just out
by Marty Davis
J
Mudslinging in Puddletown
VOL. 24 NO. 22
NEWSMAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
Mayoral race causes sudden news surge
ow and then there are times in the media industry when there just however. Long-term ramifications will be felt. Reputations have been damaged,
isn’t a whole lot going on. One will sit endlessly and forlornly, star friendships have ended, and distrust could become pervasive.
ing at Sn empty blog page, realizing with horror that the dreaded
All of the major players in “Ballgate” have been interviewed endlessly in the
slow news week syndrome has infected the building. Worse yet, I’m past few days. There's little left for them to say. There does remain one missing
quite sure that symptoms of this malaise are visible to our readers. piece, however, and that’s hearing from the purported former Adams staffer who
Past outbreaks of slow news week, or SNW as it’s called, had found me brought
chroni- the original concerns (read: accusations) to Ball, who then, well, we all
cling such seemingly endless topics as possums being born, sheltered and raised know what he did next.
in my garage. Little did 1 know, then, that the sharing of these deeply personal
Allow me now to repeat an oft-told belief of my own. Be wary of the
journals placed my furry guests and myself directly in harm’s way. At any credibility of the “disgruntled former employee.” I hold it to be true that this
moment state wildlife officials migRt have broken down my garage door, source of information is rarely viable. Indeed, their interests are too often self
tranquilized the possums and hauled them off in sacks to live their lives in state- motivated and misguided. The “disgruntled” are frequently the employee for
approved sanctuaries. I live on the edge, 1 tell you, on the edge.
whom the employer went the extra mile—only to find that two miles had then
Today 1 can tell you, with much sincerity, that the past two weeks in become the expectation.
Portland have most decidedly not been lacking in news to report. Our own news
surge began with the kickoff event for the 2008 Portland mayoral election,
s much as I’d like to use the remainder of this space to discuss the problems
which started promptly at 11:30 a.n). Sept. 10. This is when Mayor Tom Potter
other people are having, 1 would be regrettably remiss if 1 didn’t address
announced that he would not be running for a second term. My immediate a few small brush fires that 1 managed to set off myself in the past few weeks. On
reaction to his words was a quick moment of sadness, accompanied by one, just at least two occasions I have been found guilty of careless thought and action.
one, sneaky and spontaneous little tear of sentiment. Potter has been a tremen Both instances—one a photo that probably should not have been published and
dous friend and ally to our community, and we really can’t thank him enough the other a blog headline with perceivable racist connotation—caused or had
for his support and years of dedication. His term as mayor was exactly what the potential to cause discomfort for others. 1 could make a wishy-washy
Portland needed—a reflective and thoughtful planning period for what lies argument for intent—or, in these cases, lack of intent—to cause harm or pain
ahead.
or damage, but the fact is, intent and lack of knowledge are not excuses worthy
Potter’s decision not to run was anticipated to be the starting point for of hiding behind.
mayoral candidates to emerge and announce their intentions. Portlanders are
One of the readers expressing her displeasure wrote to me, “Just because you
eagerly awaiting this next round of elections and are keen to participate and can do something, it doesn’t mean you should.” She’s quire right.
choose the next mayor, a person who must be dynamic and vital and possess
Several times a day, my e-mail system reminds me that I’m about to cause
great leadership abilities.
offense to someone. I always ignore it and plow ahead with my immediate
But before there’s even any formally announced candidates for this race, the thought. Now would be a good time for me to take that reminder and that
mudslinging and drama begin. As first reported by Willamette Week, Pearl District message and get out there and see what it feels like from the folks on the other
developer Bob Ball, an openly gay man, was identified as the person questioning end of the messages.
a relationship between openly gay City Commissioner Sam Adams and a then 17-
I know exactly who I want to talk to first and what 1 need to talk about.
year-old youth who had approached Adams for mentoring and advice.
I know she’ll have a lot to say on the subject. How do 1 know this? Because
The minute this story hit the Willamette Week Web site, all hell broke kx>se. we’ve already started the dialogue. In my next column I’ll be talking with
(For a recap of who-said-what-about-whom, please see Page 6 of this issue.) And Kendall Clawson, executive director of Q Center, who will explain to me, again,
as quickly as this story flared up, it also appears to be dying out. In today’s age exactly why “Black Thursday" is not a good headline for a blog entry about an
of electronic reporting and immediacy, it could appear that this sudden firestorm injured Trail Blazer.
of animosity could bum itself out in mere days. That will be in appearance only,
In the meantime, I’ll see you all Sept. 24 at Gay Skate.
N
A
FEATURE
22 CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT
Drag court enters its 50th landmark year
NEWS
6-18 NORTHWEST
Mayoral battle preheats; PBS documents gay
journalist; musical benefit planned;
nonprofits shack up; following the Buddha;
Pride of the Rose scholars announced; pee-
in supports trans people in Seattle;
nonprofit galvanizes volunteers; wedding
expo is gay-friendly; vintage shop has tales
to tell (and to sell); new mixed bar closes;
pioneering activist honored at gala; petition
signers held accountable
19 NATIONAL
Marriage bill hits California governor’s desk;
Chávez wins leadership award; Craig
withdraws plea; Canadian marriages
recognized in New York
21 WORLD
Hungarian radio station fires anti-gay
editors; MCC’s founder silenced in
Singapore; Malaysian court voids marriage
ARTS & CULTURE
39 FILM
Jodie Foster goes on a vigilante killing spree
in The Brave One
40-41 CULTURE
Gay and lesbian square dance club
approaches age 25
44 NIGHTLIFE
Girls, get your
dance on
COLUMNS
31 EPIQUEEREAN
Campus Cravings
33 MS. BEHAVIOR
Butcher Than Thou
36 OUT OF MY MIND
Home Sweet Homeshare
37 OUT GOING
Homo Away from Home
The commissioner, the mayor and the developer.
46 JIM’S CLOSET
Mix It Up, Vol. 2
PAGE 43
43 DANCE
White Bird
celebrates 10th
season with the
return of
acclaimed
choreographer