Why are you running for city councilor, and what do you bring to the table that your opponents do not?
My wife, Traci, and I were born and raised in this community. We’ve raised our children, Harrison, Branigan, Zoe and Peyton here as well, all of us attending Tigard schools.
Having spent a dozen years on various Tigard Boards, Commissions, and Committees over the past two decades, including Planning Commission, I bring more City of Tigard experience than any other candidate currently running for Council in this race.
I intend to focus on livability concerns, including road maintenance, parks and greenways, clean water, public safety, reducing our community’s homeless population, and traffic reduction. I created and sponsored Oregon HB2618 to force communities to be responsive to traffic complaints.
Tigard needs BALANCE to move beyond divisive national partisan issues and return our focus to the serious nuts and bolts issues facing our community.
What is your #1 priority, and what are you proposing we do about it?
My highest priority is fiscal responsibility and accountability. We can’t afford any new fees or additional taxes. Just like within our own families, we must utilize the funds we have to meet our needs.
Tigard needs a Regional Bypass to remove the 50% of traffic currently that neither originates, nor ends, in our community. I’ve advocated for such a Bypass for 25 years, and I will continue to do so from my position on Council.
Tigard needs 5,000 new “Middle Housing” units. In development parlance, apartments are considered “entry” housing, hence the somewhat misleading term “Middle” housing.
These are deeded home properties affordable for first-time buyers and fall into the $175,000-$300,000 range. These are single-story homes, cottages, duplexes, and one and two-bedroom small houses available for our seniors wishing to age in place and folks wishing to build equity and wealth rather than throwing away money on rent.
To accomplish this, I support Governor Kotek’s plan to expand the Urban Growth Boundary with no less than 20% of this new land dedicated to this missing “Middle” housing.
As these would-be buyers move out of rentals and into purchased homes, we reduce the demand for rentals, driving down rental rates, and allowing more of our homeless to find housing once again.
We need to eliminate our base water rate system and move to a much fairer billing system based solely on actual water usage. This will reduce the rates our seniors, singles, and small families pay, and transfer those costs to our largest water users.
And lastly, Tigard needs a community and recreation center. We are the only city in the metropolitan area without either. This has been sheer negligence on the part of leaders of the past. Such a facility should include a new, modern pool, indoor recreation facilities for youth sports leagues, and ample room for community activities, out of the weather.
If you haven’t read Tigard City Council’s “Vision Statement,” it says this: “An equitable, walkable, healthy, and accessible community for everyone.”
Does that statement resonate with YOUR most important priorities in Tigard?
Mine either. We have roads to fix. Let’s get on it.
I’m always available for a coffee chat.
You can learn more about Bret Lieuallen’s campaign at www.facebook.com/bret.lieuallen, or contact
Mr. Lieuallen at Bretlieuallen@hotmail.com
