I'd vote for Novick for just about anything, but he hasn't done much work on city issues. He is a damn quick study, though.

Doubt if he wants the job.

I was just thinking earlier who would make a good trustworthy mayor. Novick would be perfect! It would be a great stepping stone for him as well. He is a great guy.

I'd rather have scam adams than Novick for Mayor. I would be willing to trade Leonard and Adams for Lister and Novick. Leonard shouldn't be left anywhere near city financial decisions given his record in overspending on many items. Same goes for Adams. Examples: $7 per gallon for diesel per longterm contract even as diesel has slumped to about $2 per gallon. Million dollars studying the 2000-2001 electric energy crisis in an unfruitful attempt to grab PGE for its revenue. Voting to borrow money for subsidizing a luxury hotel downtown, and many other conspicuous consumption like borrowing habits.

So, Lister and Novick would kind of counter-balance each other on financial decisions. That would progress over the current city hall make up.

Does Dozono deserve mention?

No, but Bob Ball does. He also deserves an apology.

Whats Jim Francesconi up to? Charles Lewis? As a student of thee political game the possibility of having an election all of a sudden is quite titillating.

Lewis and Francesconi are best buddies now, so there's not much difference there. Go by streetcar!

Yeah, those suggestions weren't based on quality, just on who might have the name ID to run a successful campaign on what might be awfully short notice.

Leonard shouldn't be left anywhere near city financial decisions. . . .

Better hope Sam doesn't resign, then, because if he does Randy becomes Mayor for at least 3 months (and you KNOW he would run, just to "bring Portland together again"). In that 90 day period, he would be responsible for crafting next year's budget.

I have heard that Saltzman would be the "President of the council" not Randy L

When all is said and done just remember, we have achieved another first for Portland: This is the only city in Oregon where its legal for an 18 year old to have a Sam Adams!!! :)

I'd vote for him.

I voted for Merkley for Senate because I knew Merkley, but I've learned a lot of about Novick, and I think he'd make a fine mayor.

I think Saltzman was President of the Council last term (July-December '08). I don't know if the rotation starts over after an election.

I voted for Novick in the primary but that was for a different office. I do trust him, though.

If Novick is not interested, what about Jeff Cogen?

This is the only city in Oregon where its legal for an 18 year old to have a Sam Adams!!!

Ogawd...

The Novick idea, however, is wonderful.

Mike Erickson. American hero. Honor, integrity, trust.

Jim Francesconi was in the State Senate Offices today. Looking like he was day dreaming of having missed out on Potter's gig.

Novick, rumor from a few sources, might be running for Governor. How about a little State Legislator/Local Gov experience first? Didn't he learn that from the US Senate run?

"I voted for Merkley for Senate because I knew Merkley..."

And you're bragging about that?!

Novick might have a better chance if he lost the loose cannon label.

Oregonian is suggesting two strong candidates in Margaret Carter (Senator) and Ted Wheeler (County Chairman). Doesn't say if either would run.

I second this nomination.

Caroline Kennedy is free and maybe her connections could bring some big buck grant money to OHSU SOWAT Brain Research Group.

I wish Jim Spagg were still around.

From OregonLive.com posted at 10 pm last night:

"If the mayor resigns

The City Council can call for a special election within 90 days of a resignation. Two election dates are selected, no more than 45 days apart. The second would be for a runoff if no candidate received a majority in the first election.

The city charter calls for the president of the council, currently Commissioner Randy Leonard, to preside over council meetings in the mayor's absence and to wield the mayor's powers in an emergency.

But the charter doesn't appear to provide an interim method for the other powers and duties of the mayor, such as assigning responsibility for city bureaus to commissioners.

"We'd have to get a bunch of lawyers in a room and figure it out," Auditor Gary Blackmer said.
"The auditor doesn't want them, you can quote me on that."

-- James Mayer"

Well, that's the answer I was looking for when I posted a "what happens if.." comment on another thread here yesterday. Thanks AH!

What happened to the part of the city charter where the remaining commissioners choose the mayor? That's what happened when Goldschmidt quit to become Secretary of Transportation during the Carter years.

As I recall, the council replaced Goldschmidt with Commissioner Connie McCreedy after she agreed to not run for the job in 1980.

Legally can recall signatures for Adams and Others be gathered before July 1, then submitted? I don't think city statutes are clear on whether dates of signature gathering has to come after the 6 months waiting period.

That would really spend up the process and give a clear message to incumbents that they might want to fold.

Steve Novick would bring accountability and none of this "oops I screwed an under aged boy and lied to you about it" crap to Portland. He is articulate, well-liked around the state and well known in DC. The City needs all those qualities. In my opinion, he absolutely does not need to pollute his brilliant commitment to the citizens by going to Salem and getting mixed up with those (mostly) do-nothings. Portland would be lucky to have him. He learned A LOT from that Senate race. We all learned that someone can be outspent 5 to 1 and still give the big D democratic party a serious run for its money.

Grumpy Potter has been awfully quiet about Scoutmaster Sam.....

Is Bud Clark available?

Connie McCready was mayor for about two years, from her selection by the City Council in 1979 until her (or Goldschmidt's) term expired in January 1981.
It is not accurate that she was appointed only after agreeing not to run for mayor; she did, in fact, run for mayor in 1980 and was defeated by Frank Ivancie. One of her principal gaffes in the campaign was her choice of campaign theme song: "New York, New York." Nice song, but she wasn't running for mayor of New York, and Portland voters were puzzled by the choice, to say the least.

Francesconi. He was a community organizer.

His worst political flaw is a lack of guile

Would Mildred Schwab be interested ?? Or would the smoking ban be a problem for her ?

Mildred Schwab would be my pick too, but she probably is not interested. A zombie mayer would be very hipster.

If we get the opportunity to pick a new mayor in the near future, I hope it will be someone with a lot of expertise in finance who also sees "the big picture." I'm not sure which of the persons whose names are being bandied about qualifies. Today's Portland Tribune says that Metro Councilor Robert Liberty is interested. I'm wondering whether Metro Council President David Bragdon would be, too. Having said that, I don't know that I would wish the position on anyone in the current economy. It could be a career-killer.

Novick would be great , and of course , it would be great to have Bud Clark back in ther saddle!

Margaret Carter for Mayor??? Yike! Isn't she the nice lady senator that likes to run over to Spirit Mountain on her lunch breaks? Something tells me that it ain't for the good value on the buffet. If someone disregards their own money enough to bet on a losing game, how cautious will they be with our money?

I wish Jim Spagg were still around.

Me, too!

I bet his enemies would dredge up a video of his finest accomplishment: Videotaping his own bowel movement and playing it on cable access television.

Whatever happened to Neil Goldschmidt? Is he busy?

@ butch"

"I voted for Merkley for Senate because I knew Merkley..."

And you're bragging about that?!

There's no law against it. He's a nice fellow. And saying I knew him isn't a brag, its a simple statement of a fact.

He was my state representative. Smart, decent fellow.

BTW, I actually shook his wife's hand once, if you'd like to take a cheap shot at that one to, and turn it into a double-play.

MikeD sez:Francesconi. He was a community organizer.

His worst political flaw is a lack of guile

Mike, Mike, Mike....

You're new around here, huh?

It's not guile he lacks, but morals. This is the man who was hired as an attorney to represent a private institution which wanted city park land for their own. He should have demurred due to conflicts of interest....He did not.

no no no 'scone'!!!!!
(wincing!!! cringing!!! hiding under my desk now)...
ah gee...Why did Sam have to be such an overt sleeze? And why can't he just go away quietly? NOW!

another thought...
Maybe Scott Thomason will give him a job as a car salesman in SF? They have SO much in common!

@ portland native:

another thought... Maybe Scott Thomason will give him a job as a car salesman in SF? They have SO much in common!

Hey! Anyone know if Scott Thomason's busy?

What in blue blazes does Novick know about running a city??

"What in blue blazes does Novick know about running a city??"

Hey, I'll take ignorance over malfeasance any day. We do know Novick is smarter and probably more honest and open than Sam is.

Besides, you see how these guys are with money, what do any of the city council know about running a city? What the heck does Amy Ruiz know about sustainability?

Due to budget concerns, unfilled government positions throughout the state are frequently eliminated.

If Sam goes, we need to ask:
does Portland really need a mayor?

Mildred Schwab isn't available. She's dead, bless her soul, and memory.

Icelandic protesters demand elections two years before required.

Maybe we should enact new Term-of-Office terms. "Elections on (majority?) demand and not later than 4(?) years."

We could clear the federal way to start with by getting rid of the Electoral College.

It doesn't help in this case, but in the future something rotten in Denmark will happen in Iceland, and here, again.

Bring back Bud!

Tom Peterson and Gloria, too!