Health and Crime

It becomes a tricky situation when trying to propose a policy on this subject. The main focus of the video was on exercising, walking in particular. The simple spelled out notion that 30 minutes of walking daily can drastically reduce countless health issues. I do not know if a policy that makes us walk 30 minutes a day is even possible. However, I do think that a policy designed to create more bike/walking trails in the suburbs is. Also a policy that allows for free fitness centers in heavy populated urban areas with little real estate. Yes I truly believe that government should be promoting healthier habits! This should be a top priority for the government. This is something if done successfully can truly make a huge impact on peoples health and life. It was step banning soda and fast food from schools and the get moving program. However, more needs to be done!   

This was a very powerful video on the crime and life style of living in the projects. While watching the video there was a moment when a young teen age boy was describing how the streets work. He was almost smiling as he was saying, It's ether be killed or kill. You have to watch your back, and protect yourself. That is just the way it is. I had to ask the question to my self out loud, "Why does it have to be like that"? Why is it not different? Why can't everyone get along and form together to help each other out? I could not understand why it had to be like that. I started to raise the question what if these areas were filled with poor white people, instead of poor African Americans? Would there still be all of the staggering statistics? The video had some solid approaches to preventing and handling crime. A few of my favorites are counseling, the church and the paster, and the job training program. One of the main factors that the streets are so bad has to do with single moms raising the family, and no father figure/roll model. The idea of counseling for the kids and young adults is something that should do wonders! The "crazy dads" is great! It is  when groups of father figures go out to the streets at night and are there to be supportive. The paster also filled a father/role model for the much needed young kids. The job training class is also great! This is a great resource that can turn their whole life around. Police should handle neighborhoods with extreme violence with numbers and better patrolling. The only way to stop this violence is not to tolerate it, the "broken window" concept. Violence can be stopped if the government really wanted it to. The SB 1474 is not helping with the effort! Let's face it! It is a horrible and pointless! Guns do not belong in schools. I also think SB 1070 does not fully capture what causes crime. Crime maybe committed by latinos, but mainly this is not illegals but usually done by second or third generations, 

Economic Development Director

I am the economic development director for Portland Oregon. As the director of development I take seriously what was written in Economic Development and the Construction of Opportunity, " Most cities have failed in the last decades as a  result of industrial dispersal and other forms of capital disinvestment"(93) I am a firm believer in attracting businesses and keeping them thriving in Portland again. This is why I am putting together an economic development plan that will be full of polices that have been proven to be highly effective in cities all over. Economic Development and the Construction of Opportunity also backs my idea by saying, "Effective economic development polices promise to generate employment, reduce poverty, raise incomes, boost tax revenues,and improve public services"(93). Portland has a culture all of it's own. Portland prides it's self on having one of the most sustainable and eco friendly cities in America. We as a city aim to keep this reputation. This is how I believe we should appeal to new businesses wanting to relocate in the Portland. We will offer generous tax deductions, and start up cost to businesses that are willing to build or reconstruct LEED certified buildings. Or if the company can operate on a sustainable level evaluated by us. I also wanted the businesses to know that we want them to thrive in our city. I can promise that Portland has what it takes to harvest a fruitful work force. A work force that is innovative, and creative. An educated work force that has endless amounts of drive and talent. Our nationally ranked Universities has some of the best students and programs around. Producing some of the brightest minds, that are willing to stay local after graduation and work for a solid company. With this factor in place, it gives us and the companies the peace of mind that a repeat of the Google incident in Arizona will not happen in Portland.

I also would like to support applying for HOPE VI grant. I am also a huge believer in equal opportunity housing for everyone. One of the effects of a thieving city is the price of living goes up as well. I believe we should apply for HOPE VI grants as soon as possible. With my economic plan in place, the cost of living will continue to go up as it succeeds. Having this housing is essential to our city. The demand is here now for it, and will only continue as we succeeds as a city. I strongly support the application for HOPE VI.