Ann Sanderson owns a hair salon and a small startup that specializes in photos for online profiles. She is president of the Woodstock Community Business Association and a board member of Venture Portland and Southeast Uplift.
Sanderson is running for commissioner position No. 1 on the Portland City Council. Here are her responses to Street Roots' candidates pop quiz — a mix of short-answer, yes-or-no, and multiple-choice questions. (Read other candidates' responses.)
QUESTION 1
You only have $10 million to spend. The fire bureau says that without $5 million, call times for critical services will be hampered, potentially costing people’s lives. Social-service agencies need $5 million because rent increases mean they can’t place people into housing, creating a backlog of people waiting to get off the streets. Both the police and the parks bureaus need critical support for services totaling $7 million. What do you do? (150 words or less)
In this scenario, I would first ask which option has the most potential risk to the people of Portland and which has the most potential benefit. I will always try to make policy decisions that are informed by the best possible analysis of facts. Having said that, my inclination is always to say that we need to take care of people’s basic needs first; housing is a basic need.
QUESTION 2
The Portland Police Bureau’s contract with the city says police officers involved in an incident using deadly force must receive 48 hours’ notice before being compelled to speak to bureau investigators. Average citizens, however, are questioned often immediately on the grounds of capturing the best memory of events. Yes or No: Would you vote to abolish the 48-hour rule?
Sorry. Yes/no answers to complex questions make for bad policy. As a council member, I would ask to hear from all parties involved, including national experts in police shooting investigations. Then I would make a decision on what to recommend to my council colleagues.
QUESTION 3
Yes or No: As commissioner, will you end the practice of contracting for military and militarized equipment for use by our police bureau?
See above about the danger of Yes/No answers. A police force is not an army and should not look like one. I am in favor of a sincere, effective community policing model which makes officers a part of the community they serve. That said, I also want to make sure officers have the equipment they need to be safe.
QUESTION 4
Please place the following items in order of priority as commissioner. Note with 1, 2 and 3.
• Increase parking
• Bike infrastructure
• Low or no-fare public transit
1. Low- or no-fare public transit
2. Increase parking
3. Bike infrastructure
QUESTION 5
Choose the item in each pairing that is more suited to you:
1. Uber or Radio Cab
2. Raincoat or Umbrella
3. Adidas or Nike
4. Maple Bacon Doughnut or Kale
1. Uber
2. (A really cool looking hat)
3. (Keds)
4. (Really, really strong coffee)
QUESTION 6
Complete this sentence with the following options: I smoke marijuana ____________
a. For medicinal purposes only.
b. To decompress after a stressful day.
c. Recreationally. Hey, it’s legal.
d. Rarely.
e. Never.
Along, long time ago in galaxy far, far away.
QUESTION 7
Make one promise to the city’s people of color that you will deliver on as commissioner. Street Roots will check on its status every year.
I won’t lie to you.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
The same way I would on any big, important problem: Listening to the people who are affected by the problem. Working with people throughout the community. Looking at what works in other communities in the United States and internationally and then adapting those solutions to the needs of Portland.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as commissioner to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
I won’t assume the solution to every problem is a new tax or fee.
QUESTION 10
Pair the issue with the sentiment. Use each sentiment only once:
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law
2. Public campaign finance option
3. Expanded light rail transit into Washington St.
4. PPB Horse Patrol
a. Great idea
b. Good idea
c. Needs work
d. Nope
1. Sit-lie sidewalk law – c. Needs work
2. Public campaign finance – a. Great idea
3. Expanded light rail – b. Good idea
4. PPB Horse Patrol – d. Nope
QUESTION 11
Portland is losing significant, large trees at a rapid pace to development. In 50 words or less, what will you do to save these legacy trees?
Good policy analysis takes time and a lot of listening. I would work to modify the tree ordinance to create incentives for keeping trees with the goal to maintain or even increase our urban canopy. A critical first step would include looking at the city’s own commitment to trees to find ways to avoid devastating losses to our canopy like the beautiful trees on Southwest Lincoln taken down for the light rail expansion.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
No, and I believe “understanding we’re going to have street homelessness” is the first sign of failure. If we can have a “Vision Zero” for transportation, it is even more imperative that we have a goal of zero homelessness. Anything else is unacceptable.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.