1. In light of a recent federal executive order on homelessness that incentivizes local policies to ban outdoor camping and to require mental health and substance use treatment, how would you assess Salem’s responses to people experiencing homelessness, and what would you plan to do if elected?
I feel the cities camping ordinance was a step in the right direction to get our homeless population the help that they need. With that being said I feel the homelessness epidemic we have going on now can’t be solved just by supplying shelter. We need to get to the root cause being the addiction and mental health issues. We need more accessibility to the services that are needed to help the homeless.
2. Since the federal government has withdrawn its support for combating climate change, including eliminating tax credits for wind and solar energy and halting federal permits for wind power, what would you propose the city do to mitigate climate change and its effects locally?
Combating climate change is a never-ending battle. I feel that our city and sustainability departments have done a great job so far and will continue to do so. I’m not an expert on climate change. That’s why we have people in these departments to try to come up with solutions I’m a firm believer of letting the experts do their job.
3 With the loss of federal grants and funding for food pantries, and the closure of Daily Table, what ideas do you have for helping residents who are food insecure?
The Grant and funding for food. Pantries is a great loss, but I believe nobody should go hungry. I think the city needs to look at some of the wasteful spending and redirect it to make sure that our neighbors have food on their table.
4. Do you support or oppose the plans to build a new high school inSalem and the debt exclusion proposal to allow Salem to fund its share of the cost of the new school? Why or why not? What points would you make to communicate with Salem voters about this project?
I believe that a new high school is very important to the city and I wholeheartedly agree with it if something‘s not done now it’s just gonna cost us more later
5. How do you plan to keep your constituents informed about policy issues before the City Council if you are elected?
In the past, I’ve tried holding ward meetings to try to keep constituents informed unfortunately there was poor attendance. My number is listed and my email is listed. I’m always available to answer any questions or help in anyway I can.