Priorities and Issues

From issues large and small, my goal has always been to improve the everyday lives of our residents and visitors. With Gresham’s explosive growth over the last decade, the responsibilities of running a city like Gresham have increased dramatically. We’re facing many problems, from crime being at an all-time high to the homelessness epidemic. Outlined here are Janine’s positions on the issues and how she envisions working together to solve them. 

Public Safety

Our Police need to be properly funded so they can keep our community safe and combat the crime wave we’re experiencing.  We need to bring staffing levels up, work to bring our specialty law enforcement teams back, and create a long-term sustainable financial plan.  This expansion of our police force should include violence prevention programs for our youth, ongoing community engagement, and enhancement of the police behavioral unit to ensure Gresham’s police force is made up of individuals the community can continue to count on.

Fire & First Responders

When disaster strikes, be it a 5 alarm fire or motorcycle accident, we must ensure emergency services are well staffed and funded for the mission. It is the hallmark of a well-run community when its citizens can count on the fire trucks to be there when the seconds count. Janine will fight to expand the resources available to our firefighters so that our community can sleep easier at night knowing that they’ll be there when it matters most.

Homelessness

Portland and our entire region have received the national spotlight for the homelessness epidemic raging here. Janine believes we must address homelessness with compassion, keeping our streets and sidewalks clean and safe. That means expanding funding to the homeless services team and for mental health while enforcing statutes that keep Gresham beautiful. Gresham’s homeless services team does incredible work and Janine will continue to be an advocate for expanding the resources available to help combat homelessness in all its forms.

Economic Development

A thriving community depends upon a strong business community that provides jobs and enhances the livability of Gresham. As councilwoman, Janine has been a strong voice for job creators and supports policies that will strengthen and empower Gresham’s small businesses to succeed.

There’s more work to be done, but Janine’s record backs up what she says.

What We’ve Done

• Allocated $5.2 million of federal ARPA funds used to support public safety.
• Hiring incentives for Police officers and six non-sworn police department positions
• Supported expansion of the Police Mental Health/Services Coordination Team to add two new clinicians.
• Supported an additional four firefighter limited-term positions.
• $1 million Federal ARPA funds toward the youth violence prevention Program.
• Supported funds to support community-based organizations that provide services for youth.
• Fought to ensure Gresham led the region in getting $500,000 ARPA grants to small businesses quickly during COVID to protect jobs during shutdowns.
• Led the way for continued incentive programs for small and large companies, extended the garage to storefront program, and supported the enterprise zone program which creates higher wage jobs and training programs for Gresham’s residents.