I want to be clear, the mayor can’t solve everything single handedly. I don’t want to promise you a bunch of things there is no chance of me actually accomplishing. Any politician can promise unreal things, but that’s not who I am.

There are some things I am uniquely qualified to do right from day one. I think we can all agree, we can’t keep trying the same things over and over. We need new solutions and new partnerships to solve the big issues facing our community. Over the past two years, we have had a leader who believes he knows what’s best for our community. That’s not my style. I believe we need more people involved in drafting the solutions that our community actually
needs.

My first goal would be to have the tough conversations that frankly, we just aren’t having right now. My opponent says we have nearly a 30-million-dollar budget shortfall, but as a member of the budget committee, I’m not even allowed to see what goes into creating that shortfall, or what solutions could be possible, other than just raising more revenue.

Given how badly the payroll tax failed (which I voted against, by the way), I believe the city needs to take a hard look at what efficiencies are possible and build more trust with the voters before looking for new revenue streams.

One huge expense for the city is the many ways we fund homeless services. Now let’s be clear, I believe folks who are struggling and want help need quality, compassionate care. What concerns me is that many of these services should be provided through the Counties – they are the public and mental health authorities and are uniquely suited to coordinate that care. Unfortunately for Salem, city leadership has a very fraught relationship with the counties, so the city is shouldering more that I think we should be.

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We need to focus on what we do best: Public safety, roads, parks and facilitating the construction of much needed housing. I will bring solid working relationships with county commissioners from both Marion and Polk counties to bear in my first days in office to bring the needed coordination into action.