Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Kate Brown, Allen Alley, Amanda Fritz
Friday, June 05, 2015
HOT:
Governor Kate Brown
What a week for the Governor. She publicly stated that Michael Rodgers should not be charged criminally and the next day the Marion County DAs agreed with her (coincidence?). The ethics bills that she proposed are winding through the legislature and close to becoming law and she pledged her support for the redevelopment of the Willamette Falls area. She even found time to testify in support of naming part of the Capitol after the much respected former lobbyist Dave Barrows. And a poll out this week has her approval rating at 55%. Given her approach to the job of Governor, it would be very surprising to ever see her in the Not Column (Kate, you can skip last week's column. There wasn't anything interesting in it anyway.)
Allen Alley
In order for Republicans to win a state-wide race, they need to find a candidate that will appeal to moderate voters. More Chris Dudley and less Dennis Richardson. That is why, as rumor has it, Allen Alley's phone has been ringing off the hook. The Oregon GOP are the Washington Generals of Oregon politics and they are desperate for a win. The question is, does he want it? This is a guy who lost the race for state treasurer in 2008 and didn't even get out of the primary in the governor's race in 2010.
Does he want to subject himself to the rigors of another high-profile race? How much does he have left in his tank? And even if he wants it, is the party base willing to support a moderate? Oh, who are we kidding. The next Governor will be <insert name of Democratic Party Nominee here>.
Socially Aware Naked People
Are you torn? Do you want to spend your free time protesting against our dependency on oil, but you also want time to show your support for cyclist rights. Well, now you can do both at the same time. Dust off your fixie and get your kit off and meet down at Colonel Summers Park on June 27th for the 2015 World Naked Bike Ride. Over 10,000 cycling buffs participated in this event last year and this year is expected to top that. If you are a prudish reader, please keep in mind that most of these riders will not be completely naked. They will be wearing helmets. Better?
NOT:
Amanda Fritz
Proving the idiom 'no good deed goes unpunished', Commissioner Fritz got denied this week when the City, once again, caved to developers. Fritz, who oversees the Bureau of Development Services, ordered her staff to apply more scrutiny to the builders of 'skinny homes', the tall narrow homes that can fit two side by side in a normal lot. So much for trying to work for the people of this city who are tired of seeing their neighborhoods ruined. Everyone knows you don't go against developers. They run this town. So after threatening litigation, the Bureau reversed the few denials of permits it had already made and promised not to make things any more difficult in the future. Thanks for trying though.
Alan Pearson
When somebody, in the future, tells you that they didn't vote because their vote does not matter, you can tell them the story of Alan Pearson. Mr. Pearson had a dream. A dream to one day be on the City Council of the sleepy hamlet of Sherwood, Oregon. Well, those dreams were crushed when he lost the race to Renee Brouse by 13 votes, 1001 to 988. So close, yet so far. What makes this so painful is that there are over 10,000 registered voters in the city. That is frustrating considering all the hard work that goes into running a campaign. To make matters worse, Pearson will have to pay for the recount out of his own pocket which could run up to $320. Talk about kicking a man when he is down.
Beau Breedlove
Surprising pretty much everybody who thought his 15 minutes were up years ago, Mr. Breedlove, the former intern and central figure in the Sam Adams scandal, surfaced this week to announce that he has written his autobiography. Why he thought this was necessary we will never know. Unless we buy this book, which we won't. This self-published book will be for sale on Amazon.com. Likely in the "Who The Hell Cares' Section.
Related Slideshow: Timeline of Sam Adams’ Political Career
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