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.

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.