“Bill Linnell has been a thoughtful, practical public advocate in Portland for many years. He has been active with troubled Long Creek youth, has engaged unhoused people at his Stroudwater home and seeks solutions that will renew the lives of the homeless, knowing that attacking addictions and improving mental health care are critical. Some people remember that Bill saw the danger of poor maintenance at Maine Yankee earliest, and led the shutdown effort with a grassroots campaign. An intelligent, curious, kind hearted man who knows Portland well and is the salt of the earth. The council could always use several.”

Jim Cloutier

D5 (Portland) Chair County Commissioners

Past Councilor and Mayor


Bill Linnell is an experienced leader with valuable insight and compassion to bring to serving the City of Portland.

Occupation: Semi retired teacher, coach, carpenter, fisherman, Owner, Cap'n Bill's Lobster, LLC

Political & Community Experience:

-Two Class D soccer playoff appearances in 4 years.

Education:

“Twenty years ago I arrived in Portland with my two year old son, Henry.  I was an immigrant from Indonesia, homeless and penniless. I found help at My Choice/Virginia’s Place on India Street.  Bill Linnell was on the Advisory Board there. I haven’t seen him in 15 years, as we had moved to Massachusetts, but I was in Portland last weekend and saw his campaign signs. It brought back a flood of good memories…

I remember Bill used to help me a lot and was always very nice to Henry and me.

He fixed the plumbing in my apartment at Virginia’s Place. He took us and the other single mothers for a ride on his lobster boat, the “Babydoll”. He carried furniture up the stairs when I moved to a Catholic Residence in the West End. He carted us around Portland.  When I got my driver’s license, he found a nice used Toyota, and negotiated the sale for me. 

I am now married. Henry is 23 year old, graduated bachelor degree in Business Administration with Honors, and works as a tax auditor in Boston. Life has been really good to us in recent years.

I never really got a chance to tell Bill how much I really appreciated everything. But I did today.  I still do remember how kind he was to us.”


-Ani


raising a community


Bill was someone I could count on when I was at Long Creek, and ever since.  One of my biggest challenges was getting my driver's license.  Bill coached me on the written test, then helped me prepare for- and pass--my road test. 

-Corey S. 

Dan and Zemo, from Long Creek, all grown up now!

Letter to the editor: Linnell’s qualities will enrich Portland City Council

Do you want a hard-working, capable, experienced Portlander representing you on the City Council? Let me tell you about Bill Linnell.

He’s a worker. After graduating from Colby, he immediately began to diverge from his father and grandfather’s career paths, both lawyers. He became a lobsterman, teacher, mentor for at-risk youth, town councilor in Cape Elizabeth, carpenter … the list goes on.

Linnell is genuinely caring and puts most people to shame with his daily acts of kindness and generosity. He mentors and cares for, in varying capacities, countless people.

He just loves people and walks the walk every day with a smile on his face. When he’s asked “How are you today?,” I’ve only ever heard him reply “The best day of my life!”

Bill’s strong character and willingness to tackle difficult problems, his tenacity and his genuine love for the people of Portland make him an excellent candidate to address the serious issues facing our city. Please vote for Bill Linnell as city councilor at large.

Bobbi Cope
Portland

Posted September 26:  https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/26/letter-to-the-editor-linnells-qualities-will-enrich-portland-city-council/