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LEE PERLMAN
THE MID-COUNTY MEMO
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| At Parkrose High School Community Center last month, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Jean Kerr Mauer swears in Sam Adams as Portland’s mayor. |
| MEMO PHOTO: TIM CURRAN |
In fact, the entire City Council showed up for the occasion, as did former Mayor Vera Katz, for whom Adams served as chief of staff; Multnomah County Board Chair Ted Wheeler; Parkrose School District Superintendent Karen Fischer Gray and District Board Chair James Woods. Other politicians and their staff, school board members such as Katie Larsell and Alesia Reese, community activists from east Portland and elsewhere, and others filled about two-thirds of the auditorium.
The ceremony alternated between levity and seriousness. Woods began by referring to the weather, when an even heavier rainfall obliterated a substantial snowfall late Sunday afternoon. “Who here besides me is delighted that this was not another snow day?” he asked. A few minutes later, when Adams was called to the stage, he stepped from behind the curtain. Adams, who won this post in a primary election last May, quipped, “I’m so used to becoming mayor that I was backstage waiting.”
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Jean Kerr Mauer administered the oath of office. “I’m happy to do this in this particular forum,” she said. “When I was in high school I never saw a swearing-in. That the mayor selected this space speaks volumes about his values. In no time these students will be our leaders.”
On this day, however, they had a service role. The high school choir sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and some of their classmates served as guides to bring visitors to the auditorium.
But they were not permitted to witness the event; some reportedly expressed annoyance at the disruption at their school. Fisher-Gray later told the Memo she had suggested that government and history classes be allowed to attend, but that she was overruled.
Schools, Adams said, would be one of three areas he would focus on. He pledged to reduce a current 50 percent dropout rate among high school students and, together with Wheeler, to create a Portland Youth Corps to provide mentorship and summer employment for such students. “Yes, education costs money,” he said. “Ignorance costs more. Let’s invest now!”
Another focus area was the economy. Adams proposed an economic stimulus package reminiscent of that proposed by Congress and President Barack Obama, with provisions giving preference to local firms and businesses that hire local workers. “As mayor, I am putting out the city’s welcome mat to businesses,” Adams said.
In his third focus area, Adams proposed to encourage environmental sustainability and to market Portland as a sustainability center. (He had already started by merging the Planning Bureau and the Office of Sustainable Development, putting the latter’s Susan Anderson in charge and firing Planning Director Gil Kelley, with whom he had differed.) He noted that Vestas Wind Systems would shortly bring 850 new jobs to town. He mentioned the pending Portland Plan’s goal of creating 20-minute neighborhoods where basic services are within walking distance of residences — a concept championed by Kelley.
Adams urged bold moves in the face of recession, saying, “Despite the worst economic recession in 60 years bearing down on us, Portland must not wait; the time to move is now!”
Adams paid tribute to Katz, former Mayor Bud Clark and outgoing Mayor Tom Potter, with whom he had feuded. Mentioning their respective accomplishments, he said, “Thank you. We are better people and a better place because of you.” He also paid tribute to city maintenance worker Matt Todd, whom he met when Todd was operating a snowplow, and who volunteers as a groundskeeper at Jefferson High School.
Adams also introduced his office staff and asked them to stand, saying, “I have a tremendous team.” Many were ready to agree with Adams’ statement — in ways he hadn’t intended — as more than 20 people rose, making a thunderous noise in the nearly empty theater. “I always make a point of hiring people much smarter than me,” he said.
Adams long ago declared that he is gay but has seldom brought it up in public discussion. He went a little further toward doing so on this occasion. In addition to his mother, father and family, he gave thanks to his boyfriend, Peter. He ended by quoting gay activist and politician Harvey Milk’s signature line: “I’m here to recruit you.”
Much of Adams’ statements and the day’s events have taken on a new meaning in subsequent weeks, as the new mayor has admitted a sexual liaison with a young political intern and lying about the nature of their relationship. Under investigation is whether the relationship began before the young man turned 18, which could make Adams guilty of criminal conduct and seriously endanger his political career.
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