Editor’s note: Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Stay informed with OPB on the presidential race, key congressional battles and other local contests and ballot measures in Oregon and Southwest Washington at opb.org/elections.
Multnomah County has two key races on the ballot that will determine new faces on the Board of Commissioners. Both races are runoff elections because candidates did not achieve more than 50% of the vote in May.
OPB asked candidates for these races the same questions. Candidates were instructed to limit responses to 150 words. Anything beyond that word count was eliminated, even mid-sentence. Responses are otherwise untouched and presented as received. Read Shannon Singleton’s responses here.
To start, please give us your name and basic biographical details, including your current position or job, any elected offices you have held and any key facts you would like voters to know about you.
Sam Adams; 61; Public Policy Advocate; World Resources Institute national director; Portland City Club executive director; Portland mayor, commissioner; twice a mayoral staffer.
I’m running for the Multnomah County Commission because it’s clear that decision-making at the top often lacks urgency, focus, strong partnerships, and accountability.
Sam Adams is a candidate for Multnomah County's Board of Commissioners.
Steve Dipaola, STEVE DIPAOLA
We need big changes and big solutions to the multiple tough problems we face as a community. We are at a tipping point and it requires somebody who knows how to take on controversial and complex problems. With my 30+ years in public service, I have a proven track record of bringing diverse community groups together, working with staff, other electeds and community partners to find solutions to these tough issues.
The Oregonian’s endorsement of my campaign in the primary noted, “Voters should look for the candidate who has proven the ability to get big things done and cast their ballots for Adams.”
What makes you the best candidate to serve on the county commission during this time?
I am the only candidate with elected government executive experience that has delivered solutions and brought partners together to successfully tackle controversial and complex issues.
I am the only candidate with top level city government experience who can get the County and cities working better together.
For years, I’ve partnered with county and nearby cities, and have a deep understanding of the bureaucratic hurdles and how to find solutions.
One recent example is the opening of the Clinton Triangle, the city’s first temporary homeless site. The initial idea got a lot of pushback, but my staff and partners kept looking for a solution. And it’s paying off – since opening, three times the number of people have moved into permanent housing, compared to the County’s congregant shelters.
To help get the County back on track, I am the only candidate who has developed a comprehensive plan that includes a phased-in camping. [Editor’s note: The candidate hit the 150-word limit. His next word was “ban,” which we are noting here for clarity.]
Portland and Multnomah County have a sometimes challenging relationship. Why is that and what would you do as a commissioner to foster a better working relationship?
I have successfully collaborated with county and city leaders for years to help move the community forward. My working relationships is why both past and current county commissioners have endorsed my campaign.
Two key issues that challenge the relationship between the governments must change:
First, the current structure of the Joint Office of Homeless Services still maintains silos between the city and county, resulting in a lack of progress and accountability. I’m calling for the appointment of one person accountable for leading the spending of the $700 million annual budget for the county, city and Home Forward.
Second, I believe County leadership is holding back progress. Currently, the Chair has sole control over the issues that can be brought before the commission. In April, I raised the issue of the undemocratic Executive Rule. Eliminating it would lead to a more collaborative commission and improved working relationship with the City.
Do you favor allowing supportive housing services dollars to be spent on building more affordable housing? Why or why not?
Yes! Given our urgent housing crisis we need bold, decisive actions to address it. This is not the time for slow, incremental steps—it’s a moment that calls for transformative leadership and an aggressive, focused implementation strategy to increase housing production now.
Cities and the county should redirect up to 50% of funds, on an ongoing basis, for housing from ballot measure approved programs when their tax proceeds are higher than proponents forecasted.
I also believe that we should look at the array of funding measures that have been put in place over the years, such as the Children’s Levy, Arts Tax, etc., and look for synergy, look for efficiencies and then put any excess proceeds toward subsidizing affordable housing.
Related: Issues important to Oregon voters
Public statements in recent weeks from the Joint Office indicate it believes it has turned a corner in successfully spending supportive housing services dollars in an efficacious manner. Do you agree or disagree?
Yes, there’s been some improvement. However, it remains a scattershot and siloed approach to spending the $700 million annual budget that maintains an unnecessary barrier that continues the slow process of getting critical dollars out the door. Additionally, the structure of the Joint Office and city partnership wastes money and is inefficient.
We need better coordination and accountability in how the County, City and Home Forward spends its annual budget across the three entities. As mentioned, I propose appointing one person to oversee homeless services to eliminate silos and promote more coordination and efficiency among the government partners.
Learn more here
Beyond housing and homelessness, what do you see as the biggest challenges facing the county and what specific policies do you suggest to address it?
First, the delay in opening a deflection center was made more difficult by the Chair’s lack of transparency and engagement with fellow commissioners and the public. This isn’t the way to build trust.
Second, the lack of opening a sobering center further exasperates the opioid crisis. It’s been nearly five years since the previous facility closed, and no real action since. I would join Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards to continue to push this issue.
Third, as mentioned above, we must eliminate the Executive Rule that gives the chair sole control over what issues come before the board. Concentrated power weakens board oversight and undermines county effectiveness.
Fourth, the long-delayed solution to ambulance response times was unnecessary and impacted people’s lives. As commissioner, I will ensure we focus on these critical live-saving issues on a timely basis.
As issues emerge, I see my role as a change agent. Incremental change isn’t an.
Related: Listen to 'OPB Politics Now'
How do you envision working in your role with the newly expanded City Council, if at all?
I have long-standing working relationships with city commissioners and many of the council candidates. With my deep knowledge of how the city works, I can serve as a bridge between the city and County. While more people will be on the Council, the work of moving the city and county forward remains the same – roll up your sleeves and work together to improve the community.
Additionally, I also have long-standing relationships with electeds in other cities in the county. Those relationships will also help us move our communities forward. This is another of the unique experiences I bring to my candidacy for County Commission.
My approach is to use evidence-based solutions and bring people together, and I will bring that same approach to the County.
What’s one thing Multnomah County could learn from Clackamas County?
In Clackamas, as well as other surrounding counties, including Washington and in Vancouver, Clark County, you see they have tougher decriminalization policies and programs in place than Multnomah County. Guess where the drugs and addicts will go?
Our jurisdiction may stop at the county boundary, but we are impacted by each of our surrounding counties’ policies. I would call for all of our neighbor counties to come together to tackle the fentanyl crisis that has caused so much pain and suffering.