A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
file photo / Portland Tribune
City Commissioner Erik Sten speaks with Multnomah County Commissioner Serena Cruz following a March 2006 debate between candidates running for Sten's council position. Sten announced Jan. 2 that he planned to resign in early April.
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Portland City Commissioner Erik Sten announced Jan. 2 that he planned to resign his position in early April.
Sten, 40, who has been a city commissioner since 1996, told reporters outside his second-floor City Hall office that he does not have a specific job offer after he leaves the council, but he hopes to look for a position related to the environment, ecology or affordable housing.
“It’s time for the next act in my life,” Sten said.
Sten’s decision will set up a special election to fill his vacant council seat. City Auditor Gary Blackmer is researching the council’s options for the possible election, but holding it at the May 2008 primary election is the most likley choice.
Sten told reporters that there were no problems that led to his decision, but that it was “just a gut feeling that it was time to move on.”
“In two or three years I’ll decide whether I really miss this or I’ll be glad I left,” Sten said.
The announcement caught City Hall insiders by surprise. Commissioner Randy Leonard said Sten only called him on Sunday to tell him about his decision. Mayor Tom Potter did not learn about the decision until early Monday morning because Sten had not been able to reach him earlier, according to John Doussard, the mayor's press aide.
As a city commissioner, Sten is responsible for management of Portland’s Bureau of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, and the Bureau of Housing and Community Development.
He also has a special assignment to direct Portland ’s programs on energy policy and global warming.
Sten previously directed the Bureau of Environmental Services, the Endangered Species Act Program, the Water Bureau, the Bureau of Emergency Communications, the Office of Cable Communications and Franchise Management and the Portland Energy Office (now the Office of Sustainable Development.)
Hmmm. The article sorta overlooked one relatively important piece of information:
WHY is Sten resigning? Call me crazy, but I'll bet I'm not the only one who'd like to know that...
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Joe, this is the Portland Tribune... be thankful that the article contained some semblance of organization and proper spelling/grammer.
You're asking for alot.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 01:49 AM
Hmmmm.... while I'm thrilled boy blunder is leaving, I fear who the people of Portland will elect to replace him, it seems they always find someone worse (that'll be hard this time).
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:04 AM
Let the duelling begin to see who can out-Socialist each other in battle for this soon-to-be-vacant seat.
Much comedy and political slap-fighting will ensue.
Not to mention that Vegas odds-makers are running the numbers on the line whether Sten will try to catfight his bestest council-buddy Sam for the mayorality of Portlandistan or try to nut-up and lock horns with leading RINO Gordon Smith.
It's always a laugh-riot to watch candidates try to out-Lefty each other.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Sten has done wonders for this city. I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Like Joe, I wonder WHY, and WHY NOW? What is behind his decision to not live up to the commitment he signed on for when he sought this position? I suppose I should nevermind and be grateful, but it just seems fishy.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:25 AM
Yo, Vinny. After you're done lambasting the Trib's use of the English language, you might want to check out a dictionary for the words "grammer" and "alot."
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:39 AM
Daniel, do you call losing 40-50 million dollars on the Water Bureau billing fiasco a "wonder"?
I hope he does run against Merkely for the nomination, it'll get them both out of politics and wasting people money. Once either of their records is held up to state wide voter scrutiny, Smith will coast into his next 6 years.
I have a feeling boy blunder is going to be appointed to a high paying, basically useless state position by Super K. The plus for all is he'll be out of politics I hope.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:43 AM
Do you do this for a living Danny? I don't, mistakes will be made as I don't benefit from having spell check built into my web browser. I'm pretty sure that the Portland Tribune does (within their word processing software), but if you've read as many articles as I have you'll know that it's largely unused.
I'm sorry that I offended your poor little fish wrapper. They don't ask why he resigned because they don't question their liberal masters.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:49 AM
How kind of him to leave us with the cost of a special election...
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:54 AM
The Willamette Week story is much more in depth if some of you are lost with this one.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:54 AM
To the other Steve:
I think the water billing "fiasco" was a mistake, and Sten admits his mistake. I admire him for that.
What I also admire him for is his tenacity in trying to buy PGE. I think he showed that he is a man of character and principle even if he didn't succeed.
His affordable housing initiatives and voter owned elections are two things that this city should be proud of.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 03:18 AM
Daniel R, I admire your ability to look for the good in people, but that wasn't tenacity - the PGE thing was ego combined with self-righteousness, plus a side of ignorance.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 03:31 AM
Portland is a sinking ship. Get out, everybody, while you still can!!!
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 03:37 AM
Someday Monkeys will rule the world.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 04:18 AM
I don't think monkeys will ever rule the world. Maybe some far away planet, but not the U.S. Don't get me wrong, I really like monkeys. I REALLY, REALLY like monkeys...
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 04:22 AM
Stop Posting to this thread you damn dirty apes!
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 04:26 AM
"Daniel Ronan" his PGE attempt lost the city 3 million dollars...........yet another unfortunate mistake or a underlining of his only ability e.g. losing tax payers money by inept ideas and management style.
I do wish him luck on his next career, I hope it doesn't involve tax payers money but I have a feeling that's the only kind of job he can get :(
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 09:31 AM
This quote from WW interview with Sten:
"Has the faster news cycle made The Oregonian now less able to influence political debate?
Hard to say. I hoped with the Portland Tribune and more good blogs we’d get more in-depth coverage, but actually I think there’s less. Instead, people are competing for who’s going to post something first and then moving on. "
I'd agree. There is an appalling lack of in-depth investigative news coverage in this city. The media outlets in this town are basically spineless and worthless.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Now word comes that The Stenster is off to the "private sector".
This must mean that Portlandistan's governmental teat is running dry and he's off to suckle at some private Leftist sow like The Brookings Institute or Pew Research.
Next will come plagues of locusts, the Willamette turning red as blood, "bike boxes" on EVERY street, and mandatory "dry" toilets (formerly known as "outhouses") for every new real estate developement.
"How long, oh Lord, must your People endure?!?"
"Let my People Go"
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Of course, Other Steve, you love paying the increasingly high rates that a monopolist utility is getting and will continue to syphon from all of us, cause you do such great financial planning!
Thanks for all you've done for the little Folks, Eric!
Sorry to see you go!!
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 01:24 PM
He must be abandoning ship! Soon he will take a job away from Portland and Oregon and divest his financial interests here. I bet after he leaves he will still cost the tax payers money.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:02 PM
There is no one I know that is sad to see that gap-toothed moron leave city government...
Poor little dogie if you only knew
What modern inventions are doing to you.
You were so happy when you roamed the range,
But somehow your life has to change.
Once you could graze on the grass of the land,
Now they’ll be feeding you out of a can…
Gene Autry
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 02:11 PM
What monopolist utilities are those? Portland water and sewer? Multnomah County Jails? Portland's Department of Transportation?
If you don't like PGE, choose PPL (or install a gen-set, solar array, and battery storage). Not a fan of NW Natural Gas? There are dozens of retailers that will deliver fuel oil, wood, or coal to your home.
Don't like Qwest? AT&T or Comcast would be happy to switch you over to their local & long distance service.
But don't try privatizing the Wapato Jail: the corrections officers union wouldn't like that. And there's only one provider authorized to deliver water to your home (who assumes that every ounce goes right back into the sewer: no landscaping exceptions...ka-ching!).
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 04:42 PM
good i am glad he is resigning,but i fear these stupid portland voters and their foolish,arrogant refusal to elect a republican will likely vote in another democrat that will be just as bad or worse.
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 06:17 PM
A good deal for all of us.
Now perhaps he'll take the time for some orthodonture and get that gap between his front teeth fixed once and for all...
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 12:06 AM
One question is WHY. Why leave now? why not wait until nov.? Why hold a special election which will cost the state / city money in April? Really in the few months between April and November how much will the city council deal with? How much have they really accomplished over the same amount of time in the past?
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 01:51 AM
"masstransit4all", Happy New Year. Yes, I would rather pay a company who has business sense instead of a mismanaged government agency that would raise and lower rates to fund pet projects. Case in point, Sam Adams idea to raise water and sewar rates to pay for road repairs........what do those have in common? Its the same thing they would've done with control of our electricity.
If you hate PGE so much, switch to gas.
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 02:41 AM
Good riddance!!!
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 03:38 AM
I concur with Dave, good riddance thanks for the wated 30-50 million dollars!
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 03:54 AM
He will announce his democratic candidacy for president!
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 04:04 AM
No, he won't.
He will be Kucinich's VP candidate when Crazy Denny wraps up the nomination.
And gets back from his latest alien abduction.
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 04:08 AM
Why soar with eagles, weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.(very often)
Methinks he knows something about city hall that we don't.
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 04:26 AM
Looks like Dave Lister has his opening to have a business owner on the council. With understanding how to save a buck...
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 05:23 AM
Roger,
Thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately, personal and business commitments prevent me from seeking a council position in 2008. I'll make myself available to the council to help in any way I can. Hopefully they'll call on me if I can be of service.
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 06:59 AM
"Libertarians" don't mind money being wasted as long as it's wasted on the rich. While Portland, Multnomah County, and the State of Oregon have spent billions of dollars of taxpayer money to subsidize new construction projects and large corporate expansions, they don't complain about these.
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 09:13 AM
"" - Well, I guess that the economic structure we have been working under for the last 232 years hasn't created any wealth, jobs, technology or health care advances that give us the life style we enjoy today, what a failure of social justice. I guess we need to revert to subsistence living off the land, hunting and farming. We will stop using any fossil fuels, chemicals and of course no antibiotics or vaccinations will be available. Our system is so unfair, and it doesn't benefit anyone, oh woe is me!
(email verified)
Thu, Jan 03, 2008 at 05:17 PM
This is a win/win! Sten is sick of public office and
we're sick of him. Portlanders, start NOW looking for
another looney liberal to get in and start more
wasted money projects and goofy experimental theories
and visions.
(email verified)
Fri, Jan 04, 2008 at 12:05 AM
maybe he is just resigning to be a good husband & father while he still can. city council takes a lot of energy and public service can really wreak havoc on a marriage. just look at all the portland cops who can't stay married or stay faithful.
(email verified)
Sun, Jan 06, 2008 at 12:31 PM
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Re: Sten to resign City Council seat
Part of my prayers have been answered! Now id we can get the rest of the council to resign we will have a good start.
"John"
(email verified)
Wed, Jan 02, 2008 at 01:38 AM