Willamette Week Dropped their endorsements today.
I had little expectation I would get their endorsement with their long history of Democrat support.
However it was quite disappointing to see their condescending summation of my candidacy as being “a retired Marine frustrated by tents and trash.” Even more disappointing due to my giving them thanks and appreciation for having a very good well rounded discussion immediately following this interview.
Their characterization is entirely dismissive of why I am running and steals credibility from the problems we in NE Portland are really facing in the community. I repeatedly bring my concerns about the record homicide, the rampant crime, the poor education system our children are trapped in and much more to those who answer the thousands of doors I have knocked on. I raised these very concerns with the team at WW.
I invite you to listen to or watch the discussion in it’s entirety. During the interview I discussed meeting the couple from the Irvington Neighborhood who were on the phone with 911 listening from their bedroom to a murder by stabbing. The restaurant owner who helplessly watched as someone literally took his cash register and walked away and police never came in response to the call. The coffee shop owner in Lloyd District who is looking at closing his doors if business and tourists don’t come back to the area soon.
These are not “Tents and trash” frustrations.
I have met with parents and grandparents who are supportive of public school as a concept but are putting their kids through private school for safety from drugs, bullying, and violence.
There was a lot discussed that far transcends “Tents and trash”.
This is not sour grapes for not getting the WW endorsement. I really never expected their endorsement to begin with.
What makes me sad and frustrated is the portrayal of my campaign as a disgruntled middle-aged military retiree only concerned about “tents and trash” takes all credibility away from the legitimate concerns I am calling out in our community regarding record homicide, crime, homelessness, substance abuse, education deficiencies, police shortage and much more. My perspective has not been made in a vacuum. I started with my perception of things and it has adjusted as I have met one-on-one with people in the NE neighborhood. We share the same overall perspectives. My meeting and talking has helped focus and sharpen my understanding of what is apparent to all of us.
For this publication, WW, to wildly misconstrue the legitimate topics I raised in the hour long discussion as “Tents and trash” they do a serious disservice to our democratic process with their obligation to honestly and fully inform the public of who their representative options are. If WW is actively withholding the many valid concerns raised by someone such as me, who has spent months talking face to face with the neighbors and businesses in my community, then what else are they misrepresenting in this election and the general news cycle?
Please watch the interview below in it’s entirety if you can make time.
Here is an audio file you can listen to if you prefer.