Olivia Clark: Candidate questionnaire for Portland City Council District 4

General Information:

Name : Olivia Clark
Age : 70
Profession : Policy & Legislative Director
Pronouns : She, Her

Questionnaire:

What is the biggest problem facing the City of Portland as it transitions to a new form of government?

The transition itself is a concern: forming a new city council that can work together successfully to solve the problems that confront Portland, restore confidence and livability, and chart a course for the future. However, the biggest immediate problem we face on the ground is on street camping and open-air drug use. Solving this problem is vital to our reputation and our livability.

If elected, what do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Portland City Council?

In addition to creating a road map for the City’s future, I want to get back to basics. I want our essential services to be robust. This means improving public safety and 9-1-1 response times, ensuring safe drinking water, filing potholes for safe streets, and maintaining our parks. The City must also be more user-friendly and welcoming, from the permit desk to the water bureau.

In what ways are you qualified to represent the citizens of Portland?

My career represents a life-long passion for public service at the local, state and regional levels. I understand government processes having worked for Governor John Kitzhaber as his liaison to Oregon’s cities and counties and later as his legislative director. I worked for three Salem Mayors to enhance public safety. I served as TriMet’s Executive Director of Public Affairs and secured the revenue to build out the light rail system and the Tilikum bridge. I have also been active in my neighborhoods in Eugene, Salem and Portland. I have taken on policy challenges in difficult circumstances and achieved a record of success. I am a coalition builder and collaborator, able to reach across the aisle to find solutions and get results.

What political figure(s) do you admire?

Governor John Kitzhaber, Mayor Vera Katz, Congressman John Lewis.

What changes would you like to see in your district?

District 4 is geographically diverse. It starts at Linnton in the north and continues through the west hills, the downtown, the Pearl & Old Town, the south waterfront, to far south Portland abutting Tigard, then across the Willamette to Sellwood, East and West Moreland making up 32 neighborhoods. Each distinct area in District 4 has its own unique issues. The removal of on street camping and open air drug use is vital to the downtown, Old Town and Pearl District. At the same time, areas in the southwest hills lack sidewalks and storm sewer infrastructure. There are pockets of high need throughout District 4 along with a large immigrant population in the southern end. Every neighbor, from Sellwood to Hillsdale, Linnton to Crestwood, wants a safer city with potholes filled and 9-1-1 response time shortened.

What do you love about Portland?

I love our city’s civic spirit, its beauty, its arts, music & culture, its vibrant neighborhoods, parks, public transit, walkability and proximity to the outdoors. My expat friends feel Portland is one of the most European-feeling cities in the United States and I agree.

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