Nathan Soltz

Infrastructure / Transportation While recognizing the need for development, we must also be very thoughtful about maintaining this special aspect of Salem and preserve open spaces for future residents. We can and must hold both values: we need development, but we also need to preserve nature. Infrastructure / Transportation Infrastructure projects are some of the best job-producing projects that a public body can do. They also pay for themselves and then some in the long run. And as Salem grows, its transportation system and infrastructure need to grow with it. That means using the newest and most efficient planning practices available to us, and not kicking the can down the road to make improvements, or by the time we start the work, it will already be outdated. We also need to make safe sidewalks and bike lanes standard throughout the city. Especially in Ward 3, there are many wide roads with high speed limits that don’t have safe options for pedestrians and cyclists, and with his experience in the Morningside Neighborhood Association, Nathan is already addressing these concerns and advocating for meaningful improvements. Social Services First and foremost, Nathan believes that everybody should be treated with respect and dignity. Looking at behavioral health services from that angle, Nathan supports the work that the city has done to help get folks connected with support. Particularly among those who are housing insecure, after getting them in a safe place to stay, making sure we have the services to support their progress to lead fulfilling, independent lives is a critical next step. Many of the dollars that are available for behavioral health services flow through the county, though currently, much of the services are actually being provided by the city on our own dime. As a city councilor, Nathan will be steadfast in working to secure those dollars so the city can continue and increase its services to our neighbors who need them. Criminal Justice / Public Safety Nathan supports a CAHOOTS-type model in Salem. When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail, so it is critical to have other tools to best respond to every situation. Infrastructure / Transportation We cannot forget that parks are an integral part of our community, and we need to prioritize their maintenance. Not doing so now will exponentially both increase costs and decrease usability long-term. Infrastructure / Transportation For Nathan, closing down the library is not an option.