Lanita Duke, a lifelong Portland resident, is a local award-winning video producer/owner of Grassroot News NW, a journalist, and a 30-year veteran radio host of “From the Grassroots” on KBOO 90.7 FM.
Duke 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)
On the weekends and graveyard shifts, phone calls for critical services will go directly to the fire station for evaluation, response and dispatch – $2.5 million. I will redevelop Wapato Jail as a SRO with centralized social services on site and re-route TriMet to that area – $3 million.
I will redirect the Portland Housing Bureau to set up a pilot program to add an extra bedroom and bath to rent out for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage – $1 million.
Maintenance for the park bureau will be temporarily cut and prioritized to water leaks and roofing – all work contracted to small businesses and contractors – $500,000.
Police – Public Safety – Bring back Community Policing – $3 million
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, I would advocate to the mayor for the abolishment of the 48-hour rule.
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?
Yes, I would advocate to the Mayor for the abolishment of contracting for military and militarized equipment for use by our police bureau. I would advocate for bringing back Community Policing. I support the Department of Justice 2015 recommendations that, “PPB shall ensure that officers use non-force and verbal techniques to effect compliance with police orders whenever feasible, especially in the course of conducting welfare checks or effecting arrests for minor offenses or for persons whom officers have reason to believe are experiencing a mental health crisis; de-escalate the use of force at the earliest possible moment; only resort to those use of force weapons, including less-lethal weapons, as necessary; and refrain from the use of force against individuals who are already under control by officers, or who may express verbal discontent with officers but do not otherwise pose a threat to officers or others, or impede a valid law enforcement function.”
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. Radio Cab
2. Raincoat
3. Adidas
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.
Back in the day, recreationally but now -rarely d.
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.
As the director of Grassroot News, NW, I am longtime reporter and video producer. I have a deep understanding of the issues facing the city and have forged relationships with citizens across geographical districts. My videos have tackled issues such as teen interaction with police, curbing teen pregnancy, low-income housing, Alzheimer’s disease, low math scores of city schools, job skills training and more. I will continue to be a voice for the voiceless to provide hope to the hopeless.
QUESTION 8
How will you ensure young people of color will succeed in Portland?
I would declare a state of emergency regarding the academic achievement gap in education. In Oregon, children of color and low-income students consistently fall far behind their white, middle-class counterparts on key educational metrics. A 2013 study by the secretary of state shows achievement gaps are significant and consistent in Oregon with a notable effect on workforce preparedness for underserved populations.
“If the state fails in the effort to close the achievement gap, long-term workforce availability could be compromised, and that could impact Oregon’s ability to attract and retain quality jobs,” the report states.
I will create study groups at kitchen tables, in parks, community centers, trailer parks, apartment building – everywhere to encourage students to increase their study time to close this gap.
QUESTION 9
In one sentence, state something you will do as commissioner to ease the burden on Portland’s small businesses.
A loan program with a 12-month repayment option, a flat tax rate based on yearly revenue and set-aside contracts from the city and state.
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 – d. Nope
4. PPB Horse Patrol – b. Good idea
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?
Work with the mayor to develop a policy to save the trees. Developers would need to include them in plans.
QUESTION 12
Yes or No: Understanding we’re going to have street homelessness, do you support tent cities?
I support tent cities in certain areas. I respect and admire what Dignity Village has accomplished. The village’s five rules cultivate a sense of community: no violence, no theft, no alcohol or drugs within a one-block radius, no constant disruptive behavior, and all residents must contribute at least 10 hours per week of work for village upkeep. Due to income inequality, lack of affordable housing and jail servicing as residential mental health facilities there are currently a large number of Portlanders experiencing homelessness. However, I do not support tent cities in residential neighbors populated by schools and small businesses.
QUESTION 13
Select a local artist – professional or amateur – to draw your favorite thing about Portland.