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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 17, 2006)
FEBRUARY 17. 2006 JUStjOUtjU northwest These Are the People in Your Neighborhood Incumbent squares off against grassroots activist manda Fritz’s campaign office is not much to look at: a few hastily erected card tables and telephone wires snaking over industrial carpet. But the furnishings tell a story: “I am not going to waste taxpayer money on a fancy office," she comments. Her Web site also reports the source of her cam paign financing. “I didn’t take more than $5 from any Portland citizen during the qualifying phase of this campaign, and I didn’t accept any money at all from people who don’t live in Portland. While serving on the Portland Planning Commission, 1 didn’t let anyone buy me even a cup of coffee,” she says. Fritz, a 47-year-old native of England, has since qualified for public financing and is the first candi date to benefit from Portland’s unique campaign finance system. Rather ihan depending on large donations, the program matches the candidate’s fund raising to the tune of about 30 cents from each Portland resident. Fritz has lived in Portland for more than 20 years and in that time has become involved with a variety of grassroots political efforts, from working on the planning commission to attending rallies supporting Senate Bill 1000, which would have legalized civil unions for same-sex couples in Oregon. “I believe marriage is a wonderful institution, with huge emotional and social benefits as well as legal advantages. I’ve been married to my husband for almost 24 years, and I can only imagine how painful it would be if someone told me I could nor be in my marriage. People who love each other should he allowed to commit to each other. 1 will do everything I can to help support the struggle for equal marriage rights for all." When asked about her platform as it relates to the interests of the queer citizens of Portland, Fritz says, “One of the main reasons I’m running is because there are a lot of people who feel disenfran chised and not heard.” Fritz has supported the No on 9 campaigns in 1992 and 2000, attended rallies and demonstrations and been an active ally for the causes of queer rights in the city and in the state. Fritz is unequivocal in her support for the Equal Benefits Ordinance introduced by City Commissioner Sam Adams. She sees the problems involved with city con tracts and benefits as an issue affecting not only same-sex domestic partners. Larger issues of waste and accountability influence her thinking on the subject. “Sam’s ordi nance is a great start, but to me it is a big ger issue, and 1 think the gay and lesbian community can be part of this bigger pic ture of how we spend our money wisely.” Talking from his office, Dan Saltzman is fairly no-nonsense about the reasons he should be re-elected. Citing three issues, he says, “My re-election platform is about...making Portland a more family friendly city, giving every child a shot at success.” In addition, he is concerned with that elusive element of development, sus Neighborhood activist Amanda Fritz is challenging City tainability, as well as reducing the cost of Commissioner Dan Saltzman. We cover both sides of the fence. We ll find you a home and get you the loan. Realtor 503-282-4000 E m I 12 sheasteel remax.net Mortgage Broker 5OC8O7-17W daw nicgrub.stein @c orncast.net Close your transaction with Shea and Dawnie and receive $200 off your closing costs! Offer expires 4/30/06 government. Although the notion of sustainabil ity has been bandied about by politicos and policy makers alike, Saltzman’s def inition is simply the idea of living more lightly on the land. “We have to pre serve environmental quality and our natural environment and have eco nomic prosperity without compromis ing the quality of our environment for future generations,” he says. In contrast to Fritz’s highly empa thetic approach to understanding of the queer citizens of Portland, Saltzman does not see his work as focused on queer citizens per se. “We serve families and youth without knowledge of what their sexual orientation is.” In characterizing the way he has met the needs of queer citizens of Portland, he says: “Queer citizens are citizens. I’ve been at the forefront of a For City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, the election is about lot of issues that have been important, “kids, environment and reducing the cost of government." including adoption of the city’s nondis crimination policy based on gender and does not disdain this involvement, saying, sexual orientation, to working with [former] Mayor [Vera] Katz to adopt the domestic partnership reg “Neighborhoods are an important form of repre senting citizens’ interests before City Council and istry and extending benefits to domestic partners in on many other issues.” city government.” Saltzman sees his job as being entrusted by the He has also been part of the city’s comprehen sive plan for the West End and led the effort to public to make decisions, and he recognizes that have the Burnside Triangle designated as the cul “generally at least half the people are unhappy with the decisions we make.” Nevertheless, he tural heart of the gay and lesbian community. sees a creative tension that exists between the Saltzman is not so forthcoming in his stance on the Equal Benefits Ordinance, noting: “I’m City Council and neighborhoods as well as a high degree of collaboration. inclined to support it but need more opportunity Having served eight years on the City Council for airing of it. It sounds like something I’d be sup and five years with Multnomah County, Saltzman portive of. If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I believes he will bring focus and resolve to his third can’t commit myself to a position without hearing term: “It’s about kids, the environment and reduc from all sides.” ing the cost of government. If people share that Citizen involvement is of paramount impor focus and resolve, then 1 hope they will support me tance to Saltzman, whose decisions at times put in my re-election effort.” him at odds with neighborhood associations. Although he doesn’t think one can categorize neighborhood associations monolithically, he does For more information about the candidates, visit acknowledge taking positions that are contrary to wwui.amandafritzforcitycouncil.com and www. portlandonlme. com/saltzman. some of the neighborhood associations. But he MARTY DAVIS by Sarah Dougher