Commissioner Randy Leonard took himself out of the running for Police Commissioner last night, citing the ongoing drama between himself and Police Chief Rosie Sizer. Now Mayor-elect Sam Adams has to figure out what to do. Who should head up the Police Bureau? Here’s my suggestion. Adams should watch the Parent Trap (1961 edition) and […]
City Hall
Posted inPolitics
There’s Been ‘Ongoing Drama With No Seeming End,’ Around the Police Commissioner Appointment, Says Leonard.
I just spoke with Commissioner Randy Leonard, to get more detail about his decision to withdraw his name from consideration for the Commissioner-in-Charge of the Police Bureau. He says the past few months, since Mayor-Elect Adams asked him to prepare an assessment of the Police Bureau, and to consider whether he’d want to run the […]
Posted inPolitics
BREAKING NEWS: Commissioner Randy Leonard Takes His Name Off the Police Commissioner Short List
Commissioner Randy Leonard, widely expected to be named the next commissioner in charge of the police bureau by Mayor-Elect Sam Adams, has withdrawn himself from consideration, citing an “unfortunate dynamic”–his terse relationship with Police Chief Rosie Sizer, and the media “debate” over that relationship. There’s been no debate here at the Mercury. But the Oregonian’s […]
Posted inCity Hall
This is What Lurks on the Stairs in City Hall
He’s been there all month. And he scares me every time I turn the corner. (Meet “The Storyteller,” a piece by Carole Murphy. He could be yours for just $29K!)
Posted inPolitics
Fact Checking the Candidates–Exploding Parks Edition
City Commissioner candidate Charles Lewis made a claim at last night’s OLMV debate that really caught my attention–so much so that I went back to my tape this morning to be sure I heard him correctly. When talking about equity among neighborhoods, he discussed his own Cully neighborhood, which Lewis says does “not receive the […]
Posted inNews
Oregonian Reportedly Planning to Distribute Paid-Insert Anti-Muslim DVD, Say Local Peace Activists; Mayor Tom Potter Steps In
Local peace activists got word this week that the Oregonian was planning to distribute a DVD in the Sunday paper–a paid insert from a group called “The Clarion Fund,” according to emails zooming around among activists. The DVD, characterized as “incredibly biased,” and “highly inaccurate, biased and hateful” in an email from local peace activist […]
Posted inCity Hall
Do Parking Attendants Prey on Infrequently Driven Cars?
Nicole Dreis, an apartment dweller near 23rd and W Burnside, penned an angry letter to the city this week. She lives downtown, doesn’t have a driveway or other private parking spot, and shells out $32 a year for a residential parking permit. She also follows the city’s pervasive ethos, and walks or bikes to work […]
Posted inPolitics
Is Commissioner Dan Saltzman Trying to Bring Back the Prostitution Free Zones?
The hot political rumor at city hall this week has Commissioner Dan Saltzman readying a resolution that would resurrect the controversial Prostitution Free Zones around 82nd. One source explained that “Dan doesn’t like when people are mad at him,” and pressure from neighbors around 82nd was getting to be too much. So what gives? Saltzman […]
Posted inPolitics
Amanda Fritz and Charles Lewis Debate at City Club
City council candidates Amanda Fritz and Charles Lewis faced off at City Club today, in a debate that truly kicked off the general election. Though both candidates have been campaigning on their own–often appearing in the same neighborhood parades–this was their first big one-on-one appearance. Check out the blow-by-blow after the cut! Lewis kicked things […]
Posted inCity Hall
Will the Last One Out Turn Off the Lights?
With just 104 days left in Mayor Tom Potter’s administration, his staff is dropping left and right. Community Affairs Director Carmen Rubio is moving to Commissioner Nick Fish’s office on Monday, where she’ll be doing policy and communications work. And the mayor’s spokesperson, John Doussard, is bidding the mayor’s office adieu next week. (Confidential to […]
Posted inPortland
A Sneak Peek at Commissioner Randy Leonard’s Public Safety Report
I just snagged a draft of Commissioner Randy Leonard’s Public Safety Assessment, the report mayor-elect Sam Adams asked him to prepare. It’s not due on Adams’ desk until September 9, but Leonard and his staff “reluctantly” released it today, though they’re still waiting for the mayor and the chief to comment on it. (UPDATED at […]
Posted inPolitics
Auditor Gary Blackmer Pulls Charter Amendment Proposal
I was fully prepared this morning to write what was clearly going to be the most boring Hall Monitor column EVER. (More boring, even, than anything that Scott Moore ever wrote. Kidding! Miss ya, Scott.) I mean, check this out: I was going to write about Auditor Gary Blackmer’s move to enshrine the city ombudsman’s […]