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Thursday, April 23, 2009
News / Politics Weston: Council Not Listening...Adams Will Be Recalled...What's the Hurry?
Posted by Matt Davis on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 12:52 PM
In the midst of reporting on Randy Leonard's alleged power grab last week I made a public records request to Commissioner Nick Fish's office—I wanted to know what kind of pressure Fish, the swing vote, was under from developers to vote one way or the other on Leonard's proposal. The request turned up a letter from big time developer Joe Weston to Fish that makes for interesting reading, if you're interested in what's going through the minds of some of the city's power brokers at this point in time. 
"It appears that the Mayor and the majority of the City Council has taken the position we know what is best for the city, and the citizens of Portland and they should have limited input, in other words, no need for public full open disclosure and discussions," Weston writes (underlining his).
He then slams Mayor Sam Adams' efforts to renovate PGE park "with limited public input." "The fact is the city has never recouped the last renovation costs when Marshall Clickman and Mr.Gardner, a former city finance manager, sold the city by Bill of Goods," Weston writes.
Weston says Adams' efforts to push through a convention center hotel by appointing a task force are disingenuous: "You, as an attorney, are aware of this by listening to expert witnesses, one day the witness expert can support an issue for the plaintiff and then a few weeks later the same individual supports the defendant on basically the same issue but a different case," Weston writes.
"Lets (sic) be honest, the City of Portland is in the state of flux, not knowing the status of the current Mayor," Weston continues. "The Attorney General will be issuing his report soon, but no matter what the findings are, I am doubtful that the Mayor will step down, a recall petition will be circulated, and an affirmative vote of the people will more than likely call for a new Mayor."
On Leonard's attempts at permit consolidation, Weston wrote: "What's the hurry? Lets (sic) wait and see if we are going to have a new Mayor and what assignments will be given to the various commissioners, for we may have decision makers that prioritize the need of change different than the present leadership."
Fish ultimately brokered a compromise solution on Leonard's alleged power grab that will be reviewed next year. Weston is yet to return a call for comment. Download the letter as a pdf here.
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So a 71 year old rich developer,who could possibly be called a slumlord due to the condition of some of his American Property Management sites, who also donated to Kevin (President of the Oregon hate committee) Mannix thinks the mayor is going to go?
Boy I couldn't have called that one.
Weston can eat dick sandwiches. I wonder if he is one of the unnamed backers of the recall campaign? Jasun???
@Abusive
Jasun doesn't like answering questions like that. So until he does we get to speculate. I think its Lon Mabon who's behind the site.
Chill out Garret and please kindly remove your words from my mouth,
I have never met Weston nor Mabon. Nor are they behind the Recall that I am spearheading. Really if ever you wanna meet to talk more give me a call at 503-799-7919.
RecallSamAdams.com
Jasun Wurster
Oh-Yea Garret,
I forgot to mention that I am heading off to Canada for a few days for a mini-vacation and may not be able to get back to you till Monday.
Thanks for your understanding,
RecallSamAdams.com
Jasun Wurster
@Jasun
That's the fun of speculating Jasun and the inherant problem with this recall campaign. As far as I'm concerned and anyone else for that matter you're acting as a spokesman for the Westborough Baptist Church.
Maybe I go a little far in a comment section trying to point this out but you have a big problem with your recall campaign. You have to keep answering one question over and over and despite your personal assurances I don't know a single person that doesn't think the people behind your recall campaign hate "the gay guy" we elected. The fact that this has and is going to drag on so long and you're the only public face of a secret group who might consist of a bunch of bigots.
If they're so scared of repurcussions happening to them because they're trying to recall the mayor then they shouldn't be heading an organization trying to unseat a mayor. Leadership requires a set of cajones and they're simply hiding behind you.
That's why I mock this recall so much. It's completely bereft of leadership. The face of the whole recall campaign are you and unofficially Lars Larson, Victoria Taft, and some lady from Lake Oswego. Your assurances that morons like Lars Larson aren't behind the recall campaign aren't good enough. So there you have it.
Is Marshall Clickman related to Marshall *Glickman*?
"That's why I mock this recall so much. It's completely bereft of leadership."
It doesn't get anymore ironic than that.
Fair enough Garret,
However, please recognize that you are a Blogger. If I may point out that all the journalists who have interviewed me have found no proof to your assertions.
Please do give a listen to the public speech and assurance that I personally gave to Sam Adams at city council that your claims are untrue:
http://www.citizenrecall.org/data/jasun_wurster_3_18_2009.mp3
More so, Google my name 'Jasun Wurster' and see if any of your accusations pan out. If you are really so concerned then give me a call.
In a way I really should be thanking you because your wild accusations provide me the opportunity to provide examples about how the Recall is "honorable, intelligent, civil and caring".
With much respect,
RecallSamAdams.com
Jasun Wurster
For the record, Joe Weston and I graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1955.
@Jasun
I don't think you're getting my point. Your assurances mean nothing to me. They mean nothing to anyone that doesn't personally know you. For 8 years we had a President who assured us that the United States didn't torture...as they performed waterboarding, beating, denied sleep, and countless other abuses towards captured people they thought might be terrorists.
So my apologies...the President of the United States was lying through his teeth. Why would I or any Portlander believe a political science student?
I did listen to your mp3. Pretty good.
Jasun,
Garrett (BlackedOut) is a troll. He really really really likes soccer and doesn't care about anything else. You're generous to call him a "blogger". What he is is a commenter on someone else's blog. And his comments are frankly becoming more and more unhinged.
Garrett doesn't want Sam recalled, and none of his immediate pals want him recalled either, so to his mind that means that there is no support at all for a recall because surely everyone must think the same way as he and his friends. He lives in a bubble.
I support a recall vote.
Hey Blabby,
How ya been buddy? Not a troll here... and I do have a blog. Won't tell ya where it is though. :)
You're right. I don't really want Sam recalled. I also do really like soccer. It's all true! I do care about other things though. Mostly I just fantasize about you Blabby. Those full body shots you sent were great.
Leslie and The Badgers
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