Welcome to Amanda's blog

This is a place for civic discussion and sharing perspectives on Portland issues. I post many of the articles on the blog myself, and my staff and I read your comments and will respond to questions.  When you post, please remember that many people use this site at home, to find out information and to relax by thinking about community issues.  Let's keep the discussion civil as well as civic, so everyone feels welcome.  Post only things you'd say face-to-face, sitting at a neighbor's kitchen table, with their young child and your grandmother close by.  If you want to blast me or berate another poster, please use the contact form and send your comments directly to me, rather than posting them on the blog.  I would also appreciate you using the name your friends and coworkers call you, so I can greet you as a neighbor when we meet.

I post topics here when they are coming up for decisions, when I've received many comments about a particular issue, or if they are questions I need your feedback to answer.  I also post articles with the general theme, "Gosh, I think this is interesting, maybe you will too" .  And if you see a beautiful photograph, unless otherwise noted it's my husband Steve Fritz's contribution, posted simply because I like them and I hope you will, too.

I invite you to join the discussion.  Sign in to PortlandOnline with your free and secure account, and let's talk.