I acknowledge my past goading of Amanda to take a stand on the Flynn-Blackmer audit and the glaring inequities in our public schools. To her credit, she rose to the challenge, and addressed the Portland City Council on this issue when they met at Jefferson High in January.

While her initial response was typical of white liberals in Portland, when pressed to really dig into the issue, she came out on the right side of it. I think that is impressive, and shows a candidate who is willing and able to think issues through and evolve her policy positions accordingly.

I don’t think Smith’s record is nearly as varied and deep as Amanda’s. He’s been a tireless supporter of the streetcar, a project that continues to spend millions of tax dollars promoting high-end condo development in the central city, yet does nothing to solve real transportation issues for regular people living in the neighborhoods of Portland.

He has not shown himself to be independent of big developers, and, in fact, continues to do their bidding.

Smith seems like a genuinely nice guy, but he represents a continuation of business as usual at city hall, i.e. big-money, high-gloss development in the central city, while our neighborhood transportation infrastructure crumbles.

Fritz’s focus, by contrast, is on funding basics — in the neighborhoods — first. A very pragmatic, heterodox approach to city government, and a breath of fresh air for anybody who’s tired of central-city condo developer hegemony in Portland politics.

Amanda Fritz may have “skin” in the PPS “game”, but I suggest you revisit your disagreement with her over a post she wrote defending the district’s transfer policy. You were critical of this statement in particular:

“PPS’s transfer policy has likely kept many wealthier families in Portland’s public schools, rather than going to private schools… .”

As I recall, during the lead-up to the May school board elections in 2007, Amanda was reluctant to say anything critical about Vicki Phillips, and was an enthusiastic supporter of one of Phillips’ most ardent supporters, David Wynde.

Chris Smith has an equally impressive record of civic involvement. Until I hear something from Amanda to change my mind, Smith still has my vote.

You want to run as the “younger, brighter, more inspiring” candidate? Go for it. You might even have a chance.

You want to run on public policy experience? You might as well hang it up now.

If listing the experience of the candidate I support “discredits” the candidate you support, then I guess the “fast and loose” facts speak for themselves.

Charles Lewis is a public policy neophyte, especially when compared to a somebody like Amanda Fritz.

Here’s a partial list of Amanda’s policy and leadership experience:

Environment, Community, and Sustainability

* Co-founded and chaired the Tryon Creek Watershed Council
* Environmental Zone Project Advisory Committee member, 2004-2005
* Board member of the Coalition for a Livable Future, 2004-present
* Served on City of Portland Measure 37 Advisory Committee
* Initiated and chaired the City Wide Parks Team Forum
* Fifteen years experience advising the City Council on ordinances, resolutions, and projects
* Research associate, Audubon Society of Portland study of Metro-area development codes, providing technical advice on better regulation of pavement in relation to stormwater management
* Served on a study group examining Neighborhood Associations for the League of Women Voters
* Union steward and participant in the OHSU nurses’ strike; Union member for 21 years
* Helped with over 100 volunteer projects in 85 different Portland neighborhoods since 2004
* Jobs with Justice pledger and active participant

Schools

* Parent volunteer for 14 years tutoring Portland Public Schools children in reading, math, and English as a Second Language
* Mentor for at-risk middle school students for 7 years
* Chaired the Markham Elementary Local School Advisory Committee for two years; wrote and managed two grants for Markham, completing projects worth over $28,000 for $7,400 in grant money
* 16-year PTA member, active in school funding and curriculum support efforts
* Led after-school group for teenage girls at The Salvation Army for 15 years
* Founded the Markham Elementary School “World’s Fair” annual multicultural event

Neighborhoods

* Parks and Land Use chair for the West Portland Park Neighborhood Association for 15 years
* Led successful efforts to purchase a 20 acre greenspace, a 10 acre woodland destined to become a park with walking trails, and a 1.7 acre city park
* Helped win $250,000 for purchase and $416,000 for construction in grants from the state for the Holly Farm Park, which opened September 2007 after twelve years’ collaboration and advocacy
* Assisted in designing a Crime Prevention Plan that resulted in 34% fewer reported crimes in West Portland Park from 2000 to 2004

Land Use & Planning

* Commissioner, Portland Planning Commission from 1996 to 2003: watchdog for neighborhood concerns and responsible development
* Forced reconsideration of City Council’s “Skinny Lot decision” - protecting older homes and the character of neighborhoods across the city
* Co-chaired Citywide Land Use Group
* Made two successful appeals to the State Land Use Board of Appeals, protesting unfair regulation of development in neighborhoods; resulted in a change in the code regulations in Portland, making developers more accountable
* Coordinated activists across the city to win neighborhood-friendly amendments in subdivision code revisions; drafted adopted language requiring provision of park space in larger subdivisions

I’m glad Charles has a degree from Harvard and a couple months experience with intern-level jobs in government. That and a couple bucks will get him a cup of coffee at Stumptown.

Oh, okay, he served “briefly” as a legislative aide in Salem.

Seriously, I don’t think you want to get into a pissing match about public policy experience. Charles is a neophyte. That’s okay; it doesn’t disqualify him from running or serving. Some people might even see it as an asset.

One of the reasons I support Amanda is her extensive experience with public policy, and her sharp mind for policy detail.

Fast and loose, indeed. Oh, and thanks for giving me permission to support whoever I want. :)

But I think I could still support her. :)