issues

housing

We need to ensure that there are housing options in every Portland neighborhood with abundant homes for people at every income level and walk of life. I support policies that will help bring down housing costs, support local businesses, and make our close-in neighborhoods more diverse and more vibrant. I have the support of local leaders in affordable housing development and progressive housing policy. We need leaders that can focus on solutions and make progress on solving our current housing crisis.

EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT

A majority of Portlanders agree that our current city government is failing us. As a long proponent of the movement to districted representation, I am optimistic that we are taking the first step towards a form of government that can better serve the uniquely different neighborhoods in our city. However, anyone that has been in organizational leadership knows that even small changes can be difficult. It is crucial that the inaugural city council for our new form of government includes members that have experience leading through change. I intend to use my experience with over a decade of entrepreneurship and business development to help lead our city through this transition.

safety & livability

As a small business owner, we have seen a significant increase in break-ins and neighborhood safety issues. I’ve gotten up in the middle of the night on many occasions to clean up broken windows and secure our small businesses. During the day, our staff has become frontline caregivers for people experiencing various stages of mental health concerns. Effective community policing and neighborhood based behavioral health support need to be an urgent objective for our city and county leaders.

small business

Small businesses make up 94% of businesses in Multnomah County and employ 35% of the workers. Portland’s small business districts are indeed impressive, and for many of us, they are the reason we chose to call Portland home. Our neighborhoods, each distinct in their own way, offer residents the community feeling of a small town. Unfortunately, small businesses are struggling amid theft, property crime and higher costs of doing business. In our current form of government, there is a lack of support for local leadership in our small business communities. We need members of the city council that have direct experience with the challenges of operating a small business and that will back solutions that allow those businesses to thrive once again.

financial accountability

The number one issue I’ve heard when talking to voters is some version of “we pay a lot in taxes and what do we see for it?” Our city leaders need to hear this message and work to address those concerns. In my career as a forensic accountant, I’ve investigated Ponzi schemes, evaluated wildfire damages, and uncovered multi-million-dollar corporate fraud practices. As an owner of three community based optometry clinics, I understand how to navigate a budget and properly plan for future spending.

On the new city council, I will work closely with the city auditor to provide oversight and accountability to our city spending. Portland has a history of delegating resources and not following up on results. We cannot continue this practice with declining population and an increasingly overburdened tax base.

environmental leadership

Portland is a city that holds environmental stewardship as a guiding principle. As a father of two young children, the effect we have on the world that they will inherit is very important to me. In fact, my original path to Oregon began with the Environmental Economics program at the University of Oregon.

Our city has continued to show the willingness to invest in progressive environmental policy. My concern is that much of the hard work and positive momentum is often overshadowed by the more ineffective aspects of our city government. On city council, my job will be to create an environment of change that allows measures like the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to succeed and produce the desired outcomes that will benefit my children’s generation.

neighborhood engagement

Our city has a history of strong neighborhood engagement. However, the charter reform change to a districted city council has presented our current neighborhood association model with a particular challenge. Do we continue to operate our neighborhood associations under a District Coordination Office (DCO) model? If so, how do we restructure and re-allocate those resources to better match the new council districts? How do the new city council district offices conflict or duplicate services currently under the Office of Community and Civic Life?

I will continue to stay engaged with this topic and help determine a path forward that is an efficient and effective form of governance that also continues to provide our local neighborhoods with direct access to their city government.

a return to optimism

I am an insufferable optimist by nature. In our business, I constantly see the opportunity in every challenge we are presented with. Portland is a challenge. We hear our current leaders constantly talk about why they can’t do something. The city blames the county, the county blames the city. Voters complain about taxes, the press reports on unspent funds, and yet some of our crucial social services are facing massive budget deficits. Portland is a challenge.

None of these problems will be achievable unless we focus on a positive future for our city. We are still a city that designs the most popular fashion brands, makes the best coffee/beer/wine/spirits/ice cream/pizza, produces amazing artists, and is a short drive in any direction from some of the most beautiful nature in the country. There is a lot to be optimistic about and I’d like to be a part of leading Portland on a positive path forward.

Want to see more detail on specific issues? Check out my Issues Blog. I will periodically post specific articles and expand on issues relevant to District 2. It’s in my nature to be pragmatic, so don’t expect large proclamations designed to appease voters. Instead, take a look at how I think through issues and what type of process I will bring to city council as we are presented with complex challenges involving a variety of stakeholders.

If you agree with my message above and want to help this campaign move forward, please consider making a donation today. As a participant in the Small Donors Election program, your donation up to $20 is matched 9 to 1. We rely on your support to continue this message. Thank you for donating!