Portland City Hall shocker
It's hard to believe, but the new mayor of Portland just gave a top job to an old white guy who actually knows what he's doing. Just on a temporary basis, of course, but even so, when's the last time that happened?
| Posted at 9:47 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (27)
How many times is the Oregonian going to run that same picture? It's not even of Mayor Hales - it goes back to early in the campaign. And I think this is the second time they used it this week.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 9:57 AM
Does this look familiar?
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/06/portland_mayoral_candidate_cha.html
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 9:59 AM
How about this?
http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2012/09/portland_mayoral_candidate_cha_1.html
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 10:04 AM
Hey Bill, it's a bunch better than the electronic version of the "O" fish-wrapper sill showing the very strange McAfee dude looking at us on their side bar when following a story headline.
Posted by phil | January 18, 2013 10:05 AM
I thought when I looked at his selection it was going to reveal Jack Bog as his new pick
Bill - He has certainly aged in this photo from the very first time they used this photo.
Posted by gibby | January 18, 2013 10:06 AM
I don't want to leave Beth out of the mix:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/portlandcityhall/2012/04/charlie_hales_releases_tax_for.html
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 10:09 AM
Great, another double dipper. He retired at 51. Must be nice.
Posted by m | January 18, 2013 10:10 AM
He apparently owns a nice little bar down in Metzger.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 10:12 AM
To get back to the appointment ... I hope some people in LO are taking notice that when regimes change, the managers and directors change with it. Those folks in LO who feel slighted should relax - they are not being abused.
Posted by Nolo | January 18, 2013 10:13 AM
It's nice to have a Mayor work rather than having his picture taken all the time.
Hiring an old shoe to run PBOT that "can start every piece of equipment in the maintenance yard and run it" instead of someone with a planning degree must have the cycling community up in arms!
Posted by PD | January 18, 2013 10:15 AM
The only photo of Char-Lie you need to see:
http://photos.oregonlive.com/oregonian/2012/05/charlie_hales_on_election_nigh.html
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 10:16 AM
"He apparently owns a nice little bar down in Metzger."
So they need to bring in a guy who has been running a bar and hasn't worked the city in more than a decade to come in and tell them to focus on paving the streets? What is he getting from PERS already? There isn't an existing employee who could do this in the interim? Double dipping should be avoid expect in all but the most extreme circumstances. This isn't one of them as far I can see.
Posted by m | January 18, 2013 10:36 AM
Please, I'd rather have a PERS type than the legion of unqualified kids and hacks that ran the place under the Sam Rand Twins.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 10:39 AM
Widmer's PERS is apparently about $4,000 a month.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 10:42 AM
Jack, I have to agree. I'm certainly not saying he's perfect, and keeping an eye on him is in everyone's best interests, but it looks like Charlie may actually do some of the right things for the right reasons. Getting rid of the hipster bait is a good start.
Posted by Texas Triffid Ranch | January 18, 2013 10:51 AM
The "old white guy" should be the sidenote. Isn't this the bombshell?
"Widmer understands that street maintenance is his first priority."
Posted by sally | January 18, 2013 10:52 AM
How many times is the Oregonian going to run that same picture? It's not even of Mayor Hales - it goes back to early in the campaign. And I think this is the second time they used it this week.
I'm pretty sure it's a conspiracy, Bill - glad you're "on it".
Posted by cc | January 18, 2013 11:06 AM
Toby Widmer started out as a laborer guarding a City dump and worked his way up to become one of the Maintenance Bureau's best Directors. He has a complete understanding of the subject matter and represents a complete change from Adam's choices. I am happy he has agreed to a six month term to try and turn Transportation's ship around. There is a lot of damage to repair from Adams and his know-nothing appointees. He will do a great job returning to basics. God knows the streets need it!
Posted by Bill Long | January 18, 2013 11:13 AM
cc,
At first I thought those damn flashbacks were kicking in again.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 18, 2013 11:13 AM
Careful, it sounds like MR Bog's setting himself up for a broken heart. That last time he sounded this excited was about Potter (which, considering, was understandable.)
Posted by Steve | January 18, 2013 11:25 AM
Potter was a great mayor. He was, however, surrounded by dolts.
Posted by Jack Bog | January 18, 2013 11:43 AM
"He's a PBOT director who could start every piece of equipment in the maintenance yard and run it."
Yes, and Admiral Randy can drive fire trucks and climb up on the roof of a burning building. Does that make him better suited to run a bureau?
Posted by John Rettig | January 18, 2013 12:21 PM
He apparently owns a nice little bar down in Metzger.
Just like that Metro high level manager who lives in a McMansion on several acres in rural Clackamas County outside of West Linn (and outside the Metro boundary), those in power in Portland/Metro government know best to live outside their jurisdiction, as to not be subject to the rules.
Why isn't it a law that if you are a government employee you must live within the jurisdiction and be subject to the same rules - especially if you are the one that is either writing, or enforcing, the rules?
Posted by Erik H. | January 18, 2013 12:49 PM
Roseanne Rosanadana:
What's all this talk about pot'holes? Is that like people that smoke a lot and then are really stupid and obnoxious?
Never Mind...
Posted by Tim | January 18, 2013 1:28 PM
PD, PBOT Tom Miller never had a planning degree. He was fresh out of Lewis & Clark Law School when he got into Bureau Jumping.
Posted by lw | January 18, 2013 2:49 PM
Toby was a great Director and does not trust a** kissers.
A lot of a** kissers in government that may not sleep well for a while. I hope he cleans house and cans them all.
Posted by fancypants | January 18, 2013 9:58 PM
Jack:The only photo of Char-Lie you need to see:
Somehow I just knew "that" would be the photo!
I must be clairvoyant!
I don't think the O will be showing "that" one much.
Now with my clairvoyance I predict
"that" photo will keep appearing on this blog.
Posted by clinamen | January 18, 2013 11:44 PM