for Cape Elizabeth Town Council

REINIGER

Vote Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Progress Not Politics

Independent leadership focused on fiscal discipline, neighborhood character, and practical innovation.

  • Keep Cape affordable
  • Neighborhoods first
  • Smart, transparent innovation

Why I'm running

Cape is at a crossroads: rising operating costs, projected property tax spikes, school bond pressures, and more residents on fixed incomes — all while neighborhoods feel increasing strain. I'm running to renew Cape's tradition of nonpartisanship and to strike a creative balance of innovation and preservation, protecting Cape's village character, while harnessing Artificial Intelligence and a new spirit of moderation.

Priorities

Fiscal Responsibility

Keep Cape affordable by exercising disciplined budgets. Every dollar should be justified, transparent, and tied to real community value.

Smart Use of AI

Adopt innovation carefully and responsibly. AI should save residents time, improve safety, and streamline services — always under human oversight.

Preserving Neighborhoods

Protect village and rural character. Growth should fit the scale of our neighborhoods, not overwhelm them. For Shore Road and Cliff Beach, I support creating residential permit parking in the adjoining neighborhoods and scaling back parking on Shore Road where it has reduced visibility and safety.

Community Access & Safety

I oppose closing Sawyer Road — it's vital for emergency passage and for runners, walkers, cyclists, nature enthusiasts, and motorists alike. I also support the Council taking immediate steps to accept the town-owned "paper streets" in Shore Acres and Broad Cove to maintain public access and expand the Greenbelt; the process is expected to take a year or two to remove any physical barriers.

Independent Leadership

Put people before politics. Serve as a voice for the whole community — collaborative, pragmatic, and solutions-first.

Civility & Respectful Governance

Model the culture we want in Cape: civil debate, listening first, and treating every neighbor with respect — even when we disagree.

What guides me

"We can meet Cape's fiscal and planning challenges with careful budgeting, innovative planning, and respect for our neighborhoods — and by harnessing AI that town employees can use to improve town services for everyone."
— Tim Reiniger

About Tim

Tim Reiniger is a longtime Cape Elizabeth resident, attorney, and community leader. He served on the Cape Elizabeth Town Council and was elected Chair in 2024. He is also a member of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust.

Professionally, Tim specializes in information law, policy, and digital rights law—focusing on practical innovation (including appropriately governed AI) to strengthen transparency, accountability, and services.

Tim is a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and the University of Michigan Law School. Tim and his wife, Alice, are parents to Charles and Robert.

Former Town Council Chair (2024)

Attorney: Information & Digital Rights

Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Member

Georgetown SFS & Michigan Law

Parent to Charles & Robert

How I'll communicate

  • Plain-English budget updates
  • Easy availability by email and phone
  • Issue briefs with the data behind decisions

FAQ

Are you tied to a party slate?

No. I am a registered independent (unenrolled) and will work with anyone to do what's right for Cape. The Council is at its best when collaborating in a nonpartisan manner. Smart deployment of AI and technology, fiscal responsibility, and support for neighborhoods are nonpartisan issues.

What does "smart use of AI" mean?

Tools that let town employees and residents easily track and analyze town financial data, property valuations, budgeting, and the impacts of bonds/building expenses on taxes — and that cut red tape and improve safety — while preserving resident privacy, keeping human oversight in place, and maintaining full transparency.

Will taxes go up?

We'll protect essential services and pursue efficiencies first. Any increase must be justified in plain English, with offsets where possible.

Talk with Tim

Questions or ideas about Cape Elizabeth? I'd like to hear from you.

Quick Actions

Campaign Email

tim@timreiniger.com