Comments

1
Looks like a cool guy.
2
Is there any political post left that Steve Novick hasn't run for yet? He's always seemed like he would do a good job, but it's starting to look like he's more concerned with gaining any sort of power he can than in applying himself to whichever job he'd be best at. And those aren't motives worth voting for.

Cogen might not seem like as good a candidate generally, but if his motives are better (and his detailed knowledge of the county certainly is), he'd do a better job of it.
3
Steve has only run for office once before, for US Senate in 2008. I think he'd do a great job at the county level, and yes, it could give him the executive experience he needs to eventually move up to the state legislature or Congress. In this post alone he put forth several policy suggestions that sound like they could really improve the financial health of the county.
4
It's true, he's only got as far as the ballot once (as far as I'm aware). But if you believe the reports in the Merc and elsewhere, he wanted to run for governor, he wanted the state treasurer job, etc etc. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ran for Portland mayor, should Sam decide not to run again.

I've no doubt he's a strong candidate for 'generic politico job'. But is he the best candidate for this particular one? If he can't convince us that given the choice he would choose this job over the other ones I mentioned above, he's not the right man for the job.
5
From Chuck Currie on why he's running for commish:

"This morning I filed as a candidate for Multnomah County Commissioner, Position 2.

County government is where many of the issues closest to my heart are discussed: health and human services, public education, and public safety.

As a Multnomah County Commissioner, I intend to be a full time representative of the people working for a better and more prosperous community.

Running for county commissioner was not what I had planned to do when I woke up this morning. But this rare opportunity has become available and my experience of over twenty years working with local government, non-profits and the religious community would benefit the work of Multnomah County.

I know the issues and know the people.

My assumption is that a number of candidates will file by the 5 pm deadline today and that they will all be good people who are qualified to serve in public office. Multnomah County has an abundance of talent and I look forward to having a conversation with voters that honors Multnomah County’s long history of thoughtful debate.

During a time of deep economic turmoil and a lack of solid leadership in some parts of the county this campaign should be about how we build a future worthy of our children.

I hope you will join me in this effort."
6
Amazing, a smart guy. Running on the platform of raising the beer and wine tax? Not so smart... The people who buy cheap beer will likely buy less (just a guess) and those who buy fancy beer will continue to make their own and make more. Hard to say what it would do to the wine market. It is almost impossible to make a good batch of wine in an apartment (unless you're a pro) and beer really doesn't substitute. I would imagine that even if 2 buck chuck were $3 people would still buy it in the same quantities.

Also recommending a constitutional amendment for taxes may not be the best idea either... This might really divide his vote.

It might make sense to save amending the constitution until he is in office and run on a more basic platform like getting more money for schools and roads. I am guessing that is what he is talking about with the stimulus.

I like the question about improving revenue streams in the longer term, I haven't seen a county in Oregon able to answer that question yet.

Maybe focusing on job development, and not just the temporary positions, good jobs that last.
7
@C
$2 buck chuck costs $2.99 at Trader Joes. People still buy it in the same quantities.
8
"Now, why would Novick run for this impossible job?"

Um, because he's never had a real job? This guy will be taking a flying fuck at every open position from school board on up for the rest of his life.

I like that his whole discussion is about how he wants to raise taxes. At least he's honest. The lesson of those property tax measures he mentioned is that Oregonians bite back hard when you get greedy with taxes. But I guess some need to learn that lesson again.

Wheeler is a loss. But Jeff Cogan is a good candidate who has been serving on the county council already. He has been responsive to me on a couple of issues.
9
Novick and Wheeler are some of the smartest people in office. Wheeler has made progress in the difficult job as chair, but there is much more to do. I have great faith in Novick to do it. Whomever takes the job needs better to communicate and market, if you will, the Multnomah County brand. Today the brand is defined by critics that believe government can do no good whatsoever. Wheeler also had a problem at managing policy differences with the City in a statesmanlike manner, and communicating a teamwork with the City message throughout the organization, and Novick needs to beware of that pitfall.

His polite comments about his rival are a start, let's have more campaigns (or at least primaries) like that!
10
@Blabby
"Um, because he's never had a real job?"

I wasn't aware that Federal Attorney wasn't a real job. Would you please provide specifics as to how being a Federal Attorney isn't a real job or are you just speaking of the law profession in general as not being a real job?
11
Blabby, Rom, etc:

Novick's stellar work at US Department of Justice is not in dispute.

Your commenting without first gathering facts causes us all to think that you have no interest in discussing truth, but in distorting it.

Marni
12
Blabby, Rom, etc:

Novick's stellar work at US Department of Justice is not in dispute.

Your commenting without first gathering facts causes us all to think that you have no interest in discussing truth, but in distorting it.

Please wait...

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