The Dalles Mayor Rich Mays says he’s trying to step up efforts to find long-term steps for dealing with the city’s homeless issues.  Mays says he was asked by members of faith groups to take a leadership role, and he’s working on forming a nucleus group of seven to nine people to tackle the problem that would then bring in others with expertise in particular areas as needed.  Mays adds he is working closely with the new Mid-Columbia Community Action executive director Ken LaPoint on this, and the group will develop a mission statement and ground rules with an aim to do something meaningful and effective for those who are homeless.