Everybody's been pointing me to this story, and I can see why: It's a Portland classic.
The Recall Sam Adams movement has its headquarters in a building owned by the City of Portland. It's the same forlorn block, under the SmartPark garage by the Galleria, in which the whole Peterson's convenience store saga played out two summers ago.
The recall folks got a donation of the use of the space as a sublease from a prime tenant. But now the lease is up, and the city is kicking the recall folks out, even though they're offering to pay rent up front for the period between now and the petition signature deadline, April 20.
It isn't because you're the recall, says the city. Oh, no -- it's just that we want to get some high-end retail in there right away, and you know, in the current vibrant economy of downtown Portland, those retailers are just chomping at the bit to get into that space. There's very little other storefront space available right now.
Guffaws.
The recall staff sent around this message to supporters last night:
This is our last week at the 940 SW Morrison Street Office.
Office hours this week: Mon/Wed 10:30-1:30 and Tues/Thurs 3:30-6:30
The city that works so hard for you this past year is our landlord at this site. The Portland Development Commission is in charge of upgrading this site and desires to have a "more retail frontage" presence even though there are several vacant store fronts in this same building. This particular site has not had a permanent tenant for years. The PDC does not have a tenant or permits in for improvements at this site and does not anticipate this until this summer. We only need the site until April 20th. Feel free to draw your own conclusions. You might want to make a few phone calls to our city leaders....
The recall people should have seen this coming, but they haven't proven to be the sharpest knives in the drawer. And given that the mayor has shown himself to be a petty, vindictive, liar, no sane person will easily accept the city's explanation that the eviction isn't due to who the tenants are. (The mayor is in complete control of both the finance bureau and the PDC.) What a soap opera.
The collective nervous breakdown known as Mayor Sam Adams continues -- but just think, only two more years and 10 more months to go. Then Fireman Randy will formally assume the mayor's office, and at that point things will really stabilize.
Comments (12)
Thanks for digging these "little nuggets" up for sharing with the rest of us to keep the truth of City Hall alive in the forefront of our minds.
As for Sam's Recall Petitions, I signed one a few week's ago and was asked to take blank form and get others to sign, and so far I've gotten 34 signatures...it's easier than giving away cupcakes as it turns out.
Surprisingly, most don't even mention their dislike of Sam based on his Sexacapades, but hone in on his mismanagement of PPB and his attempt to shield himself from the accountability by putting that poor dupe (Dan) in to soak up the stink in hopes to keeping it out of his office. Nay, we all remember that he was Vera Katz's Chief of Staff and he let her go blithely down the road to PPB Ruin that he, himself, inherited and now makes poor Dan skip along as it get more rocky and rough a travel. Sorry Sam, there is lot of folk who remember and see through the craven dirty politics and feel it's time for you to go!
The downtown UPS driver says "Portland is the City that Works, but won't let anyone else work." He was bemoaning the way they have systematically destroyed downtown traffic flow and removed truck loading/unloading zones for bus stops.
Time for a Public Records Act request; all phone and appointment logs of Sam and hsi entire staff; all E maiil of Sam and entire staff. Something similar to PDC.
Of course the City will want a gazillion dollars to do the "researcH" and won't comply until after the signature deaedline.
Maybe some deep pockets outfit in the news business, like the Oregonian.....umm, ahh, err, better make that Willie Week will make the request and do the asking.
Hey, at least Randy's HIT Squad didn't do a surprise invasion and kick them out earlier!
What's a few hundred or thousand dollars from a willing tenant? It isn't like the City is in desperate need of money ... if this is Samadumbs intelligent way to run a city government, that alone should demonstrate why he needs to go.
Can someone help me understand. How did Adams get elected? Are the majority of Portland voters dumb, not paying any attention or just "save the environment/get rid of cars at any cost?" And Leonard "Mugabe" has been reelected at least once. He's a smart loose cannon who serves a few special interests, especially the Portland Fire Bureau, our (very well paid) heros.
1. You can't beat somebody with nobody. And Dozono was nobody among the voters, and he let Adams define who Dozono was. See axiom 3.
2. Money alone doesn't guarantee winning, but the absence of money guarantees losing.
3. Strike early painting the opposition as sleazy and they will spend so much effort / time / money trying to "correct" the picture that they will never gain traction with voters on the real issues or get voters to pay any attention to the real issues.
Bob Ball anyone?
Its a tried and true formula, a very depressing way to do politics, and something at which Mayor Creepy is a master.
I'm just full of questions today. To wit: The recall campaign only needs the space until April 20, right? (4/20-that's rich). Doesn't an FED action take about 37 days to complete? Wouldn't the publicity of the city attorney getting an FED and the Sheriff kicking the recall campaign out be the kind of publicity that would generate signatures and get the recall on the ballot?
If some of you only knew of all the other under the radar shenanigans Adams has pulled in the 20 years he's held court at City Hall. His power plays are endless, just like his recent stealing of $20 Million from SoWhat to fund his lightrail to Milwaukie. There wasn't one iota of "reconciliation" from Sam with those paying that bill. He's totally dictatorial. His governance is just as bad as his lying.
Charamba, Douro 2008
Horse Heaven Hills, Cabernet 2010
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
Lorelle, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
Abacela, Vintner's Blend No. 12
Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Red Blend 2010
Woodbridge, Chardonnay 2011
King Estate, Pinot Noir 2011
Famille Perrin, Cotes du Rhone Villages 2010
Columbia Crest, Les Chevaux Red 2010
14 Hands, Hot to Trot White Blend
Familia Bianchi, Malbec 2009
Terrapin Cellars, Pinot Gris 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2009
Campo Viejo, Rioja, Termpranillo 2010
Ravenswood, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2010
Waterbrook, Reserve Merlot 2009
Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills, Pinot Grigio 2011
Tarantas, Rose
Chateau Lajarre, Bordeaux 2009
La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio 2011
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir 2009
Lello, Douro Tinto 2009
Quinson Fils, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011
Anindor, Pinot Gris 2010
Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
Les Fiefs d'Anglars, Malbec 2009
14 Hands, Pinot Gris 2011
Conundrum 2012
Condes de Albarei, Albariño 2011
Columbia Crest, Walter Clore Private Reserve 2007
Penelope Sanchez, Garnacha Syrah 2010
Canoe Ridge, Merlot 2007
Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
Vega Montan, Mencia
Benvolio, Pinot Grigio
Nobilo Icon, Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009
Portuga, Rose 2011
Revelation, Chardonnay, Pays d'Oc 2010
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 2005
Monte Alto, Tinto Reserva 2005
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Cabernet, Indian Wells 2009
Espiral, Vinho Rose
Vin-Koru, Pinot Gris 2011
14 Hands, Hot to Trot Red 2009
Rodney Strong, Cabernet, Sonoma 2009
Abacela, Vintner's Blend #11
Portuga, White 2010
La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
Garda Chiaretto Rose
Columbia Crest, Two Vines Vineyard 10 White
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Pinot Gris, Columbia Valley 2009
L'Hortus, Rose de Saignee 2010
Maculan, Pino & Toi 2008
McKinley Springs, Bombing Range Red 2008
Trader Joe's Pinot Gris 2009
Montes Alpha, Cabernet 2007
Gran Sasso, Sangiovese, Terre di Chieti 2009
Garda, Classico Chiaretto Rose
Beaulieu, Cabernet, Rutherford 1999
Picos del Montgo, Tempranillo 2008
Chateau de Montmirail, Vacqueyras 2008
La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
Montgras, Carmenere Reserva 2009
Lange, Pinot Gris 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet 2008
Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
Vieux Papes Red
Domaine de l'Aujardiere, Chardonnay 2009
Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Guild, Red, Lot #02 2008
Dievole, Dievolino Sangiovese 2008
Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
Bonterra, Cabernet 2008
Elk Cove, Pinot Gris 2009
Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
The Occasional Book
Neil Young - Waging Heavy Peace
Mark Bego - Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul (2012 ed.)
Jenny Lawson - Let's Pretend This Never Happened
J.D. Salinger - Franny and Zooey
Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol
Timothy Egan - The Big Burn
Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
Fyodor Dostoyevsky - The Brothers Karamazov
Jack London - The House of Pride, and Other Tales of Hawaii
Jack Walker - The Extraordinary Rendition of Vincent Dellamaria
Colum McCann - Let the Great World Spin
Niccolò Machiavelli - The Prince
Harper Lee - To Kill a Mockingbird
Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus - The Nanny Diaries
Brian Selznick - The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
F. Sionil Jose - Dusk
Natalie Babbitt - Tuck Everlasting
Justin Halpern - S#*t My Dad Says
Mark Herrmann - The Curmudgeon's Guide to Practicing Law
Barry Glassner - The Gospel of Food
Phil Stanford - The Peyton-Allan Files
Jesse Katz - The Opposite Field
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
J.K. Rowling - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice
Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
C.S. Lewis - The Magician's Nephew
F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
William Shakespeare - A Midsummer Night's Dream
Ivan Doig - Bucking the Sun
Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
Grace Lin - The Year of the Rat
Oscar Hijuelos - Mr. Ives' Christmas
Madeline L'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time
Steven Hart - The Last Three Miles
David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
Adrian Wojnarowski - The Miracle of St. Anthony
William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
Steven D. Stark - Meet the Beatles
Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
Jonathan Schwartz - All in Good Time
David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
James McManus - Positively Fifth Street
Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 21
At this date last year: 52
Total run in 2012: 129
In 2011: 113
In 2010: 125
In 2009: 67
In 2008: 28
In 2007: 113
In 2006: 100
In 2005: 149
In 2004: 204
In 2003: 269
Comments (12)
Thanks for digging these "little nuggets" up for sharing with the rest of us to keep the truth of City Hall alive in the forefront of our minds.
As for Sam's Recall Petitions, I signed one a few week's ago and was asked to take blank form and get others to sign, and so far I've gotten 34 signatures...it's easier than giving away cupcakes as it turns out.
Surprisingly, most don't even mention their dislike of Sam based on his Sexacapades, but hone in on his mismanagement of PPB and his attempt to shield himself from the accountability by putting that poor dupe (Dan) in to soak up the stink in hopes to keeping it out of his office. Nay, we all remember that he was Vera Katz's Chief of Staff and he let her go blithely down the road to PPB Ruin that he, himself, inherited and now makes poor Dan skip along as it get more rocky and rough a travel. Sorry Sam, there is lot of folk who remember and see through the craven dirty politics and feel it's time for you to go!
Posted by no fan of Sam or Dan | March 2, 2010 5:47 AM
There are many people who have never seen Randy Leonard's and Creepy Sam's video.
It speaks for itself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMnY5FAKhl4
Posted by Ben | March 2, 2010 6:45 AM
The downtown UPS driver says "Portland is the City that Works, but won't let anyone else work." He was bemoaning the way they have systematically destroyed downtown traffic flow and removed truck loading/unloading zones for bus stops.
Posted by Mister Tee | March 2, 2010 6:47 AM
Time for a Public Records Act request; all phone and appointment logs of Sam and hsi entire staff; all E maiil of Sam and entire staff. Something similar to PDC.
Of course the City will want a gazillion dollars to do the "researcH" and won't comply until after the signature deaedline.
Maybe some deep pockets outfit in the news business, like the Oregonian.....umm, ahh, err, better make that Willie Week will make the request and do the asking.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | March 2, 2010 6:58 AM
Hey, at least Randy's HIT Squad didn't do a surprise invasion and kick them out earlier!
What's a few hundred or thousand dollars from a willing tenant? It isn't like the City is in desperate need of money ... if this is Samadumbs intelligent way to run a city government, that alone should demonstrate why he needs to go.
Posted by Mike (the other one) | March 2, 2010 10:09 AM
Can someone help me understand. How did Adams get elected? Are the majority of Portland voters dumb, not paying any attention or just "save the environment/get rid of cars at any cost?" And Leonard "Mugabe" has been reelected at least once. He's a smart loose cannon who serves a few special interests, especially the Portland Fire Bureau, our (very well paid) heros.
Posted by Don | March 2, 2010 11:00 AM
Don -
How did Adams get elected?
Thre axioms of politics come to mind:
1. You can't beat somebody with nobody. And Dozono was nobody among the voters, and he let Adams define who Dozono was. See axiom 3.
2. Money alone doesn't guarantee winning, but the absence of money guarantees losing.
3. Strike early painting the opposition as sleazy and they will spend so much effort / time / money trying to "correct" the picture that they will never gain traction with voters on the real issues or get voters to pay any attention to the real issues.
Bob Ball anyone?
Its a tried and true formula, a very depressing way to do politics, and something at which Mayor Creepy is a master.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | March 2, 2010 11:09 AM
I'm just full of questions today. To wit: The recall campaign only needs the space until April 20, right? (4/20-that's rich). Doesn't an FED action take about 37 days to complete? Wouldn't the publicity of the city attorney getting an FED and the Sheriff kicking the recall campaign out be the kind of publicity that would generate signatures and get the recall on the ballot?
Posted by sadlyivotedforsam | March 2, 2010 1:00 PM
It will be interesting to see how long this space sits vacant.
Posted by Bart | March 2, 2010 3:12 PM
Well, I wasn't going to sign the recall petition this time around, but now I am.
Posted by Sadie | March 2, 2010 4:13 PM
If some of you only knew of all the other under the radar shenanigans Adams has pulled in the 20 years he's held court at City Hall. His power plays are endless, just like his recent stealing of $20 Million from SoWhat to fund his lightrail to Milwaukie. There wasn't one iota of "reconciliation" from Sam with those paying that bill. He's totally dictatorial. His governance is just as bad as his lying.
Posted by lw | March 2, 2010 7:16 PM
Meanwhile, a demonstration of integrity among a disappointing pol's staff:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704187204575101691470234842.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | March 4, 2010 1:18 PM