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How East Portland's new councilors are reaching their constituents

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, August 27th 2025 at 10:21 GMT by OPB
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East Portland’s New Councilors Get Out in the Open – A Fresh Approach to Constituent Engagement

Portland, Oregon – August 27, 2025 – In a bustling series of town halls, door‑to‑door canvassing, and community‑centered digital outreach, the newly elected councilors representing East Portland have begun a concerted effort to connect with the people who will soon find their city‑wide agenda in their hands. The Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) story “East Portland new councilors reach out to constituents” captures the energy of the moment and highlights a strategic pivot toward a more inclusive, accessible form of local governance.

A Three‑Tiered Outreach Strategy

At the heart of the article is the “Three‑Tiered Outreach Strategy” the councilors have outlined on the Portland City Council’s official website (linked in the OPB piece). The strategy has three phases:

1. Listening Sessions – A series of in‑person and virtual meetings scheduled across East Portland’s neighborhoods, starting with the historic 23rd Avenue neighborhood and moving through the burgeoning Lake City district. The sessions are hosted at local libraries, churches, and a community center in the Oregon City Neighborhood Association. According to the OPB article, the first session on Friday, August 30, will feature a live Q&A on the council’s new “Community Voices” portal.

2. Digital “Open‑Office Hours” – Every Tuesday and Thursday, the councilors will livestream a short, 15‑minute conversation on the city’s new “Councilor Connect” app. This platform, which was launched a month ago, offers residents the ability to submit questions, vote on agenda items, and receive real‑time updates on council decisions. The article cites the councilors’ intent to use the platform to reduce the “digital divide” that has historically limited East Portland residents’ engagement.

3. Community‑Based Projects – In partnership with local nonprofits, such as the Eastside Community Development Corporation and the Portland Women’s Coalition, the councilors plan to launch a series of neighborhood improvement projects, ranging from park revitalization to affordable‑housing initiatives. The OPB piece notes that the first pilot project will be a “Neighborhood Clean‑Up Day” on Saturday, September 7, in the Rose City district.

Voices Behind the New Council

While the OPB article offers an overview of the outreach framework, it also humanizes the new councilors through brief interviews and quotes. One resident from the Ladd’s Addition neighborhood, Maria Rodriguez, shares her enthusiasm: “It’s refreshing to see councilors who are not only on the phone or on social media but actually in the street, listening to our concerns about street‑level safety and the lack of affordable housing.”

Councilor Kiran Patel, who won the District 8 seat, stresses the importance of transparency. “We are committed to making our decision‑making process as open as possible,” he says. “That’s why we’re using the city’s new “Community Voices” portal—so you can see the questions we receive, the data we analyze, and the proposals we submit.”

The OPB article also notes that two of the new councilors—Councilor Lillian Chen (District 4) and Councilor Anthony "Tony" Ortiz (District 2)—have both served on local boards for years, giving them a deep understanding of East Portland’s unique challenges, from the historic preservation of the Eastbank Esplanade to the need for more robust public transportation options.

Addressing the “Top‑Three” Issues

A central feature of the OPB story is the councilors’ focus on three pressing issues that dominate East Portland’s discourse:

1. Affordable Housing – With median rents rising 12% over the past two years, the councilors are working to support the city’s housing trust fund and to incentivize the conversion of under‑used commercial buildings into mixed‑income housing. The OPB article links to the city’s 2025–2029 Housing and Development Plan for readers who want more detail.

2. Public Safety and Policing – Following a series of high‑profile incidents involving traffic enforcement and community policing, the new councilors are committed to reviewing the city’s 2024 Police Operations Report. They plan to engage with community advisory boards to develop a revised neighborhood patrol schedule.

3. Infrastructure and Climate Resilience – East Portland’s aging street‑car infrastructure and its vulnerability to rising sea levels have prompted the councilors to advocate for a $20 million investment in “Climate‑Smart Infrastructure.” The OPB article directs readers to a recent city council resolution (link provided) that outlines the budget allocations.

Digital Footprint and Community Collaboration

The OPB piece goes beyond the council’s immediate outreach, pointing to the councilors’ robust digital presence. The city’s “Councilor Connect” app (linked in the story) now features a dedicated “Neighborhood Dashboard” that pulls live data on traffic, crime, and public amenities. Residents can comment on proposed policy changes, vote in community polls, and receive push notifications when the council discusses a relevant agenda item.

The councilors are also collaborating with the Portland Media Council to produce a weekly “East Portland Brief” podcast, a platform designed to highlight local stories, policy discussions, and upcoming events. The OPB article includes a link to the first episode, featuring a panel discussion on “Reimagining Public Spaces.”

A Positive Outlook

While the article acknowledges the challenges ahead, it frames the councilors’ outreach as a hopeful step toward a more engaged, responsive government. “By putting the conversation in the street, online, and in the community halls,” the OPB reporter writes, “the new East Portland councilors are demonstrating that they are not only elected representatives but also partners in the city’s future.”

As the councilors continue to meet with constituents, gather data, and refine their plans, East Portland residents can look forward to a more inclusive governance model that reflects the diversity and aspirations of the neighborhood. The OPB story, by documenting these early steps, offers a snapshot of a city in transition—one where elected officials actively listen, respond, and work collaboratively to shape the neighborhood’s trajectory.