City Club Q&A
What is your top priority for the City Council? Why?
My top priority for City Council is creating Better Communities with safer, cleaner, drug-free streets and improved infrastructure. I’ll expand housing resources for youth aging out of foster care until age 23 and address addiction by increasing healthcare, mental health, and addiction specialists through competitive salaries and national recruitment. I support fully funded police and fire departments, expanding Portland Street Response, and repurposing PCEF funds to create cooling areas and provide clean air filters to underserved communities. I’ll also focus on fiscal accountability by optimizing resources without raising taxes.
How will you coordinate City, County, Metro, and State resources to create affordable housing?
To coordinate City, County, Metro, and State resources, I will create a regional task force to align housing targets and streamline funding. By leveraging Metro’s urban planning expertise and State funding, such as through Oregon Housing and Community Services, we can maximize resources. I’ll push for streamlining development processes, repurposing vacant public land, and supporting public-private partnerships to build mixed-income housing. Aligning affordable housing with transit planning will ensure sustainability. Additionally, I’ll explore reallocating Portland Clean Energy Fund resources to support affordable housing, using a balanced approach to create long-term solutions.
What will you do to provide more services and improve safety for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness?
To improve services and safety for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, I will advocate for a comprehensive approach that includes expanding mental health services and addiction recovery programs by integrating Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) with existing city resources. I will push for more supportive housing, coupled with wraparound services like job training, counseling, and healthcare. Expanding Portland Street Response 2.0 will ensure non-police responders can address crises effectively. Additionally, I’ll prioritize partnerships with nonprofits and leverage state and federal funding to create safe, transitional shelters with a focus on long-term housing stability.
What is your vision for the future of downtown Portland? What initial steps should the City Council take to achieve that vision?
My vision for downtown Portland is a safe, vibrant, and inclusive area that supports residents, businesses, and visitors. To achieve this, the City Council must prioritize public safety by expanding Portland Street Response and increasing community policing to foster trust. I also envision revitalizing vacant storefronts through incentives for small businesses and repurposing commercial spaces for affordable housing or mixed-use developments. Additionally, investing in public transportation and green spaces will enhance accessibility and appeal. Working with state and county officials to provide behavioral health services will further help restore downtown’s vitality.
What steps will you take to reduce gun violence in our city?
To reduce gun violence in Portland, I will advocate for a comprehensive strategy. First, I will push for stronger enforcement of existing gun laws and collaborate with state lawmakers to introduce stricter regulations on illegal firearm sales. Expanding community-based violence prevention programs, such as mentorship and outreach for at-risk youth, will help address the root causes. I also support increasing mental health services and addiction recovery programs to prevent violent behavior. Additionally, I will invest in gun buyback programs and partner with community leaders to promote conflict resolution training to create a safer city.
Bob’s Survey Responses – Part 2
How do you plan to implement your campaign promises to deliver additional city services within a budget that is already straining to fund existing programs?
To implement my promises within a strained budget, I’ll optimize Portland’s $8 billion by tracking spending and evaluating the performance of bureaus and nonprofits. I’ll prioritize essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and housing by fully funding police and fire, expanding Portland Street Response, and reallocating staff to meet city needs. It’s essential that the 12-person council works together to achieve these goals. With a hiring freeze for non-essential positions and key performance indicators, we can deliver services efficiently without raising taxes. My private sector experience will bring a streamlined, results-driven approach to city government.
How will you ensure that Portland’s streets and public spaces are safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities, especially those who cannot or choose not to drive?
To ensure Portland’s streets and public spaces are safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities, I will prioritize expanding pedestrian-friendly infrastructure and enhancing public transit. This includes improving sidewalks, crosswalks, and protected bike lanes, while ensuring that all public spaces are ADA-compliant. I will advocate for dedicated bus lanes and enhanced transit stops to provide reliable transportation for those who cannot or choose not to drive.Investing in safe routes to schools and senior-friendly infrastructure like benches and clear signage will ensure accessibility for all. Additionally, I will work to calm traffic in busy areas, reducing accidents and making streets safer.
What are the best strategies for the City Council to support Portland’s arts communities?
To support Portland’s arts communities, the City Council should continue dedicating 2% of infrastructure project costs to public art, ensuring that these funds commission work from underrepresented and historically underserved artists. However, we can expand this by integrating local art into broader city programs. As a council member, I’ll advocate for a comprehensive youth initiative to deter gang involvement, starting at age 8. This program will offer positive outlets through music, arts, dance, sports, and more, with workshops led by local artists, musicians, and cultural institutions, directly supported by the City.
Do you support a means for citizens to participate in directing a percentage of the municipal budget to projects of their choosing?
Yes, I support a process that allows citizens to direct a percentage of the municipal budget to projects of their choosing, known as participatory budgeting. This approach promotes transparency, encourages civic engagement, and ensures public funds are allocated to the community’s most pressing needs. By allowing residents to vote on budget priorities, we can ensure a more equitable distribution of resources, especially in underrepresented communities. This process fosters stronger connections between the city and its residents, empowering people to have a direct impact on local decision-making and improving trust in government.
What sets you apart from the other candidates running in your district?
What sets me apart is my enterprise mindset & private sector experience at companies like Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and Tony Robbins. I would bring an enterprise mindset to create a more streamlined, accountable and effective city government. I specialize in solving large-scale problems through collaboration and accountability. In business, performance is non-negotiable—you either deliver or you’re out. I’ll bring that same drive to city government. Growing up in the projects outside Compton as a Black kid with a white mom taught me the power of persistence and communication across diverse communities. I’m uniquely positioned to connect with District 2’s wide range of social, economic, and racial diversity, listening and addressing their needs.