National political stars like Secretary of Transportation Ray
LaHood and Congressman Peter Defazio praised Portland as a
model of green transportation last week as they met under the
shadow of the tram to unveil the first streetcar built in
America in 60 years. The first of six streetcars to be constructed at
Oregon Iron Works for the new Eastside Streetcar Loop, the modern retro
vehicle created 90 jobs regionally. But the new streetcars will each
cost $450,000 more than Portlanders were told. Posters at the
well-attended Streetcar Open Houses in May indicated the cost per
vehicle as $2.9 million. Meanwhile, Portland Streetcar Inc. Executive
Director Rick Gustafson says planners learned in April that the
cars will actually cost $3.35 million each. SARAH MIRK
Recall Sam Adams spokesman Jasun Wurster officially filed
to recall the mayor at the city auditor’s office on Tuesday
morning, July 7, as 13 media outlets (including the Mercury)
looked on. “There’s a lot of you,” said Wurster, talking with the press
in the eerie silence after filing his documents. Wurster stressed that
the recall campaign intends to be “positive” and “inclusive,” and that
homophobes will not be welcome. Wurster said he feels the
community is supportive of the effort. He must gather 32,000
signatures in 90 days to force a recall election. “I think Portlanders
are a fair minded people,” says Mayor Sam Adams, in response.
“I’m focused on getting Portlanders back to work, on the high school
dropout rate, and on positioning Portland at the heart of the green
economy.” MATT DAVIS