Groton Democrat Primary: Portia Bordelon Seeks Nomination

GROTON, CT — Tuesday Sept. 14 is the Democratic Primary For Groton Town Council for a two-year term which runs from Dec. 7, 2021 to Dec. 5, 2023. Voters must be a registered Democrat in order to participate in the primary.

Groton Patch contacted primary candidates to answer questions about their campaigns.

Portia Bordelon, 41, is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Groton Town Council.

Occupation: Medical Assistant

Family: Two sons: Isaac, 18 and Aiden, 15. Married to Ian Thomas, 46.

Experience: RTM from 2017-2019, Appointed to Town Council September 2019, and Elected to Town Council November 2019 - present

Family in government: My husband serves on the Representative Town Meeting for District 3. He also is a State School Teacher providing GED instruction for inmates with the CT Department of Corrections.

The single biggest issue in town is ______, and I plan to do this about it:

Representation. First and foremost, my duty as a Town Councilor is to represent the interests and concerns of the constituents. While it can be good for elected officials to have items they want to address or ideas they want to promote, the primary responsibility of any elected official is to serve as a conduit for citizens’ concerns and to facilitate community conversation in a constructive fashion. That being said, I’d like to see more rigorous inclusion of community input in the initial planning phases of development. I’m also very concerned with ensuring the Long Term Recovery Funds will be allocated and invested across town in an equitable, empathetic and accessible manner. Additionally, I’d like to see the restoration of citizens’ petitions to twice a month, at each regular Town Council Meeting, and as it once was before. The Council needs to be more open and interactive with the public on a more frequent basis which will help keep the lines of communication flowing smoothly. It is essential that we minimize any sense of disconnect that might develop between the Town Council and the community we are responsible for representing.

Critical differences between me and my opponents:

In my opinion, the council benefits from a variety of perspectives, experiences, skill sets and knowledge bases from the members of the community who are elected to serve as representatives. Similar to mosaic art, good government representation is constructed of many seemingly disjointed pieces jumbled together until a person shifts their perspective to a certain distance and can see how the individual pieces form something more substantial. What I bring to the council, in particular, is a deep understanding and appreciation for the interpersonal connections that exist in Groton. I also bring an empathetic perspective and understanding of the challenges that face our more vulnerable and disadvantaged populations in town. Growing up as a ward of the state, under the care and supervision of DCF as I navigated my adolescence through a number of foster and group homes, I learned the value of advocating for one’s self and the constant vigilance that it requires. These experiences led me to develop a certain tenacity, stamina, and rigorous attention to detail — along with a willingness to consider and prepare for possible worst-case scenarios when contemplating choices in course of action. I also learned the value of community connections as support networks. As an adult who recently battled through a bout with breast cancer, my faith in the community was re-affirmed as I received support and positivity from family, friends, acquaintances, colleagues and people who knew me only because of my public service. As a mother of a recent high school graduate and another current high school student, I know the stresses, struggles, setbacks and successes possible when raising an adolescent in Groton. I also bring an appreciation of different opinions and courage of conviction to the council. While it can feel good to be on the prevailing side of any given vote on a matter, I feel it is more important to honor the processes of fair consideration and, if needed, a demonstration of loyal opposition or, if needed, conscientious abstention when the premise for a vote seems problematic. I am not afraid to stand alone on principle. For me, and it's not about winning as much as it is about doing what is right.

Accomplishments:

- Initiated a unanimous Council vote to add a line that would allow active and retired military, as well as dependents to receive a discount rate at the Transfer Station. - Initiated a vote that re-instated $40,000 to the budget from a proposed cut to the Parks & Recreation Department. - Advocated for availability to Public Coastal Access through improving signage and ensuring property rights and boundaries are firmly established and understood. - Initiated conversations and actions that will bring Community Meals back to the Senior Center. - Prompted action that resulted in policy establishing the use of a Dual Language Ballot for the Town of Groton.

Other issues:

As a Town Councilor, my primary duty is to uplift the voices of my constituents and give back to the community where I was raised and where I chose to raise my children. With so much at stake in our community, now, more than ever, we need to engage thoughtfully and critically. Re-election to the council would provide the opportunity for me to come back with more experience to help move the town forward in a positive direction. I have great care and concern for our most vulnerable constituents: seniors, students, youth, active service members, veterans and people with disabilities - especially in regard to the developing COVID situation. It is vital for the council to consider the interests and needs of every district and department in the town with equity and empathy. It is important that Public Safety, Education, Parks & Recreation, and Support Services for both Seniors and Youth are funded with appropriately similar levels of care, concern, and priority. As we all wrestle with the impacts of climate change, COVID and evolutions in social awareness, it is important for Groton to maintain an ongoing, healthy, and cooperative discourse and relationship with other municipalities in the region.

What else would you like voters to know about you?

I’ve been on the Town Council for a little longer than one term and, based on my 100% attendance record, my 100% voting record and the positive feedback that I have received from the community, I believe I’ve done well enough to warrant being elected to another term. I promise to continue representing the people of this town to the best of my ability -- to be present, to vote my conscience, to have the courage to ask critical questions and to create more transparency, accountability and accessibility for all. I encourage all Groton Democrats to get out and vote in the primary on Tuesday, September 14, and 2021. I hope to have your support.