The following candidates are running for the positions of mayor or city councilor/commissioner in the Multnomah County cities of Fairview, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Portland and Troutdale. The information about them below is copied from VOTE411.org.
City of Fairview – Councilor Position 4
Balwant Bhullar
Balwant Bhullar has not yet answered VOTE411 questions. However, he did submit a statement that is printed on page M-20 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Jenni Weber
Jenni Weber’s answers to VOTE411 questions are copied below. She also submitted a statement that is printed on page M-20 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Candidate’s Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Jenni Weber: One of our most urgent needs is public safety, I will create open, consistent communication with the agencies that serve Fairview and seek out innovative funding solutions, and new community partnerships, to ensure we have the very best public safety services. Additionally we need to look at our spending and create a fiscally sound and sustainable budget that meets our needs.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Jenni Weber: As a city councilor, I will do all I can to meet with residents, school and community leaders, and business owners to discuss what the council is working on. I want to make sure citizens know not just the schedule of our meetings, but what to expect when they attend a meeting, and how they can be involved in providing feedback, expressing concerns, and sharing their ideas. I want to remove barriers to public participation and remind the citizens that we are here to serve them.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Jenni Weber: As a Behavioral Health Clinician, I understand the underlying issues that face those experiencing disabilities, mental health issues, addiction, and the barriers to accessing much needed services. We must lead with compassion and meet those who are struggling where they are. We also need services – right now. I will be a strong advocate with the county and request that East County gets the mental health, housing, health, and job support services our most vulnerable residents need.
City of Fairview – Councilor Position 5
Steve Owen
Experience/Qualifications: Fairview City Councilor May 2020 – present, Fairview City Councilor, 1997 – 2015; Fairview City Council President; Fairview Planning Commission, Fairview Audit, Budget and Public Safety Committees; Heslin House Historical Society Liaison
Steve Owen’s answers to VOTE411 questions are copied below. He also submitted a statement that is printed on page M-21 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Mike Weatherby
Mike Weatherby has not yet answered VOTE411 questions. However, he did submit a statement that is printed on page M-21 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Candidate’s Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Steve Owen: We are still dealing with the effects of eliminating the Fairview Police department and contracting with Multnomah County Sheriff to deal with our day-to-day public safety challenges. This was a decision we are living with when the council was made up of other elected officials including my opponent, Mike Weatherby. My focus is to make sure our contract is fulfilled by Multnomah County and improve police presence in the neighborhoods.
Evaluate shared services model with adjacent cities.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Steve Owen: I supported the recent change to the regular scheduled meetings allowing for more citizen comments. This allows for more public comments during the designated part of the meeting and during specific agenda items. I encourage sending correspondence directly to the city council and city manger if your availability is limited.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Steve Owen: Multnomah County provides many services that address disabilities and mental health issues. The City Council should continue to advocate with other elected officials in the area.
I am delighted all the existing sidewalks in the city have finally been evaluated and repaired. This has been a multi-year project that is now complete. This provides a safe use of the public right of way for all of us including our senior and disabled community members.
City of Fairview – Councilor Position 6
Paul Copeland
Paul Copeland has not yet answered VOTE411 questions. However, he did submit a statement that is printed on page M-22 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Jose Mendez
Jose Mendez has not yet answered VOTE411 questions. Also he did not submit a statement for the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
City of Gresham – Mayor
Travis Stovall
Candidate’s Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Travis Stovall: Financial stability and community safety are two of our most urgent needs. The list of priorities is long but we need to be working on the “vital few” before we broaden our approach. We recently approved a three year financial plan and launched our Safe Gresham initiative. Both of these are the foundation of what we need. I will continue to support and provide the necessary resources for these efforts.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Travis Stovall: The foundation of great leadership is listening. That’s a hallmark of what I enjoy doing is listening to community members and stakeholders to best understand the challenges so that we can effectively address them. Ensuring that we have a robust community involvement structure is critical to being responsive to community needs.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Travis Stovall: Mental health and disabilities access to resources issue is much larger than any one community we must tackle these challenges at the state level. We will continue to work with our state legislators and regional leadership to allocate the resources to the entities best equipped to address these challenges. We must bring a comprehensive solution to these challenges.
City of Gresham – Councilor, Position 2
Cathy Vanderhey Keathley
Cathy Vanderhey Keathley has not yet answered VOTE411 questions. However, she did submit a statement that is printed on page M-24 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Eddy Morales
Eddy Morales’ answers to VOTE411 questions are copied below. He also submitted a statement that is printed on page M-23 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Thomas Stanley
Thomas Stanley’s answers to VOTE411 questions are copied below. He also submitted a statement that is printed on page M-24 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Candidates’ Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Cathy Vanderhey Keathley: Candidate has not yet responded.
Eddy Morales: Gresham needs to find sustainable sources of revenue and to balance our city budget. If our city continues to grow as projected our police, fire and other city departments will have to do more with less leading to staff burn out and impacting quality of services for our community.
To fix our budget we need to implement the three year financial plan we adopted to provide diverse, long term, and sustainable funding.
Thomas Stanley:
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- Help the Mayor, Council, & City manager optimize revenues to balance the City’s budget & grow the city.
- Work to create revenue to support the Police & Fire departments.
- Support Gresham’s City water project.
- Work to help Seniors stay in their homes, by changing the laws to keep predatory investors , building contractors, real estate & scammers from harassing them for their properties or assets.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Cathy Vanderhey Keathley: Candidate has not yet responded.
Eddy Morales: I have led transparency and good governance initiatives to make City Hall more accessible and inclusive. This has led to more diverse people being involved in decisions. A charter review committee has been appointed and will be addressing issues such as an independently elected auditor, geographic zones for city elected positions and term limits. We can not solve problems for Gresham without all perspectives at the table, especially the voices of those most impacted by the decisions we make.
Thomas Stanley
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- Help make Gresham, Sustainable, Eco-friendly, Diverse, Inclusive, & Equable community for all.
- Help create a long-term sustainable Parks & Recreations Department to promote community involvement, family growth & child development.
- Work with School Boards & the community to bring back basic teaching of Reading, Writing, Math & reduce unnecessary political correctness in the school teaching programs.
- Support Gresham Business Community & tourist industry.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Cathy Vanderhey Keathley: Candidate has not yet responded.
Eddy Morales: Providing more housing is the first step to helping people with disabilities or mental health issues gain stability and access services. Gresham has allocated $11.2 million to build 150 units of housing for people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges. This housing development was done in partnership with Albertina Kerr. Additionally, we have hired a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) director and are working to ensure all our city services have a DEI lens.
Thomas Stanley:
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- Support Housing Development projects to meet the needs of Gresham residents.
- Create a committee, including various non-profit groups, business partners, & people with disabilities or mental health issues, and discuss “What are the challenges in using the available health care services & How can we improve access to these services”.
City of Gresham – Councilor, Position 4
Jerry W Hinton
Mario Palmero
Candidates’ Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Jerry Hinton:
1) Public safety issues due to partially defunded police department. I would fully fund the Gresham Police Department. I would suspend all other financial initiatives until our police force was stabilized.
2) Pervasive attitude regarding homelessness and street camping. We must be compassionate, but firm. Allowing outdoor camping is a public health and safety risk for all of Gresham residents. I will support, enhance and expand our homeless service team.
Mario Palmero: The City’s most urgent needs and goals are balancing the City Budget, ensuring appropriate levels of staffing across all city departments.this will be funded by city fees or voter approved Tax levis, while ensuring clear transparency for public scrutiny. Reduce gun violence incidents and violent crimes overall. This could be addressed by funding youth afterschool and summer programs. Investing in programs targeted directly at our children can and will reduce violence in our community.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Jerry Hinton: Host regular listening sessions on various topics chosen by Gresham citizens. Regularly attend all Gresham’s 16 Neighborhood Association meetings. Include our super seniors in these discussions by also visiting our assisted living centers. By being present and accessible at community events.
All input would be considered and evaluated in an inclusive and equitable manner. Action items would then be developed with staff and presented to council. Also continue to develop “My Gresham” ap.
Mario Palmero: Continue the work of our communications department in informing the public of city events, city listening sessions, work groups etc.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Jerry Hinton: Having a father and brother who have suffered with muscular dystrophy their whole lives, I am particularly sensitive in protecting those who are vulnerable due to physical and mental challenges. I would work with Trimet to enhance shuttle services. I would continue to retro fit our streets with wheelchair accessible ramps. I would access all available federal and state funding for mental-illness mitigation; federal government just announced some significant funding for Oregon.
Mario Palmero: We need to work more closely with the Department Multnomah County to ensure that our eresidence receive critical access to medication for mental health, access to counseling and outreach workers specifically trained to interact and assist people with mental health issues in applying for benefits or accessing care.
City of Gresham – Councilor, Position 6
Janine Gladfelter
Amanda Orozco-Beach
Amanda Orozco-Beach’s answers to VOTE411 questions are copied below. She also submitted a statement that is printed on page M-26 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Candidates’ Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals, and how would you address them?
Janine Gladfelter: Public safety is of great concern. Our Police need to be properly funded and supported so they can keep our community safe. To include violence prevention programs and on-going community engagement. We must continue to support Homeless Services Team and address homelessness with compassion and accountability while keeping our streets clean. Our Fire department must be staffed and funded properly, seconds count when a paramedic is needed, or a structure fire is happening.
Amanda Orozco-Beach: Gresham’s most urgent needs are public safety, housing, jobs, and services to help struggling residents. Long-standing tax measures in Gresham have prevented the City from having the revenues needed to run a city of this size and residents are suffering. The goal is to have Gresham divorce the idea that it is a small town and start acting like what it is: the 4th largest city in Oregon with a population of 110,00+ people from many walks of life. Failing to see this is failing the city.
2. What efforts would you make to ensure that the concerns of all city residents are being heard and addressed?
Janine Gladfelter: Being accessible and out in the community is crucial. That means being part of the community and present in the events held in all areas if the community, listening to all voices across both political and diversity spectrum. We are so fortunate to have such a diverse community we need to embrace that, know when events are held and be part of them. Let the community know me as a person, and that I am approachable and want to hear from the community.
Amanda Orozco-Beach: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are key concepts that have recently been introduced to the City of Gresham. Two way communication with our residents is important for achieving community support. The efforts will include following up with what I am hearing on the campaign and appointing a committee to work on each issue. This diverse committee will report to city council business meetings and follow up with bi-monthly town halls to prevent any misinformation or discontent.
3. People experiencing disabilities or mental health issues face barriers when accessing services of all types. If elected, what would you do to reduce those barriers in your city?
Janine Gladfelter: We need to ensure we pursue public and private partnership that work within disabled and mental health arenas and collaborate to find solutions to eliminate barriers. Work to have multi lingual materials or translation available for information of available services Reach out to the community service organizations to ensure any resources we can share are being talked about. Work to collaborate with community service organizations to know who does what, and make it easier to access.
Amanda Orozco-Beach: Barriers that need to be tackled to protect our citizens experiencing disabilities and mental health issues can come from working with local businesses and public services. The Covid-19 Pandemic has been a blessing and a curse, and by blessing I mean it proved that people with mental health and disabilities can be more active in the workforce, telehealth, and attend more events virtually. I would work with leadership to adapt to the times to support these citizens facing these barriers.
City of Lake Oswego – Councilor
Ali Afghan
Ali Afghan has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions. However, he submitted a statement that is printed on page M-28 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Charles Bryan
Charles Bryan has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions and did not submit a statement for the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet.
Trudy Corrigan
Jeff Gudman
Katherine Lupton
John Wendland
Candidates’ Answers to LWV Questions
1. What are the city’s most urgent needs and goals and how would you address them?
Ali Afghan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Charles Bryan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Trudy Corrigan: Our city needs to continue with our DEI initiatives, we need to keep our focus on maintaining a healthy environment while we accommodate increasing demand for housing. With increasing population we need to continue developing our parks pathways and trails and keeping open space too. We should pursue an economic development plan to deal with evolving business conditions, and continue to maintain and modernize our infrastructure. We need to think ahead long term about funding strategies.
Jeff Gudman: Maintaining and enhancing our basic infrastructure, converting the trolley line to a bicycle/pedestrian pathway, continuing the work of the Boones Ferry Plan, successfully implementing neighborhood and downtown plans, and protecting the Stafford Hamlet.
Working with each citizen to develop collaborative, financially sound solutions to the challenges the city faces. To be an independent thinker and a team player while combining an inclusive vision for the city along with the ability to execute.
Katherine Lupton: We need safer sidewalks and pathways to keep our pedestrians and cyclists safe. We must fund and build these sidewalks and pathways in an expedited manner. We must support our working families with child care and universal pre-K, and we must support our first responders.
John Wendland: Repairing or Replacing the Sewer Treatment plant will be the largest long term investment in the next decade. Negotiating the best deal to keep utility rates is my top priority.
Providing responsive and effective community safety with police, fire, and paramedic services is a key goal. I will continue these efforts. We added 4 new patrol officers and a mental health specialist this past year.
Completing the Parks Bond projects with LORAC, Golf, and Rassekh park projects now underway.
2. How would you strengthen the city’s working relationships with the county, the state, and other tax districts on multi-jurisdictional issues like affordable housing, transportation, policing, social services and the economy?
Ali Afghan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Charles Bryan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Trudy Corrigan: I understand how important relationships and IGA’s with other governmental bodies and partners are in getting things done with funding and staffing that are finite. I will reach out and collaborate. Lake Oswego is working with Metro and the Housing Authority of Clackamas County for affordable housing at the former staging area for the Boones Ferry Road Improvements project. The city is also working with Habitat for Humanity for a multifamily development in West Lake Grove.
Jeff Gudman: Continue the years of working with the cities of the immediate area, the county and Metro. By building on the relationships that have been developed to make things better for our residents. All means all. Much of that is showing up and listening and learning. And the working to inform and persuade.
Katherine Lupton: I would work closely with all levels of local government by engaging their support and soliciting opportunities for communication and mutual respect.
John Wendland: My style is to always work with local, county and state officials to help solve issues. Issues I have been working on are incorporating Luscher farms into city boundaries, supporting the 205 expansion, fighting against exclusive tolling on the 205 which will divert traffic to LO, developing 3 separate middle housing projects with State and Metro, tackling House Bill 2001 regarding housing density, discussing options for Stafford Triangle with Tualatin and West Linn, and distributing ARPA funds.
3. How would you describe the role of the city council/mayor within city government?
Ali Afghan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Charles Bryan: Candidate has not yet responded.
Trudy Corrigan: The city council’s role is to set goals and decide policy for the City and to oversee the City Manager. The city council also acts in a quasi judicial role in land use hearings and other appeals. The city council in cooperation with the Budget committee decides how to allocate tax revenues to meet goals and meet the city’s needs. The mayor is the leader of the city, presides over the city council and develops the agenda for the council. He also works in coordination with our city manager.
Jeff Gudman: The city council is a policy making body within a council/city manager form of government. That means understanding that council members provide direction and oversight and follow through on the status of goals established,
Katherine Lupton: The role of the City Council is to protect and serve our citizens, especially those who do not have a voice or may not be able to vote. This includes our young children and those under age 18 who are not yet able to vote or stand up for their rights as citizens.
John Wendland: Our role is to effectively and collaboratively work together to set well thought out and sensible policy to efficiently provide exceptional City services and resolve city issues.
We need to represent what is in the best interests of our citizens and community.
The past 4 years, I feel our Council has worked to achieve the aforementioned. Similar to my two terms on the LO School Board, I am a collaborator. I listen, I discuss, I recommend, and I vote – always in the best interests of LO
City of Portland – Commissioner, Position 3
Rene Gonzalez
Rene Gonzalez has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions. However, he did submit statement that is printed on page M-29 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet. His campaign website is https://www.reneforportland.com
Jo Ann Hardesty
Candidates’ Answers to LWV Questions
1. What can the city do to address the root causes contributing to the increase in gun violence?
2. Do you think that the structure of Portland city government needs to be changed, and if so, what specific changes do you support?
Rene Gonzalez: Candidate has not yet responded.
Jo Ann Hardesty: The important voices here are the citizens of Portland who served on the Charter Change Commission. The Commission has nothing but Portland’s best interests at heart. The 20-member Commission that was unanimously appointed by all of the City Council voted overwhelmingly to refer a package of structural reforms for the City of Portland to voters this November. This is historic.
3. How can Portland address barriers such as criminal history, substance abuse and mental health issues to ensure that people who lack housing have a safe and stable place to live?
Rene Gonzalez: Candidate has not yet responded.
Jo Ann Hardesty: (Answer missing or not completed.)
City of Troutdale – Councilor
GianPaolo Mammone
GianPaolo Mammone has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions. However, he submitted a a statement that is printed on page M-30 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
Nick Moon
Nick Moon has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions. However, he submitted a a statement that is printed on page M-30 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.
David Ripma
David Ripma has not yet answered the VOTE411 questions. However, he submitted a a statement that is printed on page M-30 of the Multnomah County Voters’ Pamphlet, the mid-section of the Oregon Voters’ Pamphlet.