PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — When Charlie Hales announced he was not going to seek a second term as Portland mayor, it opened to field for a variety of candidates.
KOIN 6 News compiled a list of each candidate’s top priorities from their websites. Not all of the candidates have websites or publicly available information.
=====Steve Entwisle
Top priorities: police reform, sanctuary for the homeless, Native American issues, local food sustainability, water security
“Steve believes what has been lacking at City Council is long term vision. He believes the homelessness crisis is the direct result of short sighted commissioners looking for get rich quick policy–and usually by using the police to do it, at the expense of the poor.”
Homelessness –This will be no small task, and will require the investment of no less than one billion dollars over the next five years to bring everyone in from the rough, and to ensure no one is burdened by the cost of housing. For more details, see our Community Housing Initiative.
Sustainability –Though some efforts have been made both by the City and the private sector to begin creating a green infrastructure, we must go much further to transition to zero emission transportation, and invest in clean and renewable energy production.
Wages — With new minimum wage increases going into effect, the city will soon be setting an example of how to treat workers with dignity and respect, while also bringing many millions of dollars back into the local economy. But the city cannot limit its efforts in creating equality to paying its workers a decent, living wage. Through investments in our roads, affordable housing, and green transportation and infrastructure, the City will provide more jobs and an ecologically aware local economy.
Homelessness — Ted will work to help the homeless move off of the streets and into permanent housing where they can receive the mental health care, drug or alcohol intervention or social services they need to get back on their feet and stay off the street.
Income inequality — Ted will work closely with businesses, labor and community organizations to create more economic opportunity for lower and middle income families and he’ll work to increase Portland’s minimum wage.
Creating an affordable Portland — Ted will push to make sure developers are paying their fair share for roads, parks, schools and other critical infrastructure as part of new development. And he’ll fight to create more affordable housing options so our nurses, teachers, firefighters and trades-men and women can continue to live and prosper in Portland. Ted has also proposed a Tenants’ Bill of Rights to provide better protections for renters.
Environment — “Closest and dearest to my heart is the reservoir system. The water bureau must immediately be reigned in for their unjust practices….I am uniquely qualified to reduce all water rates in both governmental operations and the civilian population. NO fossil fuels export or refinement in our city limits. NO nuclear waste using our on their way from Washington to New Mexico. No transports of toxic waste thru our city headed to Hanford.”
Social justice – “I firmly believe in social justice and equality. I grew up around many people who suffered from a racist perspective. Ever since westward expansion sent the first land barons to thieve the land of indigenous societies, Portland has been a bastion for white privilege. The social model that we currently have in Portland does nothing but insulate and protect that privilege. This must change.”
Accountability/transparency — “I run as an independent because I do not believe any political organization has the correct set of answers to the severe issues we face today. However I reject those notions with my inter-sectional community relationships. I have nothing to hide. I present my failings to you as a means to endear myself to you. Some of us hide from our shortcomings, and some of us embrace them. Some of us utilize them to become mayor.”
Housing Stability — This is an essential feature of our agenda to raise the quality of life for our residents by combating the effects of gentrification and bolstering tenant protections in the rental market. Rent Stabilization measures will be implemented to slow the impact of new money entering the city. A comprehensive Tenant’s Bill of Rights will be drafted and managed by H.A.R.T. to provide clear and just guidelines for arbitration in eviction court with equal representation and due process for all parties. A fee reduction for local homebuyers that are preserving, not demolishing the purchased property.
Neighborhoods — “Publicly funded art is essential. Art is the seed we plant in a neighborhood to create community, to create ownership, and to give voice to diverse identity.” “There needs to be a space in our neighborhoods for our elders. Each complete neighborhood needs to have a place where we can celebrate our elders and give them a safe location to live.”
Representational redistricting — “We will seek to add two new city council positions, for a total of 6 seats. We will create 6 defined districts in Portland for each of those seats. Council members must live in the district that they represent.”
Housing — Highlights from plan: Create a new funding source for housing to increase investment in affordable housing that is available for people with the lowest incomes. Cut the unsheltered homeless population in half by end of the first term so that we can put Portland on a path to end homelessness once and for all. Strengthen protections for renters by making evictions harder for landlords and limiting how and when landlords can increase rent.
Jobs — Highlights from plan: “Raise the minimum wage by working with the legislature to raise the statewide wage and bring Portland’s local wage up to $15 over a phased in period. Bring workforce training to affordable housing so people can get the job skills they need to lift their families out of poverty. Invest in infrastructure like green streets, efficient buildings, clean water systems, public transit, and roads that work for all users so that we create jobs and build a city where people, the economy, and the environment thrive.”
Transportation system — Highlights from plan: “Enact a temporary ten-cent gas tax to fund transportation investments in road and safety improvements. Support legislative proposals that fix transportation funding while reducing carbon pollution and climate change. Lead on reforming our transportation system so that more of the money Portlanders pay for roads stays in Portland.”Sarah Iannarone
Police — Highlights from plan: “Strengthening community trust in Portland’s police force. I will personally get to know the police at all levels through regular meetings with the police union, bureau leadership, and even ride-alongs with on-duty officers. Promoting the safety and security of all Portlanders by cutting ties with FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTT) and Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE). Eliminating the 48-hour rule in cases of deadly force, thereby holding police to the same standard of accountability as the general public.”
Education — “Strengthening community-based solutions for connecting residents to opportunity. As a city, we can improve access job training and workforce readiness resources through initiatives such as neighborhood-based workforce navigators in low-income communities and community-driven mentorship and education.”
Climate/disaster preparedness — “Make the switch to 100% renewable energy within a generation. Portland should declare an intention to reach 100% renewable energy within 20-25 years. Many local governments, including our neighbors to the north in Vancouver, BC, have set ambitious goals and Portland should join them in being a world leader in renewable energy production and a truly sustainable economy.”
Bruce Broussard
Homelessness — Broussard said in a debate he would house the homeless at Wapato, the empty and unused prison facility in North Portland. He added the homeless people need to be processed in order to find out “who these people are.” Broussard, a restaurant owner, said he’s tired of seeing needles from the homeless laying on the ground in front of his restaurant.
“I’d much rather give them a joint than a needle to shoot up,” he said. “Getting us back being safe and clean, get them in an area where we can contain them, call up the governor and say this is a disaster we’ve got going on” are among the tactics he would use.
Other candidates Bim Ditson, Lew Humble, David Ackerman, Deborah Harris, Patty Burkett and Eric Calhoun have limited or no information available online regarding issues.Information taken from candidate websites has been condensed and edited for clarity.
