Street Roots asked Portland’s 2016 City Council candidates 13 questions
Amanda Fritz has been city commissioner since 2009. She is the commissioner for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Neighborhood Involvement. Previously, she was a registered nurse.
Fritz is running for re-election to commissioner position No. 1 on the Portland City Council. 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)
These are the decisions I’ve had to make every year for seven years, except that in five of the budgets I’ve voted on, the choices were on how to make cuts rather than how to improve services. I have already voted to allocate $10 million to housing this year, before considering any other cuts and additions. We are suffering an affordable housing crisis. All city services are important to our community, however. I make my decisions after considering broad public input, asking the questions, “Who pays, who benefits, and is that fair?” I prioritize basic services, spending taxpayers’ money wisely to provide both essential and quality-of-life functions. This year, I will prioritize police accountability, affordable housing and assistance to people experiencing houselessness, and fair wages including city parks employees who for decades have been paid under $15 per hour with no benefits.
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 vote to abolish the 48-hour rule?
Yes.
QUESTION 3
Yes or No: As commissioner, will you end the practice of contracting for military and militarized equipment for use by our police bureau?
This is not within my power as a commissioner, since the mayor is in charge of the Police Bureau and this type of internal Standard Operating Procedure decision is not subject to council approval. I won’t promise things I can’t deliver.
QUESTION 4
Please place the following items in order of priority as commissioner. Note with 1, 2 and 3.
• Increase parking • Bike infrastructure • Low or no-fare public transit
1. Low- or no-fare public transit
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.
e. Never.
QUESTION 7
Make one promise to the city’s people of color that you will deliver on as commissioner. Street Roots will check on its status every year.
I will seek out and consider input from communities of color before making important decisions. This promise includes hiring/retaining people of color in the staffing of my office and bureaus, to provide opportunities, direct input, and leadership on the actions of the government that belongs to all Portlanders.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
I will help foster success for young people of color through programs in my assigned bureaus, and by being a role model as someone who is not a white male on the council. For instance, by providing healthy recreation and SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) programs in Parks; by continuing to encourage police reform so that all Portlanders are treated with respect and everyone is safe in their neighborhood; by supporting the Diverse Civic Leadership and East Portland Action Plan initiatives within the Office of Neighborhood Involvement; and by employing people of varied backgrounds in my office and in my bureaus. Young people need internships, apprenticeships and volunteer leadership opportunities to enter the pipeline to success. I will also continue to champion the Future Connect scholarships with Portland Community College. No one person can “ensure” that youth succeed. We are all responsible for the success of every young person.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as commissioner to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
I will continue to support increasing the “owner-exemption” tax break so that small-business owners can keep more of the money they earn.
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 will continue to be the council’s primary champion on tree protection. Having helped instigate the Tree Code as a community activist, it is very frustrating to see it watered down by council, subject to development interests. I will work with community organizers and neighbors to strengthen and improve it.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
No. As the chief proponent of a permitted, improved site for Right 2 Dream Too, obviously I do support this wonderful organization, and other gatherings of people sheltering and forming communities living temporarily in tents. The word “cities” implies large bureaucratically organized encampments where thousands of people live permanently. I reject the implication that some people must live outside for long periods in huge impersonal settlements. We must find funding to provide permanent supportive housing as the primary mechanism of moving people living on the streets into better options. When insufficient affordable housing is available, shelter inside in well-managed safe spaces is the next best option for many folks waiting for services. Tents in small connected communities are better than isolated tents, and better than tarps/no shelter.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.
