Civic Engagment, speaking to Former Mayor LaMear, our city manager, helping witches fly, knocking on doors, meeting our US Rep and other candidates, and karaoke.
This week reminded me how many people care deeply about Astoria—and how much they’re willing to do for it. They organize neighborhood meetings, volunteer downtown, ask hard questions, and give up their evenings to hear from candidates. Running for mayor means earning their trust. Every week, I’m working to do that.
Monday, I participated in the candidate forum at the Clatsop Democrats’ monthly meeting. It was encouraging to hear the other candidates and see so many people engaged in our community’s future.
When my turn came, I focused on my experience organizing communities and advocating in Salem and Washington, D.C. Most people following this campaign know I’m a combat veteran and Purple Heart recipient. That service helped shape me. But I also want people to know about the work I’ve done since taking off the uniform.
I collected signatures and worked with lawmakers in the effort that helped secure dedicated lottery funding for Oregon veterans. Voters approved Measure 96 in 2016, directing 1.5 percent of net lottery proceeds toward veterans’ services.
I also spoke about the effort to save the Leaburg Fish Hatchery when budget cuts threatened its closure. Back when I lived in the McKenzie River Valley, I was working as a community organizer with a former Lane County commissioner and became the project lead for our campaign to keep the hatchery funded. Its loss would have hurt local businesses and families who depended on fishing and tourism.
Our small team developed a strategy, and the community showed up. A local church lent us two vans. Our local pub made sack lunches. We loaded up and went to Salem to testify, but one trip wasn’t enough. We needed a lawmaker willing to champion our cause, and we needed to keep working after the hearing ended. It took months of organizing and following through. We helped secure the funding. That experience is part of what I would bring to Astoria: knowing how to gather people around a problem, build a plan, find partners, and stay with the work until something gets done.
Tuesday began with veterans’ coffee. That evening, I met with voters in the Mill Pond neighborhood. We talked for an hour and a half. I listened to their concerns and answered their questions. What impressed me most was that these neighbors had reached out to all the mayoral candidates and arranged to meet with each of us separately. They were doing their homework before deciding who should lead their city. I don’t believe I left with every vote, though I think I earned some support. I left grateful for the conversation. People deserve the chance to look a candidate in the eye, ask a difficult question, and hear an honest answer.
Wednesday, I taught writing to veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project alongside other members of the Writers Guild Initiative, based in New York City. Working with veterans and industry professionals continues to be one of the highlights of my week. Helping someone find the words for their experience is meaningful work. That evening, our ground team knocked on doors in Uppertown. We have now visited more than 10 percent of the homes in Astoria.
I could not have done that without the incredible volunteers I’m lucky enough to call friends. They aren’t paid. They give up their evenings to climb these hills, listen to our neighbors, and help me understand what matters most to the people who live here. Astoria makes you earn every doorstep. My team keeps showing up.
Thursday, I sat down with former Mayor Arline LaMear to ask for advice about campaigning, city government, and the relationship between the council and city staff. I knew Arline before this campaign because Rogue Cell had visited her church to talk about preventing veteran suicide in Oregon. Our conversation reminded me how much heart she has for this community. Like so many people I’ve met who have held public office in Clatsop County, she cares deeply about the people she served. If elected, I’ll have big shoes to fill.
That afternoon, I joined local historians, Parks and Recreation staff, and others planning the Doughboy monument’s 100th anniversary celebration this Veterans Day. We’re fortunate to have this memorial to those who served in World War I. It gives us a place to remember that the people sent to war were our neighbors: workers, parents, sons, and daughters. A century later, their sacrifices still deserve our attention.
Friday began with an Astoria Downtown Historic District Association meeting. Over lunch, I met with City Manager Scott Spence to learn more about how our city works, particularly our infrastructure needs. Modernizing and maintaining our infrastructure remains my number one priority. I want to be clear: this was an informational meeting, not an endorsement. Scott serves the city, and I encourage every mayoral candidate to speak with him. Whoever wins will have work waiting on day one. Understanding the needs, the limits, and the responsibilities of city government is part of preparing to do that work.
Saturday started at 8 a.m., helping Tom Jenkins and the downtown association install Mitch’s Witches on the downtown light posts. What a great Halloween tradition. I helped sponsor two witches: one for American Legion Post 12 and one for Kelly’s Dragonbelly PNW Rollerfit class.
After spending about an hour at our weekly veterans’ dog walk, I headed to Warrenton for the Clatsop Democrats’ annual picnic. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici was there, along with candidates for the state Legislature and local offices across the North Coast. There’s something hopeful about being in a room full of people willing to put themselves forward, volunteer, and take responsibility for their communities. I want to keep building those relationships across the North Coast. Our towns share challenges, and we’ll need one another to solve them.
That night, Kelly and I went to Xanadu for karaoke, headed to the Columbian Theater for the Tooth Decay variety show featuring our own Ward 4 Councilor Josh Conklin, and then went back for more karaoke. Apparently, I hadn’t done enough public speaking (singing) that week. I took Sunday off. This is a very busy month, but you still have to make time for family.
Today, I’m preparing for the Candidates’ Forum tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6, at 7 p.m. in the Astoria High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. I hope to see you there. Ninety seconds is a short time to answer questions about housing, homelessness, or the infrastructure beneath our streets. I’ll do my best to give clear, useful answers. But the conversation shouldn’t end when the timer does. If you see me before or after the forum, please stop me and tell me what’s on your mind. You may see something I’ve missed. You may have the solution our city needs.
Let’s get to work.
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