candidates' night. Therefore, to correct that inadvertent omission, here is the information about the three Independents, David Gleason, Conni Harding and Judi Staven.

David Gleason

Gleason, 61, is an incumbent completing his fourth year on the council. He has lived in Town 37 years but counts 60 years as an Aquidneck Island resident. Currently, he is the property manager at the Pennfield School.

If elected, one of his priorities will be to "keep Portsmouth an affordable place to live," he said. Given the fact Portsmouth's tax base is mostly residential, he will work to promote small business and expand boating.

He's running because he believes he has "more to give," he said.

"I consider myself a volunteer," he said, with 12 years on various committees. He'd like to expand the rec department and believes the Town owned buildings need improvements. The preservation of the old buildings and public access to the waterfront remain important issues for Portsmouth, he said.

Conni Harding

Harding has served on various Town boards for years. She decided to run for the council to "formalize" her commitment and her passion for Portsmouth.

"When my family moved to Portsmouth in 1975, Portsmouth had an allure," she said. "We had a generation of innovative citizens acquiring properties along the water for future generations to enjoy and bringing great corporations to our town with top dollar jobs."

Moreover, these corporations came for the quality of life here. But "throughout the last 10 to 15 years, Portsmouth has lost its brand," she said. "We are still known for our great schools but we need to market ourselves better as Bristol and Newport have."

For example, she asked, "why can't polo be "Portsmouth Polo" instead of "Newport Polo," and similarly, why not Portsmouth Bay Club?

"As I said, we have no brand. We can get it back; it will take time. I am on the Comprehensive Community Plan Committee and believe -- when the plan is done -- we can define our vision is, review our ordinances, end the squabbles between neighbors and make Portsmouth alluring again.

Judi Staven

Staven provided this personal information.

Address: 51 Long Meadow Road
Date of Birth: March 10, 1952
Running as an Independent
Served on Council two prior terms: 2002 to 2004 and 2010 to 2012
Profession: Income Tax Preparer, 26 years
Education: Degree in Business
Portsmouth Resident for over 30 years

The other candidates are:

Democrats
Leonard Barry Katzman
John Lane McMahon
John G. McDaid
J. Mark Ryan
Linda Ujifusa

Elias J. Wheeler

Republicans

Thomas Richard Vadney

Lawrence J. Fitzmorris
Keith E. Hamilton
Paul Francis Kesson
Elizabeth Pedro
Debra Cardoza

Photo Courtesy Conni Harding