July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
May, Aker run for Dist. 4 seat (10/15/03)
2003 Portland Election
(Editor’s note: Seven seats on the Portland City Council will be filled by the November city election, but three of the candidates are unopposed. Republicans Bill Gibson in the first district, Glen Bryant in the second district, and Dolphus Stephens in the fifth district have no opponents. This is the second of a series of articles looking at the candidates in two contested district races and the four-way race for two at-large council seats.)
A Portland businesswoman making her first bid for elected office will face a two-term incumbent in the race for the District 4 seat on the Portland City Council.
Democrat Judith “Judy” L. Aker will challenge the re-election bid of Republican Stephanie A. May in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election.
May has been the operations manager of pharmacy services at Ball Memorial Hospital for four years. She is a graduate of Portland High School and the Purdue University School of Pharmacy.
Aker, 45, graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1976 and earned an associate’s degree from Ohio State University in 1976. She has been a co-owner of Aker Plumbing in Portland for 16 years.
May is completing her second term on the city council. This is Aker’s first election as a candidate.
May and her husband Ron live at 403 E. Main St. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Portland, Tri-Kappa Sorority, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, and Indiana Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Aker and her husband Richard “Mark,” reside at 601 Floral Ave. The Akers have a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Jennifer. She is a member of the Fibromyalgia Support group.
May and Aker recently answered questions from The Commercial Review regarding city issues. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for city council? What makes you qualified for the position?
May — I believe in investing my time, knowledge and energy into making Portland a great community where people want to live, work and raise their family.
My experience on the city council, education, work experience and community service qualifies for the position of city council.
Aker — I am running for city council because I would like to make a difference. By living and working in Portland, I would like to be an integral part of the decision-making team that truly makes Portland “a place to grow.”
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the city council now? What is your position on that issue?
May — The deterioration of the buildings in downtown Portland is the most pressing issue before the council now. The city cannot afford the upkeep and repair of these buildings alone. Grants are being investigated to assist with these costs. The city may still be responsible for a portion of the cost of the repairs in order to qualify for these monies.
Aker — The most pressing issue before the city council is bringing more business to Portland. The city council needs to entice businesses to set up shop in the downtown area. In turn, the people of Portland need to support local businesses.
How important is revitalizing the downtown area? What role, if any, should the council play in that effort?
May — I believe that everyone would like to see the revitalization of downtown Portland. However, it is not an easy task to attract new businesses and merchants. The chamber of commerce and the economic development corporation have done an excellent job in bringing industry and merchants to Portland, while trying to retain our current businesses. The council’s role should continue to support the efforts of these two groups by offering loans, funds for matching grants and leadership for the revitalization project.
Aker — I would like to see downtown Portland revitalized. However, I don’t think that city money should be spent on privately owned property. If the city council and chamber of commerce could work hand in hand to find businesses to occupy the empty storefronts, then maybe the property owners will find the resources to renovate their buildings.
Following the Portland Fire Department’s recent move to its new quarters, do you think any other city offices or departments need to be relocated? Please explain.
May — I do not think that any other city offices need to be relocated.
The city council meeting room has been moved to the new fire department complex. The meeting room is also used for city court. It was not handicapped accessible for council meetings or city court.
The upstairs of city hall is being remodeled to utilize the space for offices and storage for the police department and city.
Aker — It would be nice to be able to relocate city hall. The current city hall is outdated and not handicapped accessible. The water department, police department and city offices share a cramped amount of space. Parking is also and issue at city hall.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the city council.
May — The city council sets the budget which determines the tax rate for the city. The council also passes resolutions and ordinances along with zoning regulations.
The board of works, which consists of the mayor and two appointed members (which do not have to be council members), spends the budgeted money. They advertise and accept bids for services and equipment. The board of works also hires city employees and appoints the department heads.
Aker — The role of the city council is to represent the citizens of Portland in the day to day running of the city. To listen to the people’s opinions and take those opinions back to city council meetings.
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
May — It has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Portland for the past eight years. If re-elected, I will continue to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, work with the mayor’s office to solicit grants for downtown revitalization and support the chamber of commerce in their efforts to bring business and industry to Portland.
Aker — I would like to let the voters know that I will be available to them. I work and live in the city of Portland. I value the voters’ opinions and suggestions. I will have an “open door” policy. I want the voters of District 4 to feel free to stop in and talk to me at my office or home. In exchange, I will take their concerns back to the city council.
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A Portland businesswoman making her first bid for elected office will face a two-term incumbent in the race for the District 4 seat on the Portland City Council.
Democrat Judith “Judy” L. Aker will challenge the re-election bid of Republican Stephanie A. May in the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election.
May has been the operations manager of pharmacy services at Ball Memorial Hospital for four years. She is a graduate of Portland High School and the Purdue University School of Pharmacy.
Aker, 45, graduated from Avon Lake High School in 1976 and earned an associate’s degree from Ohio State University in 1976. She has been a co-owner of Aker Plumbing in Portland for 16 years.
May is completing her second term on the city council. This is Aker’s first election as a candidate.
May and her husband Ron live at 403 E. Main St. She is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Portland, Tri-Kappa Sorority, American Society of Health System Pharmacists, and Indiana Society of Hospital Pharmacists.
Aker and her husband Richard “Mark,” reside at 601 Floral Ave. The Akers have a son, Christopher, and a daughter, Jennifer. She is a member of the Fibromyalgia Support group.
May and Aker recently answered questions from The Commercial Review regarding city issues. Their responses follow.
Why are you running for city council? What makes you qualified for the position?
May — I believe in investing my time, knowledge and energy into making Portland a great community where people want to live, work and raise their family.
My experience on the city council, education, work experience and community service qualifies for the position of city council.
Aker — I am running for city council because I would like to make a difference. By living and working in Portland, I would like to be an integral part of the decision-making team that truly makes Portland “a place to grow.”
What do you believe to be the most pressing issue before the city council now? What is your position on that issue?
May — The deterioration of the buildings in downtown Portland is the most pressing issue before the council now. The city cannot afford the upkeep and repair of these buildings alone. Grants are being investigated to assist with these costs. The city may still be responsible for a portion of the cost of the repairs in order to qualify for these monies.
Aker — The most pressing issue before the city council is bringing more business to Portland. The city council needs to entice businesses to set up shop in the downtown area. In turn, the people of Portland need to support local businesses.
How important is revitalizing the downtown area? What role, if any, should the council play in that effort?
May — I believe that everyone would like to see the revitalization of downtown Portland. However, it is not an easy task to attract new businesses and merchants. The chamber of commerce and the economic development corporation have done an excellent job in bringing industry and merchants to Portland, while trying to retain our current businesses. The council’s role should continue to support the efforts of these two groups by offering loans, funds for matching grants and leadership for the revitalization project.
Aker — I would like to see downtown Portland revitalized. However, I don’t think that city money should be spent on privately owned property. If the city council and chamber of commerce could work hand in hand to find businesses to occupy the empty storefronts, then maybe the property owners will find the resources to renovate their buildings.
Following the Portland Fire Department’s recent move to its new quarters, do you think any other city offices or departments need to be relocated? Please explain.
May — I do not think that any other city offices need to be relocated.
The city council meeting room has been moved to the new fire department complex. The meeting room is also used for city court. It was not handicapped accessible for council meetings or city court.
The upstairs of city hall is being remodeled to utilize the space for offices and storage for the police department and city.
Aker — It would be nice to be able to relocate city hall. The current city hall is outdated and not handicapped accessible. The water department, police department and city offices share a cramped amount of space. Parking is also and issue at city hall.
Briefly describe what you see as the role of the city council.
May — The city council sets the budget which determines the tax rate for the city. The council also passes resolutions and ordinances along with zoning regulations.
The board of works, which consists of the mayor and two appointed members (which do not have to be council members), spends the budgeted money. They advertise and accept bids for services and equipment. The board of works also hires city employees and appoints the department heads.
Aker — The role of the city council is to represent the citizens of Portland in the day to day running of the city. To listen to the people’s opinions and take those opinions back to city council meetings.
If there is one thing you want to make sure the voters know about you or the office you are seeking, what would that be?
May — It has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Portland for the past eight years. If re-elected, I will continue to make sure our tax dollars are spent wisely, work with the mayor’s office to solicit grants for downtown revitalization and support the chamber of commerce in their efforts to bring business and industry to Portland.
Aker — I would like to let the voters know that I will be available to them. I work and live in the city of Portland. I value the voters’ opinions and suggestions. I will have an “open door” policy. I want the voters of District 4 to feel free to stop in and talk to me at my office or home. In exchange, I will take their concerns back to the city council.
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