Miki Herman of Northeast Portland is the interim chief executive officer at Portland's Albertina Kerr Centers.

Read more: Herman: State should invest in caregiving workforce

Nathalie Johnson, M.D., of Northwest Portland is a member of the Oregon Cultural Trust board

Read more: Johnson: Cultural Trust donations connect us all

Barbara G. Ellis, Ph.D., is a writer/editor and principal of Ellis & Associates LLC of Portland. Paul Maresh is a long-time Portland real estate broker and consultant. Both have been Portlanders for decades and are progressive political activists.

Read more: Ellis and Maresh: We need a plan for RV 'homes' clogging Portland streets

Local writers discuss state highway expansion, gun safety for schools, cleaning up homeless areas and the River Democracy Act

Read more: Readers letters: PCC students will miss Matsui