Beth Slovic gets the scoop. The vindictiveness is because Saltzman sided with Police Chief Rosie Sizer on Monday, when she stood up to the mayor on the budget, it seems. We’re still waiting for a call back from Saltzman, which I’d say is unlikely to come, frankly. Until it does, I’ll selectively quote Slovic’s story here, before linking you over there to read the whole thing. Credit where it’s due, etcetera.
“I’ve experienced vindictiveness by the mayor,” Saltzman said of his years on City Council. “I would characterize this as one of those circumstances.”
…
“The mayor was not sufficiently committed to the safety of Portlanders by keeping the bureau at full strength,” said Saltzman. ”He didn’t expect us to speak up about it.”He said the mayor’s statement that the decision to can him and Sizer now was driven by the need to complete the budget process was “disingenuous” and “ridiculous.” He also suggested the mayor’s decision was the result of Sizer’s Monday press conference, which Saltzman supported, regarding the mayor’s proposed cuts to the Police Bureau budget. “The beginning of the legislative process [around the budget] was the end of my tenure as police chief,” Saltzman said.
Those are some of the strongest words to come out of Saltzman’s mouth since I’ve been on this beat. Dude is clearly pissed. And the consensus amongst Blogtown readers does seem to be that his demotion from police commissioner is going to affect his chances in next Tuesday’s election contest. I’d love to be a fly on the wall in city hall right now.
Update, 8:14: Saltzman also told Janie Har at the Oregonian that he thinks “nobody buys” Adams’ talk about saving money in the sewer budget to pay for bike lanes and the like. Odd, because Saltzman has been defending his vote to divert that money on the campaign trail, but still…
I’m glad the title was changed from “victim of vindictiveness.” I came ALL the way over here from my google reader just to comment on that.
Yeah sorry, man. I just misquoted the quote! Fixed, now.
@MD No biggie. It just sounded weird. Victim of vindictiveness has the dull ring of “very unique” and “I’m doing good.”
Had to be done, man. Saltzman – you sat back and let Rosie ineffectively and corruptly ruin our police force. Our of indifference you allowed James Chasse, Jr., every day for almost four years, be the subject of demeaning conversation and derogatory and UNJUST mischaracterizations. After our police cruelly tortured and killed him. And then you have refused to fire the police officers who did all of that – who still need to go.
Saltzman – I am incredulous at you lashing out at Adams. BLAME YOURSELF for where you ended up. And seek forgiveness from the Chasse Family, dude. Long overdue. LOOOOOOOONG overdue.
H2OZone? Wasn’t that the name of a dance club downtown that closed up a while back?
@h20zone: Saltzman was only Police Commissioner for 18 months or so. How is he responsible for 4 years of Police Bureau failure?
I totally agree that it had to be done, and I think longterm, it’s probably going to be good for Saltzman, if he wins reelection.
I also think that the timing suggests that Adams made the move because he was upset with Sizer’s press conference, and presumably with Saltzman’s support of it.
If you think that Mayor Adams gets to be the boss of the bureau he very notably handed off to someone else, then it’s totally appropriate for him to step in and regulate in response to the press conference. If you think he needs to take a back seat on these matters, since he abdicated the responsibility to Saltzman, then it’s vindictiveness.
So much for $altzman being a ‘Strong, Independent Leader’.
Kinda too late for his balls to finally drop and speak out against Adams.
Welcome to the Breedlove club Dan, how does it feel to get fucked by Sam?