When Ethan Strimling is sworn in as Portland’s mayor next month, he will preside over a relatively inexperienced City Council – at least for a city that does not have term limits for councilors and whose residents are reluctant to cast out incumbents.

Only three of the nine councilors have been elected to multiple terms, and the two new councilors elected last week are defying tradition by living outside the power seats of their district for the first time in at least 30 years.

At the same time, there appears to be a strong, steady presence in the city manager’s office in Jon Jennings.

“I think there is going to be a lot of new ideas and energy and that’s going to be helpful,” said City Councilor Edward Suslovic, who is serving his second consecutive term and third term overall. “It’s a great time to look at things differently and ask some questions that haven’t been asked, and we’re going to need to do this.”

Councilor Nicholas Mavodones was just re-elected to his seventh three-year term, while Councilor Jill Duson is in her fifth term. Other than that, everyone else is relatively new.

Completing the first year of their first terms are Councilors Justin Costa and David Brenerman, though the latter served a three-year term on the council 30 years ago.

The council will welcome two political newcomers, as well, both of whom are defying tradition.

Freelance author and educator Belinda Ray was elected in District 1, which covers the east side of the peninsula and the islands. Traditionally, District 1 councilors live on Munjoy Hill, which is currently the city’s most-sought-after neighborhood, with stunning ocean views, popular restaurants and cultural activities.

But Ray lives in East Bayside, a gritty up-and-coming neighborhood that is one of the poorest and most diverse communities in the state. The neighborhood is increasingly becoming the center of the city’s local brewery, food and coffee scene.

Across town in District 2, which covers the west side of the peninsula, plus a small area near the University of Southern Maine, voters elected real estate attorney Spencer Thibodeau as their representative. Unlike his predecessors, Thibodeau doesn’t even live on the peninsula, let alone in the historic West End or Western Promenade neighborhoods. He lives in Oakdale, near USM.

In addition to defying tradition, voters also increased the diversity of the city’s leadership – an issue that arose during a mayoral forum. Ray will join Duson, making two women on the council, while Thibodeau will join Duson as nonwhite members.

 

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