A Better Future for St. Helens: Toschi’s Common-Sense Approach to Governance

You know what they say about common sense. It isn’t too common. Unfortunately, this rings true with St. Helens’ current leadership. The decisions coming from our administration aren’t being guided by well-reasoned arguments, careful consideration, or the will of the people. At best, they seem misguided and misapplied. At worst, they directly contradict what residents want.

We deserve leadership that makes decisions with residents’ best interest in mind, that prioritizes local control, uses common sense, puts long-term needs over short-term wants, and includes all voices. I’m running for mayor to reinstall these values in our local government. Right now, we’re at a critical junction where the next few years could determine how St. Helens looks decades down the line.

First and foremost, we need to reinstate local control. This forgotten principle should underpin every action of St. Helens. A cornerstone of democracy is people having the most control closest to home. If that applies anywhere, it should be on the city level. Over the past few years, our leadership has been gradually coopted by out-of-town agendas and national trends. Worthwhile leadership takes cues from its constituents, not from what’s popular with outside groups. That’s the only reliable way to keep decisions focused on issues that matter.

With no foundation in local values or control, our government has been swept away by Portland’s influence. Even if the capital was implementing reasonable, effective policies, they still wouldn’t fit St. Helens’ needs. Tragically, Portland has decided to go off the political deep end, adopting wildly unpopular policies and our administration has been too eager to follow suit. From a reduction in policing to heavy-handed regulations, this administration has too often sold out our best interests for whatever the capital or Portland is spitting out at the time.

One of the most glaring examples of a lack of common sense in our current leadership is its absence of fiscal discipline. This leadership has proven time and time again their lack of respect for your hard-earned tax dollars. Take a recent example: The city blew millions of dollars planning to build a much-needed police headquarters on a flood plain. This hair-brained decision blew our modest budget while prolonging a crucial improvement in our policing.

A brighter future for St. Helens requires leadership that puts people over propaganda and local interest over ideology. Worthwhile progress doesn’t come from utopian-aiming projects with no respect paid to real-life limitations or short-term pet projects for political gain. We need to focus on long-term and sustainable development. That’s why slow, smart growth is the backbone of my campaign.

We’re a growing city, and we need to use that growth to our advantage with common sense policies. This way, we can maintain the livability, affordability, and small-town values that make St. Helens the best place to be. It’s all about managing progress in a sustainable and economically viable way that supports our way of life. You can help realize a better future for our community by supporting me, Steve Toschi, for St. Helens Mayor. Let’s put common sense in charge again!