Good luck, indeed. Here in the inner SE, we've got a good half dozen or so "linchpin" projects (streetcar, MAX, Burnside-Bridgehead, Burnside-Couch couplet, community center, central eastside industrial district building renovations) all competing for the same "gap financing" from urban renewal funds.

For good or ill there's a new trough of TIF money out there and it will be interesting to see how this plays out. That Potter and Saltzman voted on the losing side of the vote to increase the east side urban renewal district's funding, but now have "their" guy in place...you gotta wonder who the winners and losers will be.

Posted by: Frank Dufay at July 13, 2006 06:43 AM

That the "chosen ones" are spread so thin, speaks volumes. Having served on various boards and commissions over the years, and find it very hard to do justice to more then one or two if I want to make a meaningful contribution.

I think this lack of talent to staff the volunteer boards speaks volumes for the state of the City. Basicly the way the power structure works is that "trusted" members of the Clique usually with well paying jobs and owners who value thier political control, put these folks forward. Kind of like the the Tom Cruise Movie and classic from novelist John Grisham "The Firm", only its the West Hills Mafia. Just like poor Tom Cruise character, once the lifestyle is in place it is hard to let the status, MAC, and University Club memberships go.

Ginny was another example, in her reluctant run against Sten.

I hope you are right, but I think this guy may be PDC's version of Blackmer. Someone who rubber-stamps stuff and finds ways to financially justify it.

I'm sure we'll be seeing more of this quote from the court in the case you cited:

"We feel, however, that Wilhoite has included too many imponderables in his calculation."

How can a guy put in a 40+ hour week at work, serve on 7 (!) boards and 3 commissions, committees, and associations, then come home a play with 3 kids. It's simply imponderable.

Is there a conflict of interest in being on both the OHSU board and the PDC commission?

Posted by: Kari Chisholm at July 13, 2006 09:39 AM

"Conflict of interest"? You're going to have to explain that concept to people. We're talking Portland city government here.

This guy delivers his passion admirably and opens doors to new motivation of the get go.

Posted by: wsamuels at July 13, 2006 07:06 PM

Conflict of interest"?

The new word is "synergy."

Yes, it is a conflict of interest. Declaring it in a vote concerning North Macadam will not lessen the legal problems it presents.

We know Charlie Wilhoite, personally. He's first-rate, and he's everything the media says he is, and more. The comments about him and his background are cheap beyond belief, and those who made them should apologize.

Let's give this situation some time. Perhaps with a small bit of grace on all of our parts, we might convince the newest commissioner of the verity of our own beliefs.

WW Pablo, my comment was not to disparage Mr. Wilhoite. Conflict of Interest is a serious issue within our city. I am glad Mr. Wilhoite wears many hats, and represents many organizations. We have to be careful about conflicts though.

You dont have know him personally to see a conflict of interest.

Wow....maybe the circle would be complete if they just put him on the city council as well? Or the president of Metro??

Anyone else see a similarity to Halliburton/Cheney?

WW Pablo,

Like Lee, my comment was not meant to disparage, but as one who has tried to untangle where the money is going in a screwed up bureaucracy with non-transparent accounting, if Mr. Wilhoite, is serious about making a difference, daylighting, and changing things at PDC it would seem that he would need to be able to focus a bit. As pointed out he is spread pretty thin. I would see both the PDC and OHSU responsiblities as falling under screwed up bureaucracies with non-transparent accounting and being full time committments.

That is not to metion the PBA or City of Portland Charter Reform and Police Fire and Disablity Reform Committees which the link Jack points us to did not exactly achieve their goals of having council make needed reforms.

Having integrity and being earnest are one thing, having the focus and saavy to not be used by the system to rubber stamp or be ineffective in raising issues but going nowhere on bad policy as in the case of as Jack linked for PF&D and Charter Reform are quite another.

That is one of the problems is that we are all talk and no action in getting needed reforms.

The fact that Mr. Wilhoite holds so many positions is a problem. I do not know the man personally so I cannot judge the intent. But spreading oneself so thin, after proving to have had problems getting the goals of the PF&D and Charter Reform committees achieved does raise questions.

[Posted as indicated; restored later.]