Elyse Tipton unopposed for South Portland district five city council Jessica Oppermann
Steven Riley running unopposed for district four for South Portland city council. Steven Riley
South Portland has two unopposed seats for city council in Districts 4 and 5. Elyse Tipton is running for District 5 and Steven Riley is running for District 4.
Tipton has served as communications director for the Brunswick-based Genesis Community Loan Fund, and she has been elected as a member of the board of education for over six years, which included serving as the chair. She was appointed to the South Portland’s Affordable Housing Committee. “In South Portland, we’re facing challenges tied to growth, with significant opportunities to create positive change,” Tipton said.
Tipton says that some of the issues facing South Portland are affordable and workforce housing, senior resident support, and climate change preparedness. She says the city has an urgent need for affordable workforce housing.
“We can help residents create accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as well as benefit from cluster development and pocket neighborhoods,” Tipton said. She says that there is a need to safeguard existing affordable rent prices and to generate revenue for the city’s new Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Tipton says she supports the Age-Friendly South Portland action plan to help older residents to remain in their homes. “South Portland is vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels,” Tipton said. She says that there should be active participation with the Climate Rady Casco Bay Project. Tipton says she is a champion of the city’s increasing diversity as a source of strength for local businesses, cultural opportunities, healthcare services and education.
Steve Riley, 59, is married with two children in college. Riley is self-employed and is running for District 4. While he has no elected political experience he has been appointed as a member of the South Portland Economic Development Committee.
Riley says the biggest problem facing South Portland is the lack of affordable housing. The school department recently turned the old Mahoney Middle School over to the city and Riley says this property could be utilized for the development of affordable housing units. He says it is an ideal location because it is located on the bus line, near shopping, parks, and the Green Belt Walkway. He says another option for more housing units would be to allow for higher density development on lots within the city.
Another issue Riley says needs to be addressed is infrastructure like roads, storm drains, sewer, etc. He says that this “really came to light when I was gathering signatures to get on the ballot as numerous citizens complained about the conditions of the roads they lived on.” He thinks resources should be allocated to upgrade infrastructure and/or re-allocate resources from other areas to allow for funding for the infrastructure.
Elections will be held on Nov.7. District 4’s voting address is the South Portland Community Center. District 5’s voting location is Redbank Community Center, MacArthur Circle West. All polling places are open 7 a.m to 8 p.m. People may register to vote on Election Day.
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