EDWARD "ED" GARREN

OCCUPATION: Psychotherapist, Family Therapist, Writer

OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Addictions Rehabilitation Therapist and Administrator; Training, Employment, Job Placement, Children's Social Worker, Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter, Appliance Repair Technician.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: University of South Florida , Tampa ~ Masters, Rehabilitation Counseling; Southern Illinois University , Carbondale ~ Placement of the Blind. University of Southern CA ~ Children and Adult Mental Health; Portland State University ~ Family Court Mediation.

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Co-Chair of Hayden Island Plan Steering Committee, Portland Oregon; Community & Environmental Justice Group, Columbia River Crossings Project; Eastside Re-development Project Area Committee, City of West Hollywood

Dear Portland Voters:

I have spent my life working to help people create better lives. In 2006, I led the process that stopped a Wal-Mart from coming to Hayden Island.

A city is people, sharing the richness of our dreams and experience, not just steel, concrete and beautiful buildings.

Portland's greatest strength is the diversity of our humanity, the richness of our talents and passions, to create a better life for ourselves and our children.

Our biggest challenge is to make sure that the Portland dream is open to everyone, not just a few. We can achieve this with social, economic and environmental sustainability. It won't be accomplished with “politics as usual”, insiders who make backroom deals that serve some citizens, but not all.

I will work very hard to create protections for renters, living wage jobs, and make our schools excellent again. I will fight for neighborhood programs that support diversity, and strong communities.

I will champion creation of affordable housing, sustainability, and making Portland an international leader in low carbon living.

Below are some of my friends who have encouraged me along this journey. They are leaders in Environmental Justice, Organized Labor, Robotics, Education, Community Organizations, “Peak Oil” and Health Care.

Jeri Sundvall-Williams
Jerry Moss
Jan Meskimen
Pamela Ferguson
Jeff Gerritsen
Linda Gerritsen

More information and endorsements are on my web site:
www.edforportland.com

(This information furnished by Friends of Ed Garren)