2012 Primary Election

It's that time again where I openly ponder my ballot. There were no interesting ballot issues and only few races are compelling to comment on.

NOMINATING BALLOT FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
US PRESIDENT	[X] Barack Obama INCUMBENT
US REP, OR 3RD DIST	[X] Earl Blumenauer INCUMBENT

OR SECRETARY OF STATE
I have to admit to feeling a little reluctant to vote for Kate Brown again over her seemingly partisan mishandling of an election. Although it's doubtful I would vote for her Republican challenger in the fall, I am concerned Brown's either incompetence or partisan mischief is a sign that Oregon Dems are becoming too complacent and sloppy in the absence of significant political challengers.
[X] Kate Brown INCUMBENT	"...Brown has been silent on campaign finance reform and otherwise largely invisible." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT? "...Brown has also worked to update the office's state government performance audit responsibilities, looking at educational service districts, the foster care system and state tax collection. A recent Oregonian PolitiFact judgment considered Brown's claim that every $1 spent on audits in the past year gained the state $64, and found it to be potentially an understatement..." -THE OREGONIAN
[_] Paul Damian Wells	"...a perennial candidate and machinist who is not running a serious campaign..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...a perennial candidate who switches party registration every two years before running to make an argument for nonpartisan elections..." -THE OREGONIAN

OR STATE TREASURER

[X] Ted Wheeler INCUMBENT

OR ATTORNEY GENERAL
Rosenblum seems a better match than Holton for Oregonian's values. Although both candidates have been or are federal prosecutors, Holton seems to be more outspoken in criticizing Oregon's medical marijuana law and Portland's concern about terrorism task force oversight. It's hard to imagine he will suddenly defend the state's interests as Oregon's AG.
[_] Dwight Holton	"....Holton helped the city of Portland rejoin the Joint Terrorism Task Force, no small feat in a community that is famously wary of police power....Holton is the candidate with the more relevant management experience and the greater potential to shine...." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT "...On the issue of missteps and lack of local control over the Joint Terrorism Task Force – recently in the headlines because an African immigrant claims he was tortured at the behest of the Portland FBI office – Holton’s position was troublingly vague...." -THE SKANNER
[X] Ellen Rosenblum	"...is not endorsed by any law enforcement unions or special interest groups while Holton is endorsed literally by dozens of them...Rosenblum surprised us with ideas we had never considered, in particular the role the Attorney General could play in making the state a better place for small businesses to thrive...Rosenblum was a founding force behind Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, a program bringing kids together with their incarcerated mothers. ....We’re confident Rosenblum will act in the interests of everyday people on sentencing reform – not special interests that benefit from heightened incarceration rates...." -THE SKANNER ENDORSEMENT "...Her combination of intelligence, grace and good judgment would serve Oregon well...." -THE OREGONIAN "...While, in my opinion, Rosenblum would be an outstanding AG, this newspaper has a conflict of interest. That’s why, as difficult as it may be to write this, we will not be covering the race or making an endorsement..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK

OR STATE SENATOR, 21ST DISTRICT	[X] Diane Rosenbaum INCUMBENT
OR STATE REP, 42ND DIST	[X] Jules Kopel Bailey INCUMBENT

NONPARTISAN
OR JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT, POSITION 3
The judicial races are difficult to decide. Candidates don't discuss specific issues and are non-partisan. And so far, I haven't found any articles mentioning anything controversial. Most articles say all the candidates are qualified. Timothy Sercombe seems to be the favorite based on his resume. However, I decided to go for Nena Cook. I think it fair to consider diversity when electing one member of a representative body. Cook has a diverse legal background. It's also worth noting that she would be the third-woman on a seven-judge court which would seem to even-out the court's gender disparity.
[_] Timothy J Sercombe	"...By a whisker, however, we’re siding with Tim Sercombe, who has served on the Oregon Court of Appeals for the past four years and had a long career in private practice. Lawyers describe him as brainy, emotionally suited to appellate work..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...Sercombe, however, remains the best choice in this race. His experience at the appellate level as a lawyer and a judge, combined with his technical expertise on issues frequently coming before the Supreme Court, give him the edge. ..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENTS: The Salem Statesman Journal, The East Oregonian, former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, former OR Attorney General Dave Frohnmayer -JUDGETIMESERCOMBE.COM
[X] Nena Cook	"...She’s an impressive candidate who needs more bench experience before getting to the state’s highest court...." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...Cook is a dynamite lawyer and former Oregon State Bar president..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENTS: Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Oregon Business Association, former Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, former Gov Vic Atiyeh (R) -NENACOOKFOROREGONSUPREMECOURT.ORG
[_] Richard C Baldwin	"...He is, by reputation, a smart and compassionate lawyer, who is accessible and down to earth..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...Baldwin has extensive trial experience and a demonstrated commitment to making the courts more inclusive..." -THE OREGONIAN "We're going with the experienced trial judge..." -BOJACK.ORG ENDORSEMENTS: Oregon Education Association, former Governor Barbara Roberts, 7 former OR State Bar Presidents -ELECTJUDGEBALDWIN.COM

OR SUPREME COURT JUDGE, POS 2

[X] Virginia L Linder INCUMBENT

OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS, POSITION 6
[X] Tim Volpert	"...We’re troubled that Volpert talks up his work with the American Civil Liberties Union but led the successful fight, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, to allow the Vernonia School District to compel student-athletes to take drug tests..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...Volpert's views on privacy and reasonable searches have evolved considerably since then. Chalk it up to the passage of time, or to his decade coaching students at Grant High School's constitution team. Either way, Volpert would bring a thoughtful and healthy grounding in constitutional law to the appeals court..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT Endorsements: Oregon Education Association, US Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici; former Governor Barbara Roberts; former Attorney General Hardy Myers; Multnomah District Attorney Michael D. Schrunk -TIMVOLPERT.COM
[_] Allan J Arlow	"...We’re impressed with Arlow’s thoughtfulness and wit, but he lacks Volpert’s breadth of legal experience..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
[_] James C Egan	"...James Egan is the only candidate now serving as a state court judge...He spent most of his career as a trial lawyer and, in our view, doesn’t yet have the record to recommend him for a promotion...." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...However, Egan's candidacy has not yet ripened. If it does, Egan could be considered as a potential judicial candidate when the appeals court expands by three members in 2013. ..." -THE OREGONIAN "...It's a coin flip, but we'll probably vote for Egan...." -BOJACK.ORG

OR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, POS 5	[X] Rick Haselton INCUMBENT
OR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, POS 8	[X] Lynn R Nakamoto INCUMBENT
OR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, POS 9	[X] Erika Hadlock INCUMBENT
OR COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE, POS 10	[X] Rex Armstrong INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 3	[X] Jerry B Hodson INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 4	[X] Adrienne Nelson INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 7	[X] Jerome LaBarre INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 8	[X] Eric J Bergstrom INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 12	[X] Janice R Wilson INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 16	[X] Susan M Svetkey INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 23	[X] Edward Jones INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 28	[X] Judith Hudson Matarazzo INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 29	[X] Kathryn Villa-Smith INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 31	[X] Cheryl Albrecht INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 32	[X] Merri Souther Wyatt INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 35	[X] Paula J Kurshner INCUMBENT
OR 4TH DIST CIRCUIT COURT, POS 37	[X] Leslie Roberts INCUMBENT
OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY, MULTNOMAH COUNTY	[X] Rod Underhill

MULTNOMAH COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
[_] Wes Soderback	"...perennial candidate... offered few ideas and little understanding of what the county actually does..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
[X] Deborah Kafoury INCUMBENT	"...She deserves credit for leading on perhaps the single biggest symbol of the commission’s past ineffectiveness: replacing the Sellwood Bridge....Her commitment to other basic responsibilities for the county—social services and especially homelessness—makes her a vital advocate for the underserved in our area." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT

CITY OF PORTLAND MAYOR
I admit that I'm little reluctant to vote for streetcar advocate Charlie Hales. It's not very exciting to vote for a former council member who is merely returning at a political opportune moment (Why didn't he run against mayors Adams, Potter, or Katz?). Also, his tax-dodging may be technically legal, it's nearly unforgivable political hypocrisy (shouldn't lawmakers enthusiastically pay the taxes they impose?). I seriously considered Eileen Brady and Jefferson Smith, but I couldn't convince myself either was a better option than Hales. I was attracted to Brady's bold campaign and the idea of a business executive of a popular local supermarket leading the city's economy, but the revelation that Brady wasn't an actual employee, owner, or officer of New Seasons soured me. I like Smith's criticism of the Columbia River Cross (a.k.a. The-Job-Stealing-Tax-Dodging-Vancouver-SUV-Bridge), but am concerned about his admitted lack of organization.
[_] Jefferson Smith	"...the mayor of Portland has to manage budgets, help negotiate with unions and provide basic services. Smith has shown little skill in those areas." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...we have policy differences with Smith on key transportation issues, including the need for a new Columbia River Crossing, which he opposes. Moreover, on the stump and an interviews, Smith often seems more activist than executive..." -THE OREGONIAN "... It feels like we really ought to be behind him. But his personal style, his propensity for jawboning, surliness, and dismissive attitude left our editorial board surprisingly and undeniably cool. We're also concerned...that there's still a reason that most major public employee unions (especially the Portland Police Association) have lined up on his side...." --PORTLAND MERCURY ENDORSEMENTS: City Commissioner Randy Leonard, Portland Firefighters Local 43, Portland Police Association, Progressive Party, Portland Green Party -JEFFERSONSMITH.COM
[_] Eileen Brady	"...To the enviros, she (alone among the major candidates) wants to build the sustainability center. For the building trades, she has offered up a $3.4 billion fiasco-in-waiting called the Columbia River Crossing...But bear down on the details, and she is without a basic grasp of how city government works, filling in the gaps in her knowledge with jargon and buzzwords." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...Brady never has held elective office, is thin on executive experience, and in our interviews lacked Hales' strong command of city issues, especially the budget process and bureau management..." -THE OREGONIAN "...she's also the choice of the Portland Business Alliance. And the PBA is an outfit that demands a return on its investment..." -PORTLAND MERCURY ENDORSEMENTS: Former Mayor Tom Potter, Former State Senator Avel Gordly, Former State Legislator JoAnn Hardesty (Bowman), Portland Green Party, EMILY's List, Pacificorp, Portland General Electric, Portland Business Alliance, BOMA Oregon -EILEENFORMAYOR.COM
[X] Charlie Hales	"...The fact is, when it comes to the substance of the mayor’s job, no one comes close to Hales. He’s ready to do the job, and do it well...He passed a big parks bond, built community centers, killed a misguided freeway expansion and championed airport light rail and the Portland Streetcar....he avoided paying tens of thousands of dollars in Oregon taxes—a privilege he got only by swearing to Oregon tax officials he considered Washington his home...Meanwhile, Hales was telling elections officials he was actually an Oregon resident and kept voting here." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...he's prepared to be mayor in ways that Brady and Smith simply are not. A small but telling example: When you ask the candidates how the city should encourage more business development, they all talk about streamlining the permit system. Only Hales explains that Portland should adopt a specific system -- Salt Lake City's smooth, high-tech operation -- and pledges to implement it quickly in this city..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT "...We think he means it when he says he'll stand up to the police union—his record with the fire bureau when he last served on council, pushing it into hiring more minorities and women, means something. He's the only mayoral candidate in arms over the fact that just 34 percent of our cops actually live Portland..." -PORTLAND MERCURY ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENTS: Former Mayor Vera Katz, The Skanner, The Northwest Examiner, Powell's Books CEO Owner Michael Powell -CHARLIEHALES.COM
[_] Max Brumm	"...we like the 19-year-old mayoral candidate more than any of the three with all the money." -BOJACK.ORG
[_] Steve Sung	[_] Scott Fernandez	[_] Dave Campbell	[_] Robert James Carron
[_] Max Bauske	[_] Samuel Belisle	[_] Loren Charles Brown	[_] Shonda Colleen Kelley
[_] Josh Nuttall	[_] Blake Nieman-Davis	[_] Lew Humble	[_] Michael P Langley
[_] Cameron Whitten	[_] David (The Ack) Ackerman	[_] Tre Arrow	[_] Bill Dant
[_] Howie Rubin	[_] Christopher Rich	[_] Scott Rose
CITY OF PORTLAND COMMISSIONER POSITION 1
I admit that I'm a little disappointed in Amanda Fritz's performance since I first voted for her. She has made some notable comments during her term, but I had hoped she would be more outspoken and willing to challenge the council. Turning from blogger-critic to politician is harder than it looks, so I think she could be given more time. Maybe it's just me, but even the newspaper endorsements for Mary Nolan sound reluctant.
[X] Amanda Fritz INCUMBENT	"...Fritz has served in office long enough to prove herself as an effective watchdog of city resources, especially wasteful spending in the water and fire bureaus. Notably, she saved ratepayers as much as $500 million by pushing a simpler, more affordable form of water treatment. She consistently provides an essential counterbalance to City Hall's tendency to treat public funds as free money. She also brings a nuanced understanding of mental health issues and a commitment to improve Portland's performance. This is an asset in a city that struggles to deal effectively and compassionately with mentally ill people, particularly those who come into contact with police...." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT "...we like Fritz precisely because she is so grassroots. She’s not really a politician – she told us she does not aspire to higher office – but nevertheless her unrelenting dedication to the city is unmatched...." -THE SKANNER ENDORSEMENT "...Fritz takes credit for saving utility ratepayers $500 million on a Water Bureau sand-filtration system—one case in which her dogged, read-every-footnote, hyper-frugal approach may have saved taxpayers more than a few pennies....Fritz alienated leaders on the city’s existing human rights commission—a strange outcome for a process-focused citizen politician with a volunteer’s background. Members of the city’s charter review commission say Fritz, among all the commissioners, did the most to undermine their mission to reform city government...." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...We're going with Fritz. She's the more careful candidate on issues like whether to invest in the Oregon Sustainability Center... 'It's nice, but we can't afford it right now,' Fritz said during our endorsement interview, perfectly illustrating her worldview..." -PORTLAND MERCURY ENDORSEMENT SUPPORTERS: Commissioner Nick Fish, Commissioner Dan Saltzman, former Mayor Tom Potter, former Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury -AMANDA2012.COM
[_] Mary Nolan	"...the anti-Fritz, an insider with many well-heeled backers, a profligate spender who’d rather raise taxes than find government efficiencies....Make no mistake: We’re concerned by Nolan’s closeness to special interests, particularly the public-employee unions she will be asked to negotiate with in City Hall...But we have no doubts about her ability to lead and her track record of accomplishment...." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT? "...Nolan's legislative colleagues describe her as someone who could be persuaded by logic and facts, as long as she respected the source of the information....If she's elected, we would like to see Nolan adopt a more open style and also give more serious consideration to needs of the city's businesses." -PORTLAND TRIBUNE ENDORSEMENT "...Her track record in the Legislature on key issues involving taxes and transportation suggests a troubling tendency to ignore dissent, shrug off business concerns, choose the more partisan path and leave unnecessary bruises. Those qualities have blunted Nolan's influence in the Legislature, and they would undermine her effectiveness on a five-person council..." -THE OREGONIAN "...There's a reason she's no longer a leader in Salem: She earned a reputation as someone who puts her own aspirations above anything else..." -PORTLAND TRIBUNE ENDORSEMENTS: Portland Police Association, Portland Firefighters, 2 former City Auditors, and bunch of state politicians. -MARYNOLANFORCITYCOUNCIL.COM
[_] Bruce Altizer	"...we agree with the reader that Bruce Altizer is a viable alternative to both the Nurse and her leading opponent, Mary Nolan....If the election were held today, we'd vote for Altizer." -BOJACK.ORG
[_] David G Gwyther	[_] Teressa L Raiford
CITY OF PORTLAND COMMISSIONER POSITION 4
[_] Scott McAlpine	"...Scott McAlpine hates light rail and seemingly everyone who’s come near Portland City Hall. ..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
[_] Brian Sidney Parrott	"...Sports promoter Brian Parrott wants to bring the Winter Olympics to Mount Hood and not one but two riverboat casinos to the Willamette River." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
[X] Steve Novick	"We’re endorsing Novick because we like his ideas. One of his proposals to lower citywide health-care costs by supporting direct care for the highest-cost workers is borrowed from McAllen, Texas...We also appreciate his political savvy, intelligence and sense of humor. We think he’ll challenge his City Council colleagues to do better and think bigger." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...Novick is razor sharp, highly experienced and he faces only minimal opposition." -PORTLAND TRIBUNE ENDORSEMENT "...Novick has the skills to fulfill his pledge to identify more cost-effective ways to deal with health care costs and public safety. He certainly has the chops to improve the city's mixed record on basic services like street paving and garbage pickup....He should do so -- and avoid getting sidetracked by the many interesting but non-essential ideas on his campaign wish list...." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT "...He's flogging a pair of brilliantly compelling reform proposals that deserve to be taken for a test run at Portland City Hall and in the Capitol...The first is a plan that would tackle the region's tangle of public safety and mental health budgets and then, presumably, untangle them. ....Novick's other plan would see Portland...invest in its special health clinics and health coaches for high-cost workers..." PORTLAND MERCURY ENDORSEMENT
[_] Mark White	"...we'd like to see Novick engage in a runoff with White...Though many candidates pay lip service to outer East Portland, White's commitment is real: He sees the effects of city policies that concentrate poverty on the edge of town, and he knows how modest investments in sidewalks or job creation can make life-changing differences for his neighbors...." -THE OREGONIAN
[_] Jeri Williams	"...a city employee with a powerful personal story of escaping a life of forced prostitution. She skipped her WW endorsement interview." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
[_] Leah Marie Dumas	[_] James Rowell

METRO COUNCILOR, 6TH DISTRICT
[X] Bob Stacey	"...Stacey can be abrasive and difficult to work with...He’s been an effective critic of the bloated Columbia River Crossing project..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...An avowed conservationist, Stacey also knows the pressing raw need to expand the inventory of land ready for development. And he cites "thousands of available acres within the UGB" that could, with access and infrastructure improvements, help drive legible growth and create jobs..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] Jonathan P Levine	"... he’s still trying to grasp Metro’s role in the community, and he’s no match for Stacey." -WILLAMETTE WEEK "...Stacey's only challenger, Portland State University graduate student Jonathan Levine, is without a detailed plan...." -THE OREGONIAN
MULTNOMAH COUNTY MEASURE #26-125
LOCAL LIBRARY FUNDING: CONTINUES LOCAL OPTION LEVY AT CURRENT RATE QUESTION: Shall county maintain open libraries, programs, services; renew levy of $0.89 per $1,000 assessed value for three years beginning 2012? This measure renews current local option taxes.
[X] Yes	"SUPPORTERS SAY...It is not a tax increase; it maintains the current rate of 89 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. With 65 percent of the library budget dependent on levy funds, failure to renew will result in most libraries closing..." -LWVPDX.ORG (PDF) "...We’ve never liked the idea of giving the county’s most popular service its own revenue stream, but to paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, you go with the tax structure you have, not the one you’d like to have..." -WILLAMETTE WEEK ENDORSEMENT "...Multnomah County voters who want to retain their library service -- and that would appear to be nearly everyone -- should vote yes on Measure 26-125."-PORTLAND TRIBUNE ENDORSEMENT "....The system -- the main library downtown and 18 branches -- also helps meet a variety of community needs beyond lending books and materials. In fiscal 2011, it provided 303 computer labs for job seekers, hosted 38 financial and employment events, served 98,000 preschoolers and children through the summer reading program and provided free online language tutoring....To continue to provide these services, the library system needs to renew its operating levy. Voters should approve the request..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"OPPONENTS SAY...Limited property tax dollars should be used on safety and infrastructure... Libraries are becoming irrelevant due to readily available access to the Internet.. Only those who use the library should pay for it..." -LWVPDX.ORG (PDF)
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-126
AMENDS CHARTER TORT NOTICE PROVISION FOR CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW QUESTION: Shall tort claim notice provision in Portland City Charter be amended to be consistent with state law? SUMMARY: Currently, Portland City Charter Section 1-106 states that tort claim notices must be presented to the City Attorney. The Oregon Tort Claims Act identifies who may receive tort claim notices for the City, including the City Attorney and other City officials. For consistency with state law, this measure removes the Charter requirement that service be made only on the City Attorney.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-127
AMENDS CITY CHARTER PROVISIONS REGARDING MAYOR’S FUND QUESTION: Shall Charter language allowing use of Mayor’s limited fund without documentation be deleted and name of fund be changed? SUMMARY: Portland City Charter Section 2-105(a)(14) currently provides that the Council may appropriate up to $2,000 per year to the Mayor for a secret service fund and that no supporting documentation of expenditures from that fund must be provided. This measure would delete the Charter language allowing the fund to be used without providing supporting evidence of expenditures. As a result, expenditures from this fund would be accounted for in the same manner as other City expenditures. The measure would also change the name of the fund from “secret service Fund” to “discretionary Fund.”
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...would remove a $2,000 'secret service' mayoral slush fund that requires 'no supporting documentation of expenditures.' OK, that one clearly shouldn’t be on the books...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-128
AMENDS CHARTER BY DELETING UNENFORCEABLE OBSCENITY PROVISIONS QUESTION:Shall unenforceable power in Charter regarding regulation of obscenity be deleted to be consistent with state constitution? SUMMARY:Charter Section 2-105(a)(50) currently states that the City has the power to define what materials are obscene, to prohibit distribution and to punish persons who distribute such materials. Prohibiting obscenity has been foreclosed by the Oregon Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article I, Section 8 of the Oregon Constitution. This measure would delete Section 2-105(a)(50) to make the Charter consistent with the Oregon Constitution. Deletion of this section of the City’s specific powers would not impair the City’s general powers and authority to protect and support public health and safety.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-129
AMENDS CHARTER: DELETES OUTDATED, UNENFORCEABLE PROVISIONS REGARDING VAGRANTS AND PAUPERS QUESTION: Shall outdated and unenforceable Portland City Charter power regarding vagrants and paupers be deleted? SUMMARY: Charter Section 2-105(a)(51) currently states that the City has the power to define vagrancy and to provide support, restraint, punishment and employment of vagrants and paupers. This measure deletes Section 2-105(a)(51). Portions of this Section are outdated and unenforceable because the City does not have legal authority to punish or restrain or to require employment of vagrants and paupers. Deletion of this section of the City’s specific powers will not impair the City’s general powers and authority to protect and support the City’s public health and safety.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-130
AMENDS CHARTER: DELETES OUTDATED PROVISION PROHIBITING EXHIBITION OF PERSONS, BEGGING. QUESTION: Shall outdated Portland City Charter language referring to prohibitions on exhibition of “deformed or crippled persons” and begging be deleted? SUMMARY: Currently, Charter Section 2-105(a)(54) states that the City may “prohibit the exhibition of deformed or crippled persons” and prohibit all persons from begging on streets or in public places. This measure deletes Section 2-105(a)(54). The terms “deformed or crippled” in the current Charter section are outdated and offensive. Further, the City does not have legal authority to prohibit all begging. Deletion of this section of the City’s specific powers will not impair the City’s general powers and authority to protect and support public health and safety, including constitutionally allowed restrictions on activities in the right of way and in public places.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-131
AMENDS CITY CHARTER PROVISIONS REGARDING COUNCIL EMERGENCY FUND QUESTION: Shall Charter language allowing use of Council emergency fund without documentation be deleted? SUMMARY: Portland City Charter Section 2-108 currently provides that an annual appropriation of $5,000 will be placed in a fund to be used at the Council’s discretion. The Charter further provides that the Council is not required to provide documentation of use of the funds. This measure would delete the Charter language allowing the fund to be used without providing supporting evidence of expenditures. As a result, spending from this fund would be accounted for in the same manner as other City spending.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-132
AMENDS CHARTER TO CLARIFY ELECTION PROCEDURE FOR FILLING VACANCIES QUESTION: Shall Portland City Charter procedures to fill vacancies in elective office be clarified? SUMMARY: Section 2-206 of the Charter specifies the elections process and timing for filling vacancies in elective City offices. Section 2-206 provides an election procedure to fill vacancies that may occur at any time during a City elected official’s four year term. Each of the three subsections of Section 2-206 - (b), (c) and (d) - applies to different periods of time during the four year term. While the wording of Subsection (b) is ambiguous, the City has interpreted Subsection (b) to apply to the periods of time not covered by Subsections (c) and (d). However, because of one ambiguous word, Subsection (b) could possibly be interpreted in a way that renders Subsection (b) meaningless. Changing the single word “but” to “or” in Subsection (b) would clarify that section’s meaning consistent with intent and would ensure that vacancies occurring during the first three years of an elected official’s term are appropriately addressed by the Charter election procedures.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-133
AMENDS CHARTER: ADDS TERMS AND VACANCY PROVISION FOR CHARTER COMMISSION QUESTION: Shall terms of office and vacancy provisions for the Charter Commission be added to the Portland City Charter? SUMMARY: Currently, Charter Section 13-301 directs the City Council to appoint a Charter Commission at least every ten years. The Charter does not specify the length of Charter Commission members’ terms, nor does the Charter identify how vacancies on the Charter Commission will be filled. This measure provides that the term of office for Charter Commission members shall be no less than two years; the Council will also have the power to reappoint members to additional terms or future Charter Commissions. The measure defines when a vacancy exists on the Charter Commission and how vacancies will be filled.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK
CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE #26-134
AMENDS CHARTER: DELETES OUTDATED EXPOSITION-RECREATION COMMISSION CHAPTER QUESTION: Shall obsolete Exposition-Recreation Commission Chapter of Portland City Charter be deleted? SUMMARY: Charter Chapter 14 provides for the creation and operation of the City Exposition-Recreation Commission. Charter Chapter 14 is no longer needed. The functions that were previously carried out by the City Exposition-Recreation Commission are now carried out by the Metropolitan Service District (Metro) through its Metropolitan Exposition and Recreation Commission under a 1989 agreement (as amended) among Portland and other government bodies. Any remaining rights or obligations of the former City Exposition-Recreation Commission vest in the City Council pursuant to the Charter and these agreements. This measure would delete Charter Chapter 14.
[X] Yes	"...The matters on the ballot amount to spring cleaning. Voters should approve them..." -THE OREGONIAN ENDORSEMENT
[_] No	"...We deserve a real debate on the charter. We say vote 'no' on all of these measures as a loud message to the Council: Don’t come back until you have something meaningful." -WILLAMETTE WEEK