Adams says he can still be effective

Mayor admits relations are ‘stressed’ with some area political leaders

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Feb 19, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (28 Reader comments)

Mayor Sam Adams defended his effectiveness in office during a standing-room-only Portland Business Alliance breakfast this week.

The talk before several hundred downtown business leaders was one of Adams’ first public appearances since the teenage sex scandal surrounding him broke last month. He is scheduled to present the mayors’ annual State of the City address to the City Club next Friday

During the Feb. 18 talk, Adams was asked twice whether the scandal was undermining his political influence. In response, he admitted that his relationship with some other elected officials had been “stressed,” but argued that he was effectively working on issues from balancing the city budget to brokering a deal on the proposed Columbia River Crossing bridge between Portland and Vancouver.

“I have to let people go through their own process [on the controversy], I have to respect that,” Adams said in response to a question from small-business owner Chuck Jones. “There are stresses in some areas, but we cannot afford to fail and I will do my best to keep moving forward.”

Adams was scheduled to speak at the meeting before he admitting lying about having sex with former legislative intern Beau Breedlove as he was preparing to run for mayor in 2007. Although Breedlove was 17 when Adams first met him in 2005, both men insist they did not have sex until several weeks after Breedlove turned 18.

The Oregon Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the relationship and Adams’ previous statements about it.

“I welcome the investigation because it gives me a chance to tell my side of the story,” said Adams, who has otherwise declined to discuss the relationship and previous statements at the advice of his attorney.

After the meeting, Sandra McDonough, Portland Business Alliance chief executive officer and executive director, said she thought Adams had done a good job talking about the issues facing the city and business owners. She thought most were waiting until the Department of Justice completes its investigation of Adams before making a final decision about whether he should remain in office.

“People will want to see what’s in the report,” she said.

The business group’s monthly meeting at the Governor Hotel attracted about 50 more people than usual to hear Adams speak, said alliance Communication Director Megan Doern.

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