Dear All,

I’ve written, and rewritten this email every few days for the past month (with all intention of sending earlier in January!). With each passing day, I find myself re-drafting, as we are challenged and sometimes flattened.  Yesterday, however, I penned a final draft of this first in a series of monthly emails feeling lifted and hopeful. Was it: President Biden's Inauguration Speech? Amanda Gorman's Poem? Lady Gaga's performance of the National Anthem? Yes. Those three things, and so much more. 

As we emerge from 2020, continuing to face the changes, challenges and devastation wrought by Covid-19, no one is free from worries and fears about workplace safety for themselves, their partner, their children, parents, friends, and neighbors. The stress and anxiety resulting from remote schooling, work-from-home routines, and the fear about what will happen to our city as we watch beloved local businesses, organizations, and institutions close their doors either temporarily or permanently, has put all of us on edge, scared, sad. 

That said, I do believe there are better days ahead. Today is a new day. And I believe we have reason to be hopeful as we look to Washington for leadership, financial relief for people who are unemployed and at risk of losing housing, and for all of us as we wait to be vaccinated. 

Your voice, your opinion, and your thoughts matter. 
I’m hearing from lots of people: and I know that feelings of fear and frustration are running high. I want to do everything I can to offer information, be available, and to combat feelings of us-versus-them that serves only to alienate us all. 

As a resident and involved community member in our small city of Portland, Maine for the past 27 years, I know that we are a community that cares about one another, and our shared future. I believe people who raise their hand to serve on the School Board and the City Council do so in the name of public service, not politics. And, I believe that we have many shared values as we seek to make local policy and allocate local resources. By working together to find our shared priorities and goals, collaborating, compromising and communicating authentically and genuinely with people whose opinions may differ from ours, I know we can achieve good things. 

You’re invited to my Monthly Zoom 
In addition to opportunities to engage at Council meetings, Council Committee meetings, via email, phone, through the Portland Alliance of Neighborhoods, etc., I am establishing a Monthly Zoom so that I can be available, hear from, and talk with anyone who wants to join me. I’ll stagger day of week, and time of day, in hopes I can connect with a broad range of people as the months pass. 

The first one will be: Thursday, January 28th at 11am. 

I am hoping this gives anyone who works an afternoon or evening shift a chance to join. The February meeting will be either late afternoon or evening. And then we’ll go from there.

Details for joining me on 1/28 at 11am are here (Meeting ID: 874 2604 2172, Passcode: 743071)

Happy 2021 my fellow Portlanders. 

Thank you for your spirit, your hard work, and your commitment to our community,

Kate Snyder

P.S. - As an intro email, I find myself with lots to say. But I also want to establish a structure for how to share information and thoughts. So, please bear with me as I navigate Mail Chimp’s templates, and also ‘get it right’ in terms of seeking to share what’s most important and relevant to you. 

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Some Basics and Current Items of Interest:

Council Meetings: The Portland City Council meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. In the case of a Monday holiday, we meet on Wednesday. February meetings are February 1st and 17th. 

Council Committee Meetings: There are five Council Committees: Finance, Health & Human Services & Public Safety, Sustainability & Transportation, Housing & Economic Development, and Legislative & Nominating. 

Agendas for Council and Committee Meetings can be found here.

Racial Equity Steering Committee: Established in August, 2020, the RESC meets often. For more information, click here

On July 14, 2020 Election, City of Portland voters approved creating a Charter Commission to open up review of the City’s Charter (think: Portland’s Constitution).

The election of members will be in June, 2021 and more information is here

To sign up for the City’s Weekly E-Newsletter, the Friday News Round Up, please click here and subscribe to the ‘City News’ group.