Mary Nolan is so connected to the Oregon political establishment that, even as the incumbent, Amanda Fritz still seems like an outsider by comparison. It puts Fritz in a bizarre position where she's both the incumbent and a departure from the status quo at the same time.

Everything about Mary Nolan contrasts with Amanda Fritz in such a way as to remind folks why they liked Fritz in the first place. Compared to Nolan, Fritz is still the nice, independent, "clean money", political outsider that they voted for the first time around. I wouldn't be surprised if Fritz gets reelected, despite her record in city hall, just by virtue of not being Mary Nolan.

For a long time, for voting around here, I've generally taken the position to vote for the lesser evil. I didn't want to throw my vote away. But now I'm to the point that even voting for the less evil is questionable. I'll probably vote on candidates that have little chance to win, just to express a point that might condition how the winner might govern. And this thinking goes to Measures too.

I want to slow, hopefully stop, the hole we're falling into. Jack, your leaning makes sense.

Bruce has my vote!

Altizer seems like he would be reasonably competent as a commissioner, but he would almost certainly become a dissenting vote on most issues. He's pretty much a mystery man in terms of community involvement, and his website is pretty vague on specifics other than to say that he's all for common sense and saving money. He was passed over for promotion while serving as an Army officer, and that may suggest that he's an odd duck who doesn't play well with others...who knows? Amanda is known for being outside the inner circle on most issues, but she knows the city like the back of her hand and has created a large grassroots network. The fact that she brings a long record of commitment to the everyday citizens of the city gives a substantial measure of credibility to her positions. In my thinking one splits up the "outside the usual suspects circle" vote by leaning to Altizer. It's more of a protest vote that benefits Nolan who will be a total disaster for the city due to the fact that she's pretty much a bed hopper with the unions, utilities, casino interests, big tobacco, Wal-Mart, etc. It's not a choice between the lesser of two evils...it's making sure that Darth Vader doesn't make it onto the city council.

Sorry, not buying it. I'm done holding my nose when I vote.

"He was passed over for promotion while serving as an Army officer"

Where was this or are you just basing it on his length of service? Current promotion schedules are no indication of past performance. Twenty years ago (although in the middle of the post Cold War drawdown), promotions to major were at 11 1/2 years on average. Those were the closest ones I could find to his period of service.

Andrew: I'm getting it from his statement that he left active duty at 12 years at the rank of Captain. He's a West Point graduate and should have been promoted to Major by the 12 year point. I was in the military from 83 to 89 and most officers made Major in 10. Maybe there are different circumstances in his instance, but since we don't know much about him there is no way to tell.