Arts & Culture Committee, talking to the Q Center, Helping others, and knocking on over 450 doors so far.

It’s been a busy week. Monday began with a conversation with one of the team members working on Clatsop Care Center Health District’s bond measure. Measure 4-249 asks voters to approve up to $34 million in bonds to build a new skilled nursing facility on land the district already owns near Highway 202. The proposed building would serve 44 residents, compared with 38 at the current facility. The bonds would be repaid through property taxes, with an estimated rate of about 37 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. I want to understand what’s on our ballot, so I’m talking with the people closest to the work and asking questions.

From there I went to the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association’s Arts & Culture Committee. We’re excited that City Council has created an Arts & Culture Commission, and we’re figuring out how our committee might work with it. Art reflects a community’s history, creativity, and sense of itself. It deserves a place in the conversations about Astoria’s future.

Then I hurried back to meet our street team and knock on doors. I’m lucky to have friends willing to put in the hours with me. We’re getting out there because the best way to learn what Astorians need is to ask them. Door knocking is fun and you get to meet all types of unique Astorians, but over all everyone I’ve spoken to has been incredibly supportive. This is why I believe we’re going to win. 

Tuesday morning meant Veterans’ Coffee at the American Legion, where we welcomed a few new faces. That afternoon I visited the Lower Columbia Q Center. One of my closest friends in Astoria has a trans son, and I wanted to ask how I could be a better ally and, if elected, help make sure LGBTQ+ neighbors are heard. Tessa and her team gave me more than an hour of their time. They told me community support has felt thinner in recent years, while the political climate has made some people more comfortable expressing hostility toward LGBTQ+ people. I’m grateful they spoke candidly with me. I’ll keep listening, and I’ll stand with them. At the end of the meeting, they asked for lawn signs. I’m so appreciative of their support. 

On Wednesday, I taught writing over Zoom with the Writers Guild Initiative’s program for the Wounded Warriors Project. I’m paired with a mentor from television or film, and together we work with veterans from across the country. Their talent and honesty make that time one of the most rewarding parts of my week.

That evening, our team went back out knocking on doors. And as of today, we’ve knocked on over 450 doors and handed out over 150 lawn signs. We plan to canvas three times a week until November 3rd.

Thursday I spoke with State Representative Cyrus Javadi about ways our campaigns might help each other. We may get out and knock on doors together when he visits next week. Friday I stayed home. The laundry and dishes had been running an effective campaign of their own. Kelly works full time, and my daughter is in school and works weekends at the North Coast Wildlife Center. When I’m not teaching or campaigning, taking care of our home is part of my job, too.

Saturday morning was beautiful, so I headed to the Riverwalk for our weekly Rogue Cell dog walk. Everyone in the usual group had let me know they couldn’t make it, but it was a beautiful morning so I decided to go anyway. As I came out of Sleeper with my coffee, a young man asked if I was Sean from Rogue Cell and whether I was there for the walk.

He was a veteran who had moved here earlier this year. He told me he was going through a hard time, felt alone, and needed community. He joined me. We walked my big Great Pyrenees on the river front for over an hour and just talked. He didn’t even have a dog with him. 

That afternoon, I invited him to help me at the American Legion’s member appreciation party. We signed him up for the Legion, I covered his membership, and together we served Goondocks brisket and pulled pork for three hours. He came looking for a walk and found people who were glad he showed up.

There is healing in serving. I’ve felt it myself. It’s one reason I keep showing up for Rogue Cell, the American Legion, and for this campaign to be mayor of Astoria. I want to help build the kind of community where someone can arrive alone and find a place to belong. I want the people who work so hard to make this the magical coastal town what it is to be able to live here. I want to look out for those whose voices aren’t always heard.

Tonight I speak to the Democratic Party of Clatsop County and this week we’ll be knocking on a lot more doors. We’re going to try our best to knock on 2,000 doors before the election. If you see me or our team walking around with clipboards, say hello. Tell us what matters to you.

Let’s get to work.