2024 election: EWEB candidates talk priorities, resiliency and ward-specific needs

This is part of a series of stories on the candidates running in the May 21 primary election, with question-and-answer articles scheduled to be published each day through the rest of April. Ballots must be mailed to voters by May 1.

The Eugene Water and Electric Board's (EWEB) line-up of commissioners will see a shift this election cycle as Matt McRae, commissioner for Wards 1 and 8 and current board president, steps away from the position.

The Board of Commissioners for EWEB is made up of five individuals elected into four-year terms who represent specific city wards, with one commissioner representing all city voters in an “at large” position. Voters in May's primary election will decide what names appear on the general election ballot in November.

The two registered candidates running for the open EWEB position are Tim Morris and Kim Arscott.

Morris is a resident of Ward 1 and is a founding member and current executive director for the Eugene Springfield Tenant Association. He currently serves on the Lane County Housing Policy Board and has formerly sat on the Lane County Budget Committee and the Lane Community College Budget Committee. Arscott is the president of Eugene REALTORS and is a principal broker at Hybrid Real Estate. She is also a member of the Million Dollar Club of Lane County.

The Register-Guard shared questions with candidates for them to provide responses to and asked them for biographical information. Candidate Kim Arscott did not respond in time to meet The Register-Guard’s deadline for answers. Here are the answers Morris provided, word for word.

Questions

Why are you seeking a position as an EWEB commissioner?

Tim Morris: “I am running for EWEB Commissioner because I am passionate about serving my community and I want to support the growth and innovation of our local public utility. Both my professional and personal goals have been to support low/no-income people in Oregon. I have a successful history of ensuring housing, climate, and economic stability for our neighbors, through direct service work and legislation, and I hope to bring my experience and my passion to the EWEB Board of Commissioners.“

What issues are your top priority?

Morris: “My top priorities will be climate resiliency, low-income rate-payer protections, and community support. The ice storm in January has made it clear that while we work hard to fight against climate change, we must protect ourselves from the current effects of it.

"Additionally, rate increases disproportionately harm lower-income residents and we must safeguard our most vulnerable neighbors from the economic burdens of our continued transition away from fossil fuels. As an Executive Director of a nonprofit, I recognize that community support extends beyond promises and I hope to bring my continued transparency and community connection efforts to EWEB as well.”

What experience do you bring that makes you a good fit for this position?

Morris: “In my day job I run a non-profit that primarily serves low-income renters and other marginalized populations. In addition to my own lived experience as a gay man, I will carry the often unheard voices of the people we serve with me. There are no low-income folks and no renters currently on the EWEB Board; these are desperately needed perspectives for this policymaking body. I also have years of experience serving on boards and commissions, such as the Housing Policy Board and Budget Committee for Lane County. These experiences will help me better serve Eugene and EWEB.”

Following widespread power losses during January's ice storm, how are you planning to support a more resilient power grid in Eugene through this commissioner position?

Morris: “As commissioner, I'm prioritizing investments in grid modernization to enhance resilience against extreme weather events like January's ice storm. This includes upgrading infrastructure, supporting smart grid technologies, and diversifying energy sources to reduce vulnerability. Collaborating with EWEB and our local communities, I'll advocate for robust emergency response plans and promote renewable energy integration for a more resilient power grid. Additionally, I'll work to ensure equitable access to reliable power, especially for underserved areas.”

What sort of concerns exemplify the needs of Wards 1 and 8 and how do you plan to address them?

Morris: “The concerns faced in both Wards 1 and 8 are diverse, as there are plenty of differences between both wards. For example, Ward 1 tends to have lower-income neighbors living in it than Ward 8 - so financial stabilization and support are the focus.

"Meanwhile, Ward 8 has less access to water support if an emergency were to hit Eugene - so emergency preparedness is the focus. Ultimately, my goal as an elected official is to serve as a bridge between EWEB and the community - fostering trust, collaboration, and collective action towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for all residents.”

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Election 2024: EWEB board candidates' takes on the issues