This last week I walked through the Northside, Washington Park, and the Titus Triangle neighborhoods, first with Nathan Shinagawa, and then with Kathy Luz Herrera and Lori Kofoid who were collecting signatures on my behalf so that I could be on the Democratic ballot. Thanks to all three of you for accompanying me, and to those neighbors who took the time to engage in a conversation with me.

Special thanks to neighbors Michelle Berry, J.R. Clairborne, Susan Cummings, Tracy Farrell, Holly Gump, Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, and Margaret “Dolly” Maude for going door-to-door and collecting signatures from parts far and wide in our 2nd Ward that I couldn’t get to because I couldn’t be in two places at once! These thanks include Mayor Carolyn Peterson, who took time from her own re-election petitioning to collect signatures for my petition as well.

So far I’ve collected more than twice the signatures required for the Democratic ballot.

On Saturday, July 14, I went to meet with many neighbors at the Dragon Boat festival in our Ward’s West End, helping keep the boats steady as competitors were loading on and off. What a blast – and congratulations to the Ithaca Asian American Association and their partners for pulling off this complex, energizing and high-profile international event in our Ithaca so successfully!

Next week I will again be going to door-to-door throughout our Ward collecting signatures for my petition to appear on my own independent ballot.

Requiring candidates to collect signatures seems to me one of the healthiest and reaffirming aspects of this election process. I’ve found my own views to be enriched by your questions, opinions, and concerns, AND you get a chance to size me up in person!

I hope you saw the current issue (July 9 – 15, 2007) of the Tompkins Weekly which mentions my candidacy on their front page.

This evening I will be walking through parts of our neighborhood with Nathan Shinagawa.

Thanks to all the neighbors who greeted me into their front porches and homes despite the pouring rain on July 4! And many thanks to Lori who joined me on the rainy walk. Did you see the article regarding my candidacy that appears in the current Ithaca Times?

A press release regarding my candidacy went out to the local media yesterday morning. You can read the full release here: Press release july 2007 This evening I will be walking with Lori Kofoid and I look forward to continuing the conversation that I began with you last week. Happy 4th of July!

I enjoyed meeting many of my neighbors during my first ‘walk’ on Friday. Many thanks to Kathy Luz Herrera for walking with me. Most of you shared your concerns regarding our neighborhood and City during our conversations. It was an affirmation of my reasons for running for Council: preserving and protecting our neighborhood’s quality of life; balanced economic development; and fiscal accountability. I also hear loud and clear that you expect me to remain in contact with the neighborhood after the elections. I look forward to more such conversations over the next few weeks.