Pdx City Council Seat 2: Jim & Nick In Their Own Words

By now you're familiar with this routine, mamas.  Last week we shared statements from the Seat 1 candidates we met with, so it only makes sense that next comes Seat 2.  We asked them to tell us in 200 words or less why we family voters should pick them to work for families while in office. So. Who is the family friendliest of them all - Nick?  or Jim?  Read on, pick well, and feel free to share your opinions with us.  Here's their take:

Nick Fish: I am running to bring a new voice to City Hall.  As City Commissioner, I will advocate for our kids and schools. For me, this issue is very personal: My daughter is a 9^th grader in Portland Public Schools, and my wife teaches history at Portland State University.  As a resident of Northeast Portland, I understand that strong schools anchor our neighborhoods, maintain our quality of life, and attract the businesses we need to make this city thrive. I will fight for stable and adequate funding for our schools; work to reduce the dropout rate; champion school- to-work partnerships; and expand the supply of housing affordable to young families.

Building on my work with the Portland Public Schools Childcare Task Force, I will champion the renewal of the Children’s Investment Fund, and will partner with nonprofits to expand the supply of affordable child care in our community. I am proud to be the only candidate in this race endorsed by both the Portland Association of Teachers and Stand for Children, as well as The Oregonian, Willamette Week, The Portland Tribune, Just Out, El Hispanic News, The Skanner and The PSU Vanguard. I ask for your vote on May 20. 

Jim Middaugh: Experience, creativity and energy make me the clear choice.  My record of delivering for Portland and my work ethic is why I gathered 1,700 signatures and $5 contributions in 10 days to qualify for Portland's Voter-Owned Elections.  I know how to get things done.  I helped create a $1 million grant program to help parents, teachers and students.  I saved taxpayers $1 million by working across departments to improve effectiveness of city projects.  I pushed the Planning Bureau to incorporate childcare, schools, community centers and family housing in its work in the Pearl.  I will do the same with the Portland Plan. I've personally helped Portlanders with crime, sewer, road safety, and housing problems.  I brought federal, state, and local agencies together to overcome roadblocks that slowed projects to clean up our rivers and streams.

I’m not a well-connected downtown lawyer. I haven’t spent six years running for office. Because I’m voter-owned I’m not beholden to special interests or lobbyists. Instead, I’ve made a difference where it counts: our neighborhoods, our schools and at the grassroots.  Finally, I’m the parent of two wonderful girls. I know how important a family- and kid-friendly city is to our economy and future.

Comments

[PSJackson]

We have another choice in this race, Fred Stewart. He domonated the Willamette Week interview, He kicked ass on KBOO last Monday and he is on a roll. Check him out at fredforportland.com or go to the WW web site and watch it for yourself.

Fred is for real, Fred for Portland.

[Promise King]

I came here to claim Nick Fish not because he is a Civil-Rights Lawyer with friends in low and high places. Wait a minute Portland, I had claimed him when he was just a regular and affordable Civil-rights attorney riding on Max-train, and cutting his teeth in various civl-rights pews around the City without an office. I still claim him now because inspite of his office address, he's still the go to guy for some of us - imperfect types - with spotty job history, and no special interest business cards to call for help.I claim him now at this hour, this season, becuase he's been a consistent friend to some of us who by virtue of our origin, creed and orientations face daily the rudeness of hate and discriminations.
I claim Nick's heroic heart - made strong by compassion, courage and commitment, and devoted to inclusion, civil-rights and against classism.
I claim Nick Fish!

[LTF]

Nick's guest column on Blue Oregon: http://www.blueoregon.com/2008/05/nick-fish-a-new.html