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Nick Fish for City Council
The race to replace Erik Sten offers two stellar candidates, but voters should pick Fish
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Oregonian
Original story here
I n some places, a high wall separates people who work behind the political scenes from those who work in front. You don't often see chiefs of staff leap over the wall and run for their bosses' jobs.
That is not true in Portland. And, in general, the city is better off for never having erected such a silly barrier. Unfortunately, we tend toward the other extreme, in which city and county offices pass down practically through a laying on of hands. As a result, Portland can feel musty and in-grown. The backrooms may now be smoke-free, but it's still useful to throw open a window when you can. That's what attorney Nick Fish, 49, would do at City Hall.
Fish is running in the May primary for Position No. 1 to replace city Commissioner Erik Sten, who recently resigned, midterm. Sten's expertise in affordable housing and homelessness will be sorely missed at the city. A former commissioner for the Housing Authority of Portland, Fish would help sustain the city's progress on those fronts. Fish's expertise in housing helped him land the endorsement of one of the community's most respected housing advocates, former city Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury. (Actually, Sten worked as her chief of staff.)
Fish's main opponent, Jim Middaugh, 45, is also impressive. Middaugh served as Sten's chief of staff, and is running with Sten's help and blessings, but is no Sten clone. In addition to having an intricate knowledge of how city bureaus work, Middaugh has lengthy and well-regarded credentials in the environmental community. And he serves on the Columbia River Gorge Commission, which works to protect the gorge.
Middaugh, too, would make a fine city commissioner, and there is no question he knows more about navigating chutes and ladders at City Hall. But Fish combines his own in-depth understanding of how the city works with a badly needed fresh eye on the city's way of doing business.
Fish has volunteered extensively in education, law, the arts and social services. He serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Cultural Trust and Volunteers of America, as well as the dean's advisory council at Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs. One real bonus Fish would bring to City Hall is his experience as a labor attorney, which could give him more insight into labor issues and contracts, arguably, than anyone on the Portland City Council.
Fish's breadth, versatility and knowledge of life forms in the world beyond City Hall give him an important edge. In a culture that respects government service, and that should respect it, Fish would be the best catch for the city.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The Oregonian
Original story here
I n some places, a high wall separates people who work behind the political scenes from those who work in front. You don't often see chiefs of staff leap over the wall and run for their bosses' jobs.
That is not true in Portland. And, in general, the city is better off for never having erected such a silly barrier. Unfortunately, we tend toward the other extreme, in which city and county offices pass down practically through a laying on of hands. As a result, Portland can feel musty and in-grown. The backrooms may now be smoke-free, but it's still useful to throw open a window when you can. That's what attorney Nick Fish, 49, would do at City Hall.
Fish is running in the May primary for Position No. 1 to replace city Commissioner Erik Sten, who recently resigned, midterm. Sten's expertise in affordable housing and homelessness will be sorely missed at the city. A former commissioner for the Housing Authority of Portland, Fish would help sustain the city's progress on those fronts. Fish's expertise in housing helped him land the endorsement of one of the community's most respected housing advocates, former city Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury. (Actually, Sten worked as her chief of staff.)
Fish's main opponent, Jim Middaugh, 45, is also impressive. Middaugh served as Sten's chief of staff, and is running with Sten's help and blessings, but is no Sten clone. In addition to having an intricate knowledge of how city bureaus work, Middaugh has lengthy and well-regarded credentials in the environmental community. And he serves on the Columbia River Gorge Commission, which works to protect the gorge.
Middaugh, too, would make a fine city commissioner, and there is no question he knows more about navigating chutes and ladders at City Hall. But Fish combines his own in-depth understanding of how the city works with a badly needed fresh eye on the city's way of doing business.
Fish has volunteered extensively in education, law, the arts and social services. He serves on the board of directors of the Oregon Cultural Trust and Volunteers of America, as well as the dean's advisory council at Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs. One real bonus Fish would bring to City Hall is his experience as a labor attorney, which could give him more insight into labor issues and contracts, arguably, than anyone on the Portland City Council.
Fish's breadth, versatility and knowledge of life forms in the world beyond City Hall give him an important edge. In a culture that respects government service, and that should respect it, Fish would be the best catch for the city.