See the other candidate's answers to these questions.
1. Eugene residents, in large numbers, have expressed support for more walkable neighborhoods. What does a walkable neighborhood mean to you, and how would you seek to bring about more walkable neighborhoods Eugene?
Walkable neighborhoods mean an area where people can live, work and recreate all in an area that is within walking distance from the home. South Eugene is my favorite example of this, with an appropriate mix of shops, affordable housing and nearby parks to enjoy.
2. What are the biggest challenges to people on foot in Eugene? How would you address these challenges?
The biggest challenges to people on foot in Eugene are a poorly scheduled bus system that needs to be better routed, inadequate traffic grid maintenance, and lack of enforcement for traffic laws.
3. Given the current economic climate, families in Eugene are struggling more and more with housing affordability. What is the most important thing we can do to ensure affordable housing in Eugene?
The most important thing we can do to ensure affordable housing in Eugene is to promote home ownership.
4. Many people identify the Capstone apartments as the type of development they do NOT want to see more of in Eugene. Can you give an example of a development that IS what we want more of in Eugene?
I can’t identify any recent developments which model what I’d like to see in Eugene. My preference is that developers be mandated to follow design plans which are favorable to neighborhood homeowners, this approval from locals on design plans must be mandatory to ensure we don’t have the same mistake repeated in other neighborhoods.
I would place developers on 3 guidelines for large developments, that being the mandatory approval of neighborhood homeowners on design plan, public spaces included for oversized developments, and stronger safety guidelines to protect our citizens.
5. Eugene is projected to add 34,000 new residents over the next 20 years. How do you propose that we accommodate this growth?
Growth is usually a sign of success. Growth should not be pressured as it is being currently with the West Eugene EMX or South Willamette Projects, that is the aspect of pressure, force and negative vibes that are all associated with the loss of moral values in larger cities. We shall accommodate this growth by continuing to be successful. Promoting open, public spaces and attractive building plans will promote a positive mentality for new residents and help avoid the negative vibes that occur with congestion and overpopulation.
6. Eugene has a population with a lot of different points of view. What do you see as your role in to building an atmosphere of trust and open dialog?
My role in building an atmosphere of trust and open dialog is to help people feel safe to speak their opinions, and to let people know that the government can actually respond to reasonable requests for solutions from their elected officials. I believe we can have more open dialog in public city council sessions, for example, I would fix the drinking fountain in there for the public so that when people come to speak they can get a decent drink of water. That the current officials have left the only water supply in the public speaking area of the city council to remain essentially unusable is inexcusable, this attention to detail and prompt solution-based decision making will be reflected in a more productive conversation 100% of the time.