Lewis & Clark hosts forum for Portland mayoral candidates
Open gallery
By Milea Manter ’15
On Monday, February 13, more than 200 Lewis & Clark students, faculty, and community members gathered in the Agnes Flanagan Chapel to watch three candidates running for mayor in Portland answer questions from a panel of students and faculty. Eileen Brady, Charlie Hales, and Jefferson Smith focused on issues of education, sustainability, and the environment.
The resounding consensus of the candidates was the importance of increasing Portland’s sustainability while promoting economic growth. Brady stressed the idea that “green is not enough” and having “green” buildings and streetcars are important but not if “no one is using them.”
Smith answered a student’s question about the importance of local firms and locally produced products in Portland, emphasizing the need to get local food into Portland’s public schools and encouraging residents to put money in local banks and credit unions.
Hales concluded the evening by tying together education and sustainability. He called for an increase in student partnerships with environmental organizations and promoting outdoor education programs for sixth graders.
