Al Stewart
Alan Stewart is a graduate of Portland High School and is a Navy Veteran from the Viet Nam era. Al also has a BA from the University of Connecticut and is retired after serving more than 30 years with the Connecticut Department of Children and Families. He coaches children's sports and is a frequent volunteer for school field trips and activities. Al and his wife Margaret have 2 children.

What do you like best about Portland?

I like the fact that Portland is a small town. You can get to know so many people at various events, such as spots and school activities.

What are the 3 issues in town that you are most interested in?

1. The building of the new Middle School and renovation of the High School.
2. Attracting new industries.
3. Slowing down the rise of new housing.

What do you hope to accomplish in your next term of office?

1. Successful completion of the building project.
2. Make it possible for young people to remain in town as they get older.
3. Continue the trend of the last 2 years in the steady improvement of test scores.

How will you make a political difference in town?

Opening communication between the political parties regarding education so that future budgets will be approved.

Describe what you think local leadership is about.

Local leadership is about honesty, fairness, and doing what is right for the town. It requires the ability to make hard decisions which can be unpopular but necessary. It also requires a leader to be able to win our opponents over so that the various boards are not always so fragmented. In other words, local leadership is about pulling a town together so that it can move forward in these difficult times.