The Portland City Council just became something less than the rubber stamp it has been for years under the leadership of Mayor Vera Katz.  The Mayor was supporting fellow liberal Serena Cruz for the Council seat vacated by Charlie Hales, but Randy Leonard upset that apple cart and has made it clear that he opposes what he terms as “city think” that has guided Council decisions in favor of various schemes endorsed by the Mayor for the use of public dollars. 

Leonard, a union leader for Portland firefighters and former state legislator, accuses the Mayor and Council of making decisions “before the public is asked about them.”  Well, hello…that relates to a spate of public transportation projects, the impossible pact to revamp Civic Stadium for Portland Family Entertainment, a proposal for a city takeover of Portland General Electric and other expensive ideas that would impact a community strapped for economic development that makes, instead of spends, money.

Leonard claims to be taxpayer friendly, as opposed to siding with City Hall management.  He already has a declared supporter on the current Council, Jim Francesconi, who has found the courage (following Leonard’s election) to say the public “has not been fully consulted” on a majority of key Council decisions in recent years.

Leonard served in the state legislature for nine years, with a record of consistently backing proposals benefiting the private sector.  No frequenter of the public trough, he! 

Winning campaign communications

The Cruz camp showed voters no program of specific proposals to improve the status quo.  Beyond Serena’s ready smile, the only memorable highlight of her campaigning was a smear against Leonard for taking sick time off to campaign, a criticism echoed by  City Hall insiders (including Councilman Erik Sten, a Cruz backer, who vowed to “look into the practice”).  Portland Fire Chief Ed Wilson defended Leonard’s sick time eligibility…and isn’t it interesting that Cruz hit the campaign trail very shortly after gaining a Multnomah county commission seat, with no critique from City Hall.  

The Portland Business Alliance backed Leonard, a plus for community support of capitalism.  The newly formed Alliance economic development stance finally got the Mayor’s attention prior to election, Alliance recommendations causing her to deliver a speech entitled “Let’s Get Portland Back to Work.”  Her text actually admitted that city regulations have been a serious deterrent to attracting new business and retaining existing private economic kingpins.

It appears to this observer that voters have elected, in Leonard, a former union leader who has little sympathy or support for the Katz regime and will undermine the Mayor’s heretofore steadfast support from her Council.  You go, Randy!  

Leonard’s political philosophy is clearly stated on an Alliance web site.
 
© 2002 Oregon Magazine