City of Salem Councilor Ward 7
A City Council consists of a Mayor (who chairs the Council) and Councilors. City Councils are the policy-making body for a city. They supervise city departments, set policy, and develop budgets. Candidates must be qualified electors under the state constitution and must have resided in the city for at least 1 year before the General Election.Term: 4 years. The Mayor is elected citywide, but the City Councilors are elected by ward (district). The position is nonpartisan.The League of Women Voters conducted an interview with the candidate in this race. It may be found here:Vanessa Nordyke: youtube.com/watch?v=zbgQXDX50Jg
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Vanessa Nordyke
(N)
In addition to appointing the Revenue Task Force, what are your recommendations for addressing the current revenue shortfall?
What are the main challenges facing the city, and how would you address them?
What are your views on housing affordability in the city—future strategies, past successes?
Your Experience/Qualifications
Born and raised in Salem, Vanessa Nordyke is a Salem City Councilor for Ward 7. Vanessa is the Executive Director of CASA of Marion County, which advocates for children in foster care. Vanessa joined CASA in January 2023, after nearly 15 years as an Assistant Attorney General at the Oregon Department of Justice. As a Salem City Councilor, Vanessa focuses on affordable housing, addressing homelessness, and providing opportunities to uplift vulnerable populations.
County
Marion
Term
Four years
Seeking payment in lieu of taxes from the State of Oregon to help pay for public safety services.
I see three main challenges:
1: Affordable housing. We have hundreds if not thousands of renters living paycheck to paycheck. As City Councilor, I have voted to approve hundreds of affordable housing units. We need more, and we need it now.
2: Homelessness. As City Councilor, I have supported and will continue to support the creation of housing, services, and shelter for persons who are homeless or who are at high risk of becoming homeless.
3: Livability. We need safe streets, clean parks, a library system, and a thriving business community. That takes investment in infrastructure, public safety, and city services.
I support private-public partnerships to increase affordable housing. I increased our Salem Housing Authority staff, so that staff can apply for more affordable housing grant funds. I voted to approve affordable housing projects in West Salem, South Salem, Southeast Salem, downtown Salem, and more. I voted to fund Redwoods and Sequoia Crossings, which provide housing to persons with severe mental illness and persons struggling with homelessness. I voted to create a $10 million affordable housing opportunity fund for private and public developers. I also voted to update our tax incentive program to entice more affordable housing development. Future strategies include more private-public partnerships, possible UGB land swaps, and tiny homes.
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