By Rick Wright

Staff Writer

Thomas S. Coward was unanimously elected by his fellow city councilors Monday as South Portland’s new mayor. Coward took over for outgoing mayor Tom Blake.

 “It is with deep humility that I thank the council for electing me mayor of South Portland,” said Coward. “I look forward to the challenges of the coming year.”

In his inaugural address, Coward laid out a very ambitious agenda for his term, including the launch of the South Portland Sister City Initiative.

“The purpose of this project will be to identify a community somewhere in the world similar to ours,” Coward said. “This community would become South Portland’s sister city. Such a relationship would create valuable opportunities for education and tourism, and would also enhance our ability to attract new business investment.”  

“He’s got a lot of city experience. He’s very knowledgeable about South Portland,” said Jim Hughes, city councilor for District Five. 

“I’m looking forward to having Tom in there. I think he’ll be a good mayor. He’s aware of how cities work and I think that will be a big help.”

  Coward is an attorney with his own practice and an associate real estate broker for the Keller Williams agency. First elected to the council in 2008, he just started the second year of his three-year term.

The new mayor also said he wants the council to focus on several other important issues in the coming year, including final disposition of the former armory building, a renovation plan for South Portland High School and repairing the public works facility.

Coward is hopeful about a film production company occupying the long-empty armory building. About renovating the high school, Coward said, “This year the council and school committee must come up at last with a proposal that is just right.”

Referring to the public works facility, Coward said, “Many of the buildings are inadequate, most are in need of major repairs, and one has been condemned. We must begin to consider solutions.”

Councilor Patti Smith, who made the motion to elect Coward, called him, “A quiet leader. He leads by example,” Smith said. “He’s very thoughtful.” 

Coward and his wife, Deborah, have lived in the city for 27 years. 

“We specifically chose to live in South Portland because it was and is a vital, diverse and exciting community, full of real neighborhoods, with lots of natural beauty,” he said.

“With Tom’s background, he came in on day one and has had an impact from the very beginning,” Blake said. “He has a good pulse on the community. He knows where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

In describing Coward’s leadership style, Hughes said, “It will be a collaborative style which works best in the council. He brings others in. He’s very reasonable and he considers all sides of the question.”

Blake agreed. “He’s a consensus builder. He does his homework. He’s a team player. I’m looking forward to working with Tom.”

“He’s very level headed. He’s able to summarize where an issue might be going. He’s in tune with what’s important to South Portland citizens,” Smith said.

Rick Wright may be contacted at 282-4337, ext. 237, or news@inthesentry.com.