Dear Sam and Sho:

Races for elected office should be focused on the issues we face and not the personalities involved. I deeply appreciate the willingness you have both shown to engage in the political process and to debate the issues you care deeply about.

However, I’ve been frustrated to see that neither of your campaigns has developed comprehensive plans for addressing poverty and homelessness in Portland. As the national poverty level has grown and Oregon’s economy becomes further strained the need for comprehensive plans and commitments for substantive action in this area have never been greater.

We should be talking about ways to reduce poverty, ways to build up the economy so that everyone benefits, and about ways to provide a safety net so no one is ever forced to live in the streets or crowded shelters.

I challenge you both to develop such comprehensive plans before ballots are mailed out so that voters can assess your personal commitment to fighting poverty in Portland. If you like, I would be willing to publish your plans once written on my personal blog (www.chuckcurrie.com). The site is read by many Portlanders concerned about these issues. It will not be my intention to critique your plans (though I may do that eventually) but simply to showcase your proposals unedited and without comment.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

The Rev. Chuck Currie