Thankful

Wow, what a campaign this has been!  I am so thankful for so many blessings that have occurred since we began.

First, I am thankful for the love and support of my family.  From the moment my wife and I discussed the idea of running for mayor, to then actually deciding to undertake it, she and my children have supported me 100% and have been my biggest supporters. 

Secondly, I have the most amazing campaign team in the world!  I bet a lot of candidates say that, but it is so true.  My volunteers have walked miles and miles, going door to door for the campaign.  They have made phone calls.  They have attended and supported me at my debates and various events.  They have hosted meet and greet events.  They have offered advice and feedback.  I could not have done this without them.

I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to run for mayor.  To serve has always been something I have wanted to do.  I have a lot of passion for my town and for the role as a public servant; I am ready for the role as mayor of Canby. 

I am thankful for you, my friends and the citizens of Canby.  You've given me great ideas and feedback on what you want to see happen in our town.  Please know that you can always talk to me about what is concerning you with our community. 

Again, thank you.  As we head into the final days of this campaign, I hope to see you around town or on election day.  Come by and say a quick "hi" to me at Starbucks.  And don't forget to vote!

Our Community & Volunteering: Let's All Be Involved

I have always been a volunteer.  Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to give.  It is so important to give back to your school, town, or favorite charity. 

I think politicians, even a small town mayor, have an important role in volunteering and highlighting the importance of giving back.  Volunteering is also a great way to both pay back and be on the pulse of the issues and needs of your community. 

Canby is a small town.  We have schools that parents are deeply involved in.  We have community support in places like the Canby Center.  Community service, I feel, becomes even more impressive and important.  You are directly affecting the lives of your neighbor, your child's schoolmate, your family. 

Over the years, I have been involved in local community and charity efforts, including Operation Snuggle, S.M.A.R.T, the Trost School Clean-Up (a program I initiated), various events involved with my position on the Chamber of Commerce board, and the Metro Toy Drive.  As we near the holidays, a lot of these charitable efforts become important and crucial; I invite you to join me on them!

Is there a community effort that you feels needs to be started in Canby?  Is there a charity you have always wanted to get involved in, but don't know how?  Let me know!  Drop me an email and let's work together to get more involved in our community.

The Right To Vote

On my campaign, I have spent a lot of time urging people to get registered to vote.  I have emphasized the importance of voting.  I have drawn attention to historically close races in the history of voting.  Yet, I still meet people who think their vote doesn't count or they simply don't care about voting. 

Let's quickly (and in no way comprehensively) take a look at some historical facts on the history of voting in the United States. 

"When our country was founded, in most states, only white men with real property (land) or sufficient wealth for taxation were permitted to vote. Freed African Americans could vote in four states. Unpropertied white men, almost all women, and all other people of color were denied the franchise. At the time of the American Civil War, most white men were allowed to vote, whether or not they owned property. Literacy tests, poll taxes, and even religious tests were used in various places, and most white women, people of color, and Native Americans still could not vote." --- Wikipedia

It's hard to imagine our country denying voting rights to people based on their race, religious affiliation, or the fact that they were poor or a woman.  Women have only been granted the right to vote since 1920!  Many historically significant women, such as Susan B. Anthony, fought for a woman's right to vote. 

There are many other pieces to the historical puzzle of voting in our country.  But one point resonates:  voting has been a hard fought right for many people in our country.  Do not take the ability and opportunity to vote lightly.

So, as I urge you to go the polls and vote, I, of course, ask for your vote.  But I also ask you to take your time and make conscientious decisions on all the candidates and measures put before you.  Pause to reflect on the historical significance of the act of your vote.

My Core Platform: The 3 Beliefs

Many of you have received both your voter's pamphlets and ballots.  Some of you have begun reading over the information and filling out your ballots.  I hope you will consider me as your next mayor of Canby. 

I've focused on three core beliefs in my campaign.  Here's a recap of those and how I plan to execute them if elected:

1.  Fiscal Responsibility.  We have a lot to do in our city.  We have improvements that need to be done to 99E.  We have a downtown we are busy revitalizing.  We have police, fire, and other core services to properly staff and fund.  Our URD district is still in place.  We have to balance the needs versus wants of our town.  I am committed to making smart, judicious decisions with the city's budget, with your tax dollars.  I am committed to making sure the needs of Canby are fulfilled first and welcoming the wants as we can afford them.

2.  Safe, Enjoyable Neighborhoods.  This topic is often forgotten by candidates in campaigns.  What could be more important than a town that is livable, enjoyable, and safe for our families?  Having a properly funded police and fire district is key.  Speaking with the community and the neighborhoods is also key to know what their concerns are and what needs to be addressed. 

3.  Strong Economic Engine.  We need to make Canby a welcome place for businesses.  We need to make citizens, both locally and nearby, want to patronize the businesses of Canby.  We need to keep our dollars in Canby, as well as bring in outside dollars.  How do we do this?  We need to make it easy for new businesses to want to open their doors in Canby.  We unfortunately, as an example, have our newest industrial park only 1/3 full.  We need to be driving businesses here!  We also need to make Canby inviting to make people want to stop and stay.  We need more attractive landscaping and signage along 99E.  We need to do a good job of promoting all the wonderful businesses and events that are a part of our community. 

As your next mayor, I promise to address these three key issues.  But above all, I promise to be your voice, to listen to the citizens of Canby, to follow up on your concerns. 

I ask for your vote November 6th.  Thank you and God bless.

Time To Vote!

It's Fall.  The leaves are changing, the Northwest weather is turning rainy, and......your voter's pamphlets and ballots are arriving in the mailbox!  I just got my voter's pamphlet in the mail and it is thick!  I am glad they arrive with ample time to read through the important issues and candidate's statements.

As I leafed through it and arrived at the mayor race in Canby, I had to stop and pause.  I got a little overwhelmed.  This is really happening.  With incredible support from my family, my volunteers, and my supporters, I am officially "published" and running for mayor.  There is definitely no turning back now.  And I wouldn't want it any other way. 

I ask you to thoughtfully look through your voter's pamphlet.  For the candidates that you are interested in, do not only read their statement, but visit their website, their Facebook page, send them an email.  Invest in your vote and make a well-thought decision. 

I am proud of my endorsements.  Unfortunately, my endorsement list did not make the voter's pamphlet cut (due to word count limits).  So, for your reference, you can access my list of endorsers here. 

So, have fun voting!  Your vote does count and it does make a difference.

"Rock the Vote" Event

Are you registered to vote? Are you new to the voting process and want to know more? Do you want to connect with other new voters? Brian and the Place To Be Cafe are hosting a fun afternoon event of live music, talking about the campaign, and getting people registered to vote. I will be setting up my drum kit for those that would like a lesson!

The Place To Be Cafe is located at 190 NW 2nd Avenue in Canby, Oregon.

Republican: It's My Party In A Nonpartisan Race

We are in full swing with election season.  The election is but a month away.  Campaign signs are up, debates are about to start, special events are taking place.  I'm feeling good about the race. 

I am proud to be a registered Republican.  I am both socially and fiscally conservative.  I am a Christian and a believer in God Almighty. 

But I am running in a nonpartisan race for Mayor of Canby.  My opponent is also a Republican.  This inevitably brings up some interesting conversations as well as some conflicts and issues to consider. 

All voters have their criterion for voting.  For some, it may be one issue that is most important to them and that is the decision-maker in terms of who to cast their vote for.  For others, party affiliation is very important and they vote based on that.  And still for others, it is a wide sweeping range of characteristics and beliefs about a candidate that decides their vote.  All of these are valid and important ways for citizens to make their decisions. 

As we drive around town, do our runs or walks, or pick our kids up at school, you will more than likely see a campaign sign along the way.  With a nonpartisan race with 2 Republicans, the sign landscape has taken on a new look that may not be seen that often.  Republicans are displaying my sign.  Republicans might be displaying my sign with other Republican candidates.  There have also been a few cases in town of Democrats displaying my sign as well with other Democratic candidate signs.  Isn't this an inevitability?  If you are a dedicated voter and you think it's important that as many people in town get out and vote, isn't it good that people are researching their candidate's backgrounds, voting records, and party affiliation?  Isn't it good that all parties are stating an opinion?

Unfortunately, some people are not doing their homework.  Some citizens have assumed because my sign is in the yard with opposing party signs, that I must be with that party.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Republicans and Democrats voting across party lines is nothing new.  I am even married to a Democrat who is walking every street of this town to tell you about me!

Ultimately, what I am trying to say here is to do your research.  Talk to your neighbor about the candidate they have a sign for.  Look up their record online.  Email them, send them a message on their Facebook page, go talk to them!  As a candiate for mayor, this is what I am urging citizens to do.  Come and talk to me at work.  Let's meet for coffee.  Let's talk on the phone.  That is what it is all about when you are speaking of small town politics. 

On that note, if you would like a sign, I appreciate and welcome your support, no matter what your background.

Canby Area Transit (CAT): New Fares and Service

We've all seen the CAT busses around town.  The Canby Area Transit system is our main public transit system in town.  It assists citizens in getting around town, as well as to and from Woodburn and Oregon City.  We are required by the state to have this transit system.  Years ago, city staff and council made the decision to have our own transit system versus using Tri-Met.  Service would be better, coverage would be better, and ideally better service.  This also allowed the money that local businesses were paying into Tri-Met to be kept locally.

When it was born, it began with no working capital and has had to play catch-up every since.  BETC (Business Energy Tax Credits), which had been funded by businesses and helped fund CAT, has been dramatically decreased.  A budget shortfall thus ensued. 

October 1st, a $1 fare is being added to the service, to help cover the rising costs of operating the service.  I was on the council that approved this fare in lieu of raising the taxes that businesses pay for the service.

Is the system working well?  Is it providing the services our citizens need?  Are improvements needed?

At a recent luncheon at the Canby Adult Center, I spoke with citizens regarding the service they rely on.  There were concerns regarding the 24 hour advance notice needed for the Dial-A-Ride option.  What if someone need to get to a doctor and had no other means of transportation? 

I think we need to be creative on how we fill such a gap.  Solutions definitely need to be proposed for our disabled and senior population in regards to transportation.  For example, Kathy Robinson at the Canby Adult Center is trying to spearhead a volunteer dial-a-ride program where drivers are "on call" to provide immediate service to those that need transportation.  As a councilor and if elected mayor, I would welcome and support such efforts to make our system work. 

The Safety & Livability of Canby

I've spoken a lot about the heavier issues of this campaign:  economy, development of the city, the library.  But above all this, the main concern and feedback I am receiving from citizens is the livability of Canby and safety of our town. 

Nothing could be more important.  At the end of the day, we want a quiet, safe neighborhood that we can feel safe in.  We want our children to be protected and safe as they walk home from school.  We want a well-staffed police and fire department.

I have three children attending Canby schools.  With the reduced bus scheduling, my children, as well as many others, are walking and biking to school more than ever.  We need to ensure that safety is our number one priority as we make this transition.  Superintendent Steach has made this a top priority, too.  Stop signs and cross walks have been added.  More families in neighborhoods are doing "walking school buses" to school.  If elected mayor, I will stay well tuned and aware of safety issues and the maintenance of safety for children getting to school. 

Speeding has become an issue on certain thoroughfares in town (SE 13th Avenue, 99E, Territorial Road, to name a few).  Many of these thoroughfares are on bus routes and close to schools.  I will work closely with educators and the police department to make sure this is taken care of and if safety measures need to be installed.

I personally know and speak with the firefighters and police of our town.  I am friends with them.  I make sure they have their coffee!  But most importantly, I know the importance of maintaining and nurturing the incredible team we have working for us in Canby to keep us safe.  I will continue to work with them and hear their concerns.

At the end of the day, our citizens want a town to call home, a town they can have fun in and feel safe, a town they want to patronize.  I have spoken about additions to our town that would improve livability and the economy:  a water park, a dog park, improved boat ramp access, and better bike paths and trails.  We want a town that has good, well-maintained parks.  We want to be able to welcome touraments to town to our soccer, baseball, and other sports facilities.  We want that perfect balance of doing the things we love while our local economy benefits from such activity. 

I am committed to keeping Canby livable, thriving, active, fun, and safe.