Dear Neighbor,

We won! The current numbers continue to give me over 70% of the vote, and therefore the Commissioner # 1 seat on the Portland City Council. Totally amazing, wonderful, delightful!

Thank you to:

1. You. Whether you volunteered in the office, contacted your friends, wore a button, hosted and/or delivered a yard sign, did sign-waving, wrote Letters to the Editor, prayed, collected $5 donations last year, sent me photographs, gave advice on policy issues, hosted an event, passed out literature, or did any of many other tasks, YOU made the difference. We had over 200 active volunteers in tasks organized by my staff, and thousands more who quietly told their friends, "You should vote for Amanda".

2. Linda Robinson and Tim Crail, who volunteered pretty much full time in both 2006 and 2008. People sometimes criticize me for being "too detail-oriented", but as a nurse, a mom, and a community organizer, I know that details matter. Giving the right medication. Getting children to do their homework and give it in on time. And making sure that data is accurate, that people and accounts are organized carefully. Linda and Tim have helped me in so many ways, over decades.

3. Ellen Miyo Ino Klaastad, my campaign manager. Talk about an outstanding community organizer! Ellen's work at the helm has been key to our success.

4. Jasun Wurster, Robert Wilson, Debra Porta, Amanda Mansfield, and Ted Gleichman. These folks staffed our office and also donated hundreds of hours of time and expertise to help achieve the win.

5. Super volunteers! Too many to list! I know who you are, though - folks who came into the office multiple times, who sign-waved almost continually for the past three weeks, who did whatever our team asked whether the task was great or small. You made this victory overwhelming.

6. Union power! What's great about my election, is that union power was evidenced by people power, not money. Feet on the street, literally. Again, I'm going to hold off on listing specific individuals or just a few of the eleven unions endorsing me -- but you should know I just typed several paragraphs remembering key volunteers, then erased them realizing this blog post could turn into a full-length book.

7. Elected officials and brand-name people/groups who supported me with their endorsements and with their willingness to inform and advise me. Oregon is well-served by many, many excellent people in public service - some famous, some working in agencies. And by people the private sector also creating good jobs, providing helpful research and analysis, and developing sustainable practices.

8. Lynn Siprelle, my wonderful webmaster, who has been my fairy blogmother for over three years, helping me with both this site and AmandaFritz.com. Hiram Sachs and Jim Hopkins at Sachs Communications, who produced our distinctive, fact-filled mailers; Tim Findlay at TGF Productions who created our uplifting TV commercials; Julie Keefe of Klicker-Keefe, our photographer; and Amy Simon, our pollster. It's not easy to capture a lifetime of service, and plans to help Portland in the next four years, in a short mailer or a 30-second commercial. My professional consultants helped me hit the ball out of the park. Joan Horton, accountant, and Hollywood Impress printing literature, are also great partners for a small business in Portland.

9. My family. Steve, Luke, Maxwell and Ali, and my parents-in-law Edward and Emily Fritz. And my UK family cheering me on by phone calls, emails, and prayers from England. Simply the best I could ever want.

10. Public Campaign Financing. I have been elected by the people of Portland. By the taxpayers of Portland, and volunteers some of whom don't even live in Portland, as well as by the voters. I will remember that, in every action, in every vote.

Thank you again for all your support, encouragement, and practical assistance. I will continue to need all three when I am in office. This is only the first step in bring Portland's many communities into City Hall in the most meaningful way ever. But wow, what a great first step!

Sincerely,

Amanda Fritz, RN
Commissioner-elect, Portland City Council

You are cordially invited to

Just Out blog notes, in a post titled, "You Know it's Election Eve 2008 when...

… Perma-smiling “Amanda Fritz for City Council” volunteers bearing signs are as ubiquitous as Salvation Army bell-ringers, dotting every corner of the city."

My volunteers are smiling because Portlanders are giving us great encouragement -- honking, waving, thumbs up and V signs, even showing completed ballots as they pass by. We aren't staying by the downtown bridges, although we've been there, too. I waved in seven locations today, starting in SW at Markham Elementary School before their opening bell, swinging through NW and traveling through unincorporated Washington County to Forest Heights, and ending as dusk fell at SE 122nd/San Rafael in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood. At every stop, kind Portlanders waved to show support.

Many thanks to Ellen, Ted, and Amanda M, my awesome community organizers; and Jim, Liz, Roger, Judy, Larry, Carol, Emily, Linda, Arlene, Bruce, Mark, Marilyn, another Mark, Alan, Joe, Don, Kelvin, Pam, Bill, Debbie, Roberta, Wendy, Jens, Lynne, another Linda, Jane, Ruth, Gwen, Tim, Wesley, Nicolette, Nicolette's sister, Ken, Kelly, Misty, Marianne, Mary, Will, Catherine, another Mary, Betsy, Alan, another Alan, Christine, Gilly, Chris and friend, Richard, Pat, another Chris, Mopsy, Robin, another Robin, and others who just showed up to help.

It's a lot colder, wetter, and darker than the Goldilocks campaigning conditions of September and October (ah, the good ol' days, when it was not too hot, not too cold, just right). But we are smiling, because we're seeing on the streets the success of our campaign.

I've been so busy zooming around town from event to event, I haven't had a moment to highlight last week's Hall Monitor column in the Portland Mercury before now. It's Amy Ruiz's summary of the hour we spent in the West Portland Park neighborhood before the SW Neighborhoods, Inc. forum three weeks ago. I'm going to copy it all below, as I greatly appreciate Amy's accurate and nuanced reporting.

"It's nearly dusk and Amanda Fritz is leading me into a small Southwest Portland forest, down a muddy, slick path. She can't help grinning as we stop to survey the scene. "I love this place," she sighs, pointing out the headwaters of Arnold Creek.

So Fritz is, as they say, cautiously optimistic. A Post-It stuck on her dashboard last Monday, October 20, outlines a full day of campaigning, ending with a SW Portland candidate forum. The optimistic side of her, however, has an eye on January: Tucked into her crammed campaign calendar are meetings with economic development and education experts, business owners, and high school students. She's not meeting with them to score a vote. She's consulting with her future constituents."

I especially appreciated that Amy correctly identified the name of the forest - Loll Wildwood, honoring a deputy sheriff who was shot by poachers near SW 35th/Arnold. And, I liked her recognition that if I win the election tomorrow, "economic development and education experts, business owners, and high school students" will all be my constituents. That's one of the best aspects of Public Campaign Financing. If elected, I will represent, listen, and respond to every Portlander, eastside or westside, Democrat/Republican/other, affluent or struggling, young through seniors. On this eve of Election Night, I so hope voters will give me that opportunity.

Photo by Julie Keefe

Terri Preeg Riggsby, a Director of the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, carried Caleb on her back when she canvassed with me earlier this year. I met Terri when she joined the Tryon Creek Watershed Council while I was chairing it, and she's taken the group to greater heights as my successor in that role.

Photo by Misty Dawn Keeney, aka Seamus Keeney's mom

Misty and Seamus were two of dozens of attendees at Amianne Delong's house party in Cathedral Park last month. Misty told me she'd been urged to vote for me by another friend, too. I love how connected people can be in Portland.

Why am I posting these photographs? Because these babies are cute! And I likely would not have had the chance to visit with them, if not for the campaign. I've met many, many other delightful Portlanders over the past 13 months, too. People who made me feel warm and valued (like babies do). People who've helped with tasks great and small (unlike babies). People who've shared information and opinions with me, broadening my horizons and knowledge base. People who've suspended disbelief, willing to give yet another candidate a chance to be different, to follow through on promises, to listen and respond and come back with solutions after the election.

You don't have to be little and cute, to be a wonderful part of Portland's family. Having raised my three, I am glad to be able to post photographs of me with other mothers' babies. I'm ready to devote my time and energy to helping all Portlanders, from the youngest to the oldest, and everyone in between.

The NW Examiner endorses Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council in the November 08 issue. Editor Allan Classen writes, lamenting the approval of the controversial parking structure in the Alphabet Historic District:

"The Council majority who took [developer Dick] Singer's side last month give no hint of understanding... I doubt most could even present a coherent explanation of what neighborhood opposition is about.

I am also convinced that she would not have remained silent on matters of energy and the environment, as this Council did in approving an auto-first transportation approach that defied everything it has espoused about safe, walkable neighborhoods."

In a review of the Candidate Forum in Linnton last month, Allan writes:

"City Council candidate Amanda Fritz ... showed the difference 17 years of experience with city government can make. Fritz, 50, gave authoritative answers on issues weighted towards land-use and Linnton concerns, while Lewis, 36, revealed only superficial knowledge of those issues... [Amanda is] a candidate with years of experience as both a neighborhood advocate and a government official (as a Planning Commission member for seven years) who may be better versed and more articulate on these issues than anyone now on City Council."

Thank you, NW Examiner! And thank you, NW resident Chris Smith, former candidate, for endosing me and co-hosting a power Meet-and-Greet at Cafe Reese this afternoon. I am very happy to have strong support in NW, and in SW, Downtown, North, inner SE, outer SE, inner NE, and outer NE Portland. We share common values and common goals, and I am honored with every supporter's hope that I can help bring positive change in our big, diverse city.

Photo by Julie Keefe

Earlier this week, I received an e-mail from Bernard Nnoli, RN, seen on the left of this photo. He is Charge Nurse of the team I work with, alternate weekends on the inpatient Psychiatry unit at OHSU. Also pictured, Sadie Hanks, RN, who joined our staff a few years ago after working at Hooper Detox, and Russ Perkins, Mental Health Therapist. I've worked with Russ for over 22 years. Michelle and Garrett, who were working and couldn't be in the photograph but are staunch Amanda Supporters, round out our six-person team.

Bernard wrote to tell me that my coworkers at OHSU are thinking of and praying for me, that they miss me during my leave of absence, and that many staff members are working tirelessly to tell their friends and neighbors about my campaign. He signed the note, "Your PM crew."

Several weeks ago, a card arrived in my home mailbox with handwriting I recognized instantly, but hadn't seen for two decades. It was from Karen, one of the nurses I supervised and worked alongside when I was one of the clinical managers at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY.

"We're having a reunion of the best team there ever was on 2-9200", she wrote. "The years you were with us set the bar, and I'm getting everyone from that era together for brunch. I got your address from Pat, and I found your blog - it's great! We'd love it if you drop everything and come to the party, but if you can't we'll call and put you on the speakerphone."

Taking the weekend off didn't seem like a viable option in the last month of the campaign, so we talked by phone as they partied that Sunday morning. I could hear the enthusiasm in each voice as the phone was passed around. A dozen or so coworkers who still love me, 22 years after I moved here to Portland, and I them.

Some people ask me why being a Registered Nurse prepares me to serve on the Portland City Council. Of course, my community involvement experience, including seven years' service on the Planning Commission, is more relevant. But nurses work hard. We help people identify problems and figure out ways to solve them, to live happier, healthier lives. We pay attention to details that can make the difference between life and death. We focus on the needs of the person, putting aside individual caregivers' opinions to implement treatment plans decided by the Care Management Team - which includes the patient. We understand that providing good care depends on a cohesive, positive team that models a highly functional family.

That's the kind of leadership I want to provide in City Hall.

Campaigns are busy with Get Out The Vote activities, including calling known supporters who have not yet had their ballot recorded by County elections. Note: If you want to avoid receiving those phone calls from multiple campaigns, place your completed, signed ballot in a drop box at a County library or other approved site, at your earliest opportunity. Here's a report e-mailed from one of my volunteers making calls at our office:

"Woman answered phone. When we identified ourselves she said, "I knew it." Sound of phone to held up in the air. She bellowed, "I told you Amanda's team would call!! And what do we say?!?"

Woman explained that it was a family dinner ballot party. 30 people just voted for Amanda Fritz for City Council."

Thank you, big happy thoughtful family! I am glad I am your choice.

And thank you, the veteran drinking beer alone at the bar at Dante's Inferno downtown on Burnside, Tuesday evening. I was there as a guest of The Ed Forman Show, at the end of my 15-hour work day. As I waited to be called on stage, I reviewed my options for who to talk to. Even after 13 months of campaigning, I am not good at schmoozing. So I decided against trying to intrude at any of the tables with groups of two or three young people merrily engaged with each other, and instead perched on a bar stool next to an older man sitting by himself. I introduced myself with the now-automatic "I'm Amanda Fritz, I'm running for City Council", but I could tell he couldn't hear my name well over the noise of the crowd. So I proceeded to the standard "Do you come here often?" line (hey, I assume it's standard, I haven't made conversation with a stranger in a bar for about 30 years). We chatted. He told me he served in Germany in the 60s, brought a brother home from Vietnam in a body bag. Worked as a Teamster and as a school janitor. Then he said, "You look familiar. What did you say your name is?". I repeated my standard intro. A big smile spread over his face. "I voted for you", he said.

This week, passersby on SE 122nd, SW Broadway by PSU, SE 82nd, SE Grand, and N Rosa Parks, have smiled at me, waved, given thumbs up, honked, yelled that they voted for me. A week ago, a driver circled the block at a sign-wave on SE Powell to tell me he did. A pedestrian stopped yesterday, telling me her son who has never taken much interest in politics is enthusiastic about me because he follows my other blog. Walkers sometimes ask questions at sign-wavings about my opinions on issues, and generally nod, satisfied, with my answers. My volunteers and staff have sign-waved at many locations all over Portland, morning and evening throughout the voting period, and report similar enthusiasm and support, even when I'm not there with my "Hi, I'm Amanda" sign (thanks again to the sign's creator, Jasun Wurster). Thank you, each person who reacts positively to my volunteers and me, for your support and encouragement.

The veteran drinking a beer by himself at Dante's, and the big family holding a home ballot party. Streams of passersby in cars, trucks, on bikes and on foot, all over Portland. Blog readers at home. It is good to know so many people have voted already, and especially comforting to know some of those who voted for me.

Let's continue to work hard to outreach to still more voters, over the last five days of the campaign.

Please invite your friends and neighbors to visit with me this weekend:

* Saturday 10 - 11 am, Bipartisan Cafe, 7901 SE Stark

* Sunday 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Twin Paradox, 8609 SE 17th

Also, groups of Amanda supporters will be waving with signs, all over Portland, almost continually during daylight hours (and a few after dark :), through Tuesday evening. Portlanders appreciate that my campaign has been, is, and will continue to be present in neighborhoods in every part of the city - they honk, wave, stop and chat. Please call the office, 503-235-2295, to volunteer to join the fun.

I love my family. My family loves me. Many Portlanders know my husband and children better than they know me, and there may be voters still weighing options, who know me more as "Luke's mom", "Maxwell's mom", and/or "Ali's mom" than "Amanda Fritz". So here are a couple of family photos for the record. to increase the scope of the personal connections that are so important in our Portland community. These photographs illustrate that I am not only "The most well-informed candidate for City Hall in years" (Willamette Week endorsement, 10/15/08), I am also the proud mother of three wonderful graduates of Portland Public Schools, and even-more-in-love-after-26-years wife of awesome Steve Fritz. The photograph above was taken in August, at Sylvania Natural Area Park near PCC Sylvania in SW Portland - an area stewarded by PCC instructor and Amanda-supporter April Ann Fong.

The one below was taken on Christmas Day - see the snow outside our living room window. Obviously, we had a bit of fun with this one, subtitling it: "Shameless Pandering". For the record, however, all garments worn were already in our closets.

Luke, Steve, Amanda, Ali, Maxwell

I am also the loved and loving daughter-in-law of Colonels Edward and Emily Fritz, who live at CherryWood Village in East Portland. You may have seen them in our TV commercials.

I don't talk about my background or family much in the campaign, because I spend valuable time talking about Portland, and specifically what I will do to help solve problems in our city. Nonetheless, I am happy to be part of a supportive nuclear family... and to have seven Fritz family votes secured.

It's a phrase with new meaning for me, in these last few days of my 13-month campaign for the open Commissioner # 1 seat on the Portland City Council. I am grateful for every person who has given me encouragement and practical assistance, one-time or long term. Recently:

* The volunteers who packed our office, two weekends earlier in October, before they walked neighborhoods in NW, SW, North, inner NE, outer NE, inner SE, and outer SE, delivering literature to doorsteps.

* The man who when he saw me with my team waving on the corner of SE 39th and Powell, drove around the block to tell me he voted for me.

* The Precision Sticker Sticking Team, amending thousands of pieces of literature to add information about new endorsements and upcoming public appearances in specific neighborhoods. Each time I hand out literature with a sticker customizing the piece, I remember the helping hands working behind the scenes to make our outreach up-to-date and accurate. I am proud that we used up literature left over from earlier in the campaign. I'm pleased that it wasn't wasted, and also that my core message has stayed consistent and is even more relevant in today's tightening economy.

* Strangers who are no longer strangers, because you've stopped in your busy day to send me a note of encouragement, or ask a question via email.

* Community leaders and interest groups who are willing to suspend disbelief, and give me the chance to prove that I might be different from the politicians who ask for meetings before the election, then don't come back until re-election races loom. People who are open to finding out if what they've read or heard about me is actually who I am. Folks who recognize that I am open to learning new information and revising my opinions in response, and who value that approach to figuring out solutions to complex problems.

* The PSU student who made a point to tell me after the debate there on Friday, that I won his vote with my answer, "I don't know, I'm not familiar with that program, I'll find out more and get back to you". And who then agreed to give my contact information to those working on the project in the question.

* Everyone who smiles, honks, waves, gestures with digits other than the middle, or yells "I voted for you!" when we are waving to passersby at intersections. It was especially fun to see a driver roll down his window and show he was wearing my button, while waving at NE 82nd/Glisan yesterday.

* Supporters who came to debates featuring the candidates for City Council, wearing Amanda buttons. You already know who you're voting for, and you gave your time to smile encouragement to me, and to talk with your neighbors in the audience.

* Audience members at those debates, who came up to me afterwards to tell me, "You won my vote". After sitting for extended periods, and listening to answers that can be dry and wonky, the natural instinct might be to buzz off home as quickly as possible. It was kind of you to let me know that my effort to give clear, constructive answers was noted and helpful.

* The Cathedral School parent who re-introduced himself in the elevator of a downtown office tower, saying, "You gained a lot of friends when you came to our forum and hit the ball out of the park in the primary." I liked hearing that, of course, but even more, his comment reminded me of the enthusiastic little girls who treated me like a rock star at that event. Candidates Gone Wild notwithstanding, I am not a rock star, nor do I want to be. I loved seeing the enthusiasm of young girls for a woman who is prepared to succeed in the male-dominated world of politics, and meeting students who clearly understand and value why civic engagement is important.

* Volunteers who help set up and staff Meet-and-Greet events all over Portland, and citizens who come to them with questions and suggestions.

* Amianne Delong, a woman who I last saw as a teenager in my girls' group at the Salvation Army 20 years ago, who stood smiling at me when I arrived at the St. Johns Booksellers Meet-and-Greet a few weeks ago. She'd received one of those stickered announcements of the event, and came to offer her support. Last night, she gathered dozens of her friends at a houseparty for me. So much encouragement there. "I already voted for you - I vote based on the Voters' Pamphlet, and your endorsements stand out." "I heard about you from a friend who is in a Poli-Sci class you spoke at. He says the students love you." "I heard you on KBOO, you make a lot of sense." "I work at the City, we need you because you pay attention to details and listen to workers." "I heard you at the City Club and decided to vote for you then."

All very encouraging, very much appreciated.

But I am also hearing from folks that sometimes they talk to some friends, and find they have never heard of me or my opponent. So let's keep working hard through November 4, kind Portlanders who want to see a new Commissioner in City Hall who will bring people together.

* Keep wearing your Amanda button.
* Sign up for a sign-waving shift next weekend.
* Stop by the office if you can find a location for one of the last remaining yard signs.
* Make some phone calls this afternoon, or send a supportive email to your friends, if those tasks haven't risen to the top of your To Do list before now.

I continue to need your help to win the election, just as I will continue to need your help to achieve the goals we share in City Hall. Help make my day on November 4. If all of us continue working as hard as humanly possible, hopefully it will be a good day for many, many Portlanders, Oregonians, and people across the country.

Because some people have voted, others not, I won't be knocking on any more doors from now thru November 4. Instead, this weekend and next, I will be waiting to meet YOU at coffee shops and eateries in varied parts of Portland. YOU, whether you are an undecided voter, or if you have already voted for me and want to tell me what you hope I will accomplish in City Hall. Please stop by one of the Meet-and-Greets to say hello and ask any questions you may have.

This Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. to noon:

Saturday, October 25, 3 - 4:30 p.m

Sunday, October 26, 3 - 4 p.m.

Mid-week:

Wednesday, October 29, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Next weekend:

Saturday, November 1, 10 - 11 a.m.

Saturday, November 1, 1 - 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 1, 3 - 4 p.m.

Sunday November 2, afternoon, time and location to be arranged, in Sellwood

The Portland State University Daily Vanguard announced endorsements today.

"Amanda Fritz, a registered nurse, is on the ballot due to Portland's run-off rule. She clobbered her opponent Charles Lewis 43 percent to 13 percent, but did not win since she received less than 50 percent of the vote. Fritz would fund basic services first, ensuring the city's infrastructure continues to function. She is a friend to small businesses and would help guide the city through the tough economic times ahead. Also, Fritz would fight to keep City Hall transparent and accountable."

I don't use the verb in the last sentence myself (I don't "fight", I work, push, collaborate), but I surely appreciate Portland State students' endorsement. Thank you, Vanguard staff!

We've pioneered many new ways of reaching out to Portlanders in this campaign.

* With the help of 106 volunteers, I collected over a thousand $5 donations in 91 of the city's 95 neighborhoods, to qualify for Public Campaign Financing.

* In Meet-and-Greet events last fall to gather $5 contributions, in the Spring before the primary, and in the final weeks of voting, I've sat in coffee shops, stores, and eateries at published times, to be available to voters in the places you hang out, rather than asking you to come to meetings.

* Since February, I've knocked on doors in close to 50 neighborhoods, using a technique we call the "Personal Canvass". Instead of looking at data about voter registration, high-visibility streets, and high voter turnout areas, to target the "best" areas to canvass, I've knocked on doors near where my supporters live. The volunteer with me introduces me to his/her neighbors. So rather than the standard doorstep patter of stilted campaign information the resident may or may not want to hear, our script says, "Hi, I'm _____, I live down the street, you've probably seen me with my dog/truck/kids/weeds. This is my friend Amanda Fritz, she's running for City Council. I just wanted to introduce you." Then the neighbor smiles, because after all, this isn't some random canvasser they'll never see again, this is their neighbor down the street. And I hand over the literature, point out they can contact me directly if they have any questions, and we move on. With this technique, I like canvassing. I love meeting my friends' neighbors and walking in their neighborhoods. In previous campaigns when I've cold-knocked, people often weren't friendly. In this campaign, only a very few have been grumpy. And hey, I'm grumpy sometimes, too.

So now, it's the final two weeks of my 13-month campaign. And we are doing sign-waving with a new energy, intensity, and strategy. What is sign-waving, you ask? That's where people who would not normally stand on street corners holding signs, gather during morning and evening rush hours to stand with the Amanda banner and wave to motorists, transit passengers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. It's important because it reminds passersby, "Oh, right, I need to mail in my ballot". It shows my ongoing commitment to being present in all 95 neighborhoods and 35 business districts. And it tells Portlanders that Amanda Fritz is a real person with real friends and supporters, and we believe in our cause so much that we will stand on street corners in 96 degree heat, pouring rain, and freezing cold, if that's what it takes to capture the voters' attention.

Most campaigns stand at the ends of the downtown bridges. We'll be at those locations, sometimes (and yes, cyclists and walkers/runners, we'll be careful not to obstruct your route). We will also be waving at more than 30 locations, all over Portland. We have more than 60 shifts scheduled, since each 7 - 9 a.m. and 4 - 6 p.m. weekday we'll have at least two teams, at different sites. We'll be waving on Saturdays, too, near shopping areas, and at sports and school events, political rallies, etc. When I say on the Volunteer page that there will be a sign-waving scheduled near your home, I mean it.

Sign-waving is very fun, for volunteers and for me. People smile, wave, honk, give the thumbs up or victory sign. Yesterday when I was waving at SE 12th/Hawthorne, a union organizer I haven't seen for a while since she's been working so hard on other campaigns, and later a friend I haven't seen for a year, came over and gave me a hug. Your results may vary. Call the office, 503-235-2295, and sign up for a Sign-Waving shift. Join our citywide team! You can wave for a half hour if that's all the time you can spare. You can bring a chair if you need to sit. If you've been meaning to volunteer with my campaign, and just haven't been able to find the time, please call now and sign up for sign-waving.

People who question whether the public schools in Portland are educating students to prepare for the jobs of the 21st Century, should try visiting our city's high schools. At the end of the 2008 academic year, I served on a panel of judges for some of Parkrose High School's "Senior Projects". As a graduation requirement, each student is required to choose and complete an independent study project, partnering with a community mentor. One student interned at a pet clinic, learning animal care and confirming her resolve to seek a career in that field. One achieved awards in stage makeup, pioneering new techniques with plastics and paints by taking a class at Mt. Hood Community College. He certainly achieved a head start in his chosen profession. Another designed and built a picnic table, with the intent of becoming a carpenter. Despite completing a beautiful piece of furniture, the experience helped her decide to pursue other goals post-graduation. A fourth started a peer support group for students who have experience sexual abuse... and in the view of this psychiatric nurse, she did an excellent job of it. I left Parkrose that June Saturday morning very impressed with the students and staff.

Last Friday, I returned to Madison High School, where on two previous occasions I've had the honor of speaking with Matt Sten's social studies class.

A nice welcoming gesture

In the primary, I chose to go to Madison on my 50th birthday, because I wanted to spend that special day doing actions that have helped me learn on the way to that milestone. Being an active parent volunteer for 17 years has shaped my approach to life in general, as well my commitment to city-schools partnerships. For the runoff, my schedule was so packed that I wasn't able to visit Madison until the day ballots arrived. Once again, I was enormously impressed with the engagement and knowledge of the students in Portland's public schools. They asked excellent questions, and gave insightful answers when I asked for their comments. They were kind and respectful, and there was no element of "gotcha" in any of their questions - they weren't trying to catch me out, they sincerely wanted to know more about who I am and why I am the more qualified candidate to serve on the Portland City Council.

I asked to be invited back early in 2009, if elected, to listen to their concerns and suggestions as well as report on my first few weeks as a City Commissioner. That is now one more reason I hope you and all your friends vote for me.

Another newspaper that endorsed me in the primary confirms ongoing support with renewed endorsement. Thank you, Just Out team!

The Skanner community newspaper has announced its endorsement of my candidacy. Thank you, everyone at The Skanner!

Banner on the Portland Spirit, thanks to supporter Dan Yates

Photograph by Robert Wilson

Thank you also to the members of the Portland Business Alliance - I heard today their organization has endorsed me. I am very happy that such a broad range of individuals and advocacy groups supports my priorities and values my experience in preparation for serving on the Portland City Council. Please add your name to my Supporters list, if it isn't there already.

The Portland Mercury endorsed me in their print edition today!

"What can come across as nit-picky devotion to process is actually her biggest strength in disguise: Fritz is intensely principled. She knows exactly what she stands for and what she'd like to do as a city commissioner — ensure basic services for every city neighborhood, see to it that all corners of the city are treated equally, and follow up on city actions to see if they're working as planned. Will she ask tough questions? Absolutely. Will she hold things up for the sake of excessive process? We don't think so.

"We've come to see her strong and clear values as an asset, a focused lens through which she'll efficiently assess both broad city projects and budget line items, before arriving at the right decision for the city as a whole. And then she'll see that it gets done. Frankly, now that we've figured out Fritz, we're excited to unleash her on the council (and especially on Commissioner Randy Leonard; Fritz's future office shares a door with Leonard's, and we're giddy over the idea that she'll barge through it regularly, to insist he back up his schemes with facts, figures, and transparency)."

"Fritz is more than ready to take on city hall, and we're ready to get behind her 100 percent. Vote for her."

Thank you, Mercury editors and reporters!

Five months after we pioneered Portland's first Campaign Bike Flag, here is the accessory that car and truck drivers have been eagerly awaiting: the Amanda for Portland 2008 Car Window Sign!

Click on attachment, below at the end of the post, to download. Print, cut lengthways, insert one in each rear side window of your automobile. Show your support everywhere you go!

Many thanks to supporter Mitch Gould for preparing the pdf file, and Steve Fritz for converting it to a jpg for this post.

Willamette Week endorsed me again today!

"Fritz, a nurse in the psych ward at Oregon Health & Science University, has been toiling in the trenches of city issues for years... She served seven years on the planning commission and is as omnipresent at community meetings as public-access TV."

"Fritz can listen, learn and adapt. These are fine traits in anyone—and crucial traits in leaders."

"Philosophically, and on most issues, Fritz and Lewis agree: The city should stick to the basics. ... But their most important difference is that Fritz is much, much better informed about how Portland works."

Thank you, Willamette Week editors and reporters!

.... YOU can do, right now, to help elect Amanda Fritz to the Portland City Council

1) Make sure your name is listed on the Supporters page! People who know and trust you will want to find out more about Amanda Fritz after they read your name on the Big Ol' List. Contact Robert to add your name.

2) Send an email to all your friends who live in Portland, telling them you support Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council. Send them the link to the Oregonian endorsement, if you need a shortcut. It's especially effective if you speak from your heart about your own reasons for supporting me.

3) Help us run out of our dwindling stock of yard signs! Call the office, 503-235-2295, if you don't have a yard sign, or drop in to pick one up (check the Volunteer page for office hours). We have just a few dozen left, and I'd like every one to be placed in a home or business before Friday.

4) Pick up postcards to send to your friends in Portland - come in to the office, 3525 NE Broadway, just of the 33rd Avenue exit of I-84E or 43rd Avenue exit of I-84W. If you like, bring your address books and write them out while you're at the office enjoying the company of other delightful volunteers.

5) Write Letters to the Editor - fire off an email to the Oregonian, applauding their endorsement!

Willamette Week's endorsement goes to print Monday (mzusman@wweek.com) and the Tribune (TribLetters@PortlandTribune.com) and Mercury (LoveNotes@PortlandMercury.com) on Tuesday. Letters to those editors would be helpful, too! Please send a different note to each, rather than one to all.

6) Plan to Host a Meet-and-Greet at a coffee shop or neighborhood gathering place in your neighborhood, the final two weekends of voting! Call Amanda Mansfield at the office for details and scheduling.

7) Sign up for Sign Waving! Morning and evening, every day of voting, we will have teams on street corners waving. There will be one near your home! Very fun! You can bring a chair if you need to sit while waving - everyone is welcome and needed. Call the office to sign up for a shift - experienced sign-wavers believe you'll want to do another, once you've tried it.

8) Keep informed! Email Linda to sign up for the e-newsletter to be notified of upcoming events where lots of participants are needed, and/or call the office if you can give a couple of hours this weekend, or the next, or the next....

9) Keep wearing your Amanda for Portland button! Call the office, 503-235-2295, if you need one. When someone comments on your button, tell them:

Amanda is running to:

* Make sure the City Council spends taxpayers' money wisely and stops expensive overruns. She will work so that all 95 neighborhoods and 35 business districts have basic services including public safety, safe streets and sidewalks, and good schools.

* Support our Schools. Amanda has been an active PTA member in Portland Public Schools for 17 years, and earned the endorsement of the Portland Association of Teachers. She will support programs that help families stay in Portland.

10) Stay positive! Let's continue to honor Public Campaign Financing by emphasizing Amanda Fritz's strengths in experience, knowledge, and community support.

Do you notice how many times I wrote "Amanda Fritz" in that summary? Please help get that name out, over the final 23 days of the campaign.

Oregon's largest newspaper, The Oregonian, endorsed me today. The link is here, for a couple of weeks until the article is consigned to paid archives. Some highlights:

"The psychiatric nurse and community activist would be a smart and polished addition to City Hall"

"Come January, the many lenses through which she views Portland should click sharply into focus in what we hope will be her new leadership role, as a Portland city commissioner. Her multiple perspectives, prodigious energy, breadth and depth of knowledge of city issues have earned her the trust of city voters -- and a seat at City Hall."

"Fritz knows the city backwards and forwards."

We could get used to that. Portland voters could use some of that, right about now."

Thank you, Oregonian Editorial Board. I will continue working hard in my positive, issue-oriented campaign to win the election, and then I will work hard to apply my experience and skills to help solve the many challenges facing Portland.

State Representative Carolyn Tomei discusses health care with me

Photograph by Debbie Runciman

Over the summer, I presented comments from the perspective of a longtime health care provider, at a "Health Care Roundtable for Women & Families" forum organized by Oregonians for Health Security. Congressman Earl Blumenauer gave the keynote address - it's good to be reminded we have representatives at the federal level pressing for better health care solutions. Representative Tomei and Representative Diane Rosenbaum (both of whom have honored me with their endorsement) then gave reports on progressive health care legislation passed by the Oregon Legislature in recent years, and plans for the upcoming session in 2009. Then many ordinary, extraordinary citizens told their stories of struggles and challenges getting health care and paying for insurance. It was a moving, meaningful event.

Yesterday, I participated in a meeting of the 2008 Oregon Women's Health and Wellness Alliance. Led by Representatives Tomei and Rosenbaum, this group of health care providers and advocates is working to identify the Top Ten priorities for women's health care, for the 2009 Legislative session. So many needs, so little funding. I greatly appreciate the smart, value-driven people working for improvements in our flawed system.

Providing health care is not a core responsibility of the City of Portland, but availability and affordability of health care affects every Portlander. Health care costs for both insured and uninsured Oregonians must be contained to ensure funding of other basic services. I will work with the state and counties to ensure a more seamless, cost-effective system with fewer gaps in coverage. Many elected officials who've honored me with their support are enthusiastic about the prospect of a Registered Nurse being elected to the Portland City Council. Nurses work hard, we prioritize, and we know the importance of achieving and documenting results. And of course, we care about people, and finding solutions that promote healthy, happy living.

I filed to run for Portland City Commissioner on October 4, 2007. The election ends on November 4, 2008. I marked the anniversaries today by:

* Volunteering with gardening workparties in Arbor Lodge (North) and Glenfair (outer Northeast).

Arbor Lodge Park is a Pesticides Free Park, located in North Portland. I've helped with weeding there before, but I'll be at the opening ceremonies for two new additions to the program soon, and it would feel disingenuous to show up for the publicity without having given any practical support recently. So I cleared grass from five tree wells there, before heading out to NE 153rd and Glisan to help with the courtyard garden cleanup at Glenfair Elementary. I learned about that project when visiting the Glenfair Neighborhood Association last week. Organized in partnership with the SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) program, it was heartwarming to see teachers and parents working side by side. And as usual, I learned a lot, while ripping up crab grass roots, pruning a runaway rose, and even finding a tiny strand of ivy to pull (bringing my total to 21 neighborhoods where I've pulled the horrible scourge). Teacher Christopher Pierce told me of research showing children who learn to read in their native language, learn to read English faster than those who are taught to read English before the language they speak at home. Something to think about when voting on those ballot measures.

* Knocking on doors in Lents (outer Southeast) and Eastmoreland (inner Southeast).

Many differences, just 50 blocks apart in neighborhoods off Woodstock Boulevard. Folks in Lents truly happy to see a candidate on their doorstep, those in Eastmoreland mostly resigned to answering yet another canvass knock - although several residents in both places recognized me and let me know they are enthusiastic supporters. Very encouraging. Many similarities in concerns voiced. Public safety. Streets and sidewalks. Equity, and helping the City Council get along so decisions focus on shared goals. Thank you, Wendy Foster and Roger Anthony for introducing me to your neighbors.

* Discussing important issues with neighbors at a houseparty in Madison South (Northeast).

Dawn (Tryon) Rasmussen is a wonderful community leader. Thoughtful, positive, energetic, and able to see both the big picture and the need to attend to details. It was no surprise that the neighbors and friends who attended her houseparty were similarly smart, engaged citizens. A good end to a long but productive day.

Tomorrow, Sunday 10/5/08, I'll be at a

Please stop by and chat if you are in the area. Later Sunday, I'll be at a houseparty in Laurelhurst then knocking on doors in Centennial.

What are you doing this Sunday, and the next day, and the next day? Please wear your Amanda Fritz for Portland City Council button, wherever you go!

The process of running for office feels a little like being pregnant. Trying my hardest to do everything right; doing my homework to prepare for events before and after the due date. And hoping, hoping everything turns out well on November 4.

I looked up which animal has a 13 month gestation period....

The zebra.

A Willamette Week article last week brought wry amusement to my staff, volunteers, and me, when it said I have attended an average of 9 campaign appearances per week since the beginning of August. Evidently, the reporter's definition of "campaign event" is different from ours. I counted 62 public engagements in August, which with 31 days on the month works out at exactly 14 per week. That's not counting meetings over the summer with 47 influential people and community leaders, who generously gave me their time to share their viewpoint and expertise.

Here is a list of my public activities in the 16 days since my last blog post:

* Lents Park Woody Guthrie tribute concert
* Visit to Fire Station 11 to meet with some of my Fire Fighters' Local 43 supporters
* Healy Heights neighborhood picnic in SW
* Swift watch at Chapman School in NW
* Neighborhood Town Hall at Vestal School in SE to address prostitution on 82nd Avenue
* Briefing with Portland Housing Center Board
* Multnomah Youth Commission induction ceremony
* Candidate forum at Forest Park Neighborhood Association in NW
* Drop-in visits to meetings in Argay (NE), University Park (N), Glenfair (SE), and Laurelhurst (NE)
* Sullivan's Gulch-Gateway Greenway tour (NE) with Metro
* City Council Colwood rezoning hearing
* Multnomah County OLCV fundraiser
* Meeting with Activistas, activist moms group
* Oregon Action candidate forum on racial profiling
* City Club debate
* Meet-and-Greet at Reflections on Killingsworth at MLK
* Houseparty in SW downtown (thank you, Dennis!)
* Tour of Central City Concern facilities (eastside and westside)
* Ride Share celebration at Eastport Plaza
* NE Republican Women monthly lunch
* PSU Recreation Center beam-signing event
* Houseparty in Argay (thank you, Willie!)
* Tour of Portland Adventist Community Services facility at NE 110th/Halsey
* Metro Policy Advisory Committee meeting
* Gallery party in NW (thank you, Kaebel and Carol!)
* Canvassing key supporters' neighbors in Vernon (NE - thank you, Sean!) and Overlook (N - thank you, Steve!)
* People Celebrating People gathering at Reflections
* House party in Sullivan's Gulch, NE (thank you, Dave!)
* House party in Willamette Heights, NW (thank you, Debbie!)
* Premier of "Pig Roast and Tank of Fish", Ivy Lin's excellent documentary, at Someday Lounge in Old Town Chinatown
* Citywide Land Use Group meeting with Mayor-elect Sam Adams discussing the Portland Plan and Streetcar futures
* Presentation to the Women's Law Caucus, Lewis & Clark College in SW (thank you, Saba!)
* Creative Capacity Town Hall at Portland Northwest College of Art
* Walk to End Alzheimer's with the Pacific Gardens team

Photo by volunteer using Gary Witteman's camera
Can you spot me? As always, note that those featured in the photograph may or may not be signed up as Amanda supporters.

In addition to these public events, I met with nine leaders/groups in business, legislative, and community organizing fields, and participated in five endorsement interviews. So, that's 52 events in 16 days. I think you can see why my staff and volunteers wondered why the Willamette Week reporter wrote that not much is happening in this race. When you look over that list, I hope you see evidence of a woman working as hard as humanly possible both to win the election, and to prepare to do good work as your next City Commissioner.

Saturday September 13, I campaigned non-stop from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., all on the east side of the river. First, I helped with the kick-off for a Bus Project canvass celebrating women elected officials, in the company of State Representatives Diane Rosenbaum, Mary Nolan, and Jackie Dingfelder, who have all endorsed me. I was introduced to the crowd by Congresswoman Darlene Hooley. I live in her district, but I've never had a chance to talk with her before and greatly enjoyed meeting her.

Congresswoman Darlene Hooley and Amanda at Bus Project kick-off event

Photograph by nice Bus Project volunteer using my camera phone

Too bad the wind on the Esplanade made my hair stick up. I get a lot of feedback on my hair from caring supporters. This is as good as it gets, folks. Like the rest of me, it isn't afraid to buck some traditional norms.

At the Bus Project canvass kick-off event, I spoke about the 56-day OHSU nurses strike in 2001-2. We (mostly women) university RNs stopped hospitals from laying off nurses and endangering patients' lives, and our strike gave Oregon nurses living wages. That strike was settled in part because of intervention by Governor Kitzhaber and the Legislature, illustrating why it is important for Oregonians to keep voting all the way down the ballot to State races ... and City Council.

From the riverfront, I hurried to the Green Dragon pub at SE 9th/Belmont for another Bus Project kick-off, this one for a Voter Registration drive. I talked about collecting $5 donations to qualify for Public Campaign Financing -- one donation at a time. We will win this election, one vote at a time. Have you told one new person about our campaign this week?

After the Bus Project events, I zoomed to the Foster Street Fair, meeting up with volunteers who staffed our campaign outreach there all day. Then, on to the Alberta Street Fair and parade, where many clapped and yelled, "Yay, Amanda!", and along one stretch of the route dozens of spectators burst into applause and cheers. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement, folks.

Amanda in the Alberta Street parade

Photograph by Robert Wilson

My day in the community ended yesterday with a delightful walk knocking on doors in the Sullivan's Gulch neighborhood, with supporter David Galaty. Today, I'll be visiting the Lents, Arnold Creek, Healy Heights, and Northwest District Association neighborhoods.

Working on both winning the election and preparing to be in office is double the challenge, but it certainly makes for fascinating events over the course of a week. From Monday to Friday, just some of the engagements completed on my calendar:

* Business Owners and Managers Association
* Oregon Health Fund Board Community Forum
* Montavilla Neighborhood Association
* Portland Fire Fighters' Association membership meeting
* Belmont Area Business Association
* Historic Mississippi Avenue Business Association
* The Gathering, North Portland leaders, at Roosevelt High School
* Portland Area Business Association
* Meet-and-Greet at Reflections at MLK/Killingsworth
* Metro Policy Advisory Committee
* Kenton Neighborhood Association
* Portland Women's Crisis Line fundraiser
* Oregon Environmental Council 40th Anniversary celebration

On 9/11, I took off my campaign button, and attended just three events. I stopped by the Historic Belmont Fire Station at SE 35th and Belmont. I attended the Gateway Area Business Association's 9/11 tribute, hosting public safety officers at a lunch at 111th Square. Then I sat in on the City Council hearing for the Calcagno Measure 49 claim, a case I've followed since the zoning on the property was changed during the St. Johns Neighborhood Plan recommended by the Planning Commission in 2003. I wanted to see it through to the final decision. There are many issues currently being discussed in the community, for which I want to be a voting member of the Council when the final decisions are made. That's why I continue to work so hard, both to win the election and to be prepared in January.

Storm Large, amazing entertainer; Jon Turino, Executive Director of the Alliance of Portland Neighborhood Business Associations; Amanda and Sam

Photograph by Bryan Grimes

Usual note: Not everyone pictured in this photograph has endorsed me... but in this case...

Sam Adams, Mayor-elect of Portland, has endorsed me. The photograph was taken Wednesday 9/3, at his 45th birthday party at the Blitz in the Pearl, just before he announced he is supporting my candidacy for election to the Portland City Council. He said something like, "Amanda is passionate about doing good things for Portland. I want Amanda on the City Council next year, to keep doing good things."

I am thrilled with Sam's endorsement. I'm excited about the prospect of joining the four men who will be on the Council in January - I know from past experience that I can work with each one, I can challenge each one, I can help the Council make better decisions. I can disagree without being disagreeable, to borrow Sam's phrase. I am glad Sam Adams believes I can do all those things, too.

I just worked what might be my last shift ever taking care of patients on the inpatient psychiatry unit at OHSU. I'm taking another unpaid leave of absence from my job starting September 1, and I will resign if I win in November. City Council members work full time, and the Charter forbids concurrent employment or business pursuits. I hope to be able to volunteer enough hours doing skilled nursing activities to keep up my license, but that won't be the same as doing regular 8-hour swing-shift patient care assignments.

I have worked in hospitals as a staff nurse for 27 years, since I earned my RN license in 1981. I've worked at OHSU for 22 of those years. I love nursing. I love helping to heal and finding solutions to difficult problems, I love my wonderful coworkers and providing expert care by efficient teamwork, I love teaching and learning in the university environment. Walking out into the suddenly-fall night air at midnight today, I thought to myself, "Really? You're really doing this?". It felt very much like walking out at the end of my shift on December 16, 2001, wondering if the OHSU nurses would be going out on strike at 6 a.m. the next day.

We did. And we stayed out for nearly two months, and we won.

I don't know what the next two months will bring, or what the outcome on November 4 will be. I know I am ready to run with perseverence the race that is set before me. And that the skills and experience I've earned in being a nurse will continue to help me to help others, whatever I do and wherever I go.