Look busy (Jack Bog's Blog)

Old Dan "Big Pipe" Saltzman has got quite the cast of characters falling all over each other to run against him for Portland City Council, and so he's doing what he does for a few months every four years -- wake up briefly and do something. Yesterday he announced that he's sending out the cops to enforce the new state law against cell phone use while driving. It's fascinating that it takes a directive from a city commissioner to have that happen, but hey, it's something. I hear they even busted a certain prominent newspaper editor for an on-the-road cell phone infraction shortly after the Commish's announcement.

Big Pipe's also amping up his slap fight with Fireman Randy about whose bureau is more screwed up -- Saltzman's police bureau or Leonard's water bureau. Now Danno is making formal requests for water bureau documents under the public records laws. Meeee-ow! To paraphrase Martin Mull, "it's like high school with the taxpayers' money."

The whole feud between the two councilmen goes back to last summer's infamous Lents Park baseball stadium deal, which Danny killed. The Fireman couldn't make good on those dreams he had formulated with Little Lord Paulson on their moonlight ride through Central Park in New York. This disappointment came after the Police Chief Rosie told the mayor that she'd rather be writing parking tickets than have the Fireman as the police commissioner. He's probably looking for a bus that he can throw both Big Pipe and the chief under at the same time.

Meanwhile, it appears that Saltzman may try to stay on the City Council by running against Leonard instead of against his real opponents. If so, then friends and neighbors, we are going to have one heck of an interesting time the next few months. Especially with the Chasse trial going on -- leave some space in your diary.

Comments (13)

All in preparation for 66 and 67 going down. I have seen at least 1 sleazily
parked speedtrap cop each time I've been on the freeway in the past week. Luckily while in a demure driving mood and not pushing my luck at eleven miles over the speed limit, or anything.

Getting over their holiday hangovers and easing the state budget crunch, two birds with one stone...

the bluetooth works quite well, except that it tempts one to continue conversations longer.

Posted by gaye harris | January 13, 2010 2:35 PM

He's probably looking for a bus that he can throw both Big Pipe and the chief under at the same time.

He'd be better off looking for a MAX train or streetcar to throw them under. TriMet's been cutting back big time on the buses lately.

Posted by none | January 13, 2010 2:35 PM

When are these two just going to whip 'em out already and get it over with?

Posted by Snards | January 13, 2010 2:56 PM

Whip what out? The big pipe and the firehose?

Posted by none | January 13, 2010 2:59 PM

I guess Dan figured he couldn't use The Children as his human shield in this election cycle ...

Posted by Garage Wine | January 13, 2010 3:42 PM

No, the Streetcar's too slow.

Posted by Don Smith | January 13, 2010 3:44 PM

F**K that As*h*le. He and Fish have to go. If we can get that pervert Sam recalled and Tonkin for mayor this city has a chance to turn around. I am sorry I get so upset, but I have talked to Saltzman, the trees have rights, limp wristed, panty waste moron, who can’t answer a question or look you in the face directly. I have never liked Fish because of his idiot ideas about letting the homeless camp anywhere they want, and that their wants are more important than anything else in this city. I also just burn every time that sleaze Sam opens his mouth. I know you other folks are going to tell me to chill out, but I can’t. I am going to do everything I can (legally) to get rid of these three this election cycle. Leonard is next on the list.

Posted by John Benton | January 13, 2010 4:32 PM

This might explain the search for documents. http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2010/01/13/epa-denies-portlands-request-for-open-reservoirs/

Posted by Yvette | January 13, 2010 5:05 PM

Here's another log for the fire.

Shaffted is my new favorite term after reading this.

Sounds to me as if Randy has idiots and a**holes for his henchmen. I guess "likes" attract as well as opposites. After all, how hard would it be for the Hoser-in-Chief to find smarter, nicer folks to shill for him.

Oh, wait - he doesn't have a clue and doesn't give a sh*t.

Posted by cc | January 13, 2010 5:51 PM

Wow, all the crap with child abuse, meth and gang fights and we want to have police watch soccer moms talking on the phone. I told you the law was about revenue generation.

However, the idea of Danny and Randy in a purse-fight has me intrigued.

Posted by Steve | January 13, 2010 7:55 PM

"Cuts to school funding that might mean even larger class sizes"

Wake up, Ted bumped education spending 20% in '07 and then told us a year later it all went to benes - unless your school experience got 20% better then.

You should understand they want to cut school spending first above all else because it hurts you and not them. Ted always seems to find $100K/yr jobs for his friends, but somehow just can't find enough for schools.

I feel bad we only have one way to express our anger anymore, but we can't let them get away with this anymore.

Posted by Steve | January 13, 2010 8:43 PM

Plenty of anger at Saltzman from readers of this and other blogs, but according to my records it's not adding up to registered voters signing sufficient petitions to qualify a candidate.

You want someone to run against Saltzman? There are several volunteers. Get a signature form from a candidate you like, sign it and hand over $5.

Otherwise, it's a mandate for more of the same.

See - www.jasonforportland.com
See - www.jessecornett.com
See - www.volmforportland.com

Posted by Jason Renaud | January 13, 2010 11:28 PM

What's this I hear about a sword fight at City Hall?

Posted by Sam Adams | January 14, 2010 8:29 AM

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Look busy

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