This question was inspired by something a candidate said at a forum last week. To be honest, I don’t recall the moderator’s question, but this candidate leapt into a genius idea: The city should explore funding an all ages music venue, to give our city’s youth a place to be part of our music scene. Absolutely!

The question:

Beyond improving education, what can Portland do to be a better city for youth, specifically teenagers and young adults?

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

Specifically, we can do the following:

(1) Encourage entrepreneurial development for foster teens;
(2) Improve recreational access, while creating jobs/internships;
(3) Teach students basic financing, future planning and money management;
(4) Increase awareness of STD/HIV/unplanned pregnancy/access to medical care, and;
(5) Lower the voting age to 17 (so that more voices can be heard during election time)

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

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

Randy Leonard
Position sought: Commissioner #4
Website: randyforportland.com
Financial status: $50,410.85 in contributions to date, $42,352.43 currently in the bank

I believe creating more recreational opportunities, for an example skate parks, would improve Portland for teenagers and young adults. I also believe continuing our focus to create safer bike boulevards and bike lanes would improve Portland for more than just young Portlanders. Working closely with Portland State, I also believe we can help PSU develop into not just an accessible University for young Portlanders, we can also help it expand its role creating recreational and creative opportunities for all Portlanders.

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.