Five will get you ten that Saltzman wins on a walk. Cornett's funding ensures an even money race (which favors the incumbent) and Volm and the others split the rest of the vote. There won't even be a runoff.

@Robert: To force a runoff, Cornett needs only to hold Saltzman below 50%. So the broad field favors Cornett, if anything. No?

Robert, shame on you for encouraging voter apathy. As a business owner, would you keep an overpaid employee who wasn't capable of doing the job? Or would you hire a CEO with no experience? I guess maybe you would.

I'm not encouraging voter apathy, I'm just predicting what's going to happen.

Consider 2006 with Sten, Burdick, Lister and Boyles. Sten had huge negatives... the water bureau billing meltdown and the misbegotten quest to buy PGE. One would have predicted a runoff for the same reason. Didn't happen.

What's interesting to me is that Fish should be more vulnerable, but has no credible opposition.

Keep in mind too the only reason Saltzman has the PB is because the consummate politician Adams wanted to keep it at arms length. He knew that the PB was politically radioactive. He played Saltzman for a boob, just like he played Leonard for a boob over the whole Beau Breedlove/Bob Ball deal. Anger at Saltzman over the PB is misplaced. Adams is the chickenshit.

Robert, on your comment, I think it's relevant to note that Emerald Bogue, Saltzman's campaign manager, was most recently an arts staffer in the mayor's office. That was certainly an effort by Adams to back up Danny.

Really, though, I am sort of appalled at the lack of political acumen it would take to accept a contribution from the PR firm representing the union of a bureau for which you are supposed to be management. That would be a "return to sender" for me.

VfV, on what basis do you predict that Jesse will vote with Adams and Leonard? And on what basis do you conclude that Fritz and Fish aren't already members of the Adams/Saltzman/Leonard voting block (particularly Fish, who has been unbelievably spineless in his short time on the council)? Seems like if either Jesse or Mary wins, the best case scenario is that there will occasionally by a Fritz and Mary/Jesse voting block that can do nothing to stop Adams, Leonard, and Fish from selling out our city to the police union and developers. Fish is spineless and Fritz is inconsistent.

Ted,
Jesse has come out in support of Sam numerous times, as Dan and Randy have. Fish and Fritz are threatened on a regular basis of losing their bureaus if they don't 'go along to get along." This is the MO of the Mayor's office with deer in the headlights Dan and pit bull Randy. Even staff are afraid to speak up on issues because they have been threatened with losing their jobs.

So do you have any actual polling to base your name ID claim on? Looking at Volm's C&Es, that's doubtful.

PV, I agree with everything you said about Sam and Randy (and particularly Randy) bullying other commissioners. But what would make someone think that Volm would be better able to stand up to Sam and Randy than Cornett? I'm not sold on any candidate yet, but at least Cornett is vocally criticizing the city council's most outrageous conduct.

Mary Volm gets my vote, pure and simple. Portland deserves to have her voice, her strength, her intelligence, her experience, and her devotion to all things Portland. Vote for Mary Volm and get back the beautiful, vital, productive, artistic, and powerful city that we all need and love. Vote smart, people - Portland deserves the best!

Has Volm taken a position on the diversion of sewer money to fund bike lanes? I've seen a statement she gave on Blue Oregon in January that says she opposes money that is earmarked for maintenance being diverted to pay for commissioners' pet projects, but I didn't really see anything more recent about the diversion of sewer funds. Or for that matter, any statements about the renovation of PGE park, the recent and ongoing problems at the police bureau, or the city's acquisition of the Made in Oregon sign. Can any of the Volm supporters inform me as to her positions on those things? And before simply directing me to her website, I have tried to go there, but it is blocked by my employer's spam URL blocker for some reason.

Gosh, Ladies First: I just got a google alert and was taken back by your comment about being anti-abortion. I have been pro-choice all my life and have the green light(what they give candidates whom they support) from NARAL, as well as will be attending the NARAL Liberty Auction May 1. I was progressive before Jesse Cornett was born - and I appreciate your attempts to find out. I am a Portland progressive that, when it comes to your tax dollars, is fiscally conservative.

Ted, I have been very vocal of my disgust about diverting sewer revenue for any thing other than maintaining our aging sewer system. I got into this race because of the unsustainable move to tear out PGE park 7 years after we opened it while the City is still bonded for another 16-17 years at over $1 million a year. Renovating a sign that was private property is fiscally irresponsible when the City is cutting millions out of next year's budget.

As for the police, I have been abundantly clear on this issue. The recent deaths at the hands of police of mentally ill citizens is indicative of the loss of social service funding that allows these citizens to be integrated and supported by health professionals to ensure they take meds. Police and the criminal justice system is something our state used with the mentally ill in the late 1800's. Lack of funding puts challenge back in the laps of the Police. The blood is our hands as much as the Police for not adequately supporting those who can not help themselves. As your commissioner, I would lobby Salem to overhaul the mental health system and ensure adequate funding, as well as I would improve training and cultural awareness in the police bureau.

I will be at Buckman NA Candidate Forum tonight at 7 pm at Central Catholic HS - 2401 SE Stark. Join us - I do know more about the city than even the incumbent when it comes to the city, its budget, city code and city services and programs, other regional governments and especially leadership.

More information can be found on my website at www.maryvolmforportland.com. Come and answer the question of the week regarding the homeless challenge. Thank you for asking. I'm in the City Club debate on April 23 if there is someone concerned I'm not the viable candidate.

I'm impressed with the prompt and personal reply. Pretty much in line with Cornett's stated positions on the issues. I'll be keeping an eye out for how you differentiate yourself and why a long career working for the city is a positive trait for a candidate rather than a negative.

As one of the other candidates in the race, who actually asked Dan to call in the FBI in a public forum at the Red Cross (regarding the Aaron Campbell shooting), and has also offered a lot of leadership in our current messes (unemployment, out of control Police officers, Environmental Justice, etc.), I agree with Dan that grandstanding over these individual shootings is in poor taste.

We have plenty of evidence and incidents with some rogue officers (Officer Nyse for example) that continue to demonstrate a lack of restraint among some officers, even off duty.

What I know is, many residents in the city are deeply concerned about how their hard earned tax dollars are spent, about a Police Department which many no longer trust to "protect and serve", and our staggering unemployment.

All of the candidates in this race offer good ideas. I am running because in addition to a few good ideas, I also have years of experience in management, providing services to homeless, mentally ill, alcoholics, addicts, also was a consultant to the Los Angeles and Long Beach Police department dealing with community relations issues surrounding use of lethal and excessive force, diversity, and loss of faith among members of the community in those departments.

More importantly, in my professional work, and personal style, I don't avoid conflict or controversial issues. I work with individuals and families who are dealing with tough personal issues, incest, infidelity, addictions, adolescents who are challenging. I don't believe in beating around the bush or dancing around issues. Until meaningful dialogue starts happening, not much changes. Read what my supporters have to say about those skills: http://www.edforpdx.com/cms/?q=node/16

We have some genuine issues in our region involving transparency and accountability in government. I have been leading my community's challenges with the Columbia River Crossing project for over three years, helping to organize over 500 home owners on Hayden Island (Jantzen Beach) to make sure that our livability is not destroyed by this multi-billion dollar project. You may have noticed us at the Project Sponsors Council meeting last December. Along with Coalition for a Livable Future and others. The CRC actually tried to limit testimony and exclude the press ( http://www.edforpdx.com/cms/?q=node/7 ).

So while Jesse got the money, and Mary knows where all the bodies are buried, and Dan prefers to work in the background, there are other choices in this race, and I hope that an informed electorate will consider all of them.

Edward "Ed" Garren, MA, LMFT
www.EdForPDX.com