Sean Davis for Astoria

Saturday was a busy day, but I’ve always believed that if you’re willing to work harder than anyone else, you give yourself an advantage.

I started the morning with the Rogue Cell Dog Walk on the Riverwalk. We had a couple of new faces join us, and we walked from Pier 11 to the bridge. Every time I’m out there, I’m reminded how lucky I am to live in Astoria. The Riverwalk is practically a nature trail through town. There are animals on the land, in the air, and in the river, and somehow there is always something new to see.

But what I appreciate most are the people. Nearly every time I walk along the river, somebody I know stops me with a smile, a conversation, a question, or an idea. That feels like Astoria to me.

At eleven, Kelly and I headed to the open house at the Astoria Regional Airport. I’d never spent much time out there before, and it was good seeing some of the Port security officers I got to know during a ride-along a while back. The classic cars were fantastic, especially the old 1942 Jeeps. We are definitely a Jeep family, with two Wranglers parked at our house.

We stayed for the presentation of the Colors and then headed to the Astoria Fire Department open house. I had a great conversation with Fire Chief Dan Crutchfield, picked up an Astoria Fire Department T-shirt and challenge coin, and ate a hot dog.

I’m not sure it gets much more American than a combat veteran eating a hot dog at a fire station immediately after looking at vintage Jeeps. From there, we made it over to the Doggie Democracy walk for the last half hour. That night, I went to see Shanghaied in Astoria at the Astor Street Opry Company. I think this was my fifth time seeing the show and my second time getting hauled onstage to play the Sheriff.

Sitting there that night, though, I found myself thinking seriously about Astoria’s history and the families who have been part of this community for generations. I understand the fierce pride that comes with those roots.

I wish I had grown up with something like that, but I didn’t. I was born into extreme poverty to teenage parents and spent much of my childhood being passed among grandparents and other relatives. When I was seventeen, my father went to jail and into recovery, and his wife told me I had to leave. Someone from our church rented me a little mother-in-law cottage for $100 a month. I went to high school during the day and stocked grocery-store shelves at night.

Poverty and a lack of opportunity were a big part of why I joined the military. But that road gave me something too. I saw the world. I learned about leadership, responsibility, hardship, and the extraordinary things ordinary people are capable of doing for one another. I have seen people on some of the worst days of their lives, and I have seen people rise to become their absolute best. I can say with certainty that during my life I have helped save lives. And somehow, after all of that, I ended up here.

Astoria is my home.

I may not know the names of every famous Columbia River bar pilot or remember which old waterfront building housed which cannery. But we have wonderful people here who do, and I want to listen to them and learn from them.

I also bring experiences of my own that I believe can serve this city. That is why I don’t want this election to become an “us versus them” campaign. Astoria doesn’t need that. I don’t know what kind of mayor the other candidates would be, and I’m not going to pretend I do.

I can tell you what kind of mayor I intend to be.

I see being Mayor of Astoria as a full-time responsibility, and I mean that in the broadest sense. The volunteering, community events, conversations, meetings, and work I’m doing now will not suddenly stop after Election Day.

I want to actively lobby for Astoria in Salem and Washington, D.C., particularly for the enormous infrastructure needs facing our city. I want to recruit developers who can help us build housing and businesses that can create good, living-wage jobs. I want to work with our councilors and staff rather than waiting for problems to land on somebody’s desk.

I would also like to start a weekly program on KMUN that explains what happened at City Council meetings, what decisions were made, and what residents might have missed.

Tonight I’m going to a Meet the City Council event at Fort George. I think events like this should happen at least quarterly, rotating through Astoria’s wards so residents have regular opportunities to talk directly with the people representing them.

That is the kind of citizen mayor I want to be.

If you see me walking down the street, stop me. Ask me a question. Tell me what matters to you. Tell me when you think I’m wrong. Bring me an idea I haven’t considered.

I’ll listen. I’ll be honest with you. And I’ll keep showing up. Let’s get it done.