QUESTION 1: How will you engage with voters in SW Portland if elected? Please provide specifics on how your constituents will be able to communicate with you and how you will communicate with us.

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

Communication will be a two-way street. 

 

First, I want to hear from my southwest Portland constituents on a regular basis through social media, informal in-District pop up meetings, regular issue forums, attendance at Neighborhood Association meetings as I am able and neighborhood surveys. My door will be open with regularly scheduled time for constituent meetings.

 

On my end, I intend to emulate one of our most communicative state representatives (Rob Nosse) who produces a regular newsletter for his constituents and interested parties regarding his work and schedule  I intend to do the same for constituents and anyone who is interested.  And, the Hillsdale News may wish to provide space for regular City Hall updates.

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QUESTION 2: The transition to a purely legislative city council with geographical representation is a major shift from the current structure in which councilors oversee city bureaus. Under the old government structure, concerns about transportation or traffic circulation issues would be addressed to the commissioner in charge of PBOT; concerns about parks would go to the commissioner overseeing the Parks bureau; etc. Given the shift away from administrative powers on the council, how will you make sure constituent concerns are addressed? 

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

I will do everything in my power to ensure constituent concerns are addressed. This is where the art of governing as a legislative body will be developed as we work out our respective roles. No longer will elected officials manage the bureaus. The 7,000+ city staff and 26 city bureaus will go through a culture change with professional city management.   The new City Council must work closely with the Mayor (Executive branch) and City Administrator (hired by the Mayor) to develop a new system to ensure our constituent concerns are addressed and receive the attention they need to solve problems. There will always be the option to go directly to a bureau where a councilor has developed previous relationships but that pathway may be discouraged in the new form of government.

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QUESTION 3: What role should neighborhood associations play in fostering residents’ engagement with city government and elected officials?

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

The neighborhood associations in District 4 have a fundamental role in helping me to learn about and keep track of our priority needs and issues. NA’s, neighborhood business districts and community organizations are a reliable source of information; their membership is more attentive to the needs and issues of the District.  The City must support NA’s with their outreach and community engagement efforts. Neighborhood newsletters are a vital source of two-way communication and policy development. I have worked in and for NAs in other Oregon cities where they were funded directly by the City to foster community engagement with city government. 

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QUESTION 4: District 4 is large and covers many neighborhoods. What issues do you think are particularly important for SW Portland neighborhoods (not downtown)? What proposals would you make to address these issues?

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

In my more than 30 house parties, canvassing and community events in the SW, I have heard common concerns with traffic and pedestrian safety, road maintenance and repair, the need for better storm water infrastructure, the need for a higher level of law enforcement, the need for housing for the homeless, a concern with vagrant RVs that often turn into drug houses, and more. I will work with councilors who share these concerns to draft both policy and budget proposals to address them. The next council will face tremendous budget constraints so it is important to work in tandem on basics needs and essential services.

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QUESTION 5: How do you plan to work with your District 4 colleagues to ensure productive outcomes on district issues? 

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

My career in public service and record of success has been built on working in partnerships, coalition building, developing trusting relationships, working across the aisle with honesty and respect. How we treat one another matters as much in politics as it does in our daily lives, especially for those with whom we disagree. The three elected councilors from District 4 will need to craft a shared strategy for addressing district issues based on their substantive knowledge, relationships, participation in city committees, and geographic distribution. By pulling together they can harness their collective strength to ensure productive outcomes.

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QUESTION 6: Why should voters in SW Portland give you a vote? 

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CANDIDATE RESPONSE:

I am a person with a passion for public service and a track record of success, often in challenging circumstances. Whether it is affordable housing, transportation, environmental protection or local-state government relations, I have delivered results in all these areas that has made life better and safer for people in Portland and Oregon. I have Chaired several major boards, most recently the Oregon Providence Health System where I shepherded major policy change. I have the experience and skills to make this new form of government work. My list of endorsements — from the Northwest Oregon Labor Council to United for Portland, the Revitalize Portland Coalition and many community based organizations such as the Street Trust and neighborhood leaders demonstrates my broad-based support as the best choice for District 4. Lastly, I lived in Hillsdale for 20 years and now 8 years in John’s Landing.

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