By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview.
Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November.
Despite the relaxed setting on a Tuesday afternoon at the Time & Tides coffee shop on Main Street, Kurtz approaches our questions with the same style of deliberative and thoughtful responses that are becoming his public trademark.
He is a serious man but is also equally funny and somewhat self-deprecating.
Our hour-long conversation is free-wheeling. At times the mood is light and jovial. But Kurtz also doesn’t pull any punches when talking about growing up as “a geek” with divorced parents in southern Maine.
And he is as serious as a heart attack when discussing some of the issues now facing the city of Biddeford.
“There is absolutely no question,” he said. “We need to do better, but I also think we’re on the right track.”
Kurtz’s childhood was much less than anything that could be described as idyllic. His father struggled with a drug addiction. His mother did her best to raise her son alone on a meager income.
Despite those somewhat gritty circumstances, Kurtz heaped praise on both of his parents.
“They both loved and supported me unconditionally,” he recalled. “They were doing the best that they could do. Yes, my father had a substance use disorder, but he read to me every night when I visited him on weekends or vacation days.”
Here are three things everyone should know about David Kurtz.
First, he wore open-toed sandals to the interview, despite piles of frozen snow on the sidewalks and mid-February freezing temperatures.
A few hours later, he was dressed in a jacket and necktie for a meeting with his constituents at City Hall to discuss priorities for the city’s recreational assets. No sandals. Polished shoes.
Secondly, Kurtz worked in a liquor store when he was just 17 years old. “I looked more like 39 back then, than I do today,” he laughed.
Finally, Kurtz is often accompanied by his mother, Cynthia, during public events, including last week’s ward meeting and while enjoying the city’s annual downtown Winterfest celebration.
Sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
In his very first bid for public office, Kurtz was unopposed in his quest for the council’s Ward Five seat.
Kurtz received 553 votes – a little less than 73 percent of the total ballots cast in that council race. According to the city clerk’s office, 211 voters in Ward Five left that particular ballot choice blank.
Ward Five – previously represented by Neva Lance, Julian Schlaver, Victoria Foley and Amy Clearwater – includes the city’s downtown area and a sprawling collection of repurposed former mill buildings.
While Biddeford is, in fact, Maine’s youngest city (35.6 median age), Ward Five is also arguably the most diverse, youngest and politically progressive of Biddeford’s seven voting wards.
Kurtz is a corporate lawyer. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine’s Law School in 2016.
Today, Kurtz is employed as a corporate lawyer for Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, a New York-based firm with offices in all 50 states. Kurtz runs the firm’s Maine and Vermont offices.
Kurtz “shares a bed and custody of two cats” with his girlfriend, Dani, a veterinarian. The couple lives in a newly constructed residential building on Upper Falls Road (formerly Gooch Street).
Meet the new guy
Kurtz takes a sip from his coffee as we begin the Q & A portion of our meeting.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he laughed. “Let me have it.”
You double-majored in economics and bio chemistry at Hampshire College. Bio chemistry?
“All my friends were pre-med. I couldn’t keep up with their conversations, so I decided to try a new tact.” (Laughs)
How and why did you get involved in city politics?
“I served on the Recycling & Waste Management Commission. I found it fascinating. I got to work closely with [Public Works Director] Jeff Demers. Man, that guy knows a lot.”
“On that committee, I worked alongside [city councilors] Brad Cote, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods and with Liam [LaFountain] before he became mayor.”
You’re not a Biddeford native.
“No. Almost, but not quite.” (Laughs) “I wasn’t born here, and I’m a bit self-conscious about that. I am from Maine, if that helps. (Laughs). My dad lived in Biddeford. My mom lived in Kennebunk. I commuted between the two communities during my childhood.”
You say you grew up in a financially challenged household, yet you ended up at Waynflete, a prestigious private high school. How did that happen? Good grades?
“Exactly. I was as shocked as anyone that I got in.”
Serving on the city council is often a thankless and tedious endeavor. Did you think it through before taking out nomination papers?
“Oh sure. I talked with [former Mayor] Marty Grohman and Norm [Belanger] and Liam – the three guys running for mayor. They didn’t try to talk me out of it.”
What motivated you to run?
“I saw where the city was heading, and I had my own concerns, I’m of the belief that sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
What are your current committee assignments?
“I serve on the Policy Committee, the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. I also serve as the city council liaison on both the Biddeford Housing Authority and the Heart of Biddeford.”
You’re keeping busy.
“Pretty much. I also have a pretty time-consuming job. Dani and I are planning a vacation in 2028.” (Laughs)
You seem to be a good fit for this particular ward.
“Well. Thank you for that, kind sir. I feel at home in this ward. Many of my constituents are just like me – – relatively new arrivals in the city. I want to make sure their voices are heard.”
Future political plans?
“Nope. This is the end of the line for me.”
Your father read to you nightly. What books?
“Rudyard Kipling, Robert Heinlen, Issac Asimov – all the good Jewish writers.” (Laughs)
Hobbies? Background?
“I’m a big fan of long-distance hiking. I was actually a ‘ridge runner’ with the Appalachian Mountain Club.”
Is gentrification a concern for Biddeford?
“I think so, and I’m part of the issue. Higher-income, newer professional resident. We have to work through it without denying the challenges.”
You describe yourself as a “political leftie.” What’s your mission statement as a city councilor?
“I want the lowest taxes possible without cutting essential services.”
Note: The Biddeford Gazette will be conducting similar interviews with the other eight members of the city council over the next few weeks.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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