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To honor, recognize and celebrate the life and times of former Columbus City Council Member Maurice D. Portman and to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends on the occasion of his passing, July 3, 2003.
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Maurice (M.D.) Portman was born on April 4, 1914 in Cleveland, Ohio to Max and Rose Portman. Raised by these hard-working Ukrainian immigrants, Maury (as he was fondly known) learned the value of commitment, dedication and satisfaction in a job well done.
Arriving in Columbus on December 1, 1945, Maury took his first steps in this, his adopted city, at the old Union Station. Little did he know that when he took his last step more than fifty-seven years later what a remarkable legacy he would leave behind.
During his lifetime he worked at many different jobs - delivery-boy for a grocery store and a newspaper, shoe maker and salesman, public relations reporter, newspaper reporter, radio news editor and commentator, AP correspondent and editor, soldier/company clerk for the Army in WWII, freelance writer, real estate agent, government employee, business/government consultant, stock broker, and, of course, public official.
His meeting and ultimately serving as campaign manager then executive assistant, budget manager and Finance Director to former Mayor M.E. Sensenbrenner was a turning point in his life. During Mayor Sensenbrenner's first term (1955-59), Maury assisted in establishing a revised budget process, a new treasury investment program and a Department of Finance for the City along with making annexation, urban renewal and capital improvements important agenda items; which included the Goodale slum clearance project, completion of Hoover Dam, expressway startups and expansion of Port Columbus.
We are very fortunate that Maury's second attempt at winning a seat on Council in 1965 resulted in a victorious outcome. His major effort during his first term was to sponsor and create legislation establishing the Department of Development; which included an Economic Development Division. All in all, after having been re-elected eight times to Council, he spent 31 years there (twelve of those as Council President) where he tirelessly and passionately served the citizens of Columbus. All the people of Columbus owe M.D. Portman a debt of gratitude for fighting for their causes with no personal agenda and only the best interests of the community in mind because, simply, he loved and cared about this great city that he called home.
Of all his accomplishments, the one he was most proud of was his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather - a true 'family man'. He was married to his sweetheart and best friend, Alice, and professed his love in dedicating his book to his wife since 1936 and forever. He was especially proud of his three children, Jeffrey Marc, Frederic Andrew and Judith Esme and all their diverse accomplishments, which, most importantly, included his grandchildren, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this humble elected body today honors and recognizes our friend, our mentor, our champion, an outstanding public servant, a visionary and a true gentleman of politics, M.D. Portman, with the utmost esteem on the occasion of his passing, July 3, 2003. We feel privileged to have known Maury and are better for it. We will never forget him or what he did for our fair city.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of the Resolution be presented to M.D. Portman's family with our sincerest condolences and respect.