With a new mayor and at least two new members of our five-member City Council, 2008 is set to be a transformational year in Portland politics.
Bike issues and the bike community can play a big role in shaping the local political landscape and I’ll be covering the candidates, races, and news to help you get involved in the process.
Chris Smith.(Photo © J. Maus) City Auditor Gary Blackmer has just issued the official notice (full text below) that Chris “Citizen” Smith has gathered the requisite signatures and donations in order to qualify for public funding of his campaign to grab a seat on Portland’s City Council. By March 6th, Smith will be awarded $140,150 … Read more
This just in from the Chris Smith campaign: Chris Smith Submits 1,180 Signatures for VOE Certification This afternoon Chris Smith formally requested certification as a publicly financed candidate under the city’s “Voter Owned Elections” system. Smith, who is running for the Position 1 seat of the City Council, turned in 129 additional qualifying signatures and … Read more
Jim Middaugh(Photos © Jonathan Maus) In a rare move for an aspiring politician, City Council hopeful Jim Middaugh is telling supporters to stop giving him money. In a statement released late Thursday night, he claimed they are “over the top” with $5 contributions. “In fact,” the statement said, “We’re over the top so far that … Read more
Chris Smith pedaling along the South Waterfront.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) Transportation and neighborhood activist Chris Smith, who began his run for City Council back in September, plans to submit his 1,000th, $5 contribution to the Auditor’s office later today. Smith, who was given the moniker “Citizen Smith” by the Portland Tribune, needs to have at … Read more
Jim Middaugh (in blue) and friend Bo Grayzel in the Auditor’s office.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) Portland City Council hopeful and daily bike commuter Jim Middaugh just turned in 781, $5 contributions to the City Auditor’s office. Middaugh, who announced his run for Commissioner Erik Sten’s seat just last Monday showed up at City Hall today … Read more
City Council hopeful Jim Middaugh sporting a bit of helmet hair.You can meet Jim this Sunday night at an event being hosted by Congressman Peter Defazio at the Lucky Lab Brewpub in SE from 5:30 – 7:00 (bring $5!).(Photos © Jonathan Maus)
This just in, from the Bike, Walk, Vote political action committee: Bike Walk Vote Co-Endorses Chris Smith, Jeff Bissonnette for City Commissioner District 1 Seat Bike Walk Vote PAC, the political arm of the Portland area’s bicycling and walking lobby, has endorsed two of the seven candidates in the Portland City Commission District 1 race. … Read more
More bike parking might beneeded at City Hall in 2008.(Photos © Jonathan Maus) Signs of a bike-friendly future in Portland can be found all over City Hall these days. For example… Commissioner Sam Adams is going to bat for bike infrastructure improvements and he’s making a serious run for mayor. Adams’ vacated Council seat could … Read more
Sho Dozono(Photo: ShoForMayor.com) By now, you’ve probably heard that City Commissioner Sam Adams’ previously smooth road to the mayor’s office has taken a major turn. Sho Dozono, a well-known and successful businessman, former head of the Portland Business Alliance, and community leader, officially filed his candidacy yesterday. Many say he poses the first real threat … Read more
“I would welcome community input to determine whether or not it is feasible and safe to allow bicyclists to roll through a right turn…on all stop signs…”–mayoral candidate Gerhard Watzig This morning I wrote about Portland’s latest candidate for mayor, Gerhard Watzig. My story relied on information gleaned from Watzig’s campaign website and a comment … Read more
Mr. Gerhard Watzig(Photo courtesy Watzig.com) Meet Gerhard Watzig, a 50-year Portland resident, local flower shop owner, and son of a Washington turkey farmer. Yesterday Mr. Watzig threw his hat in the ring to go up against City Commissioner Sam Adams in a bid to be Portland’s next mayor. His announcement and his take on the … Read more
Chris Smith and his Biria.(Photo © Jonathan Maus) City Council hopeful and transportation activist Chris “Citizen” Smith plans to greet morning bike commuters on the Hawthorne Bridge tomorrow morning. In a campaign event reminiscent of Shift’s famous Breakfast in the Bridges, he’ll pass out coffee, pastries, and a bit of two-wheeled political persuasion in the … Read more