Yes, I am running for re-election! 

If you'd like to help out, take a look at these volunteer opportunities and consider making contribution to help me reach my campaign budget goal. ​But first, check out some of my First Term Accomplishments and the Boards & Committees I've served on below. 

About Belinda

A native Mainer, Belinda was born in Damariscotta, grew up in Newcastle, attended college in Orono, and moved to the Portland area in 1992. She has lived in the East Bayside neighborhood of Portland since 2004, and in 2007, she helped to found the East Bayside Neighborhood Organization (EBNO).

For EBNO, Belinda served sequentially as Vice President, President, and finally Community Organizer. 

In 2015, Belinda was elected to represent District One on the Portland City Council. 

Sign up for my quarterly newsletter to receive regular Council updates. 

 

Notable First Term Accomplishments

• Helping to preserve Fort Sumner
• Facilitating conversations around the planning, design, building, and funding of a new emergency shelter in Portland 
• Expanding emergency shelter zoning in the city
• Drawing attention to the serious quality of life issues in Bayside and helping to plan and implement short and long-term solutions
• Advocating for the Oxford Street Shelter to adopt a 24-hour service model 
• Working to update the City’s Noise Ordinance (in progress)
• Facilitating listening sessions around zoning changes to the R-6 on Munjoy Hill and helping to pass final regulations that balance preservation and development
• Helping to draft and pass Portland’s Pesticide Ordinance
• Introducing and passing a policy to incentivize the development of workforce housing on the east end of the peninsula
• Increasing the number of spaces in the Islander Parking Zone
• Helping to implement Short Term Rental regulations
• Presenting an amendment to preserve programs at the India Street Public Health Clinic
• Organizing a tour of Huston Commons for leaders in neighboring municipalities to expand regional understanding of Housing First facilities

Boards & Commissions

• METRO Board (Vice President 2016-present)
• GPCOG Executive Committee (1st Vice President, 2017-present)
• GPCOG Metro Regional Coalition (2017-present)
• Parks Commission (2016-2017)
• Portland Public Library Board of Trustees (Jan 2018-present)
• Finance Committee (2016)
• Housing Committee (2016)
• Health & Human Services and Public Safety Committee (2016-present; Chair 2017-present)
• Sustainability & Transportation Committee (2017-present)
• East Bayside Brownfields Planning Advisory Committee (Co-Chair, 2016-2017)
• Buildings for our Future Advisory Committee (Jan 2018-present)
• Transit West Task Force (2017-present)
• GPCOG Regional Voice Committee (2018-present)

---

As your District One City Councilor, I work to keep Portland livable, walkable, bikeable, and accessible for everyone, and I strive to act in accordance with the guiding principles below at all times.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

CIVILITY

Everyone deserves respect and should be greeted with kindness. All parties need to be listened to thoughtfully and with an open mind. Maintaining an overall tone of civility is essential to accomplishing the work required to maintain—and improve—Portland's quality of life for all. 

INTEGRITY

Words are powerful and must be chosen with care. In order to maintain personal integrity, city councilors must speak and act deliberately and with conviction. They must also speak honestly and often with their constituents; resist the allure of power, money, or easy answers; and be willing to do the hard work required to make thoughtful decisions.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We all must must take responsibility for our actions and choices. This is especially important for public officials. Passing the buck, blaming others, or claiming ignorance is unacceptable. City councilors have a responsibility to educate themselves about the issues facing Portland and to remain accountable to the people they represent.

Sign up for my quarterly newsletter and Council updates here.