OLCV endorses Bob Stacey for Metro President
The Oregon League of Conservation Voters has endorsed Bob Stacey for Metro President.
“OLCV believes Bob stood out as a decisive leader with a vision to protect the environmental integrity of the region, even when confronting critical issues like growth, development, land use and transportation,” said OLCV Executive Director Jon Isaacs.
Stacey’s resume exemplifies a lifetime commitment to regional environmental issues in a variety of capacities. He led the campaign to pass Ballot Measure 49 in 2007 and served as policy adviser to Governor Roberts when the Western Bypass Freeway project was terminated. As the City of Portland’s planning director, he led the adoption of an environmental overlay for riparian and upland forest and habitat. Stacey left his most recent post, as executive director for 1000 Friends of Oregon, in September.
I vote for pro-environmental candidates because we can’t afford to sacrifice long-term stewardship for short-term gains.
Comments
Why aren't you endorsing Rex Burkholder? Rex and Bob share the same passion and love for the environment, but Bob has no experience while Rex does. Bob has never been in the position of having to bring together people with diverging needs, interests, and opinions, yet Bob criticizes Rex for having to do just that. Rex (and Tom, although I questions his environmental claims) has the experience and the passion that OLCV should be endorsing. Bob needs time to develop that experience. Although we all have our ideals, our own ideals are not usually what we get when we have to bring communities together. Bob's experience as an attorney is not the experience of a collaborator and does not serve the environmental movement well. Attorneys are trained to be divisive. Rex is a collaborator.
This bridge that Bob is so fond of bringing up isn't just about us in Portland, it is, as much as we hate to admit it, also about Vancouver. What will Bob do to help them meet their needs? It is easy to say what you would do when you haven't been the one to have to bring everyone together for a common goal. I agree (as I'm sure Rex does) with Bob's ideal, but the reality is different. Collaboration is the key.
I am very upset with OLCV about this endorsement and will no longer be donating to you. I will politely let the nice canvasser who comes to our house (and we always give to him) know why we will no longer support you.