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Issues

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Economic Development & Jobs

Astoria is the economic heart of Clatsop County, but our economy shouldn’t be too dependent on seasonal tourism and too short on year-round, family-wage jobs.

Our Comprehensive Plan calls for diversification, resilience, and better-paying work. I agree.

As mayor, I will focus on:

• Working with the Port to get the 2021 Waterfront Master plan back on track so we can encourage small-scale manufacturing, maritime industries, research, seafood processing, and microenterprise
• Bring solar and other practical renewable energy to our town and use a portion of the savings to help people insulate their older houses.
• Work with our Chamber of Commerce, the ADHDA, Travel Oregon, and other organizations to create a healthy tourism economy.
• While tourism is a great tool in our economic toolbox, we must balance it with industrial, commercial, and trade jobs and in this way we can work with the college, job corps, and other organizations.
• Make family and workforce housing affordable.
• As mayor I would take a larger role with organizations like CEDR and ColPac to encourage more businesses to come to Astoria using incentives like enterprize zones and work force recruiting and training.

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Downtown & Small Businesses

Downtown Astoria is the cultural and commercial heart of our community. It should be vibrant, safe, and accessible for residents, visitors, and business owners alike.

As mayor, I will focus on:

• Restoring downtown sidewalks and public spaces to safe, walkable use
• I’ll Support upper-story housing and mixed-use development downtown
• Invest in infrastructure that helps small businesses succeed
• Work closely with the Downtown Historic District Association and local merchants

A healthy downtown supports jobs, tourism, and community pride.

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The Port & Working Waterfront

Astoria’s working waterfront is a major asset. We must protect it while adapting to modern economic realities. I’ve spoken to dozens of Astorians that tell me how important it is for our city council to honor Astoria’s character and heritage while encouraging economic development. The Port does both of these things. Astoria wouldn’t be what it is today with its Port. I commit to working closely with the commission and the longshoreman to get the Waterfront Master Plan back on track.

Some port land is underutilized, and the Comprehensive Plan allows flexibility when traditional shipping uses no longer make sense.

As mayor, I will focus on:

• Finding funding solutions to replace our aging boat lift
• Leverage some of the remaining Astor West Urban Renewal dollars to help the Port with infrastructure.
• Protect water-dependent uses while allowing smart, job-producing alternatives.
• Encourage new ideas with new technologies like the new pilot program using Vermifiltration for water waste for both Breweries and Seafood processing.
• Promote public access and education that complements, not replaces, working waterfront activity

We can honor Astoria’s maritime identity while building its future.

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Housing & Affordability

Astoria has a documented housing shortage. High costs and limited supply are pushing working families, seniors, and young people out of our community.

As mayor, I will focus on:

• Prioritize multi-family and workforce housing
• Support adaptive reuse of existing buildings
• Coordinate housing development with infrastructure and services
• Advocate for state and regional funding partnerships
• Ensure growth is thoughtful, sustainable, and community-centered

Housing is not optional. It is essential to economic stability and public safety.

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Public Safety & Community Wellbeing

Public safety means more than enforcement. It means prevention, coordination, and care. I spent three years as a military police desk sergeant on a small base in Europe. In essence I was a deputy sheriff in a small town and because we were remote I not only upheld the law but investigated larger crimes. I know the imporance of backing our

As mayor, I will focus on:

• I would suggest that all of our city council members go on one ride along or volunteer at a fire house once a quarter to see first hand what our respondres go through on a daily basis.
• I will support police, fire, and emergency services with the resources they need
• Pair enforcement with outreach and social services
• Coordinate closely with Clatsop County on mental health and addiction treatment
• Invest in infrastructure that keeps neighborhoods safe and accessible

Safe communities are built through trust, clarity, and consistency.

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A Mayor Who Brings People Together

Astoria’s challenges won’t be solved by finger-pointing or slogans. They require leadership that brings everyone to the table. I would rather focus on our potential and work toward our goals with optimism than attack other candidates or run a negative campaign.

As mayor, I will convene:

• City departments
• Clatsop County partners
• The Faith-based community
• Nonprofits and service providers
• Law enforcement and healthcare providers

And I will insist on clear goals, accountability, and measurable progress.

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My Commitment

Astoria deserves leadership that is compassionate, practical, and honest about what works.

I will protect our public spaces, support our businesses, help people off the streets and into stability, and build a future where working families can afford to live here.

That’s the job. I’m ready to do it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are you trying to criminalize homelessness?

No.

Living on a sidewalk without water, bathrooms, shelter, or treatment is not humane. At the same time, allowing long-term camping in business districts, parks, and sidewalks harms public safety, local businesses, and the broader community.

My approach is simple:

• Services and shelter first
• Clear expectations and consistent enforcement second

Compassion without structure fails people. Enforcement without alternatives is not humane. Astoria needs both.

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What does the City actually have the authority to do?

The City of Astoria:

• Manages public spaces, streets, parks, and sidewalks
• Can support or operate shelters, hygiene sites, and navigation services
• Sets zoning and land-use policy for housing and services
• Coordinates with police, fire, and emergency services
• Partners with nonprofits, faith organizations, and healthcare providers

The City does not run mental health treatment, addiction services, or public health programs alone. That work must be coordinated with Clatsop County and the State.

A mayor’s job is to make that coordination actually happen.

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Is homelessness a national, county, or state problem?

It’s all of the above.

Clatsop County provides behavioral health, addiction treatment, and many social services. The State provides funding and policy frameworks. But homelessness happens in cities, and cities manage the public spaces where people are currently living.

Astoria cannot solve this alone, but we also cannot wait for someone else to fix it. Leadership means coordinating all levels of government and local partners.

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Where would shelters or services go?

The Comprehensive Plan allows flexibility for using existing city-owned or publicly controlled sites, adaptive reuse of buildings, and partnerships with nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

The goal is not one massive facility. The goal is:

• Smaller, managed sites
• Distributed services
• Clear rules and professional staffing
• Strong coordination with outreach, healthcare, and public safety

Location decisions must involve neighborhoods, service providers, and clear operating standards.

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What role do nonprofits and faith organizations play?

A critical one.

Groups like Clatsop Community Action, Helping Hands, other healthcare providers, and our faith-based organizations already do essential work. The problem is fragmentation, not lack of effort.

As mayor, I will:

• Bring all providers to the same table
• Align funding, goals, and accountability
• Reduce duplication and gaps in service
• Support organizations while expecting measurable outcomes

Good intentions are not enough. Coordination matters.

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What about public safety and downtown businesses?

Public safety includes:

• Clear sidewalks
• Safe parks
• Predictable and Consistent rules
• Businesses that can operate without disruption

Once real alternatives exist, the City has a responsibility to restore public spaces to their intended use. That protects workers, residents, visitors, and people exiting homelessness alike.

A functional downtown helps fund the very services we need.

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Will this increase taxes?

Not automatically.

Many solutions rely on:

• Better coordination of existing funds
• State and federal grants
• Partnerships with nonprofits and faith organizations
• Strategic use of city-owned property

Long-term, unmanaged homelessness is far more expensive than coordinated, humane solutions. The truth many don’t see is that preventive spending is often a fraction of the cost of emergency response spending.

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How does housing fit into this?

Homelessness cannot be solved without housing.

Astoria’s Comprehensive Plan already identifies:

• A shortage of affordable and workforce housing
• The need for more multi-family development
• The importance of adaptive reuse

As mayor, I will prioritize housing as essential infrastructure, not an afterthought.

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Why are you running for mayor?

Because Astoria deserves leadership that is honest about tradeoffs, grounded in reality, and willing to do the hard work of bringing people together.

We can be compassionate and accountable.
We can support businesses and help people get off the streets.
We can plan for the future and take action now.

That’s the job. I’m ready to do it.