Mayor Adams made his first State of the City address at the City Club in downtown Portland today.

According to a report just published by the Portland Tribune, he apologized for the distraction of the Beau Breedlove situation and he outlined his efforts to make Portland a sustainability leader. The Trib writes that Adams was "warmly received" and that he received a partial standing ovation and hearty applause from the crowd (more coverage of the event here).

The Portland Mercury reports that he was questioned after his speech about a 40% drop in Safe Routes to Schools funding in the Bureau of Transportation's requested budget. Here's how it went: (more...)

Hollie Teal, who organized
the rally that convinced Sam Adams
to stay on as Mayor, sat down with
him for a chat recently.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Without Hollie Teal, Sam Adams would no longer be Portland's Mayor. At least, that's what Adams told her during a lunch they recently had together.

Teal is the woman who organized the big rally in support of Sam Adams just as his chances at staying on the job looked grim (Adams was absent from City Hall and calls for his resignation were all over the media). Back in January, when the rally happened, I wondered if it signaled Adams' political resurrection. Turns out, it did.

Teal -- an everyday bike commuter who describes herself as a "cycling wonk" -- served as catalyst for the rally and she also maintains the Sam is Still My Mayor blog. A few days ago, Adams called Teal to thank her for her support. Yesterday, the two met and Teal wrote about the meeting on her blog. (more...)

Adams in October 2007.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Mayor Sam Adams has decided to get back to work as the leader of Portland (read and watch him read the official statement below).

After reading speculation about the decision on the Willamette Week's blog, I contacted a high-level staffer a few minutes ago and was able to confirm that Adams will stay.

The decision comes on a day when The Oregonian published an interview with Beau Breedlove with more information about the nature of his relationship with Adams. (more...)

There were plenty of funny
signs (the one on the
right says, "No prying =
No Lying".
(Photos © J. Maus)

Friday night's rally in support of Sam Adams brought hundreds (500-600?) of Portlanders to City Hall. It was an astounding moment of cohesion for a city that had seemed to lose its way in the past few days.

The mantra of the night was "Get back to work!" On signs and on stage, there was a feeling of forgiveness and a sense that many Portlanders just want to see Mayor Adams take the reins of our city once again.

Emcee Mark Acito introduced several local business owners and other community leaders who came to the mic and simply said, "I'm with Sam". It was a powerful message that seemed to crescendo as the event went on.
(more...)

Stop by this afternoon:
833 SE Main, Ste 102.
[Google Map]

It's Day 4 of the Mayor Adams situation and the topic still weighs heavily on our minds here at BikePortland headquarters. Also, given the many comments on the few stories I've done about it, it's clear the topic is also very important to many of you.

I've read thousands of comments and myriad news articles these past few days. But, at this pivotal moment in Portland's future, I thought it might be helpful for us to get together in person to share our thoughts. (more...)

(Photo © J. Maus)

There's a rally in support of Mayor Adams planned for 5:30 pm tomorrow at City Hall.

Here's an email I received from a reader about it:

"As you know, Sam has stepped up to the plate for the bikers of Portland many times, and risked his political neck for us just as many. Are we, as a community, then going to leave him to the wolves for a thank you? No, I say we need to take a stand. Now, he is the one that needs our support. Now is not the time for liberal hand wringing. We need to take up the fight to support someone who has supported us, even when it was politically unpopular to do so. This is absolutely relevant to the bike community. His politics are why we elected him, not his private sex life. I hope you will join us in taking a stand for the most pro-bike mayor we've had in Portland, and put an announcement on your website about this rally."

(more...)

Adams at his press
conference yesterday.
(Photos © J. Maus)

If Mayor Sam Adams hoped for progress overnight in his effort to save his reputation and his political life, it seems things have only gotten worse.

This morning I awoke to both of our local daily newspapers -- The Oregonian and the Portland Tribune -- calling for him to resign immediately. (more...)

Mayor Sam Adams in
October 2007.
(Photos © J. Maus)

This is a surreal day. While I watched our new President's moving inaugural speech this morning, it took all of my focus to not keep thinking about the big story I'd heard about the night before involving our leader here in Portland, Mayor Sam Adams.

In case you haven't heard, yesterday afternoon Adams admitted to the Willamette Week's Nigel Jaquiss (the same reporter who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2005 for his investigative reporting on a scandal involving Oregon Governor Neil Goldschmidt) that he lied about a relationship with former intern Beau Breedlove.

I won't go into detail on the story, but I did want to share my thoughts and give you an opportunity to express how this news makes you feel. (more...)

Chris Smith, Streetcar

Jason Tell, ODOT

Scott Bricker, BTA

Rex Burkholder, Metro

Mark Ginsberg, Lawyer

Sue Keil, PBOT

(more...)

He'll need to be Super-Sam
to get all this stuff done.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Mayor Sam Adams has released his list of goals for his first 100 days in office.
From the section on transportation, here are some things that pertain to bicycling:

Develop a four-year strategic vision for Portland’s transportation investments and infrastructure
1. Appoint a Transportation Cabinet
2. Initiate development of a strategic transportation investment plan as a component of the Portland Plan
3. Advocate for federal stimulus package
4. Conduct a snow and ice storm readiness assessment for the city and region; develop a plan of action for future efforts and investment
5. Provide leadership and support to secure passage of a transportation funding package at the State Legislature

(more...)

Adams, looking confident at
a party in City Hall last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

During his speech at the swearing-in ceremony at Parkrose High School yesterday, Mayor Sam Adams laid out his top three priorities; jobs, education, and sustainability.

There was no mention of bikes specifically, but it's clear that "sustainability" is where Adams plans to push two-wheeled travel. Here's a look at what he said about sustainability, interspersed with my thoughts.

After painting a picture of this planet's "potential environmental doom", Adams said there's a "silver lining to this toxic cloud":

"Portland is the ideal starting place for this nation to get serious about environmental sustainability. We can show what’s possible, setting an example the rest of the world can follow. And we can prove sustainability pays off."

(more...)

The speech below was given by Mayor Sam Adams at his swearing in ceremony at Parkrose High School on January 5, 2009.

BETTER TOGETHER: BECAUSE PORTLAND BELONGS TO ALL OF US
Thank you Portland! My name is Sam Adams. I am honored to be your mayor.

Thank you for the introduction. And thank you Parkrose High School Broncos for your hospitality!

What a glorious and quirky city we have. Where else can you buy a donut designed to look like “dirt?” Or browse one of the world’s largest bookstores and then walk a couple of blocks to the world’s smallest park. There is a reason experts always seem to rank us so high. As the nation’s most livable city, the best city for seniors, the best city for walkers -- a city known for its bikers and hikers; food and flowers; beer and bridges.

The reason for all this is clear: That reason is you. Us. All of us. Because we have created this think-different, keep-it-real, improve-the-world kind of culture; a culture of sustainability, a culture you can’t find just anywhere else. It is the reason why Portland is a city we can love. And it’s those values that position us to thrive at this moment of transition and transformation.

Portland has also become what it is, in part, because of our leaders. Like Mayor Tom Potter. He brought youth, immigrants, Portlanders of color into civic decision-making. Like Mayor Bud Clark. He boosted the city’s rainy day fund from a few thousand dollars to $20 million.And like my dear friend, Mayor Vera Katz. She created beautiful Portland places like the esplanade that circles the Willamette. Thank you. We are better people and a better place because of you.
(more...)

Sam was all smiles last night.
(Photos © J. Maus)

Last night at City Hall was the big, public welcome party for Portland's new mayor Sam Adams. There was lots of food and free beer and by all accounts it was a wild and zany night.

Before things really started getting crazy, Adams and each of the four commissioners addressed the crowd briefly. Adams said he feels Portland's authenticity and quirkiness (that was on display all night) will help us stave off economic hard times and that he has "faith in Portland's willingness to take on challenges".

With a broad grin, Randy Leonard told the crowd he's been holding himself back for the last few years (a joke, given his outspoken demeanor) and that, "Now Sam's going to let me go." (more...)

Amy Ruiz uses a bike as her
main way of getting around.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Amy Ruiz, news editor for the Portland Mercury, will leave the paper to join the Mayoral team of Sam Adams.

According to the Mercury blog, Ruiz will be Adams' Strategic Planning and Sustainability Policy Advisor.

Ruiz covered many transportation and bike-related issues during her tenure at the Mercury including the scrapped Sauvie Island/Flanders St. Bridge project and the Safe, Sound and Green Streets proposal, in addition to the Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project (she has been a vocal opponent). (more...)

Adams, shown here riding on a cycle-
track in Stockholm, wants Portland to
compare itself to Europe's best
biking cities.
(Photo: Tom Miller)

At a press conference today, Mayor-Elect Sam Adams announced major changes to how Portland will do business under his administration.

Along with new budget guidelines and new bureau assignments for City Commissioners, he also unveiled structural reforms -- like a consolidation of the Bureau of Planning and the Office of Sustainable Development into the Bureau of Sustainable Planning & Development.

The plan was detailed in an eight-page memo to "All Portlanders" that was titled, "Improving 'The City that Works'". (You can read the full text here.) (more...)

Commissioner and future Mayor Sam Adams' office has announced the details of his public inauguration event.

Details are January 5th, from 5-7pm at City Hall. The event is free. View flyer below:

Catherine Ciarlo
(Photo courtesy Catherine Ciarlo)

Catherine Ciarlo, who was formerly the executive director of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) and currently serves on the Portland Planning Commission, has been hired to be the transportation policy advisor for Mayor-elect Sam Adams.

Ciarlo led the BTA from 1998-2005. In addition to her role on the Planning Commission, Ciarlo is the executive director of Oregon Women Lawyers and she has a law degree from Lewis and Clark College.

In a story on her appointment to the Planning Commission, she told BikePortland that she wants, "to see Portland head in the direction of environmental sustainability and transportation systems that truly serve people." (more...)

He's waiting to hear
your big bike idea.
(Photo © J. Maus)

Yesterday, I shared the news that the Portland Mercury has included a fun item in their annual Auction Issue: A ride with me (on a new bike!) followed by lunch with future Mayor Sam Adams.

Since bidding began at $1.99 yesterday, the item has shot up to $632 (as of this morning).

I thought it would be fun to sweeten the pot a bit, so here's what else you'll get if you're the winning bidder...

If you intend to chat with Mayor-elect Adams about a specific biking issue or idea, I'll promise to detail your idea (and Adams' response to it) in a Front Page story on BikePortland.org. Think of it as a way to get some serious attention for whatever your biggest biking dream might be. (more...)

You, me, and Mayor-elect Adams?
(Photo © J. Maus)

The Portland Mercury, a local independent weekly news source, has just launched their annual Auction Issue. The idea is simple: Let the community bid on a huge slew of fun items and gifts and give all the money to a local non-profit.

This year's benefactor is the Portland Women's Crisis Line (you might remember them from the great ride they put on back in April).

One of the gifts to bid on is a ride with me (on a new Specialized bike), followed by lunch at Little Red Bike Cafe with the future mayor of Portland, Sam Adams. (more...)

Mayor-elect Sam Adams in a screen
grab from an upcoming PBS series.

Portland is set to be featured in an episode of a PBS television series about the "economies of being environmentally conscious".

The series, e² transport, is in its third season. The Portland segment is titled: Portland: a Sense of Place. A trailer for the series -- which is being shot in high-def and has a very impressive, cinematic feel (meaning, this is no dry and wonky series) -- U.S. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Mayor-elect Adams, and others are interviewed. (more...)