I’VE BEEN AN OREGONIAN FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, AND WHAT KEEPS ME HERE IS A COMBINATION OF THE ACCESSIBILITY TO MOUNTAINS, TRAILS, AND RIVERS AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO BUILD COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS IN EACH UNIQUE NEIGHBORHOOD. I’VE BEEN A RESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY PARK FOR OVER 20 YEARS, OWN AN OLD VICTORIAN THAT WE’VE (AND STILL ARE!) MAKING SHINE AGAIN. I ENJOY FINDING GEMS TO VISIT IN EACH POCKET OF PORTLAND FOR A MEAL OR A PINT WHEN I’M NOT WORKING OR ON THE MOUNTAIN. I VOLUNTEER WITH THE OREGON FOOD BANK AND HAVE COACHED YOUTH TRACK AND FIELD IN NORTH PORTLAND. PORTLAND ISN’T A PERFECT CITY, AND NO PLACE IS BUT WE ARE HOPING WE CAN DO OUR LITTLE PART TO GET IT ANOTHER STEP BETTER.