Candidate Statements for House District 46

These are the candidate statements for the candidates who have filed as of September 19 for the open HD46 seat, and who have submitted a campaign statement to the MultDems. The candidates are listed alphabetically, with a link to the statement for those who have supplied one.

Alissa Keny-Guyer
Ryan Manion
Rob Milesnick
Trisha Parks
James Schwartz
Mary Volm

Beth Crane has withdrawn - Withdrawal statement

With regrets due to unforeseen circumstances, Walt Nichols has removed his name from consideration for this position.

 

 

Alissa Keny-Guyer

With a great passion for our community and state, I respectfully seek the interim appointment to represent House District 46 in the Oregon Legislature.

During the 17 years my husband and I raised our three children in this district, I have worked with hundreds of community members and leaders on critical issues.

Many Oregonians are struggling. National efforts are threatening economic, environmental, and social gains while divesting in our public sector. To tackle these fundamental challenges and support a strong middle class, Oregonians are shaping bold initiatives. House District 46 needs a champion who works with state and community leaders to shape the following priorities:

Growing Oregon’s Economy – Oregon needs targeted investments to compete in the world economy.

  • Create a state bank to provide investment capital and loan-packages for businesses looking to grow living wage jobs
  • Make Oregon a leader in the emerging green economy by investing in public transit, buildings, natural resources, agriculture, and energy infrastructure
  • Support proposals to clean brownfields for new development
  • Increase investment dollars and economic stability through tax reform

Investing in Our Children – Oregon needs a world-class education system to prepare our youth for a vibrant future.

  • Reverse years of underfunding education at all levels
  • Align early childhood, K-12, and post-secondary systems
  • Ensure that education is geared for the 21st century workforce

Promoting Healthy Families & Communities – Oregon needs comprehensive public health, human service, and public safety strategies.

  • Promote long term health by increasing access to nutritious foods, a clean environment, and a livable community
  • Invest in housing and vital services for vulnerable populations
  • Transform how we deliver and pay for cost-effective, coordinated health care

I have devoted 30 years working to achieve these goals. My record demonstrates a history of bringing together multi-sector partners and voices from affected communities to promote evidence-based solutions. Examples include:

In addition to these experiences, I have worked on numerous advocacy groups and campaigns to elect Democrats and pass progressive initiatives. I am passionate about a woman’s right to choose, GLBT rights and marriage equality, closing racial and economic disparities, and protecting the environment. I have phone-banked, canvassed, and held house parties for advocacy groups to elect Democrats and promote progressive causes.

We need strong leadership from House District 46. My passion, record of accomplishments, and working relationships across sectors will enable me to provide that leadership from day one.

Given your dedication to Democratic Party ideals, I would be honored to be your partner as the next Representative for House District 46.

Thank you
Alissa Keny-Guyer

Visit www.facebook.com/AlissaKenyGuyer for endorsements.

 

 

Ryan Manion

Hello!

 

If we have not met, my name is Ryan Manion and I am your neighbor in District 46. I am a Mom, and an organizer, activist and advocate for progressive change. I seek your support for the interim nomination to represent House District 46 in the Legislature.

 

I was raised in East Helena, Montana in a large, loving family. I have one sister and am the eldest of 32 first cousins. We grew up across the alley from my Grandparents and my parents are both dedicated professionals who are leaders in their communities. From my family I learned the values of hard work to achieve your goals, tenacity in the face of adversity, the importance of education and to be a passionate advocate for social justice. I will bring those values to the Legislature.

 

After college, my husband and I moved to SE Portland and fell in love with Oregon. Our two boys were born in Portland and we are very excited to raise our family in South Tabor. We have lived in SE Portland for 12 years and enjoy the vibrant lifestyle, shared progressive values, strong sense of community and bold inspirational vision for livability and sustainability.

 

During these tough economic times we have seen our middle class shrink and our economic options stifled. Our expenses grow but our paychecks do not. Too many middle class families live on the financial edge: one major car repair, medical crises or one lost job away from poverty. People have lost a lifetime of equity in their homes, many are underwater in their mortgage and the foreclosure crisis threatens our neighborhoods and is devastating families. Many families cannot afford growing rent costs and more children need to eat at school or they don’t eat and more seniors need heating assistance.

 

First and foremost, we need to make sure that we aren’t balancing the state budget on the backs of our poor and most vulnerable citizens. In these tough times, we must invest in our schools and communities. Every child in Oregon should get a world-class education no matter what neighborhood they live in. People need good jobs, raises to keep up with the cost of living, and a chance to build some savings. Our small businesses need support.

 

I understand first-hand the economic pressures facing middle class families in our neighborhoods. I am a Mom who makes daily decisions about managing our household on a tight budget. We are a one-income family and there are weeks where we decide between putting gas in the car, paying a bill or buying groceries. Everyday I speak with families who are in the same boat. I want to go to Salem to fight so that all of our economic opportunities are expanded, in every neighborhood.

 

Because my husband’s job at the City of Portland has good benefits, we are able to take our children to the doctor when necessary. There are thousands of families in this district who don’t have that basic right. I want to go to Salem to fight to make sure that every one of our neighbors can take their sick child to the doctor when they need to. And fight to make sure that no one has to live like my friend who is bravely battling cancer without health insurance.

 

My life’s work has been fighting for progressive values as an organizer, activist and advocate. I will be a strong advocate for progressive values in the Legislature.

• As an ACORN organizer I knocked on hundreds of doors in Lents and built community groups of families to advocate for safer streets, better schools and public safety.

• In 2004, I managed the field fundraising campaign in Oregon for the DNC and my team of 120 campaigners knocked on almost every door in the Portland area to raise money to defeat George Bush. I worked for MoveOn.org and managed a campaign team to recruit volunteers and get out the vote before the 2004 election as well.

• In 2005, I worked for OSPIRG on a campaign to defeat the Bush Energy Bill.

• Most recently, I was a campaign manager for M+R Strategic Services, a national progressive public affairs firm. There I worked with the Endangered Species Coalition on a national campaign to save the Endangered Species Act from being gutted by the Bush Administration and Congressional Republicans. I built coalitions of unusual allies from all over Oregon: hunters, farmers, ranchers, fisherman, scientists, conservation groups, educators, citizens, and business leaders all coming together to protect our state’s wildlife and wild places.

 

We must invest in our future by protecting our environment, doing everything we can to battle climate change and keep wild salmon in our rivers. By making smart decisions about transportation and energy we can make sure our children have the future they deserve.

 

I will go to Salem and be a passionate voice for the middle class and the poor. I will fight for marriage equality, to protect our environment and to invest in our schools and communities.

 

I look forward to talking with you this week. Please call me anytime at 503-975-0898 or email me at ryanvotes@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration for the nomination.

 

We can do this together.

 

Best Regards,

Ryan Manion

 

 

Rob Milesnick

Dear House District 46 Precinct Committee Persons,

I believe we can look at Oregon as a living and changing entity, where improving one function of government results in growth and improvement in other areas. At its heart is job creation. With an unemployment and underemployment at record levels, we must take immediate action to address joblessness. As an attorney and small business owner, I know how difficult it is to create jobs, and I’ve seen the devastating financial burden to families that one or both of them. The greatest job opportunities in the small business sector. By building infrastructure, repairing our schools, and promoting sustainable business ventures, we create jobs in these important industries, and more jobs among the small businesses that support them. I am proud to be endorsed by Former Oregon Congressman and longtime activist Les AuCoin.

Education is another key component for a thriving state. Today, our children face an uncertain future because of crowded classrooms, aging schools, and a shrinking numbers of graduates prepared for life after school. As an adjunct professor at PSU’s Hatfield School of Government and a proud member of AFT Local 3571, I see the end result of our kids’ K-12 education. Our system must emphasize critical thinking and teach to the outcomes we want for our kids, rather than to arbitrary benchmarks. As a parent and educator, I am deeply invested in Oregon’s education system, and will be a tireless advocate for schools. I am proud to be endorsed by State Representative Jules Bailey, of neighboring HD 42.

Oregonians suffer from excessive and ever-rising healthcare premiums and many lack access to quality health care. The passage of Senate Bill 99 and the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange is a real step in the right direction, but it will take real work to make the Insurance Exchange operational by 2014. Having worked at the ODS Health Plans, I’ve interpreted the dense and technical language surrounding health care, and will quickly be able to contribute to healthcare reform discussions during the February 2012 legislative session. I am proud to be endorsed by Oregon Democratic Party Activist Mac Prichard.

As The Oregonian reports, 400 inmates are released from prison each month, with 30% of them behind bars again within three years. As a former drug and alcohol counselor for Multnomah County’s DUII Intensive Supervision Program, I know that violent offenders who endanger the public need to be incarcerated and treated. But we can free expensive prison and jail space through enhanced bench probation and intensive supervision programs for low-level offenders that address the causes of criminal behavior.

Even in Portland, which is an environmental leader among cities, there are places rife with waste and contaminants and lacking access to fresh healthy foods. As a recently appointed Sustainability Scholar at PSU, I understand that we must respect and protect our environment and promote environmental justice by enabling people to make healthy choices regardless of where they live. I am also particularly proud to be endorsed by Bill Bradbury, Oregon’s decade-long Secretary of State, who has said, “I feel strongly that Rob Milesnick should be appointed to fill the vacancy in HD 46. Like Ben Cannon, Rob would bring vision, talent, and vital energy to the legislature. He is exactly the type of next generation leader Oregon needs.”

Oregon’s future is bright, but it will take energy, savvy, toughness, and compassion to make the difficult and important choices ahead. With your help, and your vote, we can begin that work together.

Rob Milesnick

robfororegon.blogspot.com

Walt Nichols

Bookkeeper
Occupational Background:
My job experience has given me in-depth knowledge of how to manage worthwhile community projects while keeping a steady hand on the financial reins. I have worked as a bookkeeper for the last ten years. Prior, I was a purchasing and shipping agent, and project manager. I was also a gallery and art show organizer, and resident artist in an art glass community. In Emmett, Idaho, I was historian for the Gem County Historical County Museum. I have the willingness, the ability, the desire, and the enthusiasm to fully represent the people of the district in an honorable and capable manner.

Prior community Experience:
I have been active in community projects in both Idaho and Oregon, where I’ve lived all my adult life. I am current Past Chair of the Mt. Scott-Arleta Neighborhood Association having served two terms as Chair, and an emeritus board member; Charter member and emeritus board member of the Gem County Historical Society Museum, and a founding member of the Gem County Historical Museum.

CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT:
I’ve lived in the Northwest all my life and know well the problems and opportunities this area provides. I come from a small town in Idaho where I graduated high school in 1977. Our family has traditionally taken an active part in the political life of the community. My late grandfather proudly served in the Idaho State Senate. His concern for the needs of the poor, under-educated, and oppressed were topics of ongoing discussion in our family that engaged my interest in my early years and influence my beliefs today. I believe it is vitally important for elected representatives to be free of political "ENCUMBRANCES" so that they can best serve the citizens of Oregon. As a member of the Oregon House, I will bring a unique combination of creative ideas, practical management skills, and people skills informed by compassion. I will listen to all sides of the issues and take an equitable approach toward budgeting and spending, particularly with regard to the needs of the poor, unemployed, underemployed, and the homeless. I will focus finding a solution for stable funding for education and economic growth development. I will also strive to make the Oregon business-friendly through better rules and regulations. I will draw upon the political wisdom provided to me in my youth and my own lifelong studies of the political process to make Portland and Oregon a better place to live and to work.

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Trisha Parks

After being approached and encouraged to submit my name for House District 46 by neighbors, parents, and community leaders, I carefully considered it. With my experience as a labor leader, community activist, and first hand knowledge in our public schools, I believe I can inform the debate in our state Capitol. I have therefore submitted my name for appointment as Representative to House District 46.

In the Oregon Legislature, I will bring my experience, skills, advocacy, and passion to the job. I know my experience in the classroom and education community will inform my work in the legislature to ensure a great public school for every student in Oregon. I will be a champion for social justice issues, our local economy, and community building. I have a long history of advocating for working families, a strong middle class, organized labor, equality and fairness for all.

I am a 20 year veteran teacher in Oregon public schools and have held many leadership roles within the public education community. I have served on the State Board of Education as a teacher advisor and worked within the same department to develop writing and history curriculum targets. Currently I lead the community and service program at my school and have chaired many committees from employee bargaining to political action. As a mentor teacher, I guide young professionals into the career and counseled many over the first difficult years as a public employee. When the state was looking into health insurance pools for public employees, my debate within the Oregon Education Board of Directors and participation on the Insurance Overseeing Committee in the Beaverton School District, provided me with the specific criteria to know the ins and outs of public employee health insurance. This knowledge was shared with Senator Ryan Deckert and used as part of the platform to introduce the Oregon Educators Benefit Board bill.

My partner, of 14 years, Jamie Orr, and I have an elementary aged daughter who attends Atkinson School. We are deeply invested and involved in our neighborhood and school community. Jamie’s business is part of our local economy as she is a Realtor with RE/MAX Signature Properties. The health of our local economy and job creation is of vital importance to our community and me. We have lived in the South Tabor neighborhood for 11 years and like you, believe East Portland is a great place to live. I want to be a part of the solution, which brings families back to work.

I have a deep commitment to advocacy and safety for our students, parents and staff members. I practice and model this commitment in my teaching of history, writing, reflection, and current events. Everyone has the right to safety in their work place or school. Specifically I have served on and raised money for Basic Rights Oregon’s PAC, and GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). Speaking on behalf of students, families, and staff members who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgendered is one of the many leadership roles I hold within my school district and Portland community. I am the right choice for House District 46.

 

 

James Schwartz

My name is James Schwartz; I am a non-native Oregonian who wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else in the country. I have been in Portland for 12 years and love Oregon deeply, and am always eager to help protect our beautiful environment, support our local businesses, and participate in community activism that supports causes I am passionate about. First and foremost as a nurse, I am dedicated to healthcare issues and believe access to quality healthcare is a right and not just a privilege for those who can afford it. Ultimately I believe in some form of single payer system, but am willing to discuss any viable option that provides care for all. As a healthcare professional I have witnessed the problems of a for-profit healthcare system that demands profits yet also requires that system to take care of everyone regardless of whether they can pay for it. These 2 principles cannot work simultaneously. As a medical missionary who has served in Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, and most recently in Haiti days after the earthquake, I am a man of action, not just talk. I realize that unless there is a healthcare system that cares for its entire people, there can never be a truly successful community.

Protecting our environment and educating our youth are also critical to building a strong community with a solid economic future. We must embrace technology and move towards green energy if we hope to progress and lead the country out of the economic slump we have stagnated in for too long. Government needs to support small businesses through tax credits for companies that hire workers and provide retraining to retool the workforce of tomorrow, not give money to banks without any strings, oversight, or tracking of that money. We need to develop and harness our renewable resources both for our economy and our sustainability. Green energy technology is the future and will be the next innovative revolution. As Oregonians we must lead in this area to ensure our own economic viability, environmental sustainability, and residential desirability.

And the last shall be first, Education. Without an educational system that addresses the needs of all learners, you can never build a strong, successful community. We must provide children with the foundation on which learners of all types and aptitudes can attain the basic skills to be successful in life, not just earn a grade. High schools need to include instruction on life lessons such as budgeting, professional communication, and interview preparation to provide students with the tools needed to thrive as adults and enhance the community. Educators must incorporate the use and understanding of technology to provide our children with the framework and skills necessary to be competitive in a world that will exist 20 years from now and beyond.

There are other issues that I care about and support, but wanted to provide a basic framework of what is most important to me. I am a progressive who believes in morals, ethics, and respectful treatment of all persons regardless of color, educational background, sexual preference, economic class, or ideology. I would be thrilled to represent the people of the 46th District and will fight hard for principles that I believe benefit the entire constituency of District 46. As a nurse my patients trust me with their lives on a daily basis, I ask you to trust me to fight for Oregon and the democratic principles I stand for.

 

 

Mary Volm

For over 24 years, Mary Volm has served the public in a variety of leadership, communication and management positions for both the State of Oregon and the City of Portland. During her tenure, Mary forged strong and lasting relationships with local, regional and national elected officials and staffs, the business community, media and the public.

At the State, Mary worked for Transportation and Economic Development, focusing on business development, retention and expansion, job creation, and tourism statewide, as well as significant transportation projects in the Portland region.

During her twenty years at the City, Mary’s expertise and solid connections were utilized by Mayors and Commissioners to lead a variety of city-wide projects including the development of the Portland Streetcar and Light Rail development, alternative transportation, finance and budget improvement, business advancement, public safety initiatives, water and air quality strategies, acquisition of PGE from Enron, new mixed use and transit corridor planning efforts, emergency management and public support for parks and natural areas. Mary was the ‘go-to girl’ for all major city initiatives and projects.

Mary Volm also ran for Portland City Commissioner in 2010 against a three-term incumbent and seven others. Placing a strong second in the primary, just short of a run-off opportunity, Mary was outspent 15 to 1 but her name recognition, grass-roots campaign of volunteers using door-to-door, and her strong positives pushed her into an impressive second place in her first time running for office.

Raised by two strong democrats in a working-class family, Mary was born in Portland and has lived in Oregon all her life. Her parents, a Fire Chief and Child Social Worker, taught her the values of honesty, hard work, social compassion and fiscal responsibility. She raised her son Tyler, 28 and an attorney, by herself. She is currently employed by Portland Store Fixtures, a women-owned, award-winning sustainable business. She has lived in her home and District 46 for the past 25 years. Mary will use her extensive leadership experience and solid relationships to hit the ground running in Salem and tackle the State’s toughest issues. “First and foremost we must put people back to work. Oregon’s fluctuating economy has not provided the stability to adequately fund our educational system, social services and preserve Oregon’s environmental resources. The most valuable asset Oregon has to offer is its motivated and hard-working citizens.” With her economic development experience, she is looking forward to working with other state leaders to boost Oregon’s economic health.

Mary is also interested in the stabilizing the financial health of Oregon’s educational system, both K-12 and higher education. “When I first worked on economic development issues, Oregon was second in the nation in SAT scores. Shamefully, we have dropped to the low 40’s. We cannot continue to prepare our children for future economic opportunities without stable and adequate funding for more teachers to lower class size, modern resources and tools and programs of study that encourage creative and critical thinking. It is our responsibility to ensure each child has the best chance to succeed in tomorrow’s global economic and cultural world.” Mary currently serves on PDX Summer School’s Board of Directors – a program for ESL students to retain their language skills through academics during the summer months.

Mary Volm brings a wealth of experience and desire to improve transportation and freight mobility, find government efficiencies and facilitate open and transparent dialogue in Salem. Mary wants to encourage the use Oregon’s resources wisely to generate jobs through secondary manufacturing on products currently shipped raw. She wants every Oregonian to enjoy economic stability, educational opportunities and the splendor that is Oregon.

 

 

Withdrawal statement from Beth Crane

To the Residents of House District 46,

I have mixed feelings about delivering my message to you today.

First I want to thank you for the wonderful notes of support as I ventured into campaigning for the interim appointment to represent House District 46. I am very honored and humbled by your messages of encouragement. I deeply appreciate the effort made by you in a short period of time to help me get my name and message out.

As you know, this opportunity came up unexpectedly and on a very quick timeframe. While I had been thinking about running for office at some point, I didn't have the campaign organization, resources and experience that other candidates had in place. Once I decided to give it a try, within a few days, Renee LaChance and Mary Newcomer, two small business owners endorsed me, my friend Kathleen Pequeño helped me get my website, www.bethcrane.com up. Lesley Garnatz-Reid helped me get messages out on social media, and others wrote letters to Multnomah County Precinct Committee People. Some of you helped out behind the scenes to talk through goals and strategies. I have learned a HUGE amount during these past few weeks.

I really enjoyed writing about what is important to me, to you and other people in our community. Recently I came to understand that I just could not overcome some of the barriers to pursuing this appointment in such a short time frame.

It was a difficult decision, but I have decided to withdraw from consideration for the interim appointment.

I had a wonderful experience learning about a truly grassroots campaign. Your belief in my skills and experience and that I could contribute something meaningful to state governance is very moving to me. I plan to continue to find other ways and opportunities to contribute to our community in concrete ways that bring more justice and fairness to everyone.

I leave this experience buoyed by your support, all that I've learned, and the hope that another public service opportunity will present itself in the future for me.

Thank you again for your support.

Beth

( file it: )