Suzanne Stahl, a civil rights advocate, is chair of the Portland Commission on Disability and its Accessibility in the Built Environment subcommittee. She is a volunteer program assistant at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and is secretary of the auxiliary board.
Stahl is running for commissioner position No. 4 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)
I would spend $5 million on social service agencies to treat and place the houseless. Many individuals that are chronically houseless have dual diagnoses, mental health issues and drug addictions. Additionally, individuals that have recently lost their housing due to rising rent can also develop health issues, both mental and physical, due to the stress and anxiety of their situation. As a case manager for a non-profit mental health clinic, I have seen the appreciation and gratitude of program outreach. It was much easier for me to go to them then for them to come to the clinic. I would also increase public housing and create 7,000-plus low-income housing and traditional housing units. Bridge Meadows is a great model. These efforts may even decrease the needed fund amount of police and fire bureaus.
With the $5 million left, I would increase the manpower and operation of the Fire Bureau.
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?
GET RID OF THE 48 HOUR RULE! The city must be transparent and accountable, and allowing officers “down time” is egregious. If they are held above the law, they will act above the law. Information and memory is more accurate immediately after an event. If officers don’t disclose information right away, pertinent information may be lost.
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?
Using the military and its equipment is unfounded and not necessary. As commissioner I would end this practice.
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
2. Increase parking
3. Bike infrastructure
(I want services to be as equitable as possible. I and the disability community and other communities cannot ride bikes, but can take 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
Again with making sure services meet the demands of the public, Uber states it “doesn’t need to comply with the ADA” thus limits users. Radio Cab, on the other hand, has wheelchair accessible vans and accommodates more people.
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.
d. Rarely.
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.
Improve the relationship between PPOC and police. Can’t be done? I have already seen good dialogue at Race Talks. I will promote Race Talks, school meetings, and community forums that incorporate the police community.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
Gang activity is on the rise because gangs provide a sense of belonging to our youth. More after-school activities need to be created and fostered, more youth need to be involved with successful STEM programs, and more community centers need to be built and remain open after hours a weekends (times when many parents are working). These activities will show there are better and healthier ways to get that sense of belonging.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as commissioner to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
As commissioner, I would limit urban renewal plans and may do away with them completely, thus limiting rent increases.
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 – c. Needs work
2. Public campaign finance – a. Great idea
3. Expanded light rail – b. Good idea
4. PPB Horse Patrol – 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?
As commissioner, I will enforce more fees when contractors or the city removes trees. This is a deterrent. I would increase the community’s voice at City Council, and have different bureaus collaborate on ways to keep trees in place.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
Yes! The city should use Right 2 Dream Too as a model.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.