I’m a bad, bad reporter. We’ve been so buried under endorsement interviews this week, that I’ve gotten behind on posting the candidate Q&A.

HOWEVER! I have a genius rationalization for posting them late this week, as putting up a triple shot of candidate responses today serves a dual purpose. A) You get to read lots of candidates’ views on whether or not to move the Sauvie Island Bridge to NW Flanders, which will B) Get you all geared up to hit the rally at NW Flanders tonight. Via the Bicycle Transportation Alliance:

Proponents of reusing the Sauvie Island Bridge to cross I-405 at NW Flanders will gather this evening at 5pm to rally in support of the project and take walking and biking tours along 15th, Glisan, 16th and Everett.

The event will begin at the edge of the freeway with a brief orientation of the bridge relocation proposal. Short tours of the streets surrounding the proposed bridge relocation site will highlight current challenges and opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone using these streets.

Okay—back to our regularly scheduled question.

The city council’s recent vote on whether to fund moving the Sauvie Island Bridge to NW Flanders has gathered a lot of attention. Beyond the actual proposal, there are larger issues at play about how we prioritize city spending and investment. On another level, it’s shined a light on the political relationships on the current council. What are your thoughts on the proposal, and what it says about our city’s priorities? What do you make of the way the current council has handled this issue?

Randy Leonard
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: randyforportland.com
Financial status: $56,895.85 in contributions to date, $42,211.91 currently in the bank

I voted for the proposal to move the Sauvie Island Bridge to NW Flanders because of my belief that where our city can improve our community’s livability and safety while simultaneously preserving our history, it is well worth the extra cost and effort.

Constructing a functional concrete bike/pedestrian bridge would undoubtedly be cheaper than the cost of moving the Sauvie Island Bridge over I-405. However, wherever and whenever possible, I believe our city should do more than just what is minimally required in constructing our civic infrastructure. Relocating the Sauvie Island Bridge over the I-405 freeway not only gives new life to a historically significant structure, it also provides color, life -and just a little soul- to an otherwise lifeless pockmark running through the heart of downtown Portland.

Unfortunately, some of the reasoning I heard during the debate for not supporting the proposal was based on faulty information. The fact is that very little of the approximately $5 million required to re-locate the bridge over I-405 at NW Flanders could be used for paving unimproved streets or constructing sidewalks in neighborhoods that are without.

However, I do not believe that this worthy idea is dead. It is my opinion that Commissioner Saltzman’s No vote was based on legitimate concerns that both Commissioner Adams and I can positively address soon.

Martha Perez
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none (contact: moperez73@aol.com)
Financial status: Plans to spend less than $300

If we can adequately fund this endeavor, that would be great. We have to try to balance the needs of all constituents and not just cater to a select few, however. I've learned that there is not one single issue that Portlanders are talking about, but that the needs and desires of our city are diverse and multi-faceted. I've generally agreed with how the current council has handled this (& other issues) but there remain a number of issues that need better guidance and hence, part of the reason why I am choosing to run for office this year.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read this statement. Best wishes.

Sincerely,
Martha Perez
Candidate, City Commissioner, Position No. 4 (Public Safety) currently seated by Randy Leonard

Ed Kill
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: none
Financial status: Plans to spend less than $300

Did not respond by deadline.

Emily S. Ryan
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: emilysryan.com
Financial status: $185 in contributions to date, $185 currently in the bank

Did not respond by deadline.