We're working our way through the long list of Multnomah County commission candidates in the upcoming election, and whittling it down based on what we consider to be some of their disqualifying features:
Karol Collymore - Works for Cogen, therefore a potential second vote for Cogen. Commissioner Deborah "the Latest" Kafoury says Cogen's going to shake things up from the way Ted Wheeler ran the county. We liked Wheeler, and are still quite leery of the Cogen-Saltzman axis. Sorry, Karol -- not this time.
Chuck Currie - No, no, a thousand times no. World's greatest Erik Sten fan, former flack for another Kafoury, defended Deborah K.'s decision to try to retain her legislative seat after she moved out of her district. A second vote for Kafoury, not to mention questions about the whole separation-of-church-and-state thing. Not now, not ever.
Gary Hansen - Been there, done that. Years on the Mean Girl and pre-Mean Girl versions of the county commission and in the Salem commuter club do not impress.
Tom Markgraf - Earl the Pearl aide, a streetcar man, and a Metro clone. Nuh-uh.
Roberta Phillip - Inexperienced, but looking like a quality candidate so far.
Maria C. Rubio - With the full endorsement of two of the former Mean Girl commissioners, this one's a nonstarter.
Loretta Smith - Backed by Ron Wyden's money. GONG! Say no more.
Paul van Orden - Maybe. His attempted run for sheriff when nobody else would stand up to Bernie "Courvoisier" Giusto was impressive.
So it's down to Phillip or van Orden for us. Two green lights -- the rest, yellow at best.
Comments (13)
Thanks Jack. Your summary and insight of this group is on target. Firestone would like the yellow-light group for the re-tread potential. We need some fresh blood, not the same old "insider" group that has taken the community to the policy and financial abyss.
People......please vote for the green light candidates, giving the others a yellow is generous.
Mr Bog, you know they have a drawing at the cocktail party on who will win this. We're gonna get more of the same, just get used to it and keep paying your taxes.
Bog's kiss of death? Now there's no one left upon whom to bestow it. Oh, did I forget Mr Leonard's pal (who can forget the silencing of the doggy daycare in NW?), Mr Van Orden, former professional skateboarder and Dale Carnegie acolyte? Oh, if only I and the CoP could forget Mr Van Orden!
It is sad that all those listed have mostly lived off the public dime, and never have paid payroll. When are we going to get just one or two candidates that are astute, are normal, and have run a business or have real life experiences outside government?
Remeber, Paul van Orden was pivotal in John Branam's rise to prominance in Portland politics. Maybe he'll bring Branam's sense of fiscal responsibility to the County!
As I've commented here before, Mr. Van Orden has a great record of serving Portland for the long haul. The small business owners endorsing on his website report that he's a fair guy. The only city commissioner endorsing him so far is Charlie Hales.
Noah Kleiman, Mr Hales has not been a city commissioner for several years. After promoting streetcars for the Pearl, he left to sell them to other cities. He said he wasn't earning enough as a city commissioner to stay. He said the same thing when he was asked more recently whether he would run for mayor: it doesn't pay enough.
Rather than obtain endorsements from "small business owners" regarding Mr van Orden's "great record," perhaps you should locate city residents who have found his devotion to noise control comprehensive and conscientious.
Noah -- Thanks for pointing out that Van Orden's claim to fame was being a civil servant focused on creating more work for himself, someone who organized a chicken coop tour, and someone who sat on a skateboarding committee. That is some serious leadership. With a resume like that, it's amazing he hasn't been elected already!
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 (13)
Thanks Jack. Your summary and insight of this group is on target. Firestone would like the yellow-light group for the re-tread potential. We need some fresh blood, not the same old "insider" group that has taken the community to the policy and financial abyss.
People......please vote for the green light candidates, giving the others a yellow is generous.
Posted by Herb G. | April 16, 2010 10:15 AM
Roberta Phillip just dropped out of the race.
Posted by The Original Bob W | April 16, 2010 12:02 PM
Mr Bog, you know they have a drawing at the cocktail party on who will win this. We're gonna get more of the same, just get used to it and keep paying your taxes.
Posted by Steve | April 16, 2010 1:10 PM
Guess you're down to Van Orden, Jack.
http://bit.ly/doL6vB
Shameless plugs: WW's endorsements hit the stands April 28! And all seven candidates will be at Candidates Gone Wild April 26 at the Aladdin.
http://bit.ly/aKmUHw
Posted by James Pitkin | April 16, 2010 1:12 PM
Roberta Phillip just dropped out of the race.
Just the possibility of a Bog endorsement was just too much for the campaign to handle.
How long can van Orden stand the heat?
Posted by Chris Snethen | April 16, 2010 3:32 PM
Yes, Ms Phillip, she definitely gone:
http://blogs.wweek.com/news/2010/04/16/multnomah-county-commission-race-roberta-phillip-is-out/
Bog's kiss of death? Now there's no one left upon whom to bestow it. Oh, did I forget Mr Leonard's pal (who can forget the silencing of the doggy daycare in NW?), Mr Van Orden, former professional skateboarder and Dale Carnegie acolyte? Oh, if only I and the CoP could forget Mr Van Orden!
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | April 16, 2010 4:44 PM
It is sad that all those listed have mostly lived off the public dime, and never have paid payroll. When are we going to get just one or two candidates that are astute, are normal, and have run a business or have real life experiences outside government?
Posted by lw | April 16, 2010 4:50 PM
Remeber, Paul van Orden was pivotal in John Branam's rise to prominance in Portland politics. Maybe he'll bring Branam's sense of fiscal responsibility to the County!
Posted by Doc Golightly | April 16, 2010 7:17 PM
As I've commented here before, Mr. Van Orden has a great record of serving Portland for the long haul. The small business owners endorsing on his website report that he's a fair guy. The only city commissioner endorsing him so far is Charlie Hales.
Posted by Noah Kleiman | April 17, 2010 1:21 PM
Noah Kleiman, Mr Hales has not been a city commissioner for several years. After promoting streetcars for the Pearl, he left to sell them to other cities. He said he wasn't earning enough as a city commissioner to stay. He said the same thing when he was asked more recently whether he would run for mayor: it doesn't pay enough.
Rather than obtain endorsements from "small business owners" regarding Mr van Orden's "great record," perhaps you should locate city residents who have found his devotion to noise control comprehensive and conscientious.
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | April 17, 2010 1:42 PM
Ok. Would a list of 8 Neighborhood Association Officers do the trick ?
There are also some folks who actually served as citizen members of some kind of noise review board.
I can only assume these people are "city residents".
Color me satisfied on this account. I have to agree with Jack, this guy gets a green light.
Posted by Noah Kleiman | April 17, 2010 1:56 PM
Noah -- Thanks for pointing out that Van Orden's claim to fame was being a civil servant focused on creating more work for himself, someone who organized a chicken coop tour, and someone who sat on a skateboarding committee. That is some serious leadership. With a resume like that, it's amazing he hasn't been elected already!
Posted by Doc Golightly | April 17, 2010 9:07 PM
Wow Jack, I could not agree more, and Chuck Currie....Best call of the group,just awful!
Posted by JP | April 22, 2010 5:06 PM