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Primary Conversations: Portland Mayor

AIR DATE: Monday, April 28th 2008

Download the mp3 for this show.

What do you want to ask Sam Adams or Sho Dozono?

Greg Macpherson and John Kroger, the candidates for Attorney General, joined us yesterday, and the most glaring differences weren't subtantive but stylistic.

On Monday we're hosting the second in our series of "Primary Conversations" -- this time with the top two candidates for mayor of Portland -- and, while this race is very different, issues of approach more than policy have risen to the fore. Sam Adams and Sho Dozono will discuss the need to fix the city's roads and schools. They'll debate details of how to keep Portland livable and affordable and progressive. And they'll discuss everything from budgets to bicycles. They will vary in their answers. And they'll both try to convince Portlanders to vote for them. But what will likely stand out is the great difference between their backgrounds, experience, and style.

Sam Adams has been a Portland City Commissioner since 2004. Among other things he's in charge of the Office of Transportation and the Bureau of Environmental Services. Adams is well known for his ten years as chief of staff for Mayor Vera Katz, when he became known for saying "make it happen." He considers himself a policy wonk, but critics say he's too focused on policy to have a big vision for the city.

Sho Dozono is a successful businessman who has owned and operated Azumano Travel for 20 years. Previously he was a social studies teacher and wrestling coach at Grant High School. He's raised five children in Portland. The Oregonian described him as "a cosmopolitan grandfather with the low-key finesse of someone who has nothing to prove." Critics point to his lack of experience in city hall as their primary concern.

These two candidates have faced each other in many debates before this conversation, but what's been missing in the discussions so far? What questions are going unanswered? If you don't live in Portland, what do you want the next mayor to consider? From potholes to public schools, this is your chance to question Portland's top two mayoral candidates. What do you want to know?

GUESTS:

Sam Adams: Portland City Commissioner and candidate for mayor of Portland

Sho Dozono: CEO of Azumano Travel and candidate for mayor of Portland

Tagged as: 2008 primary · mayor · portland · sam adams · sho dozono

The Seattle Supersonics are moving to Oklahoma City. I would like to ask the candidates what they would do if the Trailblazers were put in a similar situation, specifically, would they fight to keep the team in Portland, or do they feel that there would be bigger issues to focus on. It was not too long ago that the Trailblazers were on the shelf to be sold. Paul Allen backed out at the last minute and decided to keep the team. He was one of two owners that voted against the Supersonic move, however I have a suspicion he will try to move his team to Seattle to fill the void. It's a bigger market in Seattle, and he already owns the Seahawks so I think my suspicion is well founded. What will these candidates do to keep the Blazers should there be talks of selling/moving them.

textchampion — Fri April 25th 10:02p.m.

Actually Sarah,
Critics' primary concern with Dozono is that he has no ideas for Portland and that he's just a puppet for corporate lobbyist Len Bergstein. And when he does have ideas (more Wal-Marts, JTTF), they are way out of step with Portland?s progressive values. Don?t be fooled- we can?t afford another Tom Potter.

pdxprogress — Fri April 25th 10:52p.m.

Sam has analyzed transportation issues in our City extensively and has put together a proposal for improving and sustaining infrastructure in our city, particularly bikeways, with a street fee added to water bills. Despite a broad array of outreach and support for the proposal from the public, the proposal was put on hold as a result of a small group of business leaders, particularly convenience store owners and petroleum industry representatives. As a "businessman," would Sho favor a small group of businesses over the collective needs of the public? What is Sho's experience in balancing collective public needs with individual businesses who desire to increase personal profit and in the process shaft the public. Should we be concerned that Sho's business ties will lead to more of the same inaction experienced by Mayor Potter for fear of getting on anyone's (especially business leaders') bad side?

East Portlander — Sat April 26th 11:57a.m.

Hello Ms. Harris. Hello Mr. Miller.

I hope this finds all well in your worlds.

Thank you for this conversation about the Portland mayoral race.

To open, let's not do what some others have done which is unfair and compare Sho Dozono to George Bush or Mitt Romney simply because each claims that because he ran a business, he can run a government.

Let's talk about apples and oranges instead.

We have two professionals: One experienced in government and the other in business.

Sam Adams states he has years of experience in government as a result of being both an unelected then elected official.

Sho Dozono states he has years of experience in business as a result of running a travel agency.

Now, let's compare two more professionals, one an eye surgeon and the other a heart surgeon.

Just as one would not want a heart surgeon performing delicate eye surgery ... one would not want an eye surgeon performing delicate heart surgery.

Why then would Mr. Dozono be qualified to run a government any more than Mr. Adams would be qualified to run a travel agency?

The correct answer is that because of years of turning mistakes into learning experiences and moving up the ladder in the travel industry Mr. Dozono is qualified to run travel agencies ... and ... because of years of turning mistakes into learning experiences and moving up the ladder in city government, Mr. Adams is qualified to run cities.

Mr. Adams is NOT qualified to run a travel agency any more than Mr. Dozono is qualified to run a city.

In closing.

Sam Adams has put himself under the public microscope for years.

We all already know what Sam Adams brings to the table.

This means that we have the luxury to look more closely at what Mr. Dozono brings to the table.

Here?s what Mr. Dozono is asking us to judge him on.

Integrity: http://www.blueoregon.com/2008/03/dozonos-off-bea.html

http://www.localnewsdaily.com/news/story.php?story_id=120329061073574900

And these questions:

Does Mr. Dozono favor Wal-Mart and multi-national big business over small and mid-size local businesses? http://news.opb.org/article/candidates-mayor-portland-face/

Does Mr. Dozono favor the Oregon Petroleum Industry over Eco-Transportation? http://wweek.com/editorial/3408/10180/

Is Mr. Dozono divisive, pitting one side of the river against the other side of the river as in the Sauvie Island Bridge move? Is Mr. Dozono not interested in uniting us for our common good? Is Mr. Dozono playing the us vs. them income/class card by saying the Sauvie Island Bridge move is: ?... special interest to cater to the people of Northwest Portland and the Pearl District,? that would be good for only a ?handful of people.? http://bikeportland.org/2008/04/21/adams-dozono-trade-views-on-sauvie-span-at-city-club-debate/
Mr. Dozono's words lead us to believe that protecting the lives of about 2,000 children who live in or use the area where the Sauvie Island Bridge will be installed is not an issue.
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1208820321312020.xml&coll=7
And if the safety of those 2,000 children is no concern to Mr. Dozono, one has to ask, whose children do matter to Mr. Dozono?

And Mr. Dozono has said time and time again during this campaign that he favors the top-down CEO business model because he doesn't need to know policy since, as Mr. Dozono says, he'll hire all the policy wonks he needs to run a city.

While Mr. Adams has said time and time again during this campaign that he takes great pleasure in being a policy wonk.

We all know that people who love what they do do it better ... and the reward is in the doing and giving.

The Oregonian reports that Mr Adams has declined $7,452.00 in pay raises.

Right now our wonderful Portland is at a crossroad.

Some reasons are The Portland Plan, Central City Plan, and Comprehensive Plan are in the process of being updated.

In effect, this mayoral race guides Portland?s Road Map for the next 20 years.

Which candidate has the integrity, youthful energy, values detail, understands city, state, and federal government policy and budgeting;
http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=2478
and has earned, progressively more hands-on experience in the intricacies of Portland city government while brining new jobs to Portland?


That's the man who should be mayor.

GoodManPeter — Sat April 26th 5:52p.m.

How well does the city "work" when it's up against powerful economic interests? Three little scenarios:

1. A uniformed Portland officer said "I'm not going to do anything about that" when I pointed out a semi-trailer truck parked on the wrong side of the street next to a fire hydrant, trailer blocking a second lane of traffic, for the purpose of delivering beer.

2. How many Portlanders have spent time and money following official instructions for connecting to the city-sponsored wifi system, only to be told that no connection is feasible and if it were they'd have to spend additional money on proprietary software from a single source?

3. As I walked to work across a bridge yesterday, an enormous mushroom cloud of diesel soot rose from routine operations of a locomotive below. I was still coughing 24 hours later. If a single instance of such a chemical assault was accompanied by a political statement of intent to harm Americans, would the government's response be the same or different?

Cynicism about government can be increased by bending the law to grant favors and exceptions to the well-connected and powerful. What would candidates for the Mayor's office say about this general theme?

Powdermilk — Sat April 26th 9:51p.m.

A question for the candidates:

Throughout this election season there's been talk by some Presidential candidates of supporting more national service initiatives (VISTA, City Year, etc.) as a way to re-engage Americans in civic life and service. Can you please talk briefly on your thoughts of service, particularly how you would support and foster such programs in Portland?

Murtaugh — Mon April 28th 10:41a.m.

All politics are local. For me that is especially true. We live on S.E. Holgate BLVD between 39th and 52nd. This section of Holgate borders two very residential neighborhoods (Creston-Kennilworth and Woodstock) and is well traveled by cars, pedestrians and cyclists. Trimet offers 15 minute service all day on this street. For those unfamiliar with this street, Portland DOT staff will tell you this commercial and transit street is the most deteriorated of all east ? west routes. The last pavement was a strip placed down the center ten years ago, the pavement on the sides are over 24 years old. Bicyclists use the sidewalks instead of the street, as there is so much debris from the pothole patches. This street was not in as bad a shape four years ago, however at that time the city, and I believe Mr. Adams predecessor, made the decision to allow heavy trucks on this section of Holgate. Since then, the deterioration of Holgate between 39th and 52nd has progressed exponentially. The city engineering survey made within the last year shows 65 ? 80% of this stretch needs to be dug at least 18? deep, and a new base put in to meet the increased demands placed on this street.

Semi trucks, cement and dump trucks, and Trimet all shake our home when they drive by. Pothole crews are out here every 2 -3 weeks filling in potholes. Last fall, the pothole crew filled and rolled a 68 foot long pothole patch in front of our home. This kept the house from shaking for five months, however since then has deteriorated, crews came out and patched holes in the patch, from the previous patch, which was from the previous patch, from the previous patch, from the temporary fix (get the message?), making the road rougher than before. We have three new cracks in our ceilings since February. I wonder, who has the fiduciary responsibility to repair our home, built to code and properly maintained, that is being shaken apart by heavy commercial traffic speeding by?

I understand there is no money right now to properly fix this street. I'm enough of a political junkie to understand the differences in funding streams and why money can be spent on some projects and not others. However, this street was not built to carry the transit and commercial traffic allowed over the last four years and it is now unsafe.

[u]My questions to both Mr. Dozono and Mr. Adams are these:[/u]

Are you willing to do what it takes to make this street safe now?
Are you willing to reduce the speed limit to match the shape of the street?
Are you willing to place a weight restriction on this section of street?
Are you willing to step up enforcement of speed limits, Trimet and commercial traffic included?
If no to any of these, why?

I have one last question. The last two years there have been surpluses in the city?s budget. Will either of you commit to moving all future surpluses to maintaining city infrastructure, instead of any new projects?

Michael Martin,
Portland resident and OPB member

Update: Thank you for asking my questions. However, neither Mr. Adams nor Mr Dozono answered the questions, either those writeen here, nor asked on the air. Mr. Adams was particularly avoiding, this is helping me mkae my mind up.

mjmartin — Mon April 28th 10:42a.m.

I run a small planning consulting business that seeks to take some of Portland's innovations in addressing looming potential catastrophes such as CLIMATE CHANGE and PEAK OIL and spread them to other communities. I would like to ask both candidates: What do you think are two of Portland's greatest innovations in planning for CLIMATE CHANGE?

What role, if any, have you played in developing and implementing these innovations? What are two innovations would you promote as Mayor? How would you go about bringing the people along?
Mary Vogel
PlanGreen

Mary Vogel — Mon April 28th 10:53a.m.

I have grave concerns for how our city is planning for growth. I emphasize the word planning, as it is my observation that the PDC and Bureau of Transportation have far more power in directing the form of our city than the Bureau of Planning. A case in point is the Burnside-Couch Couplet, which is essentially a auto-based transportation project opposed by both the Planning Bureau and Planning Commission. My question: Which of the three bureaus: Planning, Transportation, and Parks, has primacy, if any, and which if any would the candidate choose for his portfolio? I ask that the candidates answer the question as stated, and not add lists of other bureaus or dodge the question with non-answers.
A follow up question: The Bureau of Planning is currently working to update the City's Comprehensive Plan. Will the candidate, as mayor, support this process and await it results before proceeding with new development or significant interventions to the existing city fabric?

potestio — Mon April 28th 11:39a.m.

Question.
The next mayor will be appointing a new charter review commission. What are your thoughts about how Portland's city government should be changed and why?

macgillivray — Mon April 28th 12:01p.m.

For Sam Adams 2 questions:
Why put a bridge across I-405 on NW Flanders when there are already bridges
across I-405 one block north and one block south of that?
More importantly, assuming the bridge IS in the interests of the people of Portland, why move a pre-existing bridge rather than build a new beautiful one if building a new beautiful one is cheaper? (I'm feeling a bit short on cash these days)
Sincerely, PABLO

pablodaikon — Mon April 28th 12:06p.m.

Good Morning Sam,

Why did you feel it was ok to bypass city law in renaming Portland Blvd. and (almost)Interstate Ave.?

17.93.010 Criteria For Renaming a City Street.

Follow up, Wouldn't naming the renovated Bus Mall after Rosa Parks make more sense?

Nickel Arcade — Mon April 28th 12:15p.m.

never mind...

elge p — Mon April 28th 12:15p.m.

I am concerned about the proposal to unload liquified natural gas near Astoria and build a pipeline to transport it thru our state for the benefit of California.

I would like to know how the candidates stand on this issue and what they would do to protect us from this danger even though it's not, to my knowledge, going to come thru Portland itself.

sndybeech — Mon April 28th 12:23p.m.

Please ask Mr. Dozono why he took money out of a child's trust fund he was supervising and how he could possibly be a good steward of public funds after doing that in the past.

PDXvoter — Mon April 28th 12:27p.m.

Sho is a business man with credentials from the port of portland board chamber of commerce and other pro business advocacy groups. These business interests have been against the peoples utility district and have influenced portlands local scene with out of state money.If he is hiring "qualified" professionals, what is Sho going to do to keep out of state influence from local political issues in the future.

jakeinpdx — Mon April 28th 12:30p.m.

The primary difference between the two candidates they say is growth. Sam says yes sho says no. Most of the growth is being encouraged through tax breaks for development close to major transportation infrastucture. The trans. corridors also are source of pollution putting low income and housing in the worst polluted areas. What are the candidates ideas to improve/correct this policy including cleaning up of the brown field, and superfund sites.

jakeinpdx — Mon April 28th 12:34p.m.

Adams says there is a serious transportation issue, but how serious about this is he?
While Adams wants couplets in NW and streetcars along current bus routes, there aren't sidewalks along miles of city streets (walk along Stark past 122nd), there is no clear guideline to establish speed limits (30mph on MLK, 35mph on PDX Blvd, 40mph along Killingsworth (including in front of a school), 35mph along Halsey, etc...), there are not consistent school zone signals, stop/yield signs are missing from many intersections.
If Adams was serious about safety he would spend time on these issues instead of funding streetcars along bus routes, spending money on a bridge to cross I-405 (when many crossings, safe crossings may I add, exist within close proximity to NW Flanders. Everett and Glisan overpasses already contain bike lanes, and both have sidewalks) and green bike boxes.
Sho has questionable judgement. He loaned himself close to 1 million dollars from a trust he was managing for someone else.
Adams wants to fund pet projects and focus on the central city to the neglect of real issues and greater Portland's needs.
Personally, I don't like either choice.

bonzosa — Mon April 28th 12:42p.m.

A lot is being said about funding programs for our city, including transportation and housing:
1) Sam states that funding is dedicated to use, his argument for using funds on the Sauvie Island Bike Bridge as being only for such projects and not transferable to projects for bike safety(such as in SE Portland), Therefore, I ask, what justifies, 1 Million in Federal funds from a program designed to preserve historic and cultural assets to be allocated to the Sauvie Island Bike Bridge Project? What about the bridge, Flanders Street, or other aspects of the project is historic or represents a cultural asset?
2) If funding for projects such as transportation is so "clobbered" together, as in the Bike Bridge example with funding from sources such as SDC charges, cultural programs, urban renewal sources, how can we address the basic issue of funding? Can we create a general fund for housing, for transportation, for planning, etc such that funds may be dedicated to highest and best need, not pet projects?

potestio — Mon April 28th 12:43p.m.

The Urban Growth Boundary of course extends beyond the city limits, but a process is unfolding just now that may direct the course of growth in the metro area for the next half century. There is a great deal of pressure to grow into the area south of the Wilmette at Wilsonville, and yet if that area is overgrown, we will lose valuable farmland which can supply the city of Portland and this region with fresh food. It is an issue which affects our ability to respond to global warming, among other things, and which will shape much of the future. What do the candidates think about moving the urban growth boundary south of Wilsonville?

mirgy9 — Mon April 28th 12:45p.m.

Question for the candidates: What's your position on acquiring a major league baseball team for Portland?

SteveA — Mon April 28th 12:48p.m.

What do you like about Portland?
What do you dislike about Portland?

Not why should you be, but why do you want to be Mayor?

scottmil — Mon April 28th 12:50p.m.

Portland is Sister City to Ashkelon, Israel, a city currently targeted by rockets being fired from Gaza.
The only hospital in the region, Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon, continues to serve injured from both sides of the political divide - even while under fire.

What sort of support can the Portland-Ashkelon Sister City Association, and its advocacy of Barzilai Hospital, expect from you as Mayor?

dianeblitzer — Mon April 28th 12:52p.m.

I keep hearing Sho say he will bring a fresh perspective about business to City Hall, I have heard him asked in at least five different forums to list specifics that would indicate Portland is not a business friendly place nor specifics about what policies he would enact.

He keeps coming back to attitude and saying that City Hall is anti-business: Business communities always feel that there is too much regulation, too much oversight, too much government. How can we trust someone who just says "trust me, I'm a good guy" but offers no substance ala Tom Potter and Frank Invancie?

fromcalitoportland — Mon April 28th 12:56p.m.

Ther is much talk of achievement and issues. My concern is for How we solve these challenges. For example: Why did Sam Adams endorse an increae to the water bill to pay for street repairs(potholes) and when gas stations complained they were offered a tax break to compensate for the increase. Where is the break to families and households with an already high water bill and increasing costs for everything. Affordability is bigger than just getting a house although this problem is not meant to be trivialized with this questions. HOW we pay for things requires understanding what the average Portlander is paying now. Let us not get buried by our desire to shine our "livability image" at the cost of basic livability.

danica00 — Mon April 28th 12:57p.m.

I am concerned about policy and facts/figures that inform sound policy making.

Therefore, I worry that facts and figures can be construed to support a particular agenda. Truth in stating "facts" is critical.

Case in point: Sam is stating that the Burnside corridor is one of the most dangerous in Portland. To defend the Bike Bridge, he has included Everett, and Glisan, both streets blocks away in his definition of "Burnside Corridor".

From city surveys, it is my understanding that the deaths and serious accidents he cites are concentrated at the West end of the Burnside Bridge, where large amounts of traffic encounter a district that is characterized by youth oriented bars and shelters for homeless persons who have serious problems including substance abuse.

I wonder: what role does drug use, including alcohol, have to do with the rate of accidents in this area? Is the street at fault, or the behavior of the motorists and pedestrians?

I ride my bike 2-4 trips per day (at a variety of times including rush hours) on Glisan, Everett, Flanders and Johnson. In 20 years, I have not witnessed any serious accidents on these routes, and find motorists to be very cognizant of the presence of cyclists, especially where bike paths cross freeway entrance/exits.

I think Everett and Glisan could be better designed to provide for cyclist and pedestrian safety, but do not see the need to add Flanders to the mix with a new crossing over the I-405.

Most cyclists use Johnson for E-W travel as it is more advantageously located with regard to housing, employment, services, and connections to the Broadway Bridge/East side of Portland.

It is my observation that "facts" are being manipulated to justify a project whose need, based on specific usage or accidents involving cyclists or pedestrians at its location can not be proven.

potestio — Mon April 28th 1:08p.m.

Comments are now closed.