David Schor is an assistant attorney general for the Oregon Department of Justice. He works seasonally as a communication specialist for Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and plays electric bass with the Portland-based rock quartet Babel.
Schor is running for mayor of Portland. Here are his 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)
I would try to raise more revenue, either through fundraising, taxes or bonds. Barring that, I would look for ways to reduce administrative overhead, perhaps by combining fire and police agencies. Ultimately, I would ask the people of Portland to help me set the priorities by meeting with the public to seek their input. I expect that we would prioritize social and emergency services, and accept some increase in fire response times as well as some decrease in parks and police services. No agency will get all that it wants in this scenario.
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 abolish the 48-hour rule?
Yes.
QUESTION 3
Yes or No: As mayor, will you end the practice of contracting for military and militarized equipment for use by our police bureau?
Yes.
QUESTION 4
Please place the following items in order of priority as mayor. Note with 1, 2 and 3.
• Increase parking
• Bike infrastructure
• Low or no-fare public transit
1. Low- or no-fare public transit
2. Bike infrastructure
3. Increase parking
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. Radio Cab
2. Raincoat
3. Nike
4. Maple Bacon Doughnut
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.
c. Recreationally. Hey, it’s legal.
QUESTION 7
Make one promise to the city’s people of color that you will deliver on as mayor. Street Roots will check on its status every year.
I promise that I will respect the diversity of our community, and always seek to deepen my understanding by keeping lines of communication open. I will be proactive in seeking input from people of color, and in finding ways to integrate a diversity of viewpoints in all city processes.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
Young people of color need the same things all young people need, but on average they have a harder time accessing the community resources they need. I will work to ensure that outreach to people of color is sustained and effective, that young people have stable, affordable housing options, and that there are pathways to work and self-sufficiency for those who have not been well-served by our existing models. I will set an example for other employers by ensuring the city makes recruitment of a diverse workforce a top priority, and will work to make sure that financing is available for youth who wish to start their own businesses.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as mayor to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
Creating stable, affordable housing for employees will help make retaining workers easier, and creating a municipal bank will make financing more affordable.
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 – d. Nope
2. Public campaign finance – a. Great idea
3. Expanded light rail – b. Good idea
4. PPB Horse Patrol – c. Needs work
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?
We need to make extra efforts. Creating a historic tree designation with teeth would be a start. I will fight to protect the canopy of Portland, because it is critical to community character.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
Yes.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.