2023 MNA Annual election results

All candidates received a majority vote and won their seat.

Sarah Hartzel - 32 votes
Spencer Knowles - 38 votes
J. Elisabeth Litster - 51 votes
Kathren Moss - 38 votes
Laura Mulligan - 39 votes
Kristina Perry - 36 votes
Rick Reynolds - 44 votes
Scott Simpson - 37 votes

MNA Annual elections - November 13, 2023

The 2023 election ballot will be available on this page at the start of our November 13th MNA meeting. Meetings are conducted online via Zoom. Please find the the meeting link HERE. Meeting to commence at 6:30 PM.

Who is eligible to run or vote?
Current MNA members are eligible to run for office and vote in elections. All residents age 18 and older including property owners, renters, and individuals who hold a business license located within the boundaries as defined by the bylaws are eligible to be a member of the association. To become a member, you must attend a general meeting and affirm you wish to become a member. - Free Online Membership Form -

Candidates for 2023-2025 Term

MNA Treasurer Sarah Hartzel is seeking another two year term in that role. Current Land Use and Transportation Chair Scott Simpson will run again for another two year term serving the on the MNA board.

Spencer Knowles

I've been a proud resident of the Northwest section of Montavilla since buying my home in 2019, and have been in love with the neighborhood ever since. My wife, Ariana, and I - along with our dog Gus - walk, run, and bike daily through the neighborhood and frequent the many wonderful local businesses, bars, and restaurants. We especially love Marco's Mudd Works Roastery, Trivia nights at Threshold Brewing, and the helpful folks at Mr. Plywood. My professional background is in marketing and communications, and I have been happy to contribute to several local campaigns in Portland. As a member of the board, I hope my communication and writing skills will help keep residents informed and clearly share the concerns and desires of our community up to local leaders. I grew up in NE Portland and attended the University of Oregon, so I know just how special this city and region is. While we certainly face challenges at the moment, I know this group can help uphold Montavilla as a safe, engaged, and vibrant neighborhood for all.

J. Elisabeth Litster

We bought a house in Montavilla in 2001 and have always loved our neighborhood and our home. We are concerned with issues facing Montavilla at present, and I would like to participate in developing solutions that work, while making an effort to include all Montavilla residents.

I have a background in social services, having worked with the homeless populations in San Francisco back in the 70's and 80's when the issue of "homelessness" was transitioning into a national issue. I was executive director of a multi-purpose agency located in the former Golden Gate Hospital in downtown SF. It provided shelter to homeless families, including single men with children (capacity of 50 at any given time) We also had follow-up programs for the children who had previously left the shelter.

During that time I was involved with the rest of SF's social service agencies, including the mayor's monthly meetings with all parties to discuss homeless problems and solutions. (The late Sen. Diane Feinstein was mayor at that time.). I did a lot of grant writing, fundraising, public speaking, press releases and interfacing with the media, which also gave us a quite a lot of favorable coverage because of the timing.

We also had a robust senior program involving many of the 400 elderly living in residential hotels within a one block radius of our location. We had weekly senior programs, Sunday teas, and on Christmas and Thanksgiving we provided impressive home-cooked, sit-down meals for those who had nowhere to spend the holidays. We used real china and cloth tablecloths in order to dress up the atmosphere and provide a sense of dignity for our elderly neighbors. Before we started our program, there was no other opportunity for these isolated people to interact with others, and many friendships were formed and loneliness alleviated.

After San Francisco we lived in Vancouver, BC,where my husband also worked in social services, mainly as manager of three psychiatric residential facilities for paranoid schizophrenics, so we've always been on the "people" spectrum in terms of our interests and work.

I recognize that under the umbrella of homelessness there are many different components, and they all need their own focus and their own solutions. It's not a one-size-fits-all problem nor a one-size-fits-all solution. I would really like to be more involved in our neighborhood association, working for answers that are good for everyone.

Kathren Moss

I'm a newer face to the Montavilla neighborhood, but not to our city at large. I was born here, and have lived in almost every part of Portland over the last 25 years. Professionally, I'm a tech marketing art director, designer (in digital & print), and web developer, working both in-house and independently. I'm also a classically trained painter, wood-worker, and jeweler/metalsmith. I recently bought my first home in Montavilla, and spend my spare time hand-renovating its classic 1940's bones.

I have a background in community organizing, volunteer work, event planning, counseling, and speaking. My personal philosophy is one of empathy and communication. Since the MNA is the official government-recognized representation for this area, I feel passionately that an environment of inclusion is paramount. In my time in Montavilla thus far, I can see that there is a disconnect between residents and their local government, which in turn can lead to a degraded connection to their community. I aim to put in the work to foster improved civic interest and involvement of this neighborhood's varied residents -- the ultimate goal being more complete and comprehensive representation in decision making that affects this area. I think that we owe it to our community to reach across divides of perspective to create better common ground. I graciously ask for the opportunity to offer my creativity, communication skills, and ability to execute effectively on ideas (and plans) for the embetterment of Montavilla and this neighborhood association.

Kristina Perry

My name is Kristina Perry. We bought our first home in the Montavilla neighborhood in 1999. There had been a lot of growth and many changes since then and I would like to volunteer my help where needed. We love our neighbors and would like to work toward keeping our community healthy. I work from home as a fiber artist and a nutrition consultant; my husband also works from home, as a software architect. Looking forward to meeting more of our community and making positive changes. Thank you for your consideration.

Rickey (Rick) Reynolds

As a native Portlander, f have been a native of Montavilla for 7l of my 75 years. I have been in my present home on Pine Street between 91st and 93rd for 50 years. I attended Clark School, Marshall High and graduated from the University of Portland in 1970.

In 1968' while at the U of P, I was the co-chair of UP Students for Robert F. Kennedy when he ran for President of the United States. I met him a number of times as he campaigned in Oregon. At the conclusion of the school year in May, I moved to his national campaignr led by Congresswoman Edith Green. My daughter Courtney, was named after Senator Kennedy's daughter, Courtney. My Courtney passed away her senior year at Grant High at the age of 16. She was a very young senior. While campaigning for Senator Kennedy, I was taken by the words he always ended his speeches with. Those words "Some men see things as they are and ask why' I dream of things that never were and ask why not!' I find those words as important today as they were 55 years ago and are part of the reason for my interest in the Montavilla Neighborhood Association.

My first job was in the neighborhood at Sayler's Old Country Kitchen, which I held through high school and my four years at the University of Portland. Following my graduation, I left the neighborhood for a 15 year career at Pacific Northwest Bell. When the Bell System was split up, f chose not to move to Washington with my job and instead began a second career with Cascade Athletic Club. I spent the first 17 years at the Mothership on 192nd and Division and the past 6 years at our Montavilla location at92nd and Stark f remain on the payroll of The Club. Our Montavilla location recently closed due to leasing concerns and because we did not own the building outright as we do our other two locations.

I would like to be a part of making Montavilla an even better place to live then it already is. I would like it to be a safe place to raise our families and a place to grow old, a neighborhood that's inclusive, where our neighbors and businesses thrive and a place that we all want to be a part of.