About my political future: this attempted smear will not deter me from serving Portland in the best way I know how.

Well put, Sam. I moved here in 2006, so (after 30 years in Washington, DC) I'm getting my first taste of mayor/council politics. I was shocked by Ball's smear -- I did not expect it here in PDX. Let's hope your open letter puts an end to the issue. There are enough real issues to discuss.

Soon I will be with sharing with you my future political plans.
And I hope you get on with it and let us know very soon. I hope you run; at this point I'd be inclined to vote for you over any of the current hypothetical opponents.