CHUCK BECKER
OCCUPATION: Retired
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Health and Physical Education Professor, Portland State University
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Brigham Young Univ., EdD; Univ. of Oregon, BS, MS
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Incumbent Mayor, City of Gresham; Gresham City Councilor, 1973-76, 1981-84
When Chuck was elected, he took action for long-term financial planning and commissioned an economic development plan. Both plans contain elements for progress through citizen involvement and long range planning. What has been done? A lot!
- Construction of Gresham Station. It is already a $66 million local industry.
- Replacement of Fujitsu with Microchip. A loss to Gresham’s employment is being restored!
- Developing partnerships and planning efforts in Pleasant Valley and Damascus, Rockwood Urban Renewal, an arts and cultural center and a sports park.
- Helping Mt. Hood Community College establish a university center; Gresham-Barlow’s Center for Advanced Learning; and the development of an Oregon Science and Technology Park.
- Establishing strategic planning and budgeting.
- Making Gresham pedestrian friendly with plans and funding for boulevard improvements on Powell, Sandy, Division and Stark Streets. Working with Multnomah County to turn over to the city streets controlled by the county.
- Improvements in public safety through establishment of an east county gang task force.
- Economic assistance in Rockwood including Business Incubator and Urban Renewal.
- Encouraging business to locate in Gresham, such as Teeny Foods, Honda of Gresham, Synetics Solutions and Innovion.
- Efforts continuing to expand the urban growth boundary to include industrial land areas.
- Continuing sister city cooperation to promote trade, culture and a student exchange program.
The mayor’s role in these accomplishments is substantial. His political leadership and ability to work with diverse organizations makes Chuck Becker the only candidate who can bring people together and keep the city moving forward.
Continue the Progress-Continue the Vision.
Reelect Chuck Becker for Mayor
(This information furnished by Chuck Becker for Mayor Committee)
ARLENE EASLY
OCCUPATION: Retired
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Appraiser and seller for Blazer Mobil Homes & Banks; Management position for Fred Meyers; Executive Director and owner of new day care for twenty-one years; Proprietor & manager of Manzanita Beach Property Rentals
EDUCATION BACKGROUND: Orient Grade School; Gresham Union High School; Western Business College; Business
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: None
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS: Council Police Committee; Council Transportation Advisory Committee; Mediator; Gresham Community Policing project; Neighborhood Watch Program; Monthly Newsletter for neighbor; Public approved writer to Gresham Outlook Newspaper; Program Coordinator for Citizen’s Alert Team; Parks and recreation Council Advisory Committee; Lobbied for PAL Center to receive $30,000 from City.
“MAKE CITY HALL CITIZEN-FRIENDLY”
I AM COMMITTED TO MAKING CITY HALL MORE ACCESSIBLE AND FRIENDLY!
GRESHAM is in a transition period. It is time for us all to plan for the future to ensure that our community is not left behind.
LIVABILITY
LIVABILITY depends greatly on how safe its citizens feel.
Easly is committed to a “no reduction policy” for the men and women serving Gresham’s police and fire departments.
GROWTH
Gresham’s growth must be planned to benefit Gresham’s whole community, residential and business alike.
JOBS
Easly will provide strong leadership with a commitment to bringing more jobs to Gresham.
ACADEMIC QUALITY AND WELL-STRUCTURED SCHOOLS
Children are the foundation our future depends on. It is essential that Gresham has fair and stable financing to keep up with the growing population.
(This information furnished by Arlene Easly for Mayor Committee)
JACK GALLAGHER
OCCUPATION: Electrician
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: USAF, 4 years; Local 48 IBEW
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Bishop England High School; Oregon State Electrical Apprentice Training School, 4 years; Mt. Hood Community College
PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Gresham Barlow School Board, 7 years; City Councilor, City of Gresham, 10 years; Volunteer Fireman, City of Gresham, 11 years
CONTROL RUN-A-WAY GOVERNMENT SPENDING
Gresham was in a strong financial condition when I was a city councilor under Mayor Gussie McRobert.
The present elected leadership is allowing our financial condition to deteriorate. Reserve/Contingency funds are being used to support higher salaries for administrative staff. Administrative staff costs are increasing while working staff is decreasing.
IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.
Six years ago, we established a program to increase the ratio of Police, to make our city safer for it’s citizens.
Under the present elected leadership, that ratio has decreased back to the ratio that existed when we decided that our streets were not safe. Our streets and some areas of Gresham are becoming a dangerous place to be after dark.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION
The elected leadership of Gresham should demand that Multnomah County provide the traffic light synchronization that will improve traffic flow. Stop and Go traffic is not acceptable.
WHY I AM RUNNING
I served on the City Council for 10 years and saw Gresham grow in a forward moving city in good financial condition. The last 3 years, under the present elected leadership, the Cities financial condition has deteriorated.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Public safety has deteriorated to the point that some areas of our city are truly unsafe.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Our present elected leaders allow administrative staff to ruin our financial condition. Our bond rating will be effected because elected leaders are not making the correct decisions and are robbing our city reserves to balance the city budget.
THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
AS YOUR MAYOR,
I WILL EXERT THE STRONG LEADERSHIP THAT IS NEEDED TO MAKE GRESHAM GREAT AND PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE, POLICIES & PERFORMANCE
(This information furnished by Jack Gallagher)
JOHN A. LEUTHAUSER
OCCUPATION: Member Relationship Officer, Pacific NW FCU
OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Financial Services Industry; Retail Management; numerous political campaigns; free lance musician.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Graduate Sam Barlow HS, B.S. Political Science, Portland State University
PRIOR GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Oregon Legislature 1993: Legislative Assistant to State Representative Mary Alice Ford;
Oregon Legislature 1995: Senate Staff; Oregon Legislature 1997: Administrative Assistant to State Representative Ron Sunseri; Gresham City Council, 1997-2001; Metro Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, Alternate; East Metro Transportation Committee
Is Gresham Better Off Than It Was 4 years Ago?
No! No! No!
Stop Excessive Spending
“Spending is out of control. Emergency reserves are almost gone. John wants to work with the unions to have city services opened up to competitive bidding. It has worked well in other cities and it will work in Gresham.” Gussie McRobert, Former Gresham Mayor.
Strong Leadership
“As a former Gresham City Councilor John has demonstrated that he can be tough when necessary. John is knowledgeable on the important issues facing Gresham and will be a great advocate for the taxpayer.” Ron Sunseri, Former State Representative
Public Safety Top Priority
Instead of $100,000 department heads, excessive travel and no emphasis on public safety, John will prioritize spending. Fire and police services come first.
Help Citizens Take Back City Hall
An elitist, “we know what’s best” attitude has taken over city hall. Disagreement is not allowed. Meetings are scheduled in rooms so small only the Council can attend. John will put the Citizens back in Citizen Involvement.
Protect Gresham Livability
Gresham’s approach to new subdivisions is outdated. John will see that existing laws that allow larger lots are enforced.
Make Gresham Open for Business
Large companies get red carpet treatment. Small businesses get the leftovers. They are the backbone of our community but their pleas against increased fees and excessive regulations have been ignored. John will work with small businesses for adequate but fair regulations and fees.
(This information furnished by Friends of John Leuthauser)