Some clips from my recent discussion with Rick Dancer.
Two of the main motivators for my running for office was the lack of advocacy for business and police two years ago.
Small businesses were destroyed with the on-again/off-again decisions by Governor Brown. Our representatives failed to be a voice advocating for those businesses who were thrown into turmoil in the later part of the state’s COVID response. There countries and states who took a lighter approach to balancing the need to keep businesses operating, people employed and safety once we learned there were clear categories of at-risk people.
Portland had a lot of turmoil happening with the Black Lives Movement calling for de-funding and abolishing the police. The Portland Police Department’s gun violence unit was disbanded and a surge in homicides immediately followed.
There should have been balance and a presence from our elected leaders at all levels during this time to provide a thoughtful balance in our community for businesses and public safety in the turmoil of two years ago.