Dear John,

I can hardly believe that it's been over two weeks since Election Day. I know many of you have grown accustomed to hearing from me on a regular basis, so I wanted to reach out and share a few updates about what I’ve been up to.

Though inauguration isn’t until December 2nd, over the past two weeks I’ve been busy meeting with City Councilors, the City Manager, and City staff to begin the process of a smooth transition. I’ve also had many media interviews! My calendar has been full with transition meetings, community events, and finishing up my full-time position at the Foundation for Portland Public Schools. Let me just say, nothing has slowed since the final busy days of the campaign!

Want to keep up with some of the recent coverage? See a recent WGME 13 interview here.

All through the campaign, we talked at forums and debates about the need for more affordable housing stock, property taxes and the role they play in the cost of living for owners and renters, neighborhood plans for growth and development, funding for public education, and the need for more frequent public transit. These are exciting and challenging days! I truly believe that, together, we will develop solutions to challenges, and celebrate all that makes Portland a wonderful place to live, work, and go to school.

Portland begins a new phase on December 2nd, and I’m eager to get to work with Councilors on the 2020 goal-setting workshop, and the resulting committee work that will support the identified and shared priorities.

This work will take all of us working together. Your engagement with the issues and the process matters.

For now, I’d like to extend the invite to tune in to my first official address as Mayor of Portland on December 2nd. The City will be livestreaming the address here, starting at 12pm.

Thank you.

For the love of Portland,
Kate