Quick: There are currently nine people running for two city council seats next year. Can you name any of them?

You’ll be able to soon, if we have anything to do with it! Heck, you might even be able to tick off what the candidates stand for, or argue with your friends over who’d do the best job representing you at city hall. Every week on Blogtown, from now through the primary election in May, we’re going to pose a different question to all the candidates, and post their entire response.

The first question was a gimme:

Who are you, and what’s the number one reason you’re running for city council?

Candidates got the question a week ago, and had until this morning to respond. Check out their answers, below and after the cut.

I’ve tossed in stats about each candidate too, so you can find out more (or track them down to give $5 and your signature towards the public financing bids!). Finally, got an idea for a future question? Put it in the comments, or email me.

Incumbent City Commissioner Randy Leonard was the first to answer this week’s question, so he gets the honor of being before the cut. His two opponents are next, followed by the race for the open seat!

Randy Leonard
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: randyforportland.com
Public financing status: Not participating in program

My name is Randy Leonard. I was born and raised in inner Northeast Portland. I went to Irvington Grade School, Grant High School and Portland State University graduating with a degree in History.

I was a Portland Firefighter for 25 years and spent 12 of those years as the President of the Portland Firefighters Association. I served a little over 9 years in the Oregon Legislature in both the State Senate and State House of Representatives. In 2002 I was elected to the Portland City Council.

My entire adult life has been dedicated to working for fairness for working class men and women. While in the legislature, I worked to protect workers’ rights including fighting for health care and family wage jobs and promoting industries that were socially responsible.

Since first being elected to the city council, I have advocated for issues that benefit people who struggle to pay their bills, raise their families, send their children to decent schools and who want nothing more than to be given a chance to succeed in Portland.

For an example, I passed a “consumer bill of rights” that requires tow truck companies to cease predatory tow practices in Portland including setting maximum rates tow companies can charge. Additionally, if a car is towed, tow companies are required to provide a ride to the location the car was towed to and tow companies are prohibited from only accepting cash for the tow charges.

I have successfully stopped tax abatement programs in Portland that benefited only wealthy condominium owners and developers.

I wrote and passed Portland’s ordinance requiring all diesel sold in Portland to contain at least 5% biodiesel (increases to 10% in 2010). There is no similar requirement in any other city in the United States.

I have worked to make each of the bureaus I am responsible for more responsive to citizens needs. At the Bureau of Development Services, for an example, employees help citizens get permits to build or remodel their homes by providing assistance and advice vs adversity and resistance. At the 911 center, I directed changes that have allowed nearly 95% of calls to be answered within seconds, which is dramatically better than in the past. Under my direction, the Portland Water Bureau has initiated the largest investment in its infrastructure ever, created public parks -known as HydroParks- where fenced off, unused open spaces once existed in neighborhoods throughout Portland.

I have fought to make sure our most vulnerable citizens have decent places to live by holding irresponsible land lords accountable for sub-standard housing by vigorously enforcing housing and fire codes.

My number one reason for wanting to be re-elected to the Portland City Council is to continue the same kind of vigilant advocacy on behalf of Portlanders as I have demonstrated since first being elected to the council.

Thank you.

Randy Leonard

RandyforPortland.com

Emily S. Ryan
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: emilysryan.com
Public financing status: Less than 100 signatures & contributions

My name is Emily S. Ryan, I was born in Pusan, Korea and adopted by Robert and Joan Celene Ryan. I lived in Oregon City and attended Redland Elementary, when I turned nine years old, we moved to Portland. I am an alumni of Sunnyside Elementary, Hosford Middle, and Cleveland High Schools. In June of 2007, I graduated Portland Community College with and Associates in Arts, Science, and General Studies.

I work two 3/4-time jobs, and volunteer with many community organizations and causes. I work for the Portland Classical Chinese Garden in OldTown ChinaTown and temporaily for Multnomah County. For volunteer work, I sit on the Commission on Children, Families and Community Board, the Homeless Youth Oversight Committee, and Chair the Poverty Action Council. I am also a former member of the Charter Review Commission, Multnomah Youth Commission, and Yout Innovation Fund. I am best known in the community as a young activist for issues pertaining to youth and the environment.

I have a vast range of experiences ranging from being a homeless youth in Portland, to helping to shape services for homeless youth; which contribute to who I am and why I want to run for office. The number one reason has to be for change. I think there needs to be changes in perspective, experience, and voice of City Council. I also think there needs to be changes of how things are done, the way things are communicated, and the thuroughness of proposals.

Ed Kill
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none
Public financing status: Not participating in program

I’m a local artist (paintings) and work-a-day guy. I live in north Portland, I garden, compost, and recyle.

I recently graduated from PSU with a B.S. Art. I am a registered independent and consider myself left of lef. I am a social liberal a fiscal conservative and a rabid constitutionalist. I’ve never held a political office but have had plenty of experience in life and have been active in politics for 30 years. I consider my political newness to be an asset. In office I am no way beholden to any party, group or organization. My loyalties are to civil rights, the constitution, and We The People. I can’t be bought or bribed and I’ll never vote-trade. I’m not a vegan but I am organic. I do not own a motor vehicle. I Cycle/Tri-Met everywhere. On the whole I consider myself a standard Green Portlander and as such I already represent a large portion of the community.

In a system that is inherently based on freedom and liberty we must pay special attention to those entities that posses the power to deprive us of our most basic rights. A police system is an absolute necessity in a society such as ours to maintain the safety and security of our citizens. This is why it is especially important that we maintain the highest integrity in our police system.

Lack of transparency, inadequate response to citizens questions and concerns, and police immunity that places officers above the accountability of their fellow citizens is absolutely unacceptable. My first proposal would be a completely civilian system of oversight for the Police Department and All records would be open to the public. My second proposal is to take the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments) and copy the text exactly, and make them a local city ordinance. When your rights are violated you could then sue in federal court like always, or you could sue in a local court for violating a local ordinance.

I’m tired of reading an article every week about a new police abuse and the amount of tax dollars that are going to be pissed down a toilet because some cop decided to go past the line. The money that is wasted on police abuse should be spent on local schools. I am one of the victims of the Portland Police Department and I am one of the people suing the city. We can’t financially afford to victimize innocent people like me anymore. Let’s hold all members of government accountable for their actions.
One of the most important principles of democracy is the Rule of Law. It is a simple principle that states for a democracy to function correctly all the citizens and all of the government’s entities must be accountable to the same set of rules.

I am taking this opportunity to announce my candidacy Portland City Council Position #4. I have decided to do this because I feel that there are many issues that we, as citizens of Portland, should confront. While the current leadership has genuinely tried to address the problems facing our community there are still many attainable goals in regards to social programs, environmental policy, police accountability, and community affairs that we have yet to achieve.

I would like to make it clear that I don’t feel as if I am “running against” Randy Leonard but rather with him for the same position. I believe that we both feel strongly about the issues. In fact, upon my election, the first thing I intend to do is to ask him to remain on the staff to provide for both a smooth transition and to act as a valuable knowledge resource addition to the team.

However, as we all know the basis for good democracy is citizen participation. I feel that average citizens, such as myself, participating in the political process is essential to building good government. Encouraging the greatest diversity of opinions and participants in the system is the best way to insure a constant influx of new ideas. This in turn prevents the inevitable stagnation so common to a comfortable bureaucracy. It is because of this that I have decided to run for office. I am running with no donations, no gifts and no funds. I believe the media has an obligation to inform the public by providing time and space for candidates during the election season.

Howard Weiner
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: howardforportland.com
Public financing status: Less than 100 signatures & contributions

I grew up in Southeast Portland, and attended Duniway Elementary and Cleveland High. I graduated in 1969. My first political campaign was to end the dress code of the times. It prohibited boys from growing their hair out and girls from wearing short dresses. I helped organize a sit in with students from Lincoln. The following month, the Portland School Board rescinded the dress code.

I attended Portland Community College and quickly became involved in the antiwar movement and led many demonstrations and protests. I found my voice along with many of my generation speaking up for change.

I love our city and I want to preserve what made Portland a great place to grow up. We have always been a community where we have looked out for one another. I have used my business Cal Skate Skateboards for the last 32 years to promote civic engagement in my neighborhood and throughout the city to build community one relationship at a time. Portland can continue to become more safe and vibrant by building on our best instincts, by working together to build common sense partnerships to promote our shared values.

I’m running for a seat on our city council because I believe my values and beliefs are in sync with Portland.

I’m running for City Council because I can offer common sense thinking that is connected to our community’s values to City Hall.

Chris Smith
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: citizensmith.us
Public financing status: Between 400 and 500 signatures & contributions

I’m a citizen activist! For more than a decade, I’ve been focused on improving our city, working on transportation, neighborhood livability and raising the level of civic engagement in Portland. The relationships and policy and political skills I’ve gained through this activism, coupled with the management and leadership skills I’ve developed over a 20-year career in our region’s high-tech industry, have prepared me to lead on City Council.

I’m running for City Council for exactly the same reason that propels my activism: I love Portland! We’ve struck out on a different path than other cities in this country. Whether it’s our affinity for bikes and transit, or striving to get the big money out of our politics through Voter Owned Elections, things are different here. I value those choices tremendously as a Commissioner will work to continue this innovation and make Portland the most sustainable city in North America.

John Branam
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: john4pdx.org
Public financing status: Between 400 and 500 signatures & contributions

As the son of a janitor who was elected to Corvallis' city council, I am proud of my humble Oregon roots. Inspired by my parent's encouragement to serve and to see the world, I left the Willamette Valley to study out east and both intern with UNICEF in Kenya and serve in the Peace Corps in South Africa.

In my current role as Portland Public Schools' Director of Development I work daily to build relationships and leverage resources to enhance our kids' learning opportunities. As a former middle school teacher, educational non-profit program manager and law school graduate, there's little question that what distinguishes me as a candidate for our city council is the vision I have for making Portland as well known for our public educational system as we are for our great parks, public transportation and sustainability efforts.

In addition to being committed to accelerating our work in these three areas, I firmly believe our city council should play an expanded role in helping to ensure a stronger public educational system. This belief is anchored by the truths that a strong and equitable public educational system provides: 1) the foundation for a healthy democracy; 2) the key civil rights instrument that empowers those coming from challenged backgrounds; and 3) the chief attractor for vibrant, innovative and sustainable PDX businesses.

I've also long believed in community involvement. Awarded Corvallis' highest honor for community leadership and public service, my history of community engagement continues today through my service on several non-profit advisory boards. Among many other efforts I've been both the president of his neighborhood association (Arbor Lodge) and a "Big" with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

In addition to my passion for public service I believe I would also bring to city council a leadership style that is both values-based and collaborative in nature. For me values like equity, access and transparency always trump the temptation to score quick political wins. And in terms of my collaborative leadership style, putting Portland's priorities ahead of perceived personal victories is guaranteed. For better or worse this two-pronged approach to leadership is simply who I am.

Jeff Bissonnette
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: portlandersforjeff.com
Public financing status: Between 200 and 300 signatures & contributions

I have worked as a consumer advocate and community organizer for my entire adult life. I am running for the Portland City Council because Portland is facing an unprecendented array of challenges and issues - climate change, economic vitality, environmental health, quality of life - that demand an unprecedented urgency in addressing them effectively. However, Portlanders are aware, concerned, engaged and willing to explore new solutions that provide exciting opportunities to address those issues together in a way that reflect the values of community involvement, mutual responsibility and environmental stewardship that we hold as a city. I'm running from a sense of optimism that together we can address the challenges before us so that Portland can be the City that Works Better for all of us.

Amanda Fritz
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: amandafritzforcitycouncil.com
Public financing status: 881 signatures & contributions, according to her site

I am a registered nurse, former member of the Portland Planning Commission, and mother of three children educated in Portland Public Schools. I'm running for City Council because I believe everyone should share in the benefits of our community. I will prioritize the City budget to take care of basic needs in all neighborhoods, and focus on the City government's core mission.

Citizens all over Portland deserve a fair deal from our City government. I am the community leader with 20 years of citywide experience on a broad range of issues, and the conviction to make that happen.

Portland should be a place where

* EVERY FAMILY can afford a decent place to live

* EVERY CHILD has safe access to schools and neighborhood parks

* EVERY CITIZEN can make a difference by participating

* EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD is pleasant, clean, green, and fun

Portland has explored Vision; now we must move into action. My name is Amanda Fritz, and I invite you to visit my website at www.amandafritzforcitycouncil.com to learn more about who I am, and why I am running for City Council.

Charles Lewis
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: charleslewis.com
Public financing status: Nearly 700 signatures & contributions

[Charles responded with a video. -Eds.]