Meet Antonio PettyJohnBlue, a candidate for Portland City Council District 2

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Name: Antonio PettyJohnBlue

Neighborhood: Sullivan’s Gulch

Renter/homeowner: Renter and have owned a home

Education: Associate degree and bachelor of music

Occupation: Musician and humanitarian

How long have you lived in the city of Portland: All my life

Age: 41

Pronouns: Him/his/he

Name two existing city policies or budget items you’d make it a priority to change. Why did you select those and how do you plan to line up at least 7 votes on the council to make them happen? Please avoid broad, sweeping statements and instead provide details.

Two existing city policies I’d prioritize changing are the underfunding of mental health services and the lack of affordable housing initiatives. First, I’d focus on reallocating budget items toward mental health support, including expanding resources for addiction recovery and community-based care. The ongoing crisis demands more localized funding. Second, I’d work to boost investments in affordable housing by revising zoning laws and cutting red tape that slows construction.

To secure seven votes on the council, I’d meet with each member individually to align their goals with our vision, providing data on how these changes will lower long-term city costs. I’d also seek support from community leaders, nonprofits, and neighborhood associations to demonstrate broad public demand and generate momentum within the council. Building coalitions and delivering clear, well-researched policy changes will make this vision a reality.

What previous accomplishments show that you are the best pick in your district? Please be specific.

My accomplishments as the founder of the Global Unity Network, a nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans, at-risk youth, seniors, and animals, demonstrate my deep commitment to our community. Through partnerships with local businesses and national sponsors, I’ve organized successful events and fundraisers, securing essential resources for those in need. I’ve also facilitated programs that pair veterans with emotional support animals, offering life-changing assistance to both.

As a musician and producer, I’ve helped foster local talent, creating opportunities for young people in our district to thrive in the arts. My hands-on approach, from rescuing animals to engaging directly with community members, has made a lasting impact. This track record of results-driven service shows my ability to identify critical needs, form strategic partnerships, and deliver real solutions. I understand our district’s challenges and have proven I can bring meaningful change through collaboration and action.

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Portland is on track to permit the fewest number of multifamily units in 15 years and remains thousands of units below what’s needed to meet demand. What steps would you take to dramatically and quickly increase the availability of housing?

To address Portland’s housing shortage, I would streamline the permitting process and reduce bureaucratic delays that slow down construction. By implementing fast-tracked approvals for affordable and multifamily housing projects, we can significantly increase the number of units built. Additionally, I’d push for zoning reforms that allow for greater density, especially in areas close to public transit and services, to maximize available land.

I’d also incentivize private developers by offering tax breaks and subsidies for building affordable units and creating public-private partnerships to finance new developments. Partnering with nonprofits and community organizations could further support innovative housing solutions like modular or tiny homes for quick deployment.

Finally, I’d focus on acquiring vacant or underutilized properties for redevelopment, ensuring that we’re maximizing all available space to meet the growing demand. By removing barriers and increasing collaboration, we can dramatically expand housing availability and affordability.

The next City Council is going to have to make some very difficult decisions regarding what to fund and how. What essential services must the city provide and how should the city sustainably fund them?

The city must prioritize essential services like housing, mental health, public safety, and infrastructure. Affordable housing and mental health services are critical as they directly impact homelessness and community stability. Public safety must also be addressed, ensuring police reform and emergency services remain effective and community-oriented. Infrastructure, including roads, public transportation, and green spaces, is crucial for a thriving city.

To sustainably fund these services, I would advocate for a balanced approach that includes cutting inefficiencies, reallocating resources, and generating new revenue. This could involve updating outdated tax codes, implementing progressive taxes on luxury developments, and partnering with private entities for public projects. Additionally, creating incentives for green energy projects could attract federal funding and reduce long-term operational costs. By making thoughtful, strategic investments, we can ensure that essential services are not only maintained but improved for future generations.

Portlanders have approved many tax measures in the past decade – supporting affordable housing, free preschool programs and green energy initiatives. Are there specific taxes or levies you want eliminated or would choose to not renew? Are there specific taxes or levies you would support creating? Why?

I would prioritize not renewing taxes or levies that have proven inefficient or mismanaged, such as those that have not met their intended goals in affordable housing or green energy. Transparency and accountability are crucial in how tax dollars are spent. For instance, if a levy isn’t showing tangible results or has administrative inefficiencies, I would push to redirect those funds into more effective programs rather than automatically renewing them.

At the same time, I would support creating new taxes focused on luxury developments and high-income earners to fund critical community needs, such as expanded mental health services and affordable housing. These targeted taxes can help address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable without overburdening working-class Portlanders. My approach would be to ensure that taxes are fair, effective, and lead to measurable outcomes for the city’s long-term sustainability.

Do you have any concerns with the changes coming to city elections and city governance? If so, what would you like to see change?

I do have concerns with the upcoming changes to city elections and governance, particularly around how the transition to district-based elections and a larger council might impact representation and efficiency. While district representation aims to make governance more equitable, it risks fragmenting decision-making and creating uneven power dynamics across the city.

I’d like to see a focus on ensuring that all voices, especially those in underserved communities, are truly represented. We must also ensure that the new system doesn’t lead to gridlock or inefficiency in passing essential policies. Clear guidelines on the roles of the council and mayor, along with mechanisms for collaboration across districts, are essential. Additionally, transparency in how districts are drawn and how council members are elected should be a priority to maintain trust and accountability in the new system.

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50 words or less

Do you favor arresting and jailing people who camp on public property in Portland who refuse repeated offers of shelter, such as the option to sleep in a city-designated tiny home cluster?

As Commissioner, I believe in a balanced approach. While enforcement may be necessary for public safety, our focus should be on providing compassionate solutions. Those refusing shelter should be offered support repeatedly, but if all options are exhausted, enforcement may be considered as a last resort to maintain public order.

Would you vote yes on a proposal to fund hundreds more police officers than the City Council has already authorized? Why or why not? How would the city pay for it?

I would vote no on funding hundreds more police officers beyond the current authorization. Instead, I’d prioritize smarter policing, investing in community safety programs, mental health services, and de-escalation training. This approach maximizes resources while addressing root causes of crime. We can fund these initiatives through reallocating existing budgets.

Do you support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot? What, if any changes, would you support?

I support putting the Clean Energy Fund measure back on the ballot, with a few changes. I would advocate for more rigorous accountability measures to ensure funds are used effectively. Additionally, I’d support incorporating community input to ensure the fund addresses local needs and promotes job creation in the green

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Which would you prioritize: Creation of more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes or improved surfacing of existing degraded driving lanes?

I would prioritize creating more protected bike lanes and priority bus lanes. Investing in these will promote sustainable transportation and improve public transit efficiency, addressing long-term city growth and environmental goals. Improved surfacing of existing lanes is also important but can be addressed subsequently with available resources.

Have the problems impacting downtown Portland received too much or too little attention from current city leaders? Why?

Downtown Portland’s problems have received too little attention from current city leaders. While there are efforts to address issues, they often lack coordination and depth. As someone committed to practical, community-focused solutions, I believe a more comprehensive approach, integrating resources and community feedback, is essential for effective problem-solving.