By David Zagel - David Zagel and Sam grew up together in Newport, Oregon; David now lives and works in Portland.
David: I saw in a couple of newspapers say that you are running for Mayor...
Sam: You could just as easily ask me if I am running for re-election and I'd say the same thing: I'll decide what to do with my future at the end of 2007. In the meantime, I am focused on the work in front of me. I work with a great staff and bureau teams; I have a wonderful job in a city I love.
David: Okay, but I also read a local magazine that called you the ‘whirling dervish," convinced that someone who works as hard as you do can only be looking to climb the job ladder.
Sam: I've always put in long hours at work; I guess as a staffer for 21 years it went unnoticed because my work was behind the scenes. Now, I'm out and about a lot. I like to get out of the City Hall bubble, to hear from people directly. That means a lot of evening and weekend events.
David: "Hard work." Is that how you explain wearing a rubber suit, going topless in a Bishops Barbershop newspaper ad, signing up for the annual Woodstock neighborhood dunk tank...?
Sam: [laughing] Hey, what I do in my off hours is my business... I try and be a good sport. I don't take myself too seriously. I'm happy to be a total goofball if it helps a good cause. Did I tell you I am doing the Tango this May for Young Audiences? Buy a ticket and see how my two left feet can mangle a beautiful Argentinean dance...
David: About last year, proudest accomplishments?
Sam: The tram's launch, the $3 million small business tax reduction, completion of the nation's first urban Watershed Management Plan and City Council approval of my $5.6 million one-time funding request for street safety improvements throughout Portland.
David: ...biggest disappointments?
Sam: My on-street parking meter discussion with Hawthorne businesses clearly was a flop. I was unsuccessful in convincing my colleagues to lower the lobbyist reporting threshold to eight hours a quarter -- the lower threshold would catch more lobbying activities in City Hall.
David: What's in store for 2007?
Sam: Another busy year: Lobby the State Legislature for more transportation funding. Improve services in the Bureau of Maintenance. Realign workforce training programs to boost wages. Fight the EPA's attempt to raise our sewer bills, again. Establish a comprehensive ‘green city' stormwater strategy. Keep $1.4 billion ‘Big Pipe' project on time and on budget. Choose bridge option for I-5 Columbia River crossing. Launch Creative Capacity strategy to boost support for the arts...
David: Tell folks why you had your chin cut off?
Sam: It was part of a procedure to cure my ‘sleep apnea.' During a sleep study I "woke up" 127 times in four hours but I had no memory of it. People need to see their doctor if they are rough sleepers like I was. Now, I'm getting caught up on decade's worth of sleep deprivation.
David: Is it just me or have you been in the media a lot lately?
Sam: Yeah, I know...My work focuses on transportation, neighborhood small businesses, sewers, rivers, arts and culture, workforce training, equality and higher education. These issues attract media attention because they are often controversial issues that Portlanders care about.
David: I was surprised to read that the Oregonian columnist Steve Duin took you to task this year for not mentioning Vera's name in some of your 2004 campaign brochures.
Sam: Steve was right. In April 2004, my opponents portrayed me as a Vera clone. I over-reacted to it by downplaying or failing to mention in four campaign brochures the fact that I served for 11 years as Chief of Staff to Mayor Vera Katz. That was wrong. I apologized to Vera.
David: What do you think would've happened had the tram not finished on the timeline and budget you helped set?
Sam: I would have been a one-term City Commissioner for sure.
David: How do you like your new nickname I've been hearing, ‘Sam-the-Tram'?
Sam: [laughing] I have been called a lot worse! The name "Sam" rhymes with a lot of words. As part of my work as arts commissioner during Portland Fashion Week, they called me "Glam" Adams. I tease others, so turnabout is totally fair play.
David: How are your chickens doing?
Sam: My three hens are doing really well, thank you. Along with my vegetable garden, I guess I am now officially an urban bachelor-farmer in North Portland.