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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2002)
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SALEM 5 0 3 . 363. ZfOOO 3966 Silverton Rd. NE VANCOUVER 360.892.5905 Visit us online: www.orhotspringspas.com Openly gay man runs low-budget BEND 541.388.0905 61249 S.Hwy 97 for Portland by Sarah Leimert ortland City Council candidate Ric Berrong is not afraid of a challenge. P In addition to facing formidable opposition from 15 other people, the 40-year-old is running as an openly gay man. He knows his sexual orientation will play a role in his candidacy. “I am an openly gay man— have been for the last five years," he says. “There will he those who vote for me because I am gay. A nd there will be those who won’t vote for me for the same rea son. All I can do is hope that people will look at the issues.” Berrong was bom and raised in Portland and expresses a great love for the city and its poten tial as a growing metropolis. “This isn’t some thing I just want to do for kicks,” he says. “1 real ly am passionate about this city.” Berrong, who attended Franklin High School and Mt. Hood Community College, has been a delivery driver in Portland for the past 12 years. He works full time for the Irwin-Hodson Company. He has no prior political experience to draw from. “But I view being an average citizen work ing for all the citizens as a positive,” he says. W ith a campaign slogan of “one voice can make a difference,” Berrong would like his can didacy to he based on his love for and dedication to Portland, not how much money he has in his campaign coffers. “I’m not rich,” he says. “So (I’m) making lit tle fliers, handing them out, walking my dog around with a sign. W hile other candidates expect to spend a great deal of money to get elected, I do not want to buy this position, I want to earn it.” Through volunteer work with the Metropol itan Human Rights Center, Cascade AIDS Proj ect and two Portland hospices, Berrong has been encouraged to become more involved with the sexual minorities community. “Involvement and education are essential for everyone’s equal ity,” he says. “I offer my voice to ensure all citi zens are viewed and valued equally." Berrong is a busy man w ith a long list of goals. In addition to working full time and running a campaign, he also is pioneering his own publishing company, Saisar U nlim ited, and is writing a book, Neni: A Celebration of Truth, which is scheduled to he published in th e summer o f 2003. W h en he is not hard at work on one o f his projects, he frequently can he seen riding his hike or walking around dow ntow n w ith his dog, Saddi. Promoting Portland's out-of-state tourism is high on Berrong’s priority list. In addition, he would like to encourage folks who already live here to explore the city. “Pve talked to people who haven’t been downtown in years and won’t come down here," he says. “They have one bad experience and they want to stay away... 1 want to show the city as being accessible and safe, because it really is.” Berrong also is troubled by the current con dition of the Portland Police Bureau. He wor ries that C h ief Mark Kroeker does not repre sent a “positive change for the future” of the departm ent. “If we are to he searching for a new chief of police, I would insist that we hire within the bureau, someone who knows the city,” he says. “We will never find someone to please all the people, but at least we can find someone who respects all the people.” A nother issue close to home for Berrong is the Burnside Triangle, Portland’s gay culture dis trict, which he says has the potential for devel opm ent and a chance for redefinition. He calls upon the sexual minorities community and the city to improve the area, patronize existing busi nesses and encourage new ones to establish themselves. “I totally support that,” he says. “But what does [the Triangle] really represent? Basically, it’s a bunch of clubs. I would like to encourage some businesses that are unique to the area— card shops, more bookstores, clothing shops.” Berrong wants to be sure every voice in Port land is heard, not just the well-financed ones. For example, "the recent decision of the current City Council to ignore the voice of the citizens and move forward with the [Oregon Health Sci ences University] tram troubles me," he says. “1 live in the neighborhood where the tram will [operate], and 1 believe there were other options that would have made everyone happy.” Berrong’s intent is to play an instrumental role in securing the Rose C ity’s future. “Port land has a charm and character all its own," he says. “As it grows into an even stronger and more successful city, we must ensure that we embrace and cherish the character that makes Portland unique.” | H can be contacted at FaithfulQueer@aol. com. R lC BERRONG is a Portland free-lance writer. E-mail her at scleimert@earthlmk.net. SARAH L e im e r t
