Meet the candidate who’s a blend of England’s Iron Lady and Argentina’s Chainsaw Man!
General info:
Name: Sandeep Bali
Age: 41
Profession: Clinical Pharmacist Specializing in HIV Treatment & Prevention, Mental Health & Addiction Treatment
Questionnaire:
What is the biggest problem facing the City of Portland as it transitions to a new form of government?
The biggest challenge Portland faces as it transitions to a new form of government is how it will effectively manage its resources to address our most pressing issues, such as homelessness, addiction, and mental health. As a candidate with a background in healthcare, I see this transition as an opportunity to introduce innovative solutions that maximize the resources we already have in place.
For example, our city should partner with hospitals and healthcare professionals who are already equipped to address addiction and mental health crises. Drawing on my experience at Providence in Long Term Care/End of Life, I know the transformative power of quality care. Instead of relying solely on incarceration or temporary shelters, we can allocate tax dollars to hospitals to provide expanded services, ensuring that every individual receives a baseline mental health assessment and addiction treatment.
We must treat addiction and mental health with compassion and offer long-term care solutions for those in need. This will not only help us solve the urban camping crisis but also align with the city’s new government model by implementing more effective, accountable strategies to serve the community.
If elected, what do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Portland City Council?
If elected to the Portland City Council, my primary goal will be to work collaboratively with fellow commissioners to revitalize our city through practical and innovative solutions. Portland faces critical challenges including an unchecked homeless crisis, low educational standards, high taxation, and a need for city-wide revitalization. I am committed to addressing these issues by utilizing existing resources efficiently, without imposing additional burdens on taxpayers.
Mental health and addiction issues are particularly urgent across Portland. The visible suffering in public spaces, such as near Couch Park and local schools, highlights the failure of current harm reduction strategies. I propose a healthcare-focused approach, partnering with hospitals to offer comprehensive mental health assessments and addiction treatment. Prioritizing treatment over incarceration is essential to address these challenges effectively.
Public safety is another top priority. Many residents feel that police response is inadequate, which erodes trust and safety in our communities. I plan to enhance police visibility and responsiveness, especially in schools and neighborhoods, to ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Education also demands urgent attention. Oregon’s 45th place ranking in student proficiency is unacceptable. To better prepare our students for a competitive global future, we need to uphold high standards in key subjects and provide robust support for educational achievement.
By addressing these critical issues with a focused and collaborative approach, I aim to contribute to a Portland that is safer, more equitable, and thriving.
In what ways are you qualified to represent the citizens of Portland?
I am deeply qualified to represent the citizens of Portland because I have been immersed in this city’s life and challenges since 2009. Over the years, I have witnessed firsthand the decline caused by progressive policies that have not delivered the improvements we hoped for. I live and work in Portland, and every day I see the struggles our community faces.
Owning a home here and investing so much of my energy and passion into this city, I am profoundly affected by the current state of affairs. It pains me to see Portland, a city with so much potential, falter under ineffective policies. I can no longer stand by and watch as our city spirals into decline. My decision to run for City Council is driven by a deep love for Portland and a commitment to its revival.
Portlanders are unique and powerful. We are a community that should be thriving, leading as the gem of the West Coast. My personal connection to this city, coupled with my professional expertise and experience, fuels my determination to make meaningful change. I am running not just as a candidate but as a fellow Portlander who refuses to accept our city’s current trajectory. I am taking action because I believe in Portland’s potential and am dedicated to restoring its greatness.
What political figure(s) do you admire?
I greatly admire Margaret Thatcher and Javier Milei for their insightful approaches to governance and fiscal responsibility. Margaret Thatcher is renowned for her belief that excessive government spending is essentially taxation on the public. Her famous quote, “The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money,” encapsulates a critical truth: unsustainable spending drives people away and undermines the viability of a country. Portland is experiencing this firsthand, as hard-working taxpayers are leaving the state to escape high taxes and economic instability. Thatcher’s understanding of these dynamics resonates deeply with the current challenges we face in Portland.
Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, is another figure I admire for his bold reforms. Known as the “Chainsaw Man,” Milei is tackling bloated government organizations and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy. His efforts to simplify rental regulations and reduce property taxes have led to a significant decrease in rental costs, demonstrating his commitment to creating a more livable environment. His approach underscores the importance of balancing regulation and market forces to ensure affordability and encourage economic growth.
Both Thatcher and Milei exemplify a crucial principle: effective governance requires a focus on efficient spending and a clear understanding of how policies impact taxpayers. My opponents, funded by the democratic socialist party, seem to overlook this fundamental concept, leading to policies that exacerbate Portland’s problems rather than solve them. I am committed to applying these lessons to address our city’s challenges and restore Portland as a vibrant and thriving community.
What changes would you like to see in your district?
As a City Commissioner, I am committed to addressing key challenges across all of Portland:
Mental Health and Addiction: Current harm reduction strategies are insufficient. I propose partnering with hospitals for comprehensive mental health assessments and addiction treatment, prioritizing treatment over incarceration to tackle these issues effectively.
Public Safety: Many residents feel unsafe due to inadequate police response. I plan to enhance police visibility and responsiveness city-wide to ensure everyone feels secure and supported.
Education: Oregon’s low student proficiency ranking is concerning. I will advocate for high academic standards and robust support in crucial subjects to better prepare our students for future success.
Revitalization: Portland needs a renewed focus on revitalization. Let’s restore our public spaces, fix roads, remove graffiti, and turn on the fountains. With smart incentives and lower corporate taxes, we can attract and retain thriving businesses, making Portland beautiful and economically vibrant once again.
Protect Affordable Living: Housing costs are driven by supply and demand. To alleviate our housing crisis, we must incentivize building rather than penalize it. Streamlining the permitting process, removing construction obstacles, and rolling back counterproductive policies like inclusionary zoning will enable more medium-income housing. It’s time to let builders build and create a vibrant, accessible community for all.
By addressing these issues comprehensively, I aim to create a safer, more attractive, and prosperous Portland for all residents.
What do you love about Portland?
What I love about Portland is its unique charm and vibrancy. The city’s compact size allows you to get anywhere in just 15 minutes, and our arts and creative scene is unparalleled, with a plethora of unique venues and artists enriching our cultural landscape. Our parks and fountains, dispersed throughout the city, make Portland stand out as a beautiful urban oasis.
Our food scene is exceptional, offering everything from a delicious steak dinner at RingSide to incredible dim sum at HK Cafe and flavorful Mexican at Ole Ole. Portland’s central location is also a major plus, with the coast, wine country, and the stunning Columbia Gorge all just a short drive away. Above all, I cherish the people of Portland—their acceptance, love for diversity, and celebration of unique individuals make this city truly special.