Loretta Smith — Candidate for City Council, District 1
Candidate statement:
The physical safety of the District 1 community is not only a high priority for me, it is an unaddressed health crisis that needs to be immediately recognized by the city’s government. This needs to be framed as a public health and sustainability issue that would be solved with government dollars if it was any other concern.
There are several immediate steps I would like to see taken as a city councilor in the district:
Let’s work to reduce emissions and increase transit access for the area;
Let’s work to build traffic calming systems in high pedestrian areas, to slow traffic and increase visibility;
I want to work alongside the Coalition of Color, Community Cycling Center and the Street Trust to craft better transportation policies that impact our neighbors.
I want to protect our most vulnerable community members – the young and the elderly and improve our sidewalks and crosswalks;
I want to continue seeing improvements to Powell Boulevard to support the safety of District 1 constituents who are traveling from East Portland to access city services.
These traffic concerns and the steps needed to increase public safety and sustainability are similar to work I already accomplished as a Multnomah County Commissioner. I took on the project of Cully Park, transforming a space that was sitting on a dump into a thriving community hub. I implemented a vision for the city, I accessed and implemented government money and put in resolutions to get Cully Park done because we framed it as a health issue and it helped us make the case for government dollars. I am ready to do this again for the safety of the district 1 communities and I understand this work as an experienced leader with a community vision.
Additionally, I plan to foster a culture of environmental stewardship by engaging community leaders, small businesses and residents in sustainability initiatives and providing education on environmental issues.
Will you ensure the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) remains climate-focused in line with what voters intended?
Yes
