They Promised But Did They Deliver?
Maria Lynn Lim
Last summer, as local candidates for city hall were clamoring for precious votes, The Mercury hosted a series of three, townhall forums. For each, we asked the candidates to provide 5 specific promises for projects they would accomplish during their first year in office. Cleverly, it was called the "You Promised!" series.
At each forum, Sam Adams and Tom Potter dangled tasty promises in front of us—converting the city's fleet of cars to hybrids, more funding for the arts, more skateparks, less crime, and more sunshine.
But we weren't born yesterday: we know that politicians will say just about anything to score your vote, right? So, at the time, we also issued a promise: a year after the candidates gave their pledges, we would check back in to see if these elected officials kept their word.
Well, time's up! And as promised, here are Potter's and Adams' report cards.
WHAT ABOUT THE ARTS?
The results are mixed: for the most part, Adams has stayed true to his word. He has not yet fully achieved any of his promised 15 goals, but his staff has been giving the old college try to each and every one.
...Adams offered his own promises to jump-start the art-based economy in town. If you remember, Adams was locked in a tight race with Nick Fish for the council seat; in fact, most pundits believed Fish would beat out Adams. But even then, Adams refrained from trotting out flashy promises. Instead, most of his pledges were nuts-and-bolts issues—ways to find funding for art programs and new methods to support artists. Adams claimed he would secure $15 million in five years for arts funding and, interestingly, he also pledged to push for more affordable housing for artists.
Ultimately, a year later, Adams has fallen short of completing those ideas. But he has initiated programs that will eventually have big payoffs in years to come...
WANT MORE SPECIFICS?
ADAMS' PROMISES—AND DELIVERY
For the Arts:
$15 MILLION IN FIVE YEARS FOR ARTS FUNDING: Has identified $1 million and is looking for more.
NEW SOURCES OF ARTS FUNDING: Trying to increase work-place giving and currently establishing a "business check-off" program that would allow companies to donate a portion of business license fee refunds to the Regional Arts and Culture Council.
BUILD 100 NEW AFFORDABLE LIVE/WORK RENTAL SPACES: Presently working with private developers to identify pilot projects that will use public funding.
DEVELOP ARTS TO ATTRACT TOURISTS: ongoing: "We have much to do to grow the city as a tourism magnet," says Adams' staffer Jesse Beason.
For Parks and the "Green" Issues:
SPEED CLEANUP OF RIVER WATERSHED: Not yet. Meeting scheduled imminently to push this project.
FIGHT BALLOT MEASURE 37: Yes!
BUILD TWO SKATEPARKS: Dude, Adams' Chief of Staff, Tom Miller, works closely with Skaters for Portland Skateparks and has been exceptionally active in the planning process for the city's new network of skateparks.
PESTICIDE-FREE PARKS: Waiting for 3-year pilot program to run its course. Trying to determine how well a volunteer effort is working to manage the weeds.
COUNTRY'S FIRST PLANTINUM-LEVEL BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY DESIGNATION: Portland was beat to the punch by Davis, California (silly hippies!), but Adams is increasing signage for bikes, regularly attending Bicycle Transportation Alliance meetings and is working with DMV to increase bike safety education.
For Community and Policing Issues:
STAFF UP LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: Working on funding.
AUDIT CITY'S INDEPENDENT POLICE REVIEW BOARD: Has budgeted funding for the review; process is in progress.
CREATE "TOP 10" LIST OF COMMUNITY POLICING PROJECTS IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD: Temporarily on hold.
EQUAL OUT LEVELS OF SERVICES BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOODS: No direct efforts on this yet.
ADAMS' GRADE FOR YEAR ONE: A-, Keep up the good work!
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POTTER' PROMISES—AND DELIVERY .....
Posted by Maria Lynn Lim on October 13, 2005
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