Here’s your second dose of candidate responses about whether we should relocate the Sauvie Island Bridge to NW Portland.

The city council’s recent vote on whether to fund moving the Sauvie Island Bridge to NW Flanders has gathered a lot of attention. Beyond the actual proposal, there are larger issues at play about how we prioritize city spending and investment. On another level, it’s shined a light on the political relationships on the current council. What are your thoughts on the proposal, and what it says about our city’s priorities? What do you make of the way the current council has handled this issue?

Ed Garren
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: edforportland.com
Financial status: $2,545.00 in contributions, $917.18 currently in the bank

The idea is a great one in theory, reuse a beautiful old steel span, create noteworthy architecture in the middle of the city.

Then reality sets in. It costs more money, has initial repair issues, and will require painting for the rest of it’s life over the freeway.

Then there is the money, the sausage making as it were. My first thought is, instead of buying the bridge with a contractor included, at a “no bid” price, why not instead buy the bridge for it’s scrap value, and then put the cost of moving it, renovating it and placing it in it’s new location out for bids?

This is an example of “money will fix everything” and NOT being innovative and trying to make a deal for the city.

Garren’s response continues after the cut, followed by his competitors.

When I was a boy, we had some property on the central west coast of Florida, and my father wanted to have a structure on the property. Instead of building one, he bought one, used, from a local renovation project. The 14 X 25 foot structure was purchased for $300, and moved 55 miles for another $300, far less than pouring a foundation.

After the Northridge earthquake, a friend had numerous contractors out to offer estimates on fixing her "tweaked" house. All of them wanted to demolish and re-build, but less square feet for the insurance money. Then she found a contractor who specialized in moving houses. He jacked up the house, fixed the tweaks, and basically re-assembled the home for about 30% of the other estimates.

So, my solution would be to buy the bridge for it's scrap value, and then put out bids for the repair and placement of it. We might be able to bring it in for about the same cost as the plain concrete bridge.

My biggest question is, why am I the only one in the city who has thought of doing it this way?

This is but one small example of the innovation that I would bring to City Hall. Seat #2 is the "Public Works" seat, yet none of the other candidates has (to my knowledge) ever worked for a public utility, in construction, or has any sense of how things are put together, how utility distribution systems work, or how to use innovation and new technology to save tax payers money.

So let's do this bridge thing, but let's find a way to do it cheap, so other projects in the city don't suffer because of it.

Thanks, Ed Garren
Portland City Council candidate, seat #2
www.edforportland.com

Jim Middaugh
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: jimforportland.com
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $130,324.67 currently in the bank

I think the bridge proposal is quintessentially Portland. It's creative reuse. It's part of the long-term plan for the area. It will make cycling and driving safer and easier. Overall it will use fewer resources. Given that we have a budget surplus, a commitment to cycling and driving safety, and to reuse of materials, I'm comfortable with the proposal. I believe it is consistent with our priorities. As to Council's handling of the matter, the project could have been included sooner in budget discussions to avoid some of the last minute wrangling over it. Procedurally, there could have been a clearer path to approval. Mayor Potter certainly could have avoided spreading misinformation about the project. But, it is political season so I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised to see Council members using their power to benefit the candidates they have endorsed.

Harold C. Williams Two
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: none
Financial status: $1,932.00 in contributions, $1,932.00 currently in the bank

I must applaud all past and present members of City Council, for their hard work and dedication in their efforts to maintain Portland’s livability. Our bridges are very important and need to be maintained and protected. I have not read this proposal as of yet, so I’m not able to speak on the details, and form an opinion one way or another as it pertains to this issues with Sauvie Island Bridge. My only question is “what was the level of citizen involvement?”

Priorities seem to be on a project to project bases, meaning it seem as if there is a to-do list in particular order, and they are just going through the list as the opportunity to deal with these issues (projects, developments, etc.) show themselves. Personal I think they are dealing with it the best way they know how.

My question to Portland is how much Access, Accountability, Communication, Education, and Relationship building with the citizen of Portland have you seen throughout this process?

-Harold C. Williams Two
Candidate for Portland City Commissioner position (2)

Nick Fish
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: nickfish2008.com
Financial status: $80,170.69 in contributions, $59,017.88 currently in the bank

I support targeted investments in alternative transportation including the plan to create a bike boulevard on Northwest Flanders Street. Based on my discussion with a diverse range of stakeholders, I support a bike/walk bridge as an essential component in this plan.

As an advocate for social justice and civic activist, I know the best policy is made in public, not behind closed doors. Openness in government is a value Portlanders demand and deserve. With transparency and public participation, the spending and investment priorities will reflect what is important to Portlanders.

As a new voice at City Hill, I will make sure that citizens have a say in defining the problems and designing the solutions. When city government is well managed and respectful of the needs and wishes of citizens, it can be a powerful force to create opportunity in people’s lives. I will provide the leadership on City Council to bring people together and build trust in Portland city government.

Fred Stewart
Position sought: Commissioner #2
Website: fredforportland.com
Financial status: $1,175.00 in contributions, $1045.00 currently in the bank

Did not respond by deadline.