Bike tour operator is latest entrant into mayoral race
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on November 28th, 2007 at 11:01 am
A local entrepreneur who operates “sustainability focused” bike tours and who founded a successful web hosting business has just announced his candidacy for mayor.
26 year-old Slav Davidzon sent an email to supporters this morning announcing his candidacy that said in part,
“Portland needs a mayor who has the vision and courage to take the bold steps towards true sustainability and social justice.”
Davidzon runs the Sustainable Energy in Motion bike tours under his Common Circle, Inc. company and has also found success as president and founder of Thinkhost, a web hosting services company he started in 1999 (when he was only 16) that “supports positive social change” and is “powered by the wind and sun”.
Thinkhost currently donates webhosting to several local non-profits including those wild and crazy bike funnists at Shift.
Regarding bikes, Davidzon states that he plans to limit one-fifth of Portland’s streets to public transit, bikes, and pedestrian traffic. He would also subsidize public transit and make it free for everyone.
A look into my comment archives shows that Davidzon has been outspoken about his positions on many bike issues.
Reacting to a post about a legislative bill (which did not pass) to install official memorial signs at sites of fallen cyclists, Davidzon wrote:
“This is one of the dumbest things I’ve seen…Not only will it scare people from biking…it is also a ridiculous waste of money and resources that accomplishes absolutely nothing.”
After I wrote about the non-profit Community Cycling Center getting robbed and ransacked, Davidzon called for the Bike Gallery (whose owner Jay Graves used to sit on their Board of Directors) to donate. He wrote,
“The Bike Gallery is the largest bike dealer in Portland…This means that the demand on them to support the community should be far higher than those on any smaller bike shop.
I take serious disagreement with anyone who suggests that corporate giving ought to be seen only as a gracious act, rather than something to be demanded. After all, Bike Gallery would be not exist without the community.”
In response to my recent interview with City Commissioner Sam Adams, Davidzon wrote:
“May I ask why you didn’t ask Sam Adams about the failure of police to enforce existing laws? Surely he has some level of influence over the mayor, who is the chief of police…At the end of the day, it is action and action alone that matters to saving lives.
…Mr. Adams has the power to make a real difference, but no real will to do so, and this article clearly outlines that.”
Davidzon becomes the tenth Portlander to run for mayor (see all of them here). For more on Davidzon’s platform and campaign, check out OurPortland.org and/or download his announcement press release (PDF).
[DISCLAIMER: Davidzon has paid for advertising for his bike tours on this site in the past.]
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November 28th, 2007 11:11
is this the same guy responsible for all the spam email and robot phone calls i've received regarding the Sustainable Energy in Motion bike tour?
i like the bikey platform but...
SAM FOR MAYOR!
November 28th, 2007 11:17
SAM FOR MAYOR!!
November 28th, 2007 11:20
Wow! Finally, someone touching the real issues!
Can't wait to hear more about it!
November 28th, 2007 11:32
SAM FOR MAYOR!!!
While Davidson may have some good ideas, that isn't the same as someone who has proven themselves capable of getting things done. Sam has proven himself over, and over again.
November 28th, 2007 11:35
I'm all for shooting for the moon, but perhaps some of these candidates for mayor should run for city council where they could cut their political teeth and THEN run for mayor.
A run for mayor by someone with no political experience strikes me as a statement and call for attention rather than a well-planned attempt at getting things done.
I remember Slav's comments about the BG helping out the CCC quite well, and while I don't disagree with the sentiment of his main point, I found his approach to be unnecessarily hostile and devoid of even the most basic elements of diplomacy. He thought that shaming BG right out of the gate was the way to go, rather than dealing with them as people of good faith who could be convinced by reason, rather than being threatened to comply.
The notion of sending this philosophy to City Hall makes me shudder.
November 28th, 2007 11:51
Agreed.
Appreicate the green focus of his message.
But what I want out of my Mayor, in my city, is a resume of relevevant experience longer than the Seattle to Portland bikeride, and a similarly long proven track record of getting things done.
November 28th, 2007 11:51
Can you guys stop shouting "Sam For Mayor"? You sound like a bunch of sheep; "Ave Caesar", "Heil Hitler"...
Sam Adams proved that he can talk pretty well, and make good alliances. Obviously, with the power and position he had as a Commissioner, he could have done much more. I agree that he doesn't really have the will, and his double-speech proves that.
Now, "sustainability" is not something that makes certain trend products at New Seasons more expensive, it's an urgent necessity. Finally, someone is talking about it in a realistic way.
In my opinion, it is a waste of time supporting career politicians that never address real issues, like Sam Adams does.
Now, will you kids shut up and listen to what the new guy has to say?
November 28th, 2007 12:06
Those shouting for Sam to be mayor should read the cover story of today's Willamette Week -->>
Done Deal
Unless one of these 12 Portlanders challenges Sam Adams for mayor:
http://wweek.com/editorial/3403/10034/
I'm about to sit down and read it myself!
November 28th, 2007 12:08
Yeah, I agree with tonyt, this guy really showed himself with the way he handled the whole Bike Gallery thing...
November 28th, 2007 12:12
Tiago,
No, I won't "shut up" (how polite) because I HAVE listened to Slav on this site for quite a while now, and while his intentions may seem good, he needs to master some Politics 101 (asking people is better than telling them) before he's ready for anything even remotely as demanding as mayor.
But yes, it might be better to cool the "Sam for Mayor." Make him fight for out votes, not take them for granted.
November 28th, 2007 12:14
He doesn't want a memorial for those who have died? Lame.
SAM FOR MAYOR.
November 28th, 2007 12:18
I once had the displeasure of being on the receiving end of this guy's "politicking." He thought my organization should be bending over backwards to support his bike tour and was shockingly rude and pushy about it. I really did not appreciate his entitled attitude, nor his disrespect for my time or my organization's other work. He does not speak for me, or plenty of others in the bike community who have told me about similar experiences.
November 28th, 2007 12:24
"I take serious disagreement with anyone who suggests that corporate giving ought to be seen only as a gracious act, rather than something to be demanded. After all, Bike Gallery would be not exist without the community.” Slav Davidzon
Something to be demanded? That's a very radical position, and I doubt that it would go over very well with a broad segment of the population. You can get attention with statements like that, but not necessarily good attention.
This guy, Slav Davidzon doesn't sound like a serious contender for mayor. He's got about as good a chance of being elected as I do.
November 28th, 2007 12:27
It's a real shame that someone with so much energy - who's sincere and earnest about making the world a better place - is about as diplomatic as John Bolton (but with inexperience and naivetee to boot).
If this weren't such an important cause, the spectacle of Mr. Davidson's previous comments might be amusing.
November 28th, 2007 12:27
As far as being around the bike community, Slav is not new. As Jonathan points out he has a lot opinions and has been outspoken about many issues.
While I don't know Slav personally, and have only been around him once on a one-day bicycle tour with city repair. I have been aware of his tours, have read his emails on shift, and was part of his spam campaign mentioned by the first post I had to ask three times to be taken off. While his aggressive tactics may work in getting his tours filled, the experience of dealing with him and reading emails he's posted to shift have showed some insight to his character.(I'm sure you can find these emails, archived on the shift list)
I would really love to hear from someone who has had a good experience either on the Sustainablilty in Motion tours or in one-on-one interactions with Slav, because so far with my impressions, and the red flags, I'd prefer he stick to his tours, that I can make a choice Not to sign up for.
I'm not trying to personally attack Slav in this post, I'm just a little concerned that his platform may seem really great and persuasive, but his character (as I see it so far) may not be right for the job.
November 28th, 2007 12:56
I think there already is a demand on business to support the community, it's called taxes. I'm sure that Bike Gallery is paying more taxes than smaller bike shops in the area. Not to mention the number of people they employ and pay which in turn supports other retailers in the community.
This is a candidate with one plank in their election platform and it's a pretty narrow one at that.
November 28th, 2007 13:15
Lieutenant Kruger for Mayor!
November 28th, 2007 13:20
Is there anyone out there who has ever been on a "Sustainablilty in Motion" bike tour? Anyone know of anyone who's been on one? I've lived and biked in Portland for 11 years, and I've yet to meet anyone who's been on one of Slav's tours. I'd like to talk to a few folks who have been on one.
What were they like? Well organized? Safe? Good routes? Where did you stay overnights? Who did the cooking? What was the food like? Was it a good value? How would you rate Slav as a tour leader? How would you rate your overall experience? Would you recommend this tour to others?
Anyone?
November 28th, 2007 14:05
WATZIG 4 MAYOR! Anybody with the guts to put foot in mouth, in PUBLIC, got my support!
Let the battle of the bike billboards on PDX streets BEGIN!
DOWN WITH BIKE LANES!
November 28th, 2007 14:12
Just so everyone knows, even though we don't really have any sway over the mayor (as recent events can attest to), and we don't have real control over the Portland Police Bureau, our office is doing everything in our power to get the police to change the way they have been/are doing business re: cyclist rights and the enforcement of traffic rules. (Actually, our chief of staff is meeting with Rosie Sizer as we speak.)
While we have limited clout on this one, we are nonetheless pulling out all of the stops. We just need to do so in a thoughtful manner so we don't step on toes or ruffle feathers unnecessarily as we work in Bureaus that are not under our administration. We intend to be effective on this and actually get the job done, so we are acting carefully and methodically. While our behind-the-scenes work might not be headline-grabbing, don't think it isn't happening.
-Roland Chlapowski,
Transportation Policy Director for Commissioner Sam Adams
November 28th, 2007 14:19
It's all quite elementary, when you distill all the double talk, diatribe, dialogue and dissertation: Yode For Mayor. Say it with me.
November 28th, 2007 14:25
Not impressed by Slav. he makes a lot of bold statements that we all know will not transpire. It shows he's an ameteur. Stick with your day job Slav!
November 28th, 2007 14:35
Here's a little math exercise for y'all.
25% of the right of way on Hawthorne Boulevard above 12th - the sidewalks - is already dedicated to pedestrians.
Another 25% of the right of way on Hawthorne Boulevard - the two outer lanes - is pretty much allocated to transit.
Another 22% of the right of way on Hawthorne Boulevard - the two curbside parking lanes - is dedicated to the storage of unused motor vehicles.
Fully 75% of the right of way on Hawthorne Boulevard is dedicated to motor vehicles in one way or another, the other 25% is already reserved for pedestrians.
Zero percent of the right of way on Hawthorne Boulevard is dedicated to bicycles and other human powered vehicles.
November 28th, 2007 15:18
percentages, neat.
what does that have to do with whats-his-faces' mayoral campaign?
November 28th, 2007 15:25
It's right there in the OP: Regarding bikes, Davidzon states that . He would also subsidize public transit and make it free for everyone.
I was merely pointing out that on a major throughfare like Hawthorne Blvd, 25% of the ROW is already dedicated to pedestrians, another 25% to transit, and 0% to bicyclists.
November 28th, 2007 15:26
Oops, that didn't come out right. Here's the part that's important:
"he plans to limit one-fifth of Portland’s streets to public transit, bikes, and pedestrian traffic"
November 28th, 2007 15:41
But BURR, he's saying "limit." Really the only thing that is limited is the sidewalks (peds and bikes). The streets aren't limited to transit.
Are you essentially saying that it's mostly been done? I'm trying to follow you.
November 28th, 2007 15:57
I'm running for Mayor, too.
My Platform:
1. 6' buffer zone around bicyclists and pedestrians in all directions within which motor vehicles may not enter. $500 fine for first violation; $750 for subsequent violations.
2. A jury finding of simple negligence causing injury to another on any public roadway results in 6 month suspension of any license required to operate a vehicle. 1 year suspension for subsequent offenses; permanent revocation if two offenses in less than 5 year period.
3. Driving with a license suspended because of causing injury to another due to negligence is a Felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
4. Traffic violations causing injury to another create a presumption of negligence.
5. $0.10 tax on all non-renewable fuel sold in City limits; $20 monthly tax for any single-occupancy motor vehicle entering downtown between hours of 7-9 am on weekdays. Proceeds fund engineering and driver education initiatives, as well as carbon dioxide and hazardous air pollutant abatement programs.
And that's just the bike/ped platform...Wait till you see rest!!
November 28th, 2007 16:06
What would Mayor a.O. do in regards to the proposal to replace Oregon's per-gallon gas tax with a per-mile gas tax?
November 28th, 2007 16:07
Jonathan -- thank you for the post...
Folks...
This campaign is about expanding the range of dialogue; not about which candidate has the rosier cheeks. We live in what could well be a real democracy -- yet our range of choices, our range of dialogue, the range of our democracy itself seems to be rapidly shrinking.
I am running because I firmly believe that the dialogue must be drastically expanded: we need to be talking about healthcare, about sustainability, about real vision. There is a huge gap between leadership and management, and while the other candidates may well be great managers, what this city needs is real leadership.
I am running because if the best our city council can do is debate what this or that street ought be named, that's a disgrace at a time when cyclists are being killed because of lack of basic infrastructure; when so many people are without healthcare; when our world is going to hell in a handbasket because those very same politicians refuse to take action on global warming; when our country is engaged in an immoral, illegal quagmire in Iraq.
Now is the time for real action, but that action will not happen without someone who is willing to stick his neck out and engage in dialogue about things that truly matter. Either we start looking towards making bold moves towards a sustainable world, or we're done -- it is truly that simple.
I'm known to be a controversial guy because I believe in innovation and taking risk; more importantly I believe in the power of speaking my mind, regardless of the consequences -- for in doing so, I create spaces for others to do the same. I hope this campaign will achieve that goal.
My goal is to expand the range of the debate; to introduce issues like healthcare, car-free streets, solar energy cooperatives, and so many others into the debate. I believe that expanding that dialogue is worth sticking my own neck out; and I hope that many Portlanders will agree.
Remember -- it is easy to oppose; far harder to create an alternative. We need vision, we need choices, we need people who are willing to stick their necks out for the things that matter most. With that, let the dialogue begin.
November 28th, 2007 16:13
What would Mayor a.O. do in regards to the proposal to replace Oregon's per-gallon gas tax with a per-mile gas tax?
Add a per ton carbon emissions tax.
But seriously, per mile encourages poor fuel efficiency. What do you think?
November 28th, 2007 16:36
I think we should rise up and make our voices heard.
November 28th, 2007 17:41
@ tonyt #27:
I agree that Slav's use of the term 'limit' is somewhat ambiguous. Does he mean that he wants to close 20% of the city's streets to motor vehicles (other than transit vehicles)? Or does he mean that he wants to dedicate 20% of the ROW space on all streets to transit and non-motorized users? Only Slav knows for sure.
My point is that a large amount of the right of way space on every street is already dedicated to pedestrians and, on transit streets, to transit vehicles.
At best, what cyclists can hope for is perhaps 10% of any street right of way dedicated to bicycles (that would be two 4-foot wide bike lanes in a 72-foot right of way); that's only half the amount of space typically dedicated to storage of unused vehicles (curbside parking). And, in many situations, no space at all is dedicated to bicyclists, who have to fend for themselves among the dominant motor vehicles.
Since the city appears to be trending away from providing bicycle infrastructure on major (or even secondary) arterials, I am pessimistic about the chances for significant change in this area any time soon; but I agree with Carl that many cyclists use arterial streets for the same reason motorists do - they provide direct routes to desirable commercial and other destinations which tend to be located on the arterials.
I think the city should be striving to make every street safe and accessible for bicyclists, and the streets that need the most work are not the quiet residential streets that serve as 'bike boulevards', but rather the arterials that cyclists must ride on to access commercial destinations throughout the city, to access the Willamette River Bridges, and to make connections where residential streets are not an option. This becomes even more essential if we are seeking to grow the number of cyclists from the 3 to 5% mode split of today to 10, 20 or even 40% mode split; more space must be set aside for cyclists on the arterial streets for this to ever become reality.
November 29th, 2007 08:50
glad you're giving lesser-known crackpo... i mean candidates a platform here, but...
Sam for mayor!
November 29th, 2007 11:30
Vlad,
"I'm known to be a controversial guy because I believe in innovation and taking risk."
No Vlad, you're known to be controversial because you're confrontational and rude. We have seen how your dialogue works here and many of us profoundly disagree with your methods.
You can call it speaking your mind if you like. But in my experience it is those who simply lack the most basic of social graces who often try to couch it in terms of a virtue of deliberate "honesty" or "forthrightness." It is neither. It is self-delusion.
If you think that demanding money from a fellow citizen who has already contributed greatly to our cause is an effective way to enhance functional, long-term relationships, fine, knock yourself out. My vote, and it seems others too, will be that you do it on your own time, in your own business.
By the way, regarding that BG/CCC thread way back when, I asked you if you ever volunteered for the CCC and you never answered me. Seeing that you so easily demanded that others step up to help, I think it was a fair question.
November 29th, 2007 16:44
TONYT FOR MAYOR!
Seriously, my admiration for tonyt grows with every post he makes. Nothing personal against Vlad, I don't know him, but tonyt's observations on "honesty" are spot on.
Anyway, before we anoint SAM as Mayor, does it bother anybody else that Mayors in this town seem to be unwilling or unable to reign in the Portland Police Bureau?
Sam was Vera Katz's Chief of Staff, and Vera is now co-chair of Sam's election campaign; as Mayor, Vera Katz (and Sam, as her Chief of Staff) stood by helplessly as the PPB shot one unarmed citizen after another. In what is an otherwise progressive town, we have a paramilitary police force that behaves more as an occupying army than a law enforcement agency. And the Mayor, as Police Commissioner, is the only elected official we can hold responsible for this state of affairs. When the Mayor, aka the Police Commissioner, allows the PPB to set the policy agenda, the Mayor is shirking the duties of the job. So before we anoint our next mayor, we should at least ask some hard questions about what policies our next Mayor will pursue as Police Commissioner.
November 29th, 2007 17:44
All-
I have been on one of Slav's tours. Here is what I discovered:
1. His concept of the tours were great. We visited different perma-culture sites, off the grid households, land trusts and community co-ops where we did some community service projects (namely pulling weeds) and learned about each place. For the most part they were good (if you don't mind working in a garden in biking gear and biking shoes.)
2. The sites appeared to be selected based on interest and a free overnight place to pitch a bunch of tents. Remember the free bit.
3. The food was completely vegan. If this was your first attempt at a vegan diet I have a feeling you would never do it again. It appeared that cost was the major factor in determining the menu. We did all the cooking and cleaning along the way. Lots of quinoa and cauliflour, not much variety or taste. My guess was it was somewhere around 50 cents a head for each meal on the high end. People paid money for this!
4. Speaking of vegan, there was a militant aggressive attitude toward those of us who wanted coffee or cream in our coffee. The lack of available coffee was not advertised prior to the ride and caught us by surprise. No "company" utensils or cups were allowed to touch coffee, cream or any meat product. Ever. I am not vegan, so maybe coffee is not allowed. But my guess is that Slav didn't want to pay for coffee.
5. No alcohol on the tour at all, even when out on the road outside of camp. Not a big deal, but I think the median age was somewhere near 45. We all appeared to be able to be mature about it. A cold beer after a long hot ride can be quite pleasant.
6. We got a lecture that milk was bad for us during orientation. I found that to be a bit bizarre, but it's nice to hear other people's opinions sometimes. Amusing at the very least. But for some reason the Tillamook Cheese factory was a stop on the tour. Somehow Slav must have gritted his teeth through that one.
7. A standard answer for any changes or requests that most mature adults would agree to were answered with "No you can't, due to risk management." I am in the risk management business and I can tell you that instead what he meant was either "No, that might cost me more money (like 75 cents).", "No, that is inconvenient for me." or "No, I am a control freak." Actually they all applied. Again, these were all simple requests that any normal adult would grant to their children that he was denying to paying "clients."
8. One of our most dangerous legs was a 30 miler back into Portland through the city. Ever been on the 5 lane roads around Nike headquarters? That was typical. We were told it was all bike path. There might have been about .5 mile on a bike path. And no SAG support. Why not? Because they only had one SAG van and everyone on the staff needed to be back to help with the all day "safety" training for the oncoming tour. Who bore the weight of that risk? The riders, because it wasn't convenient for Slav to provide a SAG wagon. Most of us got lost on the way in, the directions were horrible and not a staff member in sight. I'd say that the riders were managing the risk that day.
9. At night when we were sitting around the campfire you would think that this visionary leader would be interacting with his "clients" and talking about all his great ideas. What we got was a strange quiet little man who either disappeared, sat off to the side by himself or whispered to his staff who would repeat what his directions were. Very odd.
The bottom line of his sustainable tours: the concept is great. The management and actual application was horrible.
November 29th, 2007 18:07
George, RE: #37---Looks to me like an EXCELLENT concept for a Woody Allen flick! Oh, I ALMOST forgot. Slav 4 Mayor!
With all these EXCELLENT candidates coming out of the woodworks, I don't feel so lonely anymore in Tulsa!
November 29th, 2007 18:26
Draft Stan Kahn!
November 29th, 2007 18:45
George, @ #37: Wow. Was it really that bad? Anyone else?
November 29th, 2007 18:51
I also have been on one of Slav's bike tours and agree that the concept was great but the implementation was terrible.
The trip involved lots of biking and camping. I challenge whether Slav has much experience at either based on his decision-making during the tour.
Running a bike tour with limited cycling experience......running for mayor with limited (or no) political experience. A patterm maybe?
He talked a lot (to his clients - yes) about how things had to be done a certain way to limit his liability. However, the things he was concerned about were trivial in my opinion, and he was oblivious to real liability issues that his management decisions created.
If you are a very self-sufficient and experienced cyclist with a knack for keeping a positive attitude, then I would say you will probably be okay on one of his tours.
But if you are an inexperienced cyclist (and he advertises that his tours are suitable for inexperienced cyclists) you may be taking on a higher personal risk than you realize.
I wonder how all this would translate into his government leadership.....
November 29th, 2007 19:10
Gandhi once said "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Well I'm glad to be in the laughing stage -- I'd be far more concerned about being ignored!
TonyT: my methods are without a doubt controversial, as I am incredibly aggressive at getting results -- and make no mistake about it, I get results. At twenty-six I've done more than most people do by the time they retire; and I am *tremendously* proud of my track record both in business and activism. No, I have not volunteered with CCC because at the time I did not feel that to be a particularly productive use of my time (although an offer of significant support *was* made). We all must choose avenues to support the social change movement in ways we each find most effective.
Look at the end of the day, if you are looking for the candidate with rosiest cheeks, go vote for any of the other candidates who will make carefully crafted statements meant to not 'ruffle feathers' and achieve little in terms of results while leading our world right off a cliff. But I think there are a lot of people in this town for whom the 'city that works' simply fails to do so. More importantly, this campaign is about bringing up issues that will not be addressed otherwise.
Sustainability, in all its many faces, must be at the forefront of the discussion. Universal healthcare must be at the forefront of the discussion. These are all issues that no other candidate is willing to address, but these are issues that must be part of the discussion. There is much more to running for office than just the goal of victory -- there is also the question of expanding the dialogue, which I believe must happen; and if expanding that dialogue means I must stick my neck out, let it be. The issues are worth it, our world is worth it, and ultimately this is what democracy is all about.
I'm not even going to bother addressing George's trolling post (#37), given his failure to read our website (before signing up) where each of his points is answered, many at the very top of *each* page on the site. It is, however, worth pointing out
that I make a point of posting with my real name on this site and elsewhere; not hiding behind petty aliases like those who choose to attack me. But ultimately this campaign is not about me; certainly not about my companies. It *is* about the issues that need to be part of the dialogue; issues which will now *be* part of that dialogue with this campaign. I have never cared much for popularity contests; but what I do deeply care about is the potential to have a world where we can all thrive.
It is easy to attack, defame and libel. But it is much harder to create. It is easy to criticize (often justifiably) the police department for their heavy-handed tactics. Yet it is far harder to create a vision that would create an alternative to those tactics -- an alternative that I believe must be part of the dialogue about what our city ought to be like. It is far harder to create a vision of an economy where small businesses can truly thrive. It is far harder to create a vision of a world where every Portlander has access to the health care they deserve. But it is that vision that is so clearly lacking in our society today.
I have chosen to ensure that sustainability, universal health care, and local small-business economics ARE going to be a part of the discussion for the next six months as this city debates its path. Whether each of you likes me personally is irrelevant to me -- what matters is that these are issues that will be injected into the debates; they will be injected into the dialogue; and with some luck they will be injected into the future course of our great city. This campaign is ultimately about the very basic question of what kind of a democracy we want to have -- for without a real range of choice, without a real range of dialogue, we cannot have a truly thriving democracy.
I invite people to engage me on the issues, rather than via petty personal attacks. Once the real campaigning begins in early 2008, I will work as hard as I can to create opportunities for that discussion of real issues to take place -- through town halls, through the media and through the internet. Let's start actually talking about things that *matter* to the future of our great city.
November 29th, 2007 22:42
Reading George's comments, I felt like I was reading my own email to Slav when I provided him with feedback on his tours. Now, Slav has great ideas and is very forward thinking, but he simply fails in being able to run a company based on the principles he supposedly embraces. This is a real concern when we are talking about running a government. I invite others to peruse Slav's website of his company at www.commoncircle.com and judge for yourself whether his rules are clearly presented (note: the font color is just slightly darker than the background color if you can even find it). We also learned, once on the trip, that we were not allowed to get in water above our ankles. And to add to George's very accurate description of a Slav tour- imagine 32 people trying to find space to camp in just two forest service camping sites and Slav not wanting to pay the $10-$12 for a 3rd camping spot that wasn't adjacent to the other two because of "risk management". We were so cramped in, that we were forced to place tents on vegetation. Oh, and I also learned that he didn't want me to leave my rain fly off my tent, for fear that it would give others the idea that not putting a rain fly on the tent was okay. I have to wonder what his risk management and fiscal policies would entail as mayor. Speaking of fiscal issues, another very misleading practice was having people pay deposits for their trip. Now, most of us would agree that by definition, a deposit means "a sum payable as a first installment... with the balance being payable later". Not in Slav's world. This deposit was non-refundable. Now, in fairness to Slav, this practice has since been dropped. It appears that many others complained as well. Seems deceiving, don't you think?
Slav- I love Gandhi's quote and I hope you take it to heart- but in order to be a serious contender, you must be open and not ignore the feedback of others, you must be willing to laugh at yourself, and you must fight and demonstrate that you are a collaborator and can run your own business successfully before we can say collectively we've won.
November 30th, 2007 00:16
George (comment 37), there have been a few trolls trying to defeat constructive dialogue on this weblog from time to time, but you, contrary to what Vlad, candidate for mayor of the city of Portland says, are definitely not one of them as I see it. A more incisive tour review would be unusual from someone that was just a participant in one of his tours. No way would I ever opt for a tour experience like the one you described.
Vlad, you can boast all you want about what you've accomplished in 26 yrs of life, but I'd have to say that very little of what you've shared with everyone here indicates that what you've acquired in those 26 years since you were born, adequately prepares you to lead an entire city in the very complex world we live today. It's easy to BS over lofty ideas about sustainable living and a fairer society for all. That's fine for informally discussing things with friends, but not as a platform for mayor. For that, a mayoral candidate better be prepared to offer something far more substantial.
One of the things I ask myself about a candidate for mayor is whether they demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with many different kinds of people and groups in a way that can enable government to function well in attending to the needs of the city's residents. What have you done that demonstrates such an ability? What you have demonstrated so far indicates just the opposite.
November 30th, 2007 00:19
My apologies Slav: I inadvertently got your name incorrect in my comment above.
November 30th, 2007 02:50
More personal attacks, mostly with zero substance -- I am not going there, sorry. If there was any merit to these ludicrous accusations beyond the poster's basic inability to read information presented (such as clear verbage 'non-refundable'), my company would not be consistently *drastically* growing year after year, nor would we be expanding to two new states as we are right now, especially not in the lawyer-crazy society where we operate. These accusations are childishly ludicrous, especially coming from anonymous posters hiding behind their pseudonyms.
However again, this campaign isn't about me, and it certainly isn't about either of my companies. This is about the issues. Sustainability, health care, and real local living economics are going to be heard in this election. No more personality bashing folks. I refuse to respond to it. You want to challenge me on my issues -- go for it, but this personality bashing won't get you anywhere. The issues I bring up *will* be heard in this election. Deal with it. You don't have to vote for me -- but the issues I bring up *will* become part of the dialogue.
If you don't like me, you don't have to vote for me. But the dialogue is going to be shifted and we will be talking about issues that actually matter in this election.
November 30th, 2007 07:43
Slav, did you just compare yourself to Gandhi? Don't do that. It makes you appear delusional. If you live for 2600 more years, you're never going to be Gandhi.
Anyway, several people now have said the same thing about your tour: poorly managed, little to no understanding of real liability issues, and inadequate interpersonal skills. These seem more like studied observations to me than personal attacks. Sure, some of them are about you, but if you can't handle that then you should stay out of politics.
And twice now you've commented that people commenting here may be selecting their candide based on "rosier cheeks." Isn't implying that we are incapable of judging the candidates on the issues a "personal attack" as you have defined it above?
I can tell you that I'm perfectly capable of judging this race on its merits. And that's why I'm voting for SAM FOR MAYOR!!
So, if you want to talk about issues, here's the first one I think you ought to address:
Are all these people who say they went on your tour and had a "horrible" experience lying?
If so, why so much animosity to your tour if it's so well run? If you generate that kind of negativity from running a bike tour, how can you possibly claimm to be able to unite people in the fractious political arena?
If not, then what makes you think you can run a big City?
November 30th, 2007 07:50
Slav-
I was actually responding to a request from #18 to describe one of the tours. I did add some opinions of why I thought things happened, my apologies if I am guessing wrong.
Your comment about hiding behind a name on a blog makes it seem as if I am something sinister. This is not a movie or a conspiracy. I'm a real person who was on your tour. And you have my credit card number, my home address, next of kin, probably my SSN from one of your forms. I'm following your lead on the risk management front...
I am actually in favor of all (most I guess) of the social change you are promoting and I don't see too many people disagreeing with your ideas. They appear to be disagreeing with your methods and communication style.
So, in a sense, I guess it is the ultimate personal attack on you.
My suggestion: find a viable candidate who shares some of your passion about these issues and try to get hired on to the campaign. You would be a wonderful policy and position paper contributor. Your candidate could help connect with the people and you could help your candidate be effective in promoting some changes. Good luck to your future endeavors.
November 30th, 2007 08:51
Slav,
First, apologies for referring to you as Vlad earlier.
Dude, you really need to take a deep breath, and a step back.
There are two possibilities here.
1. We're all gathering in a smoke-filled room somewhere and coordinating our stories and picking on you in some grand conspiracy.
or
2. There is more than a little truth to what people are saying here.
Take your pick. One version offers you comfort, the other offers you lessons.
There are no personal attacks here. People are telling you about their experiences with you. Some have personal experiences with you, others have experiences with you on this site. You mischaracterize and dismiss the perspectives of others at your own peril.
Yes you may have done a lot compared to other people your age. But you are still 26. And one thing that you cannot demonstrate at that age, is the very sustainability that you espouse for your businesses and our city.
I had a friend years ago who was a very aggressive business person. He succeeded early on, but it soon became apparent that a lot of his success was based on using up and spitting out his friends and customers with the force of his ego. It was a scorched Earth strategy that got him a lot early on, but started to fail as people learned what was happening.
He went through a tough middle phase, and is now coming out the other end a much different, more humble person. His successes are smaller, but they now build upon one another.
You can harangue us for not recognizing the genius that is you, or you can check your sizable ego and perhaps learn a thing or two. Your choice.
November 30th, 2007 09:26
My spidey sense is warning me that all of this attention to nitpicking detail in the name of "risk-management" (while inexplicably ignoring real-world risks) indicates that Slav is using "risk-management" in lieu of being adequately insured.
Which, if accurate, would indicate performance issues we wouldn't want to bring to the Mayor's office.
Slav?
November 30th, 2007 09:51
i am glad to read that people who have been on the tour came here to thoughtfully and respectfully share their experiences regarding the managment of slav's tours and their experiences with slav as a person.
the things i have read corroborate the things i have heard about slav. however, as this was secondhand information i was hesitant to present it here.
slav, it would serve you well to do some deep thinking about the things people have kindly told you here.
PS: i can't resist...
SAM FOR MAYOR!
November 30th, 2007 10:27
I have heard this method of advancement refered to as
"Burning bridges to light the way".
November 30th, 2007 11:08
Slav -
Here's the thing, that Tony Robbins tape, the one marked "Unleash Your Inner Power", you gotta flip it over, to the side labeledd "Interacting Effectively With The Public" - that's gonna really help you, man. But I agree you made the right call buying the series secondhand, not attending his seminar. I think it's Tony's freakishly large head that would frighten me in person. :-)
Now seriously, I really like your ideas, but based on the interactions you have had on shift and bikeportland lists (previous to announcing your election bid) I would not have voted for you. I encourage you to look at the means AND the end, not just the end. Check the aggression and try to see that on the road to utopia, ( or a slightly better world at any rate) it's all about the connections we make with others... it we want to help our civilization become more livable we have to not only walk our talk - which is much of it - but to make in roads with folks who don't see things from our points of view - try to be happy warriors, sticking to your guns but do it with education and actions that win over rather than enrage and marginalize.
Good luck fighting the good fight.
November 30th, 2007 13:05
Wow, we really seem to be incapable of talking about issues, aren't we? More of the same personal attacks that will not get you folks anywhere. Quit the bloody personal attacks, and let's talk about issues that actually matter.
I'm the first to say that (like any other company, service or product) our tours aren't for everyone, and we're definitely starting to do a better job of screening candidates, particularly the whacky few who prove themselves unable to read basic facts. Yes, we're fully insured and serious risk management is standard to any outdoor industry; although we also tend to be more proactive than some companies out there. Our safety record over a period of three years speaks for itself - as a direct result of that risk management, not a single significant incident, even though we've had a huge number of clients through our tours. I again point out that we're talking about a super-fast-growing company that's quickly expanding into two new US states -- wouldn't be happening if what we offered was so horrible.
I am tremendously proud of the companies I have built, but again this campaign isn't about me. It isn't about my companies. It is about issues that certain of my opponents will not discuss unless pressured to do so by another candidate. Elections aren't necessarily always entered with the primary goal of winning -- sometimes the very act of bringing important issues into the election is a worthwhile goal. Because my prior personal committments forced me to enter the race late, my primary goal is to bring issues of sustainability, universal health care, and local economics into the debate; the secondary goal is to actually attempt to win and implement.
The issues I bring up must be debated. Whether you like Sam Adams or not (and I do want to say that I deeply respect the guy for many things he has accomplished) there are important issues that Sam has thus far not said a word about. I believe those issues to be worth sticking my own neck out for -- sustainability, universal health care and local economic development (More Smallmarts, less Walmarts) MUST be part of the dialogue. If you like Sam, go vote for Sam, but not before he gets to talk about some real issues during the campaign as a result of the little guys jumping in and forcing that dialogue. If the only thing my campaign achieves is forcing the issue of universal healthcare onto the table, I will have judged this campaign a tremendous success.
If at a time when our world is facing a sustainability crisis of unprecedented proportions, the best that our city council can do is debate what to rename a freaking street downtown, I think it is time to expand the playing field and it is time to expand that dialogue. The range of dialogue thus far has been an utter insult to the basic notions of what our democracy ought to be all about. We can have a real democracy, or we can have a hypocricy with talking-head politicians who refuse to act while leading us off a cliff (while of course making lots of money from corporate interests). I think it is time that issues that represent folks other than wealthy real estate developers became part of the dialogue; real issues that actually matter to average Portlanders.
Let's talk about issues that actually matter folks. Let's talk about what the next mayor will do about cyclists dying on our city streets. Let's talk about how we're going to integrate our police into our communities in a way that will actually bring results. Let's talk about how we can make our city truly more sustainable -- thus far I am the only candidate proposing actually starting a solar energy cooperative here in Portland. Let's talk about how we can bring health care to every citizen of Portland through something like the Ithaca Health Fund. Let's talk about things that *actually* matter.
November 30th, 2007 14:50
Dude, nobody's talking about the issues because we don't disagree with most of your issues. We get it. We get what you're trying to say.
Do you get it? The issues are NOT the issue.
But issues are championed by people. And whether issues move forward or not, most often depends on the qualities of the people advocating for them. If the people can build alliances, the issues can often be advanced. If the people alienate others, then the issues suffer for it.
Get that part? Your interpersonal skills, or lack thereof, can do harm to the issues you care most about. That's what we are trying to get through to you. It's because we DO care about the issues.
You can refuse to listen to our perspective and even blame us for it, but that won't change the reality of how you are perceived.
Have a great time Slav.
November 30th, 2007 15:00
ummm.. slav, is there a way to get into your "campaign" web site without giving you my name and email addy? i would like to read more about what you have to say on these "issues", but after the slew of spam mail i got from your bike tour group, i'm a bit wary of giving you any personal info.
-sean
November 30th, 2007 15:15
sean,
there is a teeny-tiny "continue" link one can click on to gain a spam free entrance to the site.
slav,
since you claim to be so involved with your issues, it seems odd that you are paying more attention to the comments here (which you say are mostly of "zero-substance") than you are to the comments on your own campaign site. there appears to be a handful of people on there wanting you to further elaborate on your platform, but thus far you have ignored them while posting lengthy and repetitive diatribes on here.
November 30th, 2007 15:33
Slav. Once they're posted, are you taking the trouble to actually read what you've written on the blog itself next to all the other responses to this article about you? If you have been, the critical but helpful, even reassuring advice in some of those responses doesn't seem to have escaped your notice or interest.
You say you want to talk about issues. Who is going to want to talk issues with someone that is incessantly abrasive and antagonistic and doesn't seem to have much of an idea of what congenial means. One of the reasons people like Sam Adams, is because he's congenial. He can talk to people, have and express an opinion of his own that's different to theirs, and yet leave them feeling good about the experience. It's that kind of chemistry between a city's residents and its elected officials that provides a solid working relationship with which to get things done.
Dude, have you even thought about what's going to happen to you when you run up against a guy like Randy Leonard? Let's just say that you'll never ever need a hat again once that happens.
November 30th, 2007 15:37
Geez, another mistake on my part. Sorry for the confusion. The following sentence:
"If you have been, the critical but helpful, even reassuring advice in some of those responses doesn't seem to have escaped your notice or interest."
Should have read:
"If you have been, the critical but helpful, even reassuring advice in some of those responses seems to have escaped your notice or interest."
November 30th, 2007 15:57
If I ever had any doubt, I no longer do.
SAM FOR MAYOR!!
November 30th, 2007 19:40
Politics and government leadership are about so much more than just issues.
December 1st, 2007 07:51
tonyt,
comment 55
I agree completely, and thanks for saying this better than I could. The whole package counts. If the right words come from the wrong mouth, people are apt to ignore the message, or associate it with negativity.
Sustainability is not just about eating vegan, or taking care of the earth. It's about taking care of other people too. Sometimes it our time to talk, but more often it's our time to listen.
December 1st, 2007 19:21
TonyT: your point is moot; I am in the race and I intend to see this through; so let's break up this little circular firing squad, for we probably agree on the issues. I'm not backing out and not going anywhere; and my ability to take personal attacks and criticism is truly unlimited -- so drop them, and let's start talking about issues. The dialogue MUST be expanded, at ANY cost. In this election, we *are* going to talk about universal healthcare, sustainability, local economics and so many other issues that truly matter.
I believe in getting things done over rosy cheeks and false smiles. If at a time when cyclists are being killed the best that the Commissioner's staff can say is that they are afraid to 'step on toes or ruffle feathers' (post #20), well... that speaks for itself. Yet the issues are truly about life and death; and I intend to see to it that the dialogue in this election *will* be reshaped to include things that truly matter.
The dialogue *must* be broadened, and in this election it *will* be broadened. We're going to talk about setting a living wage. We're going to talk about setting up a cooperative health fund. We're going to talk about sustainability. And we're certainly going to talk about creating a true local living economy.
This is what democracy is all about; shame on you and several others here for trying to silence that dialogue. If anything, we need more candidates stepping up -- and yet this thread clearly shows why so few good people choose to go into politics.
December 1st, 2007 21:01
Get over yourself Slav. We're not trying to silence anything. You haven't heard a damn thing we've said here.
A lovely trait to have in a Democracy for sure.
December 1st, 2007 21:36
Slav said-
"This is what democracy is all about; shame on you and several others here for trying to silence that dialogue. If anything, we need more candidates stepping up -- and yet this thread clearly shows why so few good people choose to go into politics."
Ah, I love it when people take the moral high road. That's what Ghandi would've done, right?
December 3rd, 2007 13:28
I live on the east coast, but business connections in portland, but I heard slav was running through his emails. I went on a tour and they are represented well here. slav is like so many brilliant risky entraprenurs: He lacks social skills--in a major way. He has done alot, but I looked at is his staff team this year and they looked extremely irritated and bossed around by slav. Slav has good ideas about sustainability, but he is soooo quirky that they come across badly. We couldn't go in water above our ankles for risk management! Yet we were riding bikes next to big logging trucks. It seemed that slav just has quirky ideas and is really big on some things and doesn't even think about others.
His amazing concept he tries to run as a tour would be enviable if ran by a different manager. Slav suffers from founder failure in management theory. His company will fail if he doesn't learn to release some reins and take feedback and not be so controlling. My observation was that he took no feedback from riders, and the staff looked very frustrated because they weren't listened to either. They never said that (out of fear I pressume), but I could tell they were hiding their resentment when they had to tell us 'umm, slav says____."
I have had experience trying work out an issue with slav and he labeled me stupid and alluded to me being crazy. I talked to others on the tour with the same experience. Feedback is dismissed as either our problem, or is rendered moot because its a "personal attack." Slavs responses here remind me of how he delt with my feedback I gave him. I heard that slav used to be on the board at peoples coop, but he wasn't very long. I am curious if that was because he couldn't work with others? Anyone know about that?
I wanted to tell him on the tour that it would go so well if he would leave and let his great guides lead while he stayed behind his computer--but thats a hard thing to tell the owner. He is a brillient man of 26 years, but his personality holds him back. He is not very pleasant.
He seemed to lurk around while on the tours. He was usually in the van, which was supposed to be for injured or tired riders. He would have his staff drive him to the next site (he didn't bike with us) while he was on his computer. Same in camp--on his computer while staff did all the work, he never did the service projects with the riders and other staff, he never weeded one weed, or helped any of the host sites we went to, and he never helped in camp, the riders and staff cooked and cleaned. He lurked about behind his computer and jumped out of the shadows for two reasons: to tell staff or riders 'no!' about something he saw them doing, or to give a big bold canned sustainable speech about some issue every few days. Otherwise he was absent and not interacting. Classic micro-manager.
I don't think slav is even a consideration, he is obviously too strong a personality. But I shudder to think how portland would look under slav. He works well alone, or with people he can boss around who work under him. But he doesn't compromise. Portland would have a bad reputation if slav ran around telling everyone why they were stupid for not listening to all his ideas. slav would do bad in a liberal-only world, but there are conservatives in portland too--there is no way slav could even talk to a conservative, he treats them like idiots. He dismisses them totally, his face gets red when he talks about 'how stupid' or crazy a conservative belief is. A good politician has to hear all sides and make people feel heard before he/she can push an agenda. slav would just piss everyone off.
My understanding is that slav had totally new staff this year. All the guides, and the office and logistics were new as of april or may. And none were returning from last year. If slav has such democratic ideas and sustainable approaches why aren't his staff returning from previous years? I am just going to make a guess that his staff team from this year, based on the eye rolling I saw, will not return next year. I can't imagine a man who can't retain good staff would be able to lead a huge city. slav thinks leading is saying whatever you want. Slav thinks leading is saying your ideas and hoping people get behind you, if they don't they have the problem-- because eventually smart people will get behind the 'real leader.' I guess eventually slav might find staff that can handle him, and riders that return the next year. Until he has loyal staff, who will fight for him, how can he think he can lead a city?
Slav will dismiss this feedback, as he always does, and tell me I have a problem. And no slav, you have my credit card and info so I don't want you to have my real name. I wish some of his staff would jump on here and say how it was working for him, any tour guides out there brave enough to speak up?
Bottom line: if I saw one thing from slav I could get behind him, but it is amazing that even saying this point blank he still won't do it: all I want to hear from slav is, "I am sorry, everyone obviously is saying the same things, maybe there is some value to your comments. To be honest, I know I am rude, but its hard to admit it. I also have a hard time releasing control. But I see it as a problem and I want to change."
You can't change until you see you have a problem--everyone else isn't in the wrong. The issue isn't the issues, just like the company is great but not a good experience b/c of slav, talking about big portland political issues isn't the issue. The issue we have beef with is you slav.
December 3rd, 2007 15:49
Wow, they're back with more personal attacks. Lets get some facts clear here:
-- the accusations being made are mostly a direct result of the inability of the poster(s) to read the (legally-binding) information presented.
-- our risk management is extraordinary; three years and zero serious incidents is an astounding track record -- and is a direct result of the much-derided risk management. All risk management policies are freely available from our website -- including the swimming policy (although I have to say that if you're crazy enough to want to go swimming in freezing ocean currents, I don't really want your business, sorry. I mean it - please do go with a competitor).
-- my company is expanding with routes in two new states and experiencing *tremendous* growth; if the experience we provide did not suit the majority of our clients, we'd be in a very different situation. We are not perfect, and are definitely not the right fit for every client, but I will not accept blame for a certain individual's inability to read basic pre-tour materials, freely available on our website. Contrary to the poster(s), I have a clear track record of clearly admitting when my company has made mistakes, and will fully continue to do so -- but accept no responsibility for a client's inability to read legally-binding materials presented to them.
-- each accusation made against my company thus far has been made under an alias, probably with full knowledge that doing
otherwise is virtually guaranteed to expose the poster to legal liability for slander/libel. The suggestion that personal data may be misused is ludicrous as it would be a clearcut violation of the law for us to do so; but the poster(s) do know that providing real information is likely to expose them to legal liability for slander/libel.
At the end of the day there are numerous avenues available when a company wrongs someone and yet the fact that the posters have chosen to pursue none of the other avenues demonstrates good awareness that the claims are without merit, and that the fault is squarely on their own shoulders for not reading information presented. I say again -- we wouldn't be growing as fast as we are if it wasn't for the extraordinary experience which my company offers, however imperfect it may well be (and I am the first to admit we're not perfect). I am tremendously proud of the companies I have built, even if at times doing so has meant rubbing people the wrong way, for I believe that at the end of the day, it is action and action alone that counts -- and my track record couldn't be more clear. I achieve results.
I must remind folks that there was once another candidate who was well known for being outrageously abrasive. Yet that candidate went on to win two mayoral elections, cleaned up a city everyone thought was all but a lost cause, and is today a leading candidates for President. I am speaking about Rudy Guiliani -- a man whose leadership style is nothing short
of extraordinary, even if his values may be misguided. If the absolutely worst folks can say about me is that I'm abrasive, then I shall take that as a tremendous complement! You don't have to agree with my means; you don't have to like me -- in fact I have to unfortunately admit to it being my very last priority is to be liked by random anonymous poo-flinging posters. But at the end of the day, I get things done; plain and simple.
The fact remains that I have decided that in this election there *will* be a discussion about a living wage, sustainability, universal health care and real local economic development. If in doing so, it means painting a huge red target on my head for flying poo flung by anonymous posters... Well, I think that's a rather small price to pay for advancing democracy -- and at the end of the day, negative PR is still PR, to be measured in column inches. :-) Like it or not, this election is going to be different.
Now can we please quit flinging poo around and get to the root of the matter? We got a gadfly candidate who isn't going away because he's hell-bent on expanding the dialogue. It's a real disservice to our democracy that we're sitting here throwing
poo around when we could actually be talking about things that matter. I'm not going away -- I'm in the race, and absolutely intent on reshaping the dialogue toward issues that matter. Now let's repeat after me. Slav Davidzon, the person, is irrelevant in this election -- I really am just a guy who happens to have some very strong opinions about things that matter. Now move on to the things that matter -- universal health care, living wage, sustainability, local economics are issues at heart.
December 3rd, 2007 16:36
*head in hands*
Slav, open a dictionary and look up "hubris".
/popcorn bowl is empty
//is this trainwreck of a thread over yet?
December 3rd, 2007 16:54
my point exactly. Too predicable: like I said it is my fault for not reading material beforehand.
And yet he doesn't address any of the points, his lack of work on the tours, his lack of interaction with riders, his bossiness, his rudeness, lack of staff retention. I really didn't bring up issues I could have read about online. Did anyone else see issues I brought up that I could have read in the 'legally binding' material?
The material did not say that the owner should not help in camp, doesn't bike, doesn't help or serve the hosts we visit, and has a right to be a lurker and rude when he pleases. If it had said that then I wouldn't have brought it up because of course because the legal information warned me of that.
So tell us your brillient ideas, you keep alluding to them. Though you don't understand that part of politics really IS the person in office we can ignore that and 'discuss' these big ideas you have. But do you really want to discuss them or just tell us them and not listen to our feedback about them?
Oh and yes slav, my anonymity was to avoid you sueing for libel. Though most canidates wouldn't do that, only McDonalds does that. I really know you would sue because of the vibe I got from you when I asked for a refund for legitemate reasons. Its just my personal slav management policy.
December 3rd, 2007 17:28
i have a friend who has worked for slav. though i heard the horror stories, i haven't been able to convince this person to post here. however, this person did make a good point to me: "slav does a good job of brining his own self down".
December 3rd, 2007 17:46
"Now let's repeat after me. Slav Davidzon, the person, is irrelevant in this election..." Slav Davison
Well said.
December 3rd, 2007 17:54
Now let's repeat after me. Slav Davidzon, the person, is irrelevant in this election
Not meant as irony, no doubt, but truly ironic nonetheless.
As tonyt has already pointed out, the issues are not at, ahem, issue here. The inability of the candidate to listen is at issue. The inability of the candidate to understand that there's more to holding office than good ideas is at issue. The candidate's characterization of legitimate criticism, relevant to the office, as "personal attacks" is at issue.
I don't know you, but after reading the experiences of those who have ridden your tours, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, your reaction to those accounts, I am absolutely certain that I would not vote for a candidate with your track record and current interactions on the campaign trail...No matter how much I might support the issues you want to bring to this race.
You truly don't get it, and that is not a characteristic I would want in an officeholder.
December 3rd, 2007 17:59
Incidentally, as another bit of ironic miscellany, I notice that you refer to our "lawyer-crazy society" in justifying your obsessive micro-management style (Post 46), and then in post 67, you threaten critics with suits for slander/libel.
Of course, you're free to take that approach to criticism, but you should be aware that it's only slander/libel if untrue...
December 3rd, 2007 19:17
Rixtir said, "You truly don't get it, and that is not a characteristic I would want in an officeholder."
Bingo.
If anyone I meet ever expresses any interest whatsoever in Slav's campaign, all I will need to do is to forward them the url to this thread.
Slav's own words say more about him than I ever could.
December 3rd, 2007 21:04
Okay, Slav, let's talk about the issues you want to address. Please tell us more about your ideas for a cooperative health fund, living wages, local economic development and sustainability.
December 4th, 2007 20:42
Slav I want to hear your opinions about racism in portland. Though upper-middle class white issues like sustainability and biking are great, when I lived in portland working in social services I realized how subtly racist portland is.
After you tell us your main sustainable ideas, tell us how you plan to solve some of the real issues that effect more than the 'green' nitch citizens. Running a city involves dealing with many diverse issues.
And sorry about stirring this up, I guess you reap what you sow. Maybe you'll learn to watch the way you treat people in business--being cut throat doesn't make friends. People are much more open about negative experiences than positive.
December 5th, 2007 01:10
DCbikes, good question for the future mayor. In fact, specifically Slav, how would you have handled the recent Interstate Avenue to Cesar Chavez Avenue renaming controversy? Some people have said the resistance of the Interstate neighborhood to the name change was due to racism. Of course, the neighborhood claimed it wasn't.
Mr. Davidzon, how would you have brought the City of Portland together to honor Hispanic-American Cesar Chavez, providing a convincing argument to the Interstate neighborhood that the renaming of their main street was the most appropriate way to do this? How would you do this in a way that would work to counter those traces of racism said to be a factor in resistance to the name change and to any unhealthiness in positive relations amongst people in Portland?
December 5th, 2007 02:01
Sigh. I will be the first to admit that although I am a tough negotiator who puts results first, I recognize that at times
getting those results has meant burning bridges that did not need to be burned. As I have recently remarked to a reporter, I am also not afraid to hire people who are more experienced and more qualified than myself, and believe that doing so is absolutely key. Although I most definitely do not have all the answers, I do believe the answers are out there, and it is my job to help those solutions towards the discussion table. DCBikes you nailed it -- "people are much more open about negative experiences than positive" is an incredibly true statement.
DCBikes - I have to say that Portland is definitely one of the most segregated cities I have seen. However whether the segregation has more to do with race or with class isn't as important as the fact that we can all agree that under-priveledged communities require radical levels of investment that would create jobs and build infrastructure. In order to begin to address issues of race, we must begin to address issues of class. What our city and indeed our country needs is a New Deal for the 21st Century; a massive government investment program that will create jobs and alleviate poverty while rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure.
Together with that investment, I believe that our city can do a lot to help build communities. What we need to do is figure out ways to empower citizens to improve their own neighborhoods. We can invest a lot of money in those neighborhoods, but at the end of the day it is up to the people living there to ensure the livability of their communities. We need to institutionalize grassroots projects like City Repair (www.cityrepair.org) into our city government, as a separate bureau that will work empower people to take charge of their communities and truly turn public spaces into public places.
We also need to look towards proactive rather than reactive solutions to crime. The way we tend to do policing in this country is insane (insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result). It is
time to admit that our paradigm of policing is a failure. We need to look towards actually preventing crime by addressing the underlying causes, such as poverty, drug addiction, etc. We need investment in social services that would start to deal with those underlying causes. We also need to look at how we can encourage our citizens to police their own neighborhoods -- creative solutions that involve community building and place making are critical towards that goal.
As it stands right now, I am the only candidate proposing a cooperatively owned, localized health care system; the only candidate to talk about a living wage; the only candidate with a clear plan to create a huge community revitalization
program that would provide new small business owners with grants and mentorship needed to create thriving communities. We
also really need to look at whether it would make sense to launch a local Portland currency -- whether doing so would be truly beneficial to creating a thriving local economic environment.
WSBob - The recent street name fiasco was a disgrace. Is our city council really so lacking in real issues, that a name of a street is actually more important than say... the recent cyclist deaths or so many other more pressing issues? I think it was an outrageous waste of time! There has got to be a better way to deal with street names -- this is a job for lower-level city employees to procedurally resolve without taking up the time of the city leadership. Never mind that there are far better ways to honor civil rights activists than naming streets in their honor. I have a feeling that Cesar Chavez would have much preferred to be honored by having the city council debate a living wage over a street name. To answer your question directly -- I would have worked to re-focus the time of the council on issues that actually affect people's lives.
We need real discussion over issues that matter. Not street names. Not rosy cheeks. Issues. I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and really dive in to promote that dialogue, and I sincerely hope that my campaign will do so.
December 5th, 2007 07:56
"upper-middle class white issues like sustainability and biking" WHAT THE .... last I checked everyone needs to breathe and you can still buy a working bike for less than $100 on craigslist. so anyone can and all sorts of people do ride bikes. there's nothing that equalizes rich and poor like bikes.
December 5th, 2007 10:19
Look Slav, everything you said in comment 78 is ideals and theory, and reflects almost no familiarity whatsoever with actual working city government of Portland, the neighborhoods that make it up or the people that people that live in them. You mention virtually nothing specific about the city governments bureaus or the people heading them; what things they do and how they handle them.
My opinion is that such a level of preparedness to take the job of mayor is simply not going anywhere. People look for conspicuous details that indicate the person they offer their vote to as the next mayor of their city will be able to the job. Raw confidence and ambition alone will not cut in this race. There's already at least one strong candidate for mayor of Portland that already has that, and much, much more.
Many people would like to see accessible health care made available for everybody. Understanding how to reasonably cover the expense of implementing such a revolutionary change in American society is what has so far prevented such a development from taking place. Slav Davidzon, what is your idea for fiscally accomplishing this important priority, and why, in comment #78, did you not offer some details about it?
December 5th, 2007 12:41
Is our city council really so lacking in real issues, that a name of a street is actually more important than say... the recent cyclist deaths or so many other more pressing issues? I think it was an outrageous waste of time! ... Never mind that there are far better ways to honor civil rights activists than naming streets in their honor. I have a feeling that Cesar Chavez would have much preferred to be honored by having the city council debate a living wage over a street name. To answer your question directly -- I would have worked to re-focus the time of the council on issues that actually affect people's lives.
I love it when white people lecture people of color on what's really important to them-- or what SHOULD be important to them. I'll bet people of color love it too.
December 5th, 2007 14:50
Thanks rixtir for calling my attention to this point (#81).
Slav says, "Never mind that there are far better ways to honor civil rights activists than naming streets in their honor."
Again Slav's words inform us in ways that he most likely did not intend. Here he states his own opinion about this matter as if it were an unadulterated, indisputable fact, rather than the legitimate point of contention that it is. How is it that Slav is somehow privy to the ultimate Truth?
The fact is that one of the reasons that the Chavez issue blew up was that Potter believed himself to be so right that he treated the opinions of the rest of North Portland as irrelevant. He thought that good intentions and the power of his position as Mayor rendered any dissent moot and that he could simply will the name change to happen.
Slav could have the greatest platform known to mankind. It could even be the most specific one ever offered in the annals of wonkdom. In the face of an unmoved public though, it means nothing.
An inconvenient fact of a human nature is that is often the most "correct" positions that are so easily sabotaged by their own champions.
When proponents believe in the righteousness of their cause, they convince themselves, as I believe Slav has, that all that is required is the purity of their own voice.
Refusing to be sullied by the mundane tasks of actually swaying public opinion, they are dumbfounded as the world fails to recognize their brilliance.
Here we go again.
December 7th, 2007 14:57
I'm so excited
and I just can't hide it
this is what America is all about!
Go RED WHITE AND BLUE!
We should all run for something at some time.
The only shame in all of it is the $ that could be going to help causes is being wasted on advertising.
But other than that...
GO AMERICA!
GO VLADISLAV!
December 7th, 2007 20:30
The short answer is by *any* legal means necessary; these are moral issues that must be addressed -- people's lives are on the line. Even if you disagree with my means, I do have a very clear record of getting results.
The longer answer is creative taxation. We have to first look towards aggressively closing tax holes where such exist, particularly on corporate taxes of *large* companies. From there, we look at taxing behaviors we wish to discourage -- for example, CO2, non-renewable fuels, high-value real estate transactions (ie sales that fall over a certain amount, such as $500,000, at a *very* high tax rate). For example, if our goal is to turn people away from driving, we ought to be taxing the behavior we want to discourage (miles driven each year) and using the funds towards promoting walking, biking, public transit. Ultimately there is no single path towards any goal; multiple avenues need to be attempted to see what works.
It is important to note that We lack universal healthcare in this country NOT because of a lack of funding; in fact, we spend more money on healthcare than most other countries. The problem has been corruption of our political process by big business money -- big pharma and HMO money to be specific. When politicians can be bought or sold, and when that sales process is legalized by those same politicians, the political process begins to rot. In that money trail lies the whole point of my campaign; for we cannot win these issues on the national, or even state level because big business is going to fight us tooth and nail, and they have the big bucks to buy victory for themselves. On the city level, it's a whole different story. We truly do have to think global, but act local.
One of the worst qualities in a leader is being detail-oriented. We have a lot to learn from our opponents on the right and unfortunately most of us have not bothered to learn from their successes and our failures. The right has consistently won because they've been able to offer vision, while the left loses because we get stuck in our focus on details. What is needed is a focus on the vision, and the ability to allow the bureacrats sort out the details. "What gets measured, gets managed, what gets managed, gets done". The job of a leader is to set the benchmarks and allow the managers to manage towards those benchmarks.
We have a lot of excellent managers within our city government; that much is clear. What we lack is leadership with what Reagan called "that vision thing". Ultimately, it is the job of city employees is to manage and execute the details; the job of the Mayor is not to do neither of those things, but to lead with clarity, intent, and most importantly vision.
December 8th, 2007 01:11
"One of the worst qualities in a leader is being detail-oriented." Slav Davidson
What? Sorry, no that's not one a leader's worst qualities unless you're talking about the type of leader that has his nose in a laptop to the exclusion of all other concerns. Sound familiar?
The concerns of a leader such as a mayor may be more heavily balanced than some of his subordinates in favor of ideas and concepts, but the mayor still has to be keenly aware of critical details such as where the money is and how to get it, how to reasonably persuade the city's citizens to provide it in order to keep the city running smoothly for those citizens.
You want to implement universal health care for the city of Portland? Fine. Where are you going to get the money to do that? That's an age old question nobody in the U.S. has been able to provide a viable answer to so far.
Any new mayor of Portland is going to have a much more immediate concern than coming up with a plan for universal health care. That would be getting the council members to work together and get things that the public wants and that are in their best interests, accomplished. Anybody seriously running for mayor should at least have attended city council when it's in session. Experience working with a commissioner would be a smart move. Got any experience like that Slav?
Check out Potter. He's so frustrated with his authority over his commissioners that he tried to change the entire form of government to a 'strong mayor' type. You know how that turned out. Then, most recently, things blow up in his face, and he completely loses his cool and walks out of council.
I'd say Bud Clark is a good study. Not perfect, but quite successful. It's an extraordinary person in unique circumstances that can jump into city government cold and actually make it work reasonably well. I understand a little bit of how he was able to do it, but that's all.
December 8th, 2007 01:42
WSBob: I truly wish I could claim credit to that idea, but there are books upon books written on the very subject. The difference between leadership and management is one of apples and oranges. A good manager must be detail-oriented. A good leader must be vision-oriented. Two very different skill sets, albeit the two are very often confused.
The Potter issues you bring up are management, not leadership issues. If I was in Tom Potter's shoes, I would do exactly what I normally do when I lack a skill set / tool necessary to get something done -- hire qualified staff to do the job for me. If you can't make the mountain move, someone else probably can -- it's just a matter of knowing when to step aside and let someone else do the job for you. Delegation is key.
I am not sure how I feel about the strong mayor debate. On the one hand, I really believe in efficiency, but while the current system may be less efficient, it clearly works for this city; which begs the question why bother. Never mind that that there are lots of cities with strong mayor systems that function *far* worse than Portland. It just seems like a huge waste of time -- the whole thing was a huge distraction for Potter, and something that probably cost him dearly in political capital. Although systematic progress is important, it was a huge gamble to invest such a tremendous level of energy into something like this; he gambled and he lost.
I think there are plenty of amazing people who have made careers in our city government, who are awesome at their jobs. It is their job to keep the city running, to keep things moving along. The role of the city council and particularly the Mayor is to bring the vision and direction to the government that addresses the bigger picture of things. A city council ought to operate the way a corporate board operates -- set out the vision and direction, and lets the employees take the corporation (in this case, city) there.
It is very hard to be both a leader and a manager. They're just radically different things, and very few people can be equally good at both -- although most small business owners are generally forced into both roles at once. I really don't think that what the city needs is more good managers -- we have plenty. You can't easily do both 'the vision thing' (trademarked by Ronald Reagan) and the details. They're just two radically different skill sets.
December 17th, 2007 10:06
Slav, you're lecturing. Keep in mind that, since you don't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning, what you are trying to do is to persuade people, not harangue people and turn them off of your ideas. They way you talk- saying “They WILL talk about this and they WILL talk about that”- makes you sound like a two-year-old having a tantrum. Now that you're trying to enter the political world, you'll see that things work a little differently. In the business world, the people you pay will appear to agree with you, because you pay them. In the public or political arena, it is an open marketplace of ideas. You need to persuade people. You need to show people how implementing your ideas is in their best interest.
On a forum like this, a bike forum, it should be as if you are riding a golden chariot pulled by white horses, with laurels in your hair. Ask yourself why it is not like this. You are among people who agree with you, and should be praising bikes as transportation to the high heavens, not haranguing us.
Try to get concrete. For example, your ideas on same-sex marriage resonate; fairness, respect and equality for all is an admirable goal. However, if it is true that this is a county function rather than a city function, your research should uncover this before your opponent's does, lest you look like a fool. Try to develop a strategy that includes not only the ideas you'd like to inject into the race, but also an understanding of the various people and agencies that might be involved in implementing (or blocking the implementation of) these ideas. How does it affect people? Who needs to be on board? How can this be shown to be in their interest? By doing this, you MIGHT be able to change the debate, but you've got to do your homework, and you've got to listen to people.
You're among friends here, so to speak. It doesn't get any easier than this place, and still you have trouble relating, persuading, and even listening to people. My fear is that rather than injecting new ideas into the debate (and I hope you can do this), you end up sounding like a wannabe despot, who'll dictate from the top and tell people what to do, because it's good for them. You can almost get by with this sort of thing when you run a small business, but in the marketplace of ideas, it'll just make everyone who shares your ideas look bad.
You need to persuade people, not lecture them.