Bye bye Zari.

And please, take the increasingly shrill Amanda with you.

Anybody looked at that one note blog lately?

Now, now. At least you got to vote on Amanda in real life.

I've never been a fan of Survivor, and I can't say I'm a fan of this version. In both cases the general concept seems sorta lame. I mean, I don't know if the TV show is like this, but the problem is the more innocuous --or unknown-- you are, the better your chance for "survival".

Just as Nonny Mouse finds Amanda "shrill"...well, geesh, isn't that the ultimate putdown of a citizen who steps forward to try to make a difference.

Anyway, as resident apologist for the bureaucracy, of the folks I know from the list, there's an overabundance of talent and integrity. I think there's a lot to be critical of in City government, but, personally, I'm proud of most of the people I've had the pleasure to get to know and work with. (That's spelled "m-o-s-t"...not all.)

I agree with Frank. For example, I'm sure there will be tons of sentiment among the readership of this blog to blame "Transportation Sue" for the tram, streetcars, bad asphalt paving, etc., which all started prior to her tenure.

To evaluate any of these folks, how does one separate the genesis of policy decisions by City Council (or individual commissioners) from the execution of that policy by the bureau directors?

So long, Sustainable Susan, Recyclable Randy has rendered you superfluous.

After admitting I like Starbucks, I am hesitant to stick my neck out here....

However, I feel I must say that David Shaff is an excellent Administrator of the Water Bureau, and there is a lot of energy and enthusiasm among the workforce with him on board here. It would really suck if you vote him off the island. I am sure I am not alone in saying you would be very hard pressed to find a better Administrator than he.

And, as was noted about another Bureau director, please take into account when "voting" not to throw the babies out with the bathwater--e.g. not pin whatever you dislike about a particular bureau (perhaps you've disagreed for years with the direction of an administration) on the current bureau director.

Let's start with the biggest and most dishonest bureau: Transportation. Under Sue Keil PDOT and Sam Adams have continued to take money from drivers and spend it on speed bumps and street gatherings. Check the mission statement of PDOT. Do you see anything about cars, trucks? We need a balanced rather than dogmatic approach to transportation and that's going to require someone other than Sue Keil. She goes.

I think after the Survivor format, you should move to a NCAA bracket... See Consumerist's "Worst Company in America" showdown.

Think of the Portland possibilities... worst elected official... worst non-elected official... favorite talking head... everyone loves a good tournament!

Don,

You are wrong about Sue Keil. She is the only thing that is PREVENTING Sam and the rest of the council from spending the ENTIRE transportation budget on trams, trains and trolleys.

While she was with BES Sue Keil designed Portland's excellent curbside recycling program and before that she was a staffer for Mayor Ivancie. Sue Keil is widely recognized as the best manager on the city's payroll.

Since Potter appointed her as interim transportation manager (when he had all the bureaus) Sue has dealt with a myriad of personnel problems, cleaned up a "lean on your shovel" culture at the maintenance department and fought hard for common sense at PDOT.

If it weren't for Sue Keil our only commute options would be skateboards, roller skates and tricycles.

the more innocuous --or unknown-- you are, the better your chance for "survival".

At the end, that may be true. At the beginning, it's not.

Your missing a bureau director.

To Dave Lister: Many thanks for you support of Sue Keil. Perhaps in the next election cycle the public needs to be informed of Sam Adam's perverse "transportation" policies. It's time for him to be exposed as the "Developer's Best Friend" on the City Council.

time for him to be exposed as the "Developer's Best Friend"

Isn't that painfully obvious to everyone?

Your missing a bureau director.

Well, that's helpful. I never claimed to have all of them. One such omission has already been pointed out. We may add him later.

Looks like this vote by Bruce's folks was

63-50

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/05/pdc_workers_vote_to_unionize.html

Thanks for the tip.