Meet the folks who want to take over for soon-to-depart Erik Sten. Their first question was an easy one:

Who are you, and what’s the number one reason you’re running for city council?

Below, hear from Ed Garren, Nick Popenuk, and Harold Williams Two. Candidate Jim Middaugh didn’t respond by the deadline, but warned that might happen—he’s currently focused on gathering his 1,000 contributions and signatures for public financing. I included some info from his new website, after the cut.

Ed Garren
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: edforportland.com
Public financing status: Participating, contributions not yet reported

My name is Edward G. “Ed” Garren. I am a 58 year old psychotherapist, who has spent most of my life helping people.

Personally, I have participated and worked in Civil Rights movements since my youth in the rural segregated south. I went on to be an activist in both the Women’s movement, Pro-Choice, GLBTQ Rights, and for the last few years Economic Justice.

Vocationally, I started out life as a Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter and Appliance Repair Technician working for the local gas utility in Tampa Florida. I then went on to finish my university education, earning a Master’s in Rehabilitation. My early professional career was spent in CETA (Employment and Training) programs serving unemployed women, the blind and physically challenged, adolescents and juvenile offenders. Later I went to work in Alcohol and Drug offender treatment programs, as well as other substance abuse work, both in direct services and program management. I have extensive work with virtually all sorts of persons who are served by “Social Service” programs.

Currently, I am in private practice in downtown Portland, seeing individuals, couples and families.

I am running for City Council because my neighbors and friends approached me and asked me to run. Basically they said, “You care about people, and you know a lot about how government works, you need to run because we need someone like you in that seat.”

Economic Justice is the new Civil Rights. Most people live check to check, any significant change in their income or expenses can really mess up a persons’ life. The nation, and Portland, is headed into very uncertain economic times. I want to make sure that ALL Portlanders are represented on Council, not just “Insiders.”

I proposed the moratorium that stopped Wal-Mart from coming to Hayden Island. Later, when the moratorium was in jeopardy, I led the reconciliation process so that the Jantzen Beach Super Center could proceed with it’s renovation and the moratorium could be preserved until the planning process can be completed.

I am seeking public financing for my campaign.

I am having a fundraiser and meet the candidate on Sunday Jan. 27, 1PM at the Greek Cusina, 4th and Washington downtown. The theme will be “Ed’s 5 and Dime”. The admission will be a $5 donation to the campaign, and the “Dime” will be an additional donation up to $100.

More information can be found at www.edforportland.com and by doing a Google search for Ed Garren.

Ed’s challengers are after the cut!

Nick Popenuk
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: popenukisportland.com
Public financing status: Participating, contributions not yet reported

Politicians are generally regarded as the scum of the Earth. They’re viewed as untrustworthy, incompetent, and corrupt. If anyone ever tells you, “You’d make a great politician.” It’s probably intended as an insult.

So, why am I running for City Commissioner? After all, I’m only 24-years old, just starting my professional life, I could pursue any career imaginable. Why cause my friends and family so much heartache by striving to become a politician?

Because, it is time for regular people to take back control of government. It’s time for common sense and fiscal responsibility to gain a foothold in City Hall. It’s time for Portland to live up to its reputation as “the City that works.”

So, what makes me different from all the politicians that have come before? Why will I succeed where others have failed? Why should anyone in this town mark their ballot for Nick Popenuk?

Because, I’m an honest, hard working, native Portlander, whose greatest attributes are strong leadership and common sense. I’ve lived my whole life in Portland, and I love this city. I was shopping on Hawthorne back before anyone knew the meaning of the word “hipster.” I attended Portland schools before, during, and after the Measure 5 funding cuts. My favorite Blazers’ center is Arvydis Sabonis, not Greg Oden (though a championship or two, could change my mind).

The point is, I am dedicated to this city, and I want to see it thrive. As City Commissioner, I will focus on basic city services, improve government performance, and reduce bureaucratic waste. Above all, I will ignore the pleas of special interest groups, and I will make decisions that provide the greatest benefits to the most Portlanders.

And someday, when my career in politics has come to an end, maybe you’ll hear someone say, “You’d make a great politician.” And maybe then, they will mean it as a compliment.

Anyone interested in contributing to the campaign should send me an email, PopenukIsPortland@gmail.com, or attend our Last Minute Contribution Party, at Bogart's on the afternoon of Saturday, 1/26/08. Details will be up on the website soon, www.PopenukIsPortland.com.

Harold C. Williams Two
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: none
Public financing status: Not participating in program

I'm Harold C. Williams Two- candidate for Portland City Commissioner position (2). Born and raised in the greatest city in the world Portland, Oregon. I graduated from school of champion Jefferson high school in 1995. I also have a BS degree in Early Child hood Development from Appalachian State University located in Boone, North Carolina. Currently I am President of CH2A & Associate Inc. a management consultant firm, vice chair of the Success Academy a non-profit that serve low-income and at risk youth. Board chair of PDX Confidential a business professional origination. I have worked in the field of child development and social works for 10 years. I also played collegiate and professional football.

The reason I am running for city commissioner of Portland is to give a voice to small business and the tax payer who believe they are not being heard.

-Harold C. Williams Two

Jim Middaugh
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: middaughforportland.com
Public financing status: Participating, has sent out 2,000 forms

Middaugh did not respond by deadline, but here's info from his new website:

Jim Middaugh is City Commissioner Erik Sten’s chief of staff, giving him a unique perspective on how City Hall works -- and how it can be improved.

Jim’s work managing Commissioner Sten’s Schools, Families, Housing Initiative has given him an opportunity to work directly with the leadership of all of Portland’s public school districts to help ensure that the City of Portland does all it can to support our kids’ future. The initiative works to make sure that our city’s school neighborhoods remain affordable and attractive for families. And, it helps make sure that city investments in parks, housing and transportation benefit our schools. Jim also has helped Erik lead Portland’s 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and the City of Portland’s Climate Action Plan.

Jim also has worked at Tri-Met, where he helped win funds for early light rail investments, and the Environmental Defense Fund, where he helped champion national campaigns to protect kids from lead poisoning and to end acid rain. And, he was co-chair of the Kerns Neighborhood Association.