StatesmanJournalminiquestionnairefor2016PrimaryElection

Thankyouforrespondingtothisquestionnaire.
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PleasereturnthefinishedquestionnairetotheEditorialBoardasanemailoranattachedWord
documenttoSalemed@StatesmanJournal.com.(Handwritten,pdf,WordPerfectorfaxresponses
dontwork.)
Important:PleasereturnthequestionnairebytheendofWednesday,April20.
Questions?ContactEditorialPageEditorDickHughes,5033996727,dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com,or
EditorialAssistantNancyHarrington,5033996864,nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.

Yournameaslistedontheballot:CaraKaser
Age:33
(IfyouragewillchangebeforeMay31,pleaseindicateyourbirthday.Wewanttoensureweuse
accurateagesinpreandpostelectioneditorialsandnewscoverage.)
City/townofresidence:Salem
Politicalparty,ifthisisapartisanoffice:N/A
Positionyouareseeking(nameofposition,districtnumber,etc.):SalemCityCouncil,Ward1
Areyoucurrentlyafulltimeresidentwithintheboundariesofthespecificarea(ward,district,
county,etc.)thatyouseektorepresent?

Yes
Numberofcurrent,consecutiveyearslivingwithinthedistrictyouseektorepresent:8years
Family(nameofspouse/partner,numberandagesofchildrenifathomeornumberofgrown
children):EricBradfield,spouse
Youreducation(highschool,trade,college,postbaccalaureate;indicateanydegreesyou
earned):
Certificate,ComputerInformationSystems/Programming,PortlandCommunityCollege,2014
MA,PublicHistory,WashingtonStateUniversity,2007
BA,History,PortlandStateUniversity,2005
Diploma,StaytonHighSchool,2001
Ifemployed,currentoccupation,employerandjobduties:
WebDeveloper,OregonDepartmentofForestry
Managetheagencysintranet,ODFnet,includingcreating,customizing,anddesigning
SharePointsites.Thisincludesprovidingassistanceandsupporttositeownerswiththecreation
ofnewsites,lists,permissions,workflows,webparts,andgeneraltroubleshooting;participating
asamemberoftheODFnetgovernancecommittee;conductingtrainingandteammeetingsfor
ODFnetcontenteditorsandsiteowners;workingwithsiteandbusinessownerstoassess
implementationstrategiesfornewfunctionalityinSharePoint;peerreviewingmajorsite
enhancements,newfunctionalitydevelopedinSharePointDesigner,andotherchangesto
ODFnet;participatingonprojectteamsimplementingmajorchangestoODFnet;anddeveloping
relationshipswithsiteandbusinessownersandidentifyopportunitiestomakeprogramunits
moreeffectiveinperformingbusinessandtechnicalfunctions.
Previousemployersandwhen:
WebDesigner,OregonHealthAuthority(MayJuly2014)
Workedinateamenvironmenttoprovideleadership,technicalconsultation,anddesignadvice
toSharePointsiteownersandJoomlaintranetcontenteditorsandpublishers.Thisincluded
helpingsiteownersandbusinessusersadminister,createandcustomizenewSharePointsites,
libraries;interviewinganddevelopingrelationshipswithsiteownerstolearnbusinessprocesses;
gatheringanddocumentingbusinessdatarequirementsandbusinessrules;andtraining
individualandgroupsonSharePointfeatures,functions,andcapabilities.

ProgramAnalystOutreachSpecialist,OregonHeritage,OregonParks&Recreation
Department(Nov.2011May2014)
Workedinateamenvironmentmanagingsmallandmediumprojectsvaryinginscopeand
impact.TheseincludemanagingthestatewideRegionalTechnicalAssistanceprogram,the
HeritageInternshipprogram,theOregonHeritageConference,providingtechnicalassistance
throughtheOregonMainStreetprogram,andmanagingseveralawardsandgrantsprograms.
Alsoservedastheeducationandtrainingliaisonforthedivision,developcurriculum,develop
divisionwebpagesandcontent,workwithdatabases,coordinatesocialmediaoutreach,andgive
publicpresentations.ThisincludedcreatingandmanagingtheOregonHeritageMentorCorps
InformationSystem,maintainingtheOregonHeritagewebsiteusingSharePoint,providing
leadership,support,anddesignassistancefordivision'sSharePointcontenteditorsandowners,
organizingtheOregonHeritageConference,andleadingtheredevelopmentoftheOregon
HistoricSitesDatabase.
ProgramAnalystSurvey&RegistrationCoordinator,StateHistoricPreservationOffice,
OregonParks&RecreationDepartment(May2007Nov.2011)
WorkedinateamenvironmenttocoordinatetheSurveyandInventoryprogramforhistoric
propertiesinOregon,includingmaintainandimprovingtheOregonHistoricSitesDatabase,and
administeringtheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesprogram.Developededucationprograms
abouttheSurveyandInventoryandNationalRegisterprograms,andwroteandeditedover45
NationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesapplications.Ledteamthrougha6monthefforttoredesign
division'swebsitewithintheTeamSiteenvironment.
ArchivistAssistant,MASC,WashingtonStateUniversity(May2006May2007)
Helpedcreateapubliclyaccessibledigitalarchivalcollectionofnearly400photographs
portrayingtheuniversityswomen'sathletics.Inventoried,processed,andwroteafindingaidfor
over2,000slidesfortheRexfordDaubenmirePrintandSlideCollection.
TeachingAssistant,DepartmentofHistory,WashingtonStateUniversity(August2005
May2007)
AdministratedandgradedundergraduateworkinlowerdivisionHistoryclasses.Maintained
recordsandsubmittedundergraduatesgradesonuniversitysstudentinformationsystem.
CreatedandgaveinclasspresentationsinlowerdivisionHistoryclasses.
CulturalResourcesAssessorContractor,StateoftheParks,NationalParksConservation
Association(variousmonths20062007)
Completedculturalresourceassessmentofarchaeologicalresources,culturallandscapes,
ethnography,historicstructures,history,andmuseumandarchivalcollectionsatPointReyes
NationalSeashoreandLewisandClarkNationalHistoricalParkthroughaninvestigationofpark
records,interviewswithparkstaff,andonsitevisitandevaluation.
Militaryserviceandwhen:N/A

Volunteer/civic/religiousserviceandwhen:
HistoricLandmarksCommission,Nov.2014present
CentralSalemMobilityStudyStakeholderAdvisoryCommittee,Sept.2012Nov.2013
CommunityEmergencyResponseTeam,CityofSalem,Jan.2012present
AfterSchoolLEGORoboticsTeacher,GrantCommunitySchool,Aug.2012Dec.2014
CapitolPlanningCommissionMemberSalem,StateofOregon,Jan.2010Jan.2011
Mentor,GrantCommunitySchool,May.2009Jan.2011
Volunteer,GrantCommunitySchoolMay2009Dec.2014(andasIcan)
GrantNeighborhoodAssociationBoardMember,Nov.2008present
SimonBensonHouseDocent,PortlandStateUniversity,Jan.2001June2005
Pleaselistallpublicofficestowhichyouvebeenelected,andwhen:N/A
Pleaselistanyunsuccessfulcandidaciesforpublicoffice,andwhen:N/A
Otherpriorpoliticalandgovernmentexperience:
OregonDepartmentofForestry,2014present
OregonHealthAuthority,2014
OregonHeritage,OregonParks&RecreationDepartment,20112014
StateHistoricPreservationOffice,OregonParks&RecreationDepartment,20072011
SalemHistoricLandmarksCommission,Commissioner,2014present
GrantNeighborhoodAssociation,Board,2008present
CentralSalemMobilityStudyStakeholderAdvisoryCommittee,Member,20122013
IfyouarerunningforapositionthatinvolvesagoverningboardinOregonsuchascity
council,countyboardofcommissioners,LegislatureorStateLandBoardhowmanymeetings
ofthatboardhaveyouattendedinpersonduring2015and2016?Howmanyhaveyouwatched
onlineoronTV,ifapplicable?
20163inperson;4watchedonline
2015approx.6inperson;approx.10watchedonline
Howthepubliccanreachyourcampaign(rememberthatthisinformationwillbemadepublic):
Mailaddress:934CottageStNESalem,OR97301
Emailaddress:cara@electcarakaser.org

WebsiteURL:http://electcarakaser.org/
Phone:N/A
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ElectCaraKaser/
Othersocialmedia:N/A
Pleaselimityourresponsetoeachofthefollowingquestionstoabout75words.
1.Toanoutsider,howwouldyoudescribetheregionyouwishtorepresentgeographically,
economically,politicallyandsocially?
Ward1istheheartofSalem,andisthemostdiversecitywardintermsofgeography,landuse,
andeconomics.SeparatedbytheWillametteRiver,Ward1includesthecityshistoric
downtownandWestSalemEdgewaterareas;RiverfrontandWallaceMarineParks;closein
neighborhoodsofolderhomesonsmallerlotswithsidewalks,trees,andnarrowerstreets;
governmentoffices;andlightindustrialareas.PeopletendtoliveinWard1becauseofthe
neighborhoodsrelativeaffordability,proximitytodowntown,workplaces,andentertainment.
Politically,Ward1isthemostliberalwardinSalem,withasolidmajorityofvotersregisteredas
Democrat.
2.Whatarethepositivesandnegativesofthisregion(ward,district,countyorstate)thatyou
wishtorepresent?
Ward1isclosetoeverythingdowntown,parks,workplaces,andentertainmentandits
residentscanmoreeasilywalkorbiketotheseplacesthaninotherwards.Itsresidentsare
ethnicallyandeconomicallydiverse,andthewardsneighborhoodsarefullofolderandhistoric
homesthatarerelativelyaffordable.Thewardalsohasexcellentopportunityareasfornew
creativemixedusedevelopmentandlightindustrialareas.
Thewardstruggleswithpoverty,peoplewhoareexperiencingvaryingdegreesofhomelessness,
pedestrianandbicyclesafety,andmanyarterialstreetswithhighertrafficspeedsandvolume.
Thewardisalsostillgrapplingwiththeeffectsofbadurbanrenewalandlanduseplanning
duringthe1960sand1970s.
3.Whatspecificskillsandexperiencesdoyoubringtotheposition,especiallyonesthatwould
helpturnthosenegativesintopositives?

IveworkedwiththeCitythroughtheGrantNeighborhoodAssociationandmyinvolvementon
theCentralSalemMobilityStudyandtheHistoricLandmarksCommissionondifferentissues
relatingtolanduseplanning,trafficreconfigurationandcalming,improvementsforpedestrians
andbicyclists,amongotherissues.Professionally,Ihaveworkedallaroundthestatewith
differentcitygovernmentsandorganizations,andrealizethatmanylocalgovernmentsstruggle
withthesameissuesasSalem.Ihavestrongskillsinpublicoutreach,collaboration,partnership
development,andacustomerserviceorientedmindset.

4.Whatseparatesyoufromyouropponent(s)?Bespecific.
Asawomaninherearly30swithastrongpersonalandprofessionalbackgroundincommunity
orientedservice,historicpreservation,andeconomicdevelopmentandcommunityrevitalization,
IhaveadiversebackgroundandperspectivethatsnotcurrentlyrepresentedontheCityCouncil.
Impassionateabouthelpingpeopleconnectbetterwiththeirlocalgovernment,andbelievethat
ourcommunityleadersneedtoprioritizeearlypublicengagement,meetingpeoplewherethey
are,andmakingiteasyforpeopletodotherightthing.Ibelievethatbyfocusingonfirstmaking
Salemlivableforeveryone,wewillincentivizeexistingsmallandlocalbusinessgrowthand
attractmorelivingwagejobs.
5.Pleaselistfivespecificaccomplishmentsthatyouhaveachievedinpoliticsorcivicaffairs:
1. CityofSalemVolunteerAward,2009,forservicethroughtheGrantNeighborhood
Associationtothecity.
2. CityCounciladoptedrecommendationsIhelpedcreateasamemberoftheCentralSalem
MobilityStudy.Afewofthoserecommendationswillbeimplementedduringthisyear.
3. WorkedwiththeCitythroughtheGrantNeighborhoodAssociationtofindfinancingand
politicalsupporttoinstallablockslongraisedmedianonFairgroundsRoad/HoodStreet,
sothatSalemAllianceChurchwouldnotlosetheirbuildinginsuranceduetovehicles
repeatedlycrashingintooneoftheirbuildings.
4. HelpedseveralOregoncommunitieswithlanduseplanningforhistoricresourcesand
economicrevitalizationstrategiesandtechnicalassistancefordowntownareas.
5. BroughtawarenessaboutthedangerousintersectionatStateand25thStreetsto
neighborhoodassociationsandcitycouncil,andprovidedrecommendationsforsmall
improvementstomaketheintersectionsafer.Basedonmyrecommendations,asignal
delaywasimplementedthathasallowedpedestrianstomoresafelycrossStateStreet.
6.HowmuchwillyourPrimaryElectioncampaigncost?(bespecific)

Approximately$7,500
7.Haveyoueverbeenconvictedofacrime,beendisciplinedbyaprofessionallicensing
board/organizationorhadanethicsviolationfiledagainstyou?Ifso,pleasegivethedetails.
No
8.Haveyoueverfiledforbankruptcy,beendelinquentonyourtaxesorothermajoraccounts,or
beensuedpersonallyorprofessionally?Ifso,pleasegivethedetails.
No
9.Whatarethethreemostimportantissuesyouwouldaddressifelected,andhow?(75words
foreachissue)
A.Publicoutreach.Iwillworktobetterreachouttothepublicandinvolvethemearlierin
importantconversationsaboutcityissues,initiatives,andprojects.Makingsmallimprovements
inexistingprocessescouldgoalongwaytowardaddressingthisissue,suchasmakingmailed
andpublicnoticeseasiertofind,readandunderstand;makingmeetingtimesandlocations
accessibletothemostpeoplepossible;andcreatingacultureamongcityleadershipofmeeting
peoplewheretheyare.
B.Livability.IwillworktomakeSalemaplacewherepeoplewanttolive.Thisincludes
pedestrianandbicyclesafetyimprovements,findingfundingforpublictransit,qualityhousing
availabilityforeveryincomelevel,fullyfundingourlibrarysystem,andcreatingand
maintainingourparks.Focusingonlivabilitywillincentivizeexistingsmall,localbusiness
growthandattractmorebusinesseswithlivingwagejobs.
C.Downtowninvestment.Iwillworktoensuredowntownisthestrongheartofourcityby
advocatingforinvestmentinitsbuildings,businesses,andinfrastructure.Thisincludesworking
withtheCitytofocusonplanningforcompletestreets,creativewaysforbusinessesandproperty
ownerstomeetcoderequirements,incentivizingupperfloorredevelopmentforpropertyowners,
findingopportunitiesformoredowntownhousing,andencouragingdeveloperstoThink
DowntownFirstwhenlookingfordevelopmentareas.
10.Whatdoyouseeasotherimportantissues?
Afewmoreimportantissuesinclude:

Newpolicefacility
Seismicupgradestocityownedbuildings
OregonStateHospitalNorthCampusdevelopment

SalemRiverCrossingproject
Pendingcitybudgetshortfall

11.Whatonlineand/orprintpublicationsdoyouregularlyreadtokeepabreastofissuesinthe
districtyouseektorepresent?
Tonamejustafew:

StatesmanJournal
SalemWeekly
SalemBusinessJournal
SalemBreakfastonBikesblog
LocalneighborhoodandcivicgroupsonFacebook
SalemAreaChamberofCommerceblog
CommunityConnectionNewsletter
NeighborhoodServicesEBlast
CityofSalemUrbanDevelopmentQuarterly
SalemPublicLibrarynewsletter
TheSalemConnection
SalemLeadershipFoundationnewsletter
MarionPolkFoodSharenewsletter

12.Anyskeletonsinyourclosetorotherpotentiallyembarrassinginformationthatyoushould
disclosebeforeitcomesupinthecampaign?Anything(includinghealthissues)thatwould
affectyourabilitytoserveyourfullterm?Anychangesinyourlifesituationthatare
contemplatedorexpectedbeforetheelectionorbeforeyouwouldtakeoffice?
No
Thankyou.PleasereturnthisquestionnairetotheEditorialBoardasanattachedWorddocumentto
Salemed@StatesmanJournal.combyApril20,2016.