We've been giving Oregon State Treasurer Ben Westlund a hard time about all the press releases he issues. But our running contest between him and state Attorney General John Kroger for most press missives released has ended, because Westlund succumbed to cancer this morning. Word had been circulating for several weeks that he was a goner.
I've always liked him. I even quit the Democratic Party so that I could sign a petition when he was running as an independent for governor. He really was an independent. When he rolled into the state treasurer's gig a year ago and change, it seemed like a classic case of a legislator who wanted to get paid a better wage for working in Salem. But it was comforting to know that there was an honest guy sitting atop the state's shaky financial accounts.
Westlund's last press release was issued on Friday. It reminded schoolchildren of an upcoming deadline for a scholarship contest. It was his 16th press release of the year.
Our condolences go out to his family and to the many other folks who will sorely miss him.
Comments (6)
I know it's cliche, but Westlund truly was one of the last of dying breed. He was bipartisan to the point of being nonpartisan. He will be missed.
Back in the late 90s, Ben was running his first election campaign for State Rep, while I was running my campaign for Madras mayor. At the time, the district he was attempting to win had Madras within the boundaries, so he and I found ourselves together many times at candidate forums. I found him to be a truly wonderful guy. After he won, he would call me occasionally to bring himself more up to speed about economic development, since I worked in the economic department of the local council of governments. We would always embrace when we found each other in the same room throughout the years, even though I quite politics after my first term.
My condolences to Ben's family. While we often disagreed on policy issues, Ben was never disagreeable. We had a number of pleasant conversations over the years. If more politicians of all stripes would be more like Ben, this would be a better state.
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
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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
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Hope Larson - A Wrinkle in Time, the Graphic Novel
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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
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Deborah Eisenberg - Transactions in a Foreign Currency
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. - Slaughterhouse Five
Kathryn Lance - Pandora's Genes
Cheryl Strayed - Wild
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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
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Sharon Creech - Walk Two Moons
Keith Richards - Life
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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
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Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
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Donald Miller - A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
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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: 29
At this date last year: 66
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 (6)
I know it's cliche, but Westlund truly was one of the last of dying breed. He was bipartisan to the point of being nonpartisan. He will be missed.
Posted by Garage Wine | March 7, 2010 7:02 PM
Back in the late 90s, Ben was running his first election campaign for State Rep, while I was running my campaign for Madras mayor. At the time, the district he was attempting to win had Madras within the boundaries, so he and I found ourselves together many times at candidate forums. I found him to be a truly wonderful guy. After he won, he would call me occasionally to bring himself more up to speed about economic development, since I worked in the economic department of the local council of governments. We would always embrace when we found each other in the same room throughout the years, even though I quite politics after my first term.
I shall miss my friend.
Posted by Gr8fulted | March 7, 2010 10:06 PM
I bailed on the Democratic Party for good, thanks to him.
Peace out.
Posted by godfry | March 8, 2010 12:01 AM
I hope this doesn't mean you won't keep us apprised of the number of press releases John Kroger puts out this year.
Posted by none | March 8, 2010 7:09 AM
My condolences to Ben's family. While we often disagreed on policy issues, Ben was never disagreeable. We had a number of pleasant conversations over the years. If more politicians of all stripes would be more like Ben, this would be a better state.
Posted by Steve Buckstein | March 8, 2010 9:10 AM
Did anyone else see the irony in Kroger issuing a press release yesterday about Ben Weslund's passing away?
Posted by Avalyn | March 10, 2010 9:53 AM