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!