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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Politics Stacey Snags Endorsement from Major Green Group

Posted by Sarah Mirk on Thu, Jan 14, 2010 at 1:16 PM

Thats Stacey on the left.
  • Dave Neeson
  • That's Stacey on the left.
The Metro President race between Tom Hughes and two pro-bike, pro-density Portlanders just got hotter. The Oregon League of Conservation Voters (OLCV), one of the state's leading environmental advocacy groups, announced today that it is endorsing former 1000 Friends of Oregon chief Bob Stacey for the position.

The press release from the OLCV has nothing but kind words to say about both Stacey and Bicycle Transportation Alliance co-founder Rex Burkholder, but went with Stacey in the end.

For his part, Stacey thinks his outspoken and critical stance on the Columbia River Crossing is largely responsible for titling the green group in his favor. "I was very strong and forceful in my responses that the current project is overpriced and overbuilt," says Stacey.

Though both Rex and Stacey have long lists of impressive endorsements, the endorsement of the OLCV could play a big role in differentiating the two lefty candidates... especially to the OLCV's 5,400 members. "This region can't simply adopt good policies," says Stacey, referencing Mayor Adams recent sparring with Metro over its regional transportation plan. "It's increasingly been recognized that this policy has to act as well as talk."

More coverage of the Metro President race here.

 

Comments (2) RSS

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1
I am perhaps Portland-centric in my thinking, but I can not imagine a more complex elected job in the nation than Metro President. I worry about electing an advocate who does not have a good relationship with some of his constituents. With a broad array of stakeholders from industry to ecology, from agriculture to arts and culture, the Metro President needs to be able to talk to all sides equally.

I have always appreciated Bob Stacey, and equally been appreciative of OLCV. They have both been tireless advocates of sane development. However, in the course of these efforts they have not always maintained the most genial relationships with their opponents.

As such, I worry that a President Stacey would not be able to build the coalitions and find the common ground that is necessary for real progress. If he tried to run Metro as if it was 1000 Friends, he would lock out or alienate important voices that represent real concerns.

OLCV's endorsement suggests that Stacey aligns himself with their values, many of which I share. But looking at the candidates I feel absolutely convinced that Rex has proven himself as one who looks at the separate voices as teammates, not opponents. Stacey I am not so sure of.
Posted by Joel Barker on January 15, 2010 at 12:11 PM · Report
2
@Joel Barker: While I support your thought in theory, the problem is that Rex is either an idiot or a liar. For instance, on the bridge, the EPA, (who isn't opposed to the bridge, they just think it should be analyzed correctly) has said that the EIS didn't consider induced demand. Rex said it did. And sure, maybe the EPA made a mistake, but when quite a few people have said exactly the same thing as the EPA before the EPA said it, (including 3 of the other people on Metro council,) I tend to agree with them. So either Rex doesn't know what induced demand is in the first place, or he does and is in denial. Neither of those are good. And that is the problem: not being able to agree on the facts usually makes finding common ground impossible.
Posted by Matthew D on January 16, 2010 at 9:48 PM · Report

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