Outgoing Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler bid farewell to the city he led for eight years, leaving behind a message brimming with hope and underscored by the city’s unyielding spirit. In a statement published on the city’s official website, Wheeler reflected on Portland's challenges which included a pandemic, economic fluctuation, and providing for the homeless, highlighting the resilience Portlanders have shown and the foundations laid for future leadership.
Under Wheeler's watch, programs such as Portland Solutions, the Public Environment Management Office, and Portland Street Response have taken center stage, and with the city's shift to a district-based government, Wheeler believes accountability and equity will be bolstered, he stressed that importance of continuing the momentum of systems already in place, a sentiment aimed directly at incoming Mayor-elect Keith Wilson and the City Council.
As Wheeler pointed out, public safety has seen significant improvements, with statistics showing a reduction in auto theft, vandalism, and shooting incidents owing to initiatives like the Public Safety Support Specialist Program and an increase in police bureau staff. Wheeler told the City of Portland, "This progress must continue, with a focus on building trust and ensuring safety in every neighborhood."
Economic growth was signposted by Wheeler as a crucial driver in Portland’s journey, nodding to initiatives like Prosper Portland’s Advance Portland strategy and various transformative projects, he emphasized the importance of investments that will foster job creation, housing, and broad opportunities for Portland and its residents. Wheeler ended his tenure with an appeal to the city's population to maintain its engagement and hold future leaders accountable, confident in the belief that, "Portland's best days are not behind us; they are ahead," the City of Portland stated.
