About me:
My name is Steve Platt and I'm running for Bend City Council, Position 4 because I have a lifetime of relevant public service that can help shape our city as it grows and ensure all members of our community can thrive.
My Background:
I am a military veteran, educator, and Bend City Budget Committee member.
I served our nation for 25 years in the Air Force, retiring in 2015 as a Colonel. After leaving the military, I earned my high school science teaching certificate to continue serving my community. For the last six years, I have taught high school physics and climate science in both Redmond and Bend and now teach at Summit High School. In 2023, I joined the Bend City Budget Committee bringing my background of military budget programming to the city government level.
My public service as both a military officer and educator shapes my vision for a thriving Bend, in both the near term and in building a resilient future for Central Oregon.
My Top Priorities For Bend City Council:
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Accelerate Affordable Housing Progress and Support for Our Unhoused Citizens
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KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM on both affordable housing and services for our unhoused citizens... while acknowledging there is more to be done.
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COST OF LIVING in Bend makes it difficult for our school district to recruit and retain teachers and staff who could help raise the level of rigor and improve outcomes in our schools.
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MORE HOUSING is needed in Bend, especially for those with the greatest household cost burdens or challenges to stable housing. I will work hard to make that happen. I firmly believe if you work in Bend, you should be able to live in Bend
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Stewardship of Public Funds
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ENSURE TRANSPARENT ACCOUNTING for each dollar budgeted and spent
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OVERSEE CITY BUDGETS with a background informed by years of managing complex military budgets while increasing community engagement in the city’s fiscal planning
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Climate Change Resilience and Mitigation
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REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT through aggressive policies and incentives
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LOCALLY PRODUCE RENEWABLE ENERGY to power our daily lives by exploring solar, wind, biofuel, in-conduit hydro and geothermal energy solution
Endorsements:
Deschutes Democrats
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Central Oregon Labor Chapter of the Oregon AFL-CIO
Western States Regional Council of Carpenters
Central Oregon Building & Construction Trades Council President - David Burger
LIUNA Local 737
Emerson Levy, Oregon State Representative
Melanie Kebler, Mayor of Bend
Megan Perkins, Mayor Pro Tem
Anthony Broadman, Bend City Councilor
Megan Norris, Bend City Councilor
Ariel Méndez, Bend City Councilor
Mike Riley, Bend City Councilor