The time is now for a Multnomah County Chair Candidate Debate on Unsheltered Homelessness!
The Homeless Solutions Coalition (HSC) is planning a Multnomah County Chair Candidate Debate on Unsheltered Homelessness, the issue Portlanders for 10 years have ranked as our #1 challenge.
The debate will take place on Tuesday, October 20 from 4:30-6 pm at the Armory in Northwest Portland and will feature the 3 candidates vying for the office of Multnomah County Chair: Julia Brim Edwards, Sharon Meieran and Shannon Singleton.
We believe this is the most important choice Portland voters will make on November 3, as it will decide who will lead the organization whose role is most critical in addressing the homeless crisis, both in policy and control of hundreds of millions of tax dollars.
Because the issues are complex and voter education is so critical, the debate will kickoff with 3 brief overviews by knowledgeable presenters (all confirmed), introduced by former Governor Dr John Kitzhaber.
Health Share of Oregon CEO Mindy Stadtlander from a statewide perspective
Central City Concern CEO Dr Andy Mendenhall from a regional/county perspective
And CityTeam Portland Executive Director Lance Orton from both a single organization and also lived experience perspective
Then the debate begins!
Candidates will make opening and closing remarks, answer 4-5 questions, and have an additional opportunity to provide clarification and/or rebuttal on each question. Blair Best from KGW8 will serve as debate moderator.
We have specifically chosen a later date (October 20), 2 weeks before the November 3 election. Ballots will be mailed October 14, but few voters will have cast their ballots by October 20, and the election will be top of mind for County voters and local media.
The HSC Steering Committee believes that the most important thing we can do today to address unsheltered homelessness is to educate Portland voters on the issue and elect the right person to serve as Multnomah County Chair for the next 4 years. But we need your help if we are to succeed. Please join us in supporting this important event!
Sincerely,
David Dickson, Convener
Homeless Solutions Coalition