Bike Walk Vote endorses Schouten for WaCo Commission
Carla Axtman
The active transportation advocates at Bike Walk Vote announced today their endorsement of Dick Schouten for the Washington County Commission District 1 seat. Schouten, the incumbent, is being challenged by Beaverton City Councilor Betty Bode. Schouten has been solid voice on the Commission for expanding bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in Washington County.
Read Schouten's endorsement questionnaire for Bike Walk Vote here.
This is an especially interesting endorsement for Washington County, a developer-oriented area which has placed public transit and infrastructure well below expanding freeways and widening/building roads. Bode has the endorsement of the Home Builders Association, which certainly sees Washington County as friendly territory already. On the other hand, Bode also seems to have trouble playing well with others in her group, which also adds to the dynamic.
In addition to Bike Walk Vote, Schouten is endorsed by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and US Senator Jeff Merkley, among others.
Bike Walk Vote is holding a candidate's endorsement party this Wednesday from 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. at Crank Bicycles on SE 27th and Ash in Portland. All of their endorsed candidates will be on hand, so it's a good chance to ask questions and get to know them.
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connect with blueoregon
9:07 a.m.
Apr 4, '12
Good coverage Carla.
The Schouten race should interest anyone concerned with either Washington County politics or land use planning.
Full text of the Bike Walk Vote endorsement is here below:
<hr/>Bike Walk Vote Endorses Dick Schouten For Washington County Commission District 1
Aloha, OR- Bike Walk Vote, the political arm of the metro area’s biking, walking, and transit community has decided to endorse Dick Schouten for Washington County Commission District #1. The decision to endorse Schouten was reached enthusiastically and unanimously by Bike Walk Vote.
Schouten’s history of successful public service extends over a decade on the Commission. In 2001 he was recognized by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance with their highest honor, the Alice Award, for outstanding achievement in support of active transportation. His most recent public service success comes just this February as he shepherded through a federal block grant that brings nearly $200,000 for additional safe sidewalks in Washington County.
"Since he was first elected to the Washington County Commission in 2000, Dick Schouten has been a leader for healthy transportation choices for all residents. He's been a constant voice to improve facilities so residents of Oregon's second most populous county can get around safely using transit, walking, or biking," said Evan Manvel, Bike Walk Vote Co-Chair.
"Simply put, Commissioner Schouten gets it. He understands how we can improve public health and public safety by improving transportation options. He understands the vital connection between smart land use planning and an efficient transportation system. His leadership on the Board of the Westside Transportation Alliance, and his work protecting the easement for the Fanno Creek Greenway Trail, has been critical in helping improve Washington County's transportation network. The only thing holding him back from doing significantly more is a consistent third vote on the Commission," said Peter Welte, Bike Walk Vote Co-Chair.
Bike Walk Vote will actively support Dick Schouten in this campaign for the Washington County Commission and will mobilize the transportation community’s engagement throughout this election year.
With only two filed candidates for the District 1 seat in the non-partisan primary, the candidate winning a majority of votes cast will win the seat outright. At stake in the race, among many active transportation concerns, is the continued use of MSTIP funds on projects for bicycles, pedestrians and public transit.
You can meet Dick Schouten at Bike Walk Vote’s endorsement party, 4/4 Forward, in Portland this Wednesday from 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m. at Crank Bicycles on SE 27th and Ash to ask him about the issues that concern you. Admission is free, as are light snacks and refreshments, thanks to generous donations from Crema Bakery, Hotlips Pizza, New Belgium Brewing and Ninkasi Brewing.
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