Bim Ditson, an entrepreneur who makes and sells chain-mail jewelry, is a drummer in the Portland band And And And.
Ditson is running for mayor of Portland. Here are his responses to Street Roots' candidates pop quiz — a mix of short-answer, yes-or-no, and multiple-choice questions. (Read other candidates' responses.)
QUESTION 1
You only have $10 million to spend. The fire bureau says that without $5 million, call times for critical services will be hampered, potentially costing people’s lives. Social-service agencies need $5 million because rent increases mean they can’t place people into housing, creating a backlog of people waiting to get off the streets. Both the police and the parks bureaus need critical support for services totaling $7 million. What do you do? (150 words or less)
A public bank of Portland. With a municipal bank we can leverage that 10 million to bond for our future. This gives us access to the funds that we need now, without entering the debt cycles of compound interest and regional equity extraction that all profit-based Wall Street banks inflict on cities who bank with them. We must tackle the causes of issues instead of only treating the symptoms and wondering why we aren’t getting better.
1. Comprehensive investments into transitional housing dedicated to solving homelessness, long term. Emergency services must happen in tandem with clear paths to not needing those services in the future.
2. Crime increases with disparity. It is disparity that we must fight. Programs that increase community empowerment, access to education, economic equality and opportunity are the answer. Not more police. When given a choice between a bright future and crime, people choose a bright future.
3. Land acquisition to ensure that every Portlander has a park in their life. Parks are the lungs of a city, and without them we will suffocate.
I do want to answer this directly as well. I would prioritize social services and the fire bureau over parks and police funding.
Social sevices: 3.8 million
QUESTION 2
The Portland Police Bureau’s contract with the city says police officers involved in an incident using deadly force must receive 48 hours’ notice before being compelled to speak to bureau investigators. Average citizens, however, are questioned often immediately on the grounds of capturing the best memory of events. Yes or No: Would you abolish the 48-hour rule?
Yes.
QUESTION 3
Yes or No: As mayor, will you end the practice of contracting for military and militarized equipment for use by our police bureau?
Yes.
QUESTION 4
Please place the following items in order of priority as mayor. Note with 1, 2 and 3.
• Increase parking • Bike infrastructure • Low or no-fare public transit
1. Bike infrastructure
QUESTION 5
Choose the item in each pairing that is more suited to you:
1. Uber or Radio Cab 2. Raincoat or Umbrella 3. Adidas or Nike 4. Maple Bacon Doughnut or Kale
1. Radio Cab
QUESTION 6
Complete this sentence with the following options: I smoke marijuana ____________
a. For medicinal purposes only.
d. Rarely.
QUESTION 7
Make one promise to the city’s people of color that you will deliver on as mayor. Street Roots will check on its status every year.
This is the same promise that I make to all Portlanders. I promise to promote accountability from city government, accountability from corporations, and to put community leaders in positions of power instead of political insiders. No more fox guarding the hen house. These promises are meant to be broad and inclusive of every area. I will function as mayor based on this commitment: any action that diminishes the quality of life of a Portlander for a profit is an act against the city of Portland.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
I believe that in any neighborhood, city or country, the most critical thing to realize is that we’re all reliant on each other, and better for it. I am greatly concerned with narratives that divide people. When we talk about success, we should not be splitting people apart by defining it comparatively and by gauging it against our past. We should be talking about what our ideal baseline of success is, and then ensure everyone has the opportunities to get there.
This is what I will do for all Portlanders through community empowerment and access to the same quality of education and economic opportunity by ensuring that the people in power are community leaders who reflect the future, not political insiders who reflect the systemic failures of the past.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as mayor to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
Increase taxes for large corporations. If a corporation cannot remain profitable while paying employees a livable wage and paying comparable taxes to what local business pays, then that corporation functions explicitely on the exploitation of our communities.
QUESTION 10
Pair the issue with the sentiment. Use each sentiment only once:
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law
a. Great idea
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law – d. Nope
QUESTION 11
Portland is losing significant, large trees at a rapid pace to development. In 50 words or less, what will you do to save these legacy trees?
I propose streamlining the process to certify our historic buildings so that they are safe from destruction. I will fight for further limitations on what developers can tear down. I propose including our legacy trees in that citification process so that there is a clear way to protect these historic treasures, buildings or trees, no matter who wants to make money from tearing them down.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
Yes.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.
