School Board Member Pious Ali Challenges Incumbent Jon Hinck for City Council At-large
School Board Member Pious Ali mounts a campaign to unseat former State Representative and current City Councilor Jon Hinck. The following responses were provided by the candidates, but edited for word count.
Why are you running for City Council? What separates you from other candidates?
Photo provided by Pious Ali
Pious Ali: While serving on the School Board and working with immigrant students, parents, and other marginalized families, I saw the need to make more voices heard on matters beyond education. My long experience in community engagement and collaborative leadership sets me apart from other candidates running for the at-large seat.
Jon Hinck: I run for the opportunity to enact public policy helping residents enjoy a better life here. In one term, I led passage of: 1) the minimum wage; 2) the Styrofoam ban and bag fee; and 3) a 660-kilowatt solar project. Ending pesticide overuse is in the works, more is possible.
If elected what are your top priorities?
Pious Ali: I will advocate for a program that will allow our High School students to intern with businesses in the city and get credit towards graduation.I want to work on [the housing crisis] issue by looking at how can we improve our conditions, inspections and requirements of landlords while simultaneously educating tenants as to their responsibilities. I will work to raise wages for everyone, including tipped workers.
Jon Hinck: Progress on housing affordability; improve public transportation, car traffic efficiency and the city’s walkability; advance clean energy; promote fresh local foods; economic growth that benefits all residents; improve trash and recycling with covered bins ending required plastic bag purchases; and organize public forums on crime and policing.
Photo provided by Jon Hinck.
What are the greatest challenges the City will face in the next three years?
Pious Ali: Portland is facing a myriad of challenges; I believe my experience will help me to work with my colleagues and all stakeholders to find achievable solutions.
Jon Hinck: Seeing that economic opportunity grows and extends to all city residents; curbing opioid addiction and treating those afflicted; maintaining social services that are provided efficiently and help improve the lives of those in need.
1 Comments
Portland Voter
If Pious Ali thinks he deserves a spot on the City Council, he will have to cite more than his ancestry. We do need more voices, but Ali has not distinguished himself from every other politician on other issues. We need a community leader, not another politician. I don’t think Ali is that leader.