Potter sees successes, frustrations in his term

Departing mayor: Never forget who you work for

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Dec 18, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (8 Reader comments)

Mayor Tom Potter is retiring after just one term in office. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family.

L.E. BASKOW / TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO

Mayor Tom Potter is counting down the days until he becomes Citizen Tom Potter again and can spend more time with his family.

“I know that politicians say that when they choose not to run for re-election,” said Potter, who is retiring after just one term in office. “But I really mean it. I’ve got grandchildren I’ve hardly seen.”

The transition takes place just after midnight on Jan. 1 when city Commissioner Sam Adams will be sworn in as the next mayor.

Potter is not only thinking about reconnecting with his family, however. He is also worried about the worsening economy and working on a report to the rest of the City Council about how to help struggling local businesses.

The report is based on a series of meetings Potter held with business owners in October as the scope of the recession began to become clear. One idea that emerged from the meetings — accelerating tax credits to an estimated 50,000 businesses that are owed between $25 and $140,000 — already has been endorsed by the other council members.

“I’m concerned for our business community, especially small businesses in Portland that do not have the kind of assets that can see them through a downturn,” he told the Portland Tribune during an hour-long interview last week.

Unfortunately, as Potter sees it, city government does not have enough money to make much of a difference in the economy. That is why the council is lobbying state and federal leaders to help out by funding long-planned infrastructure projects to create good-paying jobs now.

Successes and failures

During the Tribune interview, Potter talked about his accomplishments, frustrations and concerns for the future. Among other things, he:

• Said he felt proud of his community visioning project, which solicited ideas from about 17,000 Portlanders on the future of the city. Potter said the project, also called VisionPDX, will serve as the foundation for the Portland Plan, the upcoming comprehensive planning effort that will guide development in the city for decades.

• Defended his efforts to rename North Interstate Avenue after Hispanic labor leader César Chávez, despite the public opposition it provoked. Potter predicted the next City Council will ultimately rename one of the three streets under consideration after Chavez — Grand Avenue, 39th Avenue or Broadway.

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