A marine veteran, Fred Stewart is a Portland Realtor and founder of Stewart Group Realty.
Stewart is running for commissioner position No. 4 on the Portland City Council. 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 spend $2 million on the fire bureau, $4 million for social services, $3 million on the police bureau, and $1 million on the parks bureau.
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?
Yes.
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?
There is some equipment that I would not support the City of Portland purchasing or owning. Some equipment, I would, of course, support. I will look at each item and deem the value of that item based on the needs of the Portland Police, the values and civil rights of the people of Portland, and the cost to purchase and train officers to use said items.
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. 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. Kale
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.
e. Never.
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 will lower the level of violence in the black community in the city of Portland.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
First off, I will be an example of a black person in Portland who loves his hometown. I will ensure that black people in Portland feel like they are included in the future of Portland. We will see more relationships with the black business-owner community, and we will learn more about how much black people have contributed to Portland under my tenure as a City Commissioner.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as commissioner to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
I will protect thecity of Portland from unnecessary taxes and fees, and I will do what I can to help small-business people in any way that I can.
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. Good idea
3. Expanded light rail – b. Great 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?
I do realize that many of the legacy trees we enjoy today will need to be cut down if we are going to develop the housing we need. We are a growing city and we need room for people to live and work, and that means we will need to cut down some trees as well as tear down some homes and buildings. Sensible, affordable density is a goal of mine. We will not needlessly cut down trees if it can be avoided.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
No, I feel we can do better. I want to develop shelters for homeless people. There are other options that we can immediately implement to shelter our homeless, such as building squad bays in warehouses.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.