David Statman is running for the one City Council seat up for grabs in Rockland this year. 

According to a news release: "Statman would bring to City Council rich experience in organizational governance, community service, and true leadership. If elected, he would be the only senior serving on the Council in a city in which nearly half the residents are over age 50 (and all currently serving Councilors are under 50)."

The release continued:

"Statman is an engaged member of the Rockland community. He serves on the board of AIO Food and Energy Assistance, and he is the board treasurer of the Good Tern Co-op. He also serves as President of Adas Yoshuron Synagogue. 

"'I believe good leadership requires effective listening, respectful communication, and transparency. We shouldn’t be entrenched in one idea but open to new perspectives. We’re all in this together. So it’s important that we acknowledge and respect different points of view, even when we disagree,' said Statman."

Statman and his wife, Melissa, live in the north end of Rockland with their rescue Newfoundland dog, Basil. 

An avid cyclist, Statman is a bicycle safety instructor for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and supports Rockland’s Complete Streets initiative, the release said. As he walks and cycles around town, David has noticed the need for improved accessibility.

A recent survey showed that a significant number of Rockland residents would ride a bicycle (traditional or e-bike) or let their children ride a bicycle if they felt the streets were safe to do so, the release said.

In addition, many residents cannot drive due to health, age, or financial reasons. 

“We need safe, efficient ways to navigate the city. I’m not only talking about getting around by bicycle but also by walking and using manual and powered wheelchairs," said Statman, in the release. "I aim to improve our sidewalks, crosswalks, and trails and to implement traffic-calming measures, so all Rocklanders can enjoy real freedom of access in our city."

Since retiring from his career as a professor of physics and chemistry at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and moving to Rockland, Statman has dedicated his time to advancing long-term, sustainable solutions that serve current and future generations, he said.

He also has served on the Rockland Energy and Sustainability Advisory Committee (RESAC) and Sierra Club Maine’s Clean Energy Team. 

“Rockland’s Comprehensive Plan and the Downtown Waterfront Plan already form an amazing blueprint for a sustainable future," he said. "These changes have the potential to benefit all areas of our lives from affordable housing to lower property taxes — but only if they’re managed well,” said Statman. “I look forward to helping Rockland follow through on the actions called for in those plans by calling on the expertise of city staff and the dedication of our residents. Together we will drive innovative housing and economic solutions that protect Rockland's unique and vibrant character.” 

Statman wants to hear from residents to learn what they love about Rockland and what they believe could be done better. He encourages individuals to get in touch by emailing him at statmanforrockland@gmail.com or calling 508-506-1708.