As you may have read about here first, Citizen’s Utility Board organizing director Jeff Bissonnette has been considering a run for city council. He’s now made it official:

My fellow Portlanders:

It is with hope and humility that I announce my intention to run for Seat #1 on the Portland City Council.

As Portlanders, we have a proud history of innovation, creativity and vision that has made our city a great place to live and work. But we have much to do to prepare ourselves for the coming challenges of managing growth, increasing economic and environmental vitality and ensuring that all Portlanders share in the financial and social benefits of our city. I am running because I want Portland, the City That Works, to be the City That Works Better.

Read his full press release after the jump.

Better Employment

Portlanders need economic security for themselves and their families. Small businesses are the economic foundation of our city and we need to ensure that Portlanders have the resources to start, grow and sustain locally-owned businesses that provide a solid underpinning for our community. I will work with small business owners throughout the city to create those needed resources.

Better Education

Portlanders need opportunities to ensure they have the education and technical training to work and live in a diverse and rapidly changing society. Investing in post-high school education and life-long training is the key to maintaining local businesses and creating family-wage jobs in our city. I will fight for the resources to make those investments.

Better Environment

Portland has the potential to become a national leader in creating a “clean” economy with “green collar” jobs. For instance, making investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies as well as in reducing the city’s carbon footprint must be continued and pursued even more aggressively. I will work with Portland residents, organizations and businesses to demonstrate that environmental responsibility and economic vitality are not trade-offs but can and must go hand in hand.

Better Accountability

Portlanders expect a lot from their city. It is essential that they understand how and why decisions are made and they must trust that public resources are being used to achieve the greatest good. I will make sure that Portland works for Portlanders by having field offices throughout the city and appointing a staff member as a citizen representative in each of the bureaus I will oversee to ensure that Portlanders get the good service they expect from their city.

I look forward to the next months of talking with Portlanders in every quadrant and every neighborhood about the issues affecting their lives. I look forward with the hope that Portlanders, working together, will be able to solve any problem put before us.

I offer my candidacy with humility, recognizing that when I ask for your vote I also ask for your trust.

Together we can make Portland, the City That Works, be the City That Works for all of us.