Deborah Harris is a business employment specialist. She has also been a diversity consultant and a writer.
Harris is running for mayor of Portland. Here are her 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)
My first response would be to compliment those agencies for showing a desire to address and support the human needs of people with a sense of urgency. Too often leaders either fail to give recognition, or a simple “thank you” to those who are passionate in supporting economic stability to improve and enhance the quality of life for our communities. Yes, the cost and benefit(s) of each need to be weighed due to our instinct that one’s needs supersedes another. I will request a review of analysis and documents from each bureau defining the expenditures for requested finances. Knowing these represent critical issues that mayors before me have allowed to set on the shelf, I will effectively collaborate with constituents, bureaus, analysts and related: $17 million/$10 million. What do I do? At my inception as the new mayor, I took an important step by having an audit of the treasury and audited our city’s debt obligations. I can comfortably take the available resources, divide them into our cited neighborhoods thereby avoiding behaviors that created a debt-ridden city such as Detroit.
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. Low- or no-fare public transit
2. Increase parking
3. 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
2. Raincoat
3. Nike
4. Kale
QUESTION 6
Complete this sentence with the following options: I smoke marijuana ____________
a. For medicinal purposes only.
b. To decompress after a stressful day.
c. Recreationally. Hey, it’s legal.
d. Rarely.
e. Never.
e. Never.
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.
I promise to the city’s people of color a visible and expedient transformation in the reduction of social justice issues that plague communities of color through 1) quarterly community meeting, 2) police training including an exclusive designed cross culture assessment center, 3) citizens inclusiveness in the process and 4) community policing.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
I will ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland by revisiting prior effective programs and entertaining new programs that deliver effective mentoring and training to enhance areas in education, jobs, parenting, career aspirations, and retaining and expounding on granted gifts. Young people of color will succeed because federal funds allocated to states and city government for such programs will be tracked and unacceptable prior practices of the funds being misallocated will not be tolerated. Creating safer and healthier communities, affordable homes and good paying jobs for families of young people of color will enhance an environment to want to succeed.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as mayor to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
I will review some of the regulatory taxes on small business.
QUESTION 10
Pair the issue with the sentiment. Use each sentiment only once:
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law
2. Public campaign finance option
3. Expanded light rail transit into Washington St.
4. PPB Horse Patrol
a. Great idea
b. Good idea
c. Needs work
d. Nope
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law – d. Nope
2. Public campaign finance – b. Good idea
3. Expanded light rail – a. Great idea
4. PPB Horse Patrol – c. Needs work
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?
To save the legacy trees, I will involve the people from the affected neighborhoods. Before development occurs, neighborhood associations will be made aware prior to the start-up of the project. We will have meetings to hear from the community and gather their concerns then move forward with strategies. Proactive conversation will be shared with developers. Legacy trees belong to all of our generations. Legacy trees help maintain property value and future generations and communities will enjoy the beauty and benefits.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
No.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.