May 10, 2003
The Visitation of Jack Peek
I've been trying to avoid any mention of the recall campaign directed at Vera Katz, mainly because the (unsolicited) emails that many of us in the Portland community have been receiving for weeks now are, frankly, tremendously annoying, very poorly written, and... well, tremendously annoying.
But since the man behind this campaign just made an appearance in the comments to an old post about Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare, I might as well get it over with.
On the whole, only the Tribune has paid any real attention to this recall campaign:
Voter dissatisfaction with the Portland Police Bureau's reaction to recent antiwar protests downtown is fueling a recall drive against Mayor Vera Katz.
Recall organizer Jack Peek said he and other Katz opponents do not believe that City Hall is listening to Portland citizens. They also criticize what they call a hostile business environment -- including the plan Katz recently pushed through the City Council to raise business license fees to fund schools.
"There's a lot of unhappiness about the way things have been going, and the mess caused by the protesters just brought it all together," said Peek, a truck driver and longtime Southeast Portland activist who thinks that Katz should have directed the police to arrest protesters when they blocked streets and bridges.
What I find most curious (especially since Jim Redden is certainly no stranger to Portland politics) is that their article doesn't mention Peek's background.
For instance, here he is in the Willamette Week back in 1998:
The political climate looks only more stormy as recall threats spread beyond Milwaukie. Jack Peek, chairman of the Foster-Powell Neighborhood Association, was at the fiery Buckman meeting last week, trying to arouse support for a city ordinance that would require neighbors to be notified in advance about new social service facilities. If the City Council doesn't "ram through" his proposal, Peek warns, "what happened in Milwaukie needs to happen in Portland."
That page also features a photo of Peek with the following caption:
Neighborhood activist Jack Peek, who is threatening to launch a recall of city commissioners, is getting advice from former state Rep. Bob Tiernan, a Lake Oswego Republican.
Yes, that's right. He's made recall noises before when he hasn't quite gotten his way on something.
And here is he again in an issue of the Week from 1999:
Two of Portland's leading wackos--state Sen. Thomas Wilde (above) and neighborhood activist Jack Peek--won a victory for the NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) movement this week. Thanks to Wilde (who is scarier than any halfway house), the Senate passed a bill that gives neighborhood groups the power to exclude drug addicts, troubled youths and ex-cons from rehab homes. If the House approves, the bill will be referred to voters.
Then there's this item from 2000 on a website for something called the Center for the Community Interest out of New York City:
Jack Peek, who lives in a residential community in Portland, Oregon, woke up one morning several years ago and discovered that the government had placed a group home for the criminally insane across from his backyard. The facility, established within 400 feet of an elementary school, was set up without any notification to residents or assessment of likely community impact. Ever since, Peek has been working to give Portland residents an opportunity to be heard about the placement of such homes.
But Portland officials say that the federal Fair Housing Act mandate of "reasonable accommodation" for the disabled bars any restriction whatsoever on the location of facilities for mentally ill persons with an adjudged history of criminal violence - or even any required security precautions at these facilities. Residents of a home for the criminally insane "must be treated exactly the same as any other family," an aide to the Mayor told CCI General Counsel Dave Castro, who inquired on Peek?s behalf. This is the kind of bizarre and baseless stretch of a decent law that gives liberalism a bad name, and that can only result in a backlash against the legitimate rights of the physically and mentally disabled.
Anyway. My point is that you'd think any current coverage of Peek would try to give some context.
As for his current recall effort, Peek's list of "charges" read as follows: Illegal Protests, Columbia Sportswear, PGE Park, Water Bureau Billing System, Traffic 1, Traffic 2, Tax Breaks, The War in Iraq, Terrorists, and Dignity Village.
Now, personally, I think a recall effort is a phenomenal waste of time, especially with an election essentially just around the corner anyway. But strategically, I will say this much: It's fairly poor judgement to focus on a range of particular "charges" which obviously reflect only one end of the political/social spectrum. With all the anti-Katz sentiment on, say, Portland Independent Media Center, Peek's missed a chance at a multi-partisan recall campaign.
Not that it would be any more successful. But if Peek were really concerned with what would be best practices (which would have to be goal oriented), he'd have gone that route. As it is, the recall campaign is little more than a chance to publicize his complaints, and receive donations for doing so.
Bully for him, I guess. But in the end, this is your basic "sound, fury, nothing" political distraction.
Comments (27)
The One True b!X on 11 May 2003
The latest Peek missive which just fell into my inbox -- although now, funnily enough, my mail application has decided to label it spam -- claims that Multnomah County's decision to be ready with a Klingon interpreter in mental health situations is yet another reason to sign up for his campaign to recall Mayor Katz.
What a decision by the county has to do with recalling the mayor of a city is something that escapes me.
Emma on 11 May 2003
This is actually one of the more interesting proposals to come out of city hall under the Katz regime.
JACK PEEK on 15 May 2003
Your editorial comments remind me of someone who on the "left" wants all of the fruits of free speech, but can't stand someone having the same right.
Perhaps,you need to take a lesson from the NEW YORK TIMES mess and research your comments before you open your biased/slanted mouth.
The correct story is I DID START this recall on a single issue, that being the dangerous placement of 5 criminally insane, violent people next to a grade school in SE PDX.
The fact is that they are dangerous, I have video recorded sound bites from a public meeting where the providors are admitting on camera, "YES JACK", they are dangerous!
The end result of this will be death to some innocent person who didnt do a thing, but who accepted the fact that they were safe because of stupid laws. The truth can't be told about who they really are and what they have done.
The fact that I drive a truck for a living seems to imply I HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT. That really makes me angry.
The fact that not just me as a citizen can form a committee to recall the mayor, but the wide and varied cross section of people from both sides of the river and both sides of the pay scales that sit on my committee just doesnt sit well with your smug, arrogant comments.
Perhaps what we intend to do will not happen.. BUT PERHAPS IT WILL!!
What you do need to do is simply attend a meeting and look at the range of issues we have with her, and unless your arrogance clouds all your thought processes ......you might see things differently. But judging fron your conceit, maybe not! Jack Peek
The One True b!X on 15 May 2003
The only conceit here is yours, and it is this: Your attempt at equating my exercise of free speech rights to level criticism at you with my somehow attempting to disparage your own free speech rights. This is not only a conceit, it is a weak and feeble one.
If you can't stand the free exchange of views in the market place of ideas, if you somehow believe that anyone who speaks out against you is inherently trying to deny you your own speech rights, then you have an utterly irrational grasp (or rather lack of grasp) on just what free speech means.
Free speech does not mean that you get to open your mouth and not have to bear the weight of people disagreeing with you.
What's more, you're barking up the wrong tree if you think you can level charges at me, of all people, alleging that I am against anyone's free speech rights. I have had people threaten me on websites I myself operate, and I have never moved to delete any of their comments.
So you'll have to try this "argument" somewhere else, because it doesn't wash here at all.
The One True b!X on 15 May 2003
Oh, and if you have a problem with someone pointing out what you do for a living, take it up with them. I didn't make that observation, the Tribune did. I don't give a rat's ass what you do for a living.
JACK PEEK on 15 May 2003
We both know we are right to comment, we both know the comments placed here about me..were the problems we may never find a common ground on.
My challenge to you is again the same, show up at a meeting, see who is there, see if there can't be agreement on a new direction for this city.
Perhaps, we might even find something positive out of this.
And perhaps you would like to meet my neighbors.
JACK PEEK on 15 May 2003
We both know we are right to comment, we both know the comments placed here about me..were the problems we may never find a common ground on.
My challenge to you is again the same, show up at a meeting, see who is there, see if there can't be agreement on a new direction for this city.
Perhaps, we might even find something positive out of this.
And perhaps you would like to meet my neighbors.
jack bogdanski on 16 May 2003
Peek is right about the stealth siting of high-impact social services, particularly in Southeast Portland. He's also right that Vera has lost all touch with reality, turning over the city to developers, concocting all manner of expensive pie-in-the-sky ideas, and presiding over a truly historic decline in the city's livability.
Peek needs to get blogging. He may be shrill, but he's right. And thoughtful critics of the current administration need to stick together.
The One True b!X on 16 May 2003
Well, I'll agree that he should get a weblog. And he may even be right on an issue or two. But he's so shrill and hysterical about it all that I find it difficult to understand why anyone takes him seriously. In fact, I'd wager that were he more prominent, he'd only do damage to his own positions by virtue of that very shrill hysteria -- which wouldn't be much help to other people who happen to share his views but not his personality.
The One True b!X on 16 May 2003
Or, more accurately, his public persona, not his personality.
jack bogdanski on 16 May 2003
Actually, I think the recall is a bad idea because it doesn't give the mayor room to retire gracefully. She won't want it to look as though Jack Peek ran her out. And wrapping up her mayoral career one way or another is overdue.
Everybody, relax. Portlanders won't recall anyone unless they are caught in crimes of dishonesty.
Speaking of shrill, weren't a gang of folks going to recall Francesconi a few weeks ago because he wouldn't vote for the anti-war thing?
The One True b!X on 16 May 2003
In fact, yes. Although for the most part it was Portland Independent Media Center swagger rather than any concerted effort. In the end, it was one guy standing outside city hall at the same time each day for about a week, holding a sign.
As far as I know, it never went anywhere.
Jack Peek on 16 May 2003
To all:
Could not agree more with the perception of me as "wild" an a bit shrill.
Since you researched my work so well, try to find out how many high risk, difficult to place, violent, criminally insane grouphome placements are trully in your neighborhoods. .There not in KATZ'S neighborhood, because they have phone numbers of people in high places that got rid of a federal siting.
The research I have done will fill boxs stacked high about this single issue I started with and when I DID take the softer approach, (I REALLY DID) this important data was round filed by too many electeds and staffers to count. (Jack B. KNOWS ALL OF THIS)
So a stroke about two yrs ago, and the desire to stop a train wreck from happening has taken a toll. Do I feel bad about my percieved persona? Yes! DO I KNOW I'am right to make a point that she (Katz) made promises and didnt keep them ......HELL YES! Is this recall all about me? No! too many people have come into this without much, if any pressure from me for good reasons. So,look past my so called shell, I CARE about this city..... and a lot more then some of you do, because we are "Not the city that works", we are getting worked over, This just isn't that "leading neighborhood wacko" (SAID WWEEK)saying this, You will see that fact soon
Jack Peek on 16 May 2003
To all:
Could not agree more with the perception of me as "wild" an a bit shrill.
Since you researched my work so well, try to find out how many high risk, difficult to place, violent, criminally insane grouphome placements are trully in your neighborhoods. .There not in KATZ'S neighborhood, because they have phone numbers of people in high places that got rid of a federal siting.
The research I have done will fill boxs stacked high about this single issue I started with and when I DID take the softer approach, (I REALLY DID) this important data was round filed by too many electeds and staffers to count. (Jack B. KNOWS ALL OF THIS)
So a stroke about two yrs ago, and the desire to stop a train wreck from happening has taken a toll. Do I feel bad about my percieved persona? Yes! DO I KNOW I'am right to make a point that she (Katz) made promises and didnt keep them ......HELL YES! Is this recall all about me? No! too many people have come into this without much, if any pressure from me for good reasons. So,look past my so called shell, I CARE about this city..... and a lot more then some of you do, because we are "Not the city that works", we are getting worked over, This just isn't that "leading neighborhood wacko" (SAID WWEEK)saying this, You will see that fact soon
Jack Peek on 16 May 2003
To all:
Could not agree more with the perception of me as "wild" an a bit shrill.
Since you researched my work so well, try to find out how many high risk, difficult to place, violent, criminally insane grouphome placements are trully in your neighborhoods. .There not in KATZ'S neighborhood, because they have phone numbers of people in high places that got rid of a federal siting.
The research I have done will fill boxs stacked high about this single issue I started with and when I DID take the softer approach, (I REALLY DID) this important data was round filed by too many electeds and staffers to count. (Jack B. KNOWS ALL OF THIS)
So a stroke about two yrs ago, and the desire to stop a train wreck from happening has taken a toll. Do I feel bad about my percieved persona? Yes! DO I KNOW I'am right to make a point that she (Katz) made promises and didnt keep them ......HELL YES! Is this recall all about me? No! too many people have come into this without much, if any pressure from me for good reasons. So,look past my so called shell, I CARE about this city..... and a lot more then some of you do, because we are "Not the city that works", we are getting worked over, This just isn't that "leading neighborhood wacko" (SAID WWEEK)saying this, You will see that fact soon
JACK PEEK on 16 May 2003
The website said it didnt respond..guess it did........sorry for 3 posts, Boy I WILL GET IT NOW!!!
Alexis Gonzales on 17 May 2003
Seems like some small understanding may have developed here after an initial heated exchange ...
Jack: try to tone it down a notch
True: try to go to a meeting
Jack Peek on 17 May 2003
"TRUE" missed you at our Saturday meeting, you are still invited.
Jack Peek on 17 May 2003
"TRUE" missed you at our Saturday meeting, you are still invited.
JACK PEEK on 19 May 2003
Come on you are smarter then this.. you know exactally what I MEAN!
If you dont think there is a criminally insane grouphome 400 yrds from a grade school, read your own research. If you think 5 violent, insane people loose for 90 mins of unsupervised walks past that school is ok...SAY SO!
The "WMDS" remark stands.. if I HIT YOU IN THE MOUTH with facts on this issue ....it would be Clinton 101 ..DENY ...DENY ...DENY !
QUESTION? DO YOU WANT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO HAVE ONE?
If so. I CAN HELP!
But post that information and have the guts to sign it.... that is what I DISRESPECT the most about your little deal here...you dont put your money where your mouth is. SIGN THAT LETTER OF INTENT TO GET YOUR NEIGHBORS THEIR VERY OWN PSRB, PDC FINANCED ,CRIMINALLY INSANE GROUPHOME PARKED NEXT TO A GRADE SCHOOL.. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE BLOCK PARTY SIGN THE NAME OF THE IDIOT RESPONSIBLE.
If you wanna do that.. we have a different ballgame!
And by the way, nice try at the elections office with the letter of complaint. We had all the homework done, you or a "friend" did not do yours.
JACK PEEK on 19 May 2003
Come on you are smarter then this.. you know exactally what I MEAN!
If you dont think there is a criminally insane grouphome 400 yrds from a grade school, read your own research. If you think 5 violent, insane people loose for 90 mins of unsupervised walks past that school is ok...SAY SO!
The "WMDS" remark stands.. if I HIT YOU IN THE MOUTH with facts on this issue ....it would be Clinton 101 ..DENY ...DENY ...DENY !
QUESTION? DO YOU WANT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO HAVE ONE?
If so. I CAN HELP!
But post that information and have the guts to sign it.... that is what I DISRESPECT the most about your little deal here...you dont put your money where your mouth is. SIGN THAT LETTER OF INTENT TO GET YOUR NEIGHBORS THEIR VERY OWN PSRB, PDC FINANCED ,CRIMINALLY INSANE GROUPHOME PARKED NEXT TO A GRADE SCHOOL.. BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE BLOCK PARTY SIGN THE NAME OF THE IDIOT RESPONSIBLE.
If you wanna do that.. we have a different ballgame!
And by the way, nice try at the elections office with the letter of complaint. We had all the homework done, you or a "friend" did not do yours.
Jack Peek on 20 May 2003
Hey.. you gonna answer for your neighborhood?
BE SURE AND SIGN YOUR NAME!
Jack Peek on 20 May 2003
Hey.. you gonna answer for your neighborhood?
BE SURE AND SIGN YOUR NAME!
jack peek on 21 May 2003
recallvera.com
Stay involved. Start going to Salem. Write your legislators. Elect new legislators.a poster daid.
The current crop and potential crop, are not going to get the message if we dont make an example of one of them..
TIRED OF MEETINGS, TIRED OF LETTERS, TIRED OF PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS, TIRED OF ARROGANT STAFFERS.
recallvera.com
Jack Peek on 22 May 2003
OK, respectfully I want an answer to all my questions on the placement of a group home of the type that was placed im my neighborhood.
We are going to get it out in the open on this and maybe we still can find common ground.
My best friend is a democrat, he is a minority, he is supporting this recall effort because he knows the truth as I do, we cannot let her continue to destroy this city.
Oh by the way, remember "Trey Arrow", the mayor "supported", his rights as well..... FBI SAY'S HE BURNED 6-8 logging trucks, because he thought he could. The mayor is lucky he didnt burn the city... BUT WHAT THE HELL, BURN THE FLAG BURN THE CITY........ITS ALL COVERED IN HER BOOKS AS FREE SPEECH.
recallvera.com
Jack Peek on 22 May 2003
OK, respectfully I want an answer to all my questions on the placement of a group home of the type that was placed im my neighborhood.
We are going to get it out in the open on this and maybe we still can find common ground.
My best friend is a democrat, he is a minority, he is supporting this recall effort because he knows the truth as I do, we cannot let her continue to destroy this city.
Oh by the way, remember "Trey Arrow", the mayor "supported", his rights as well..... FBI SAY'S HE BURNED 6-8 logging trucks, because he thought he could. The mayor is lucky he didnt burn the city... BUT WHAT THE HELL, BURN THE FLAG BURN THE CITY........ITS ALL COVERED IN HER BOOKS AS FREE SPEECH.
recallvera.com
Jack Peek on 24 May 2003
We are supposed to have a chance to speak on the recall issue today at Alberta Park at 12pm,we were invited by Willy Brown, a well known African-American Portland activist.
As a sidebar to my comment here, Mr. Brown has all the ear markings of the first Black mayor of this city.
We may surprise this town as to what me be able to do with regard to recalling mayor Katz, we sure seem since the tax election results......EXPLODED!! in size and strength for our committee. Hmmmmmmmm, why would that be?
Because people are sick to death of the insanity of the elected officals of this city, and indeed the county.
So they seem ready to voice the sound of a much "worked over" group of people.
Oh by the way, there have been NO COMMENTS by anyone as to there "desire" for a criminally insane grouphome in their neighborhood ,but in other forums, I SURE HAVE BEEN SLAMMED FOR MINE.
The fact remains... call Cascadia mental health... they would be happy to help, but go to your neighborhood association meeting and voice your support.... then post it here, and sign your name to it.
Instead of that, see recallvera.com and get us out of the VERA NIGHTMARE we find ourselfs in.
This just in..COUNTY PASS'S NEW TAX'S ..MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESTORED... A LIE..A BIG LIE, CASCADIA METAL HEALTH..THAT GIANT IN THIS FIELD FOR THE COUNTY IS CLOSING SOME "MUCH NEEDED " SERVICES JUNE 1-03 WHO LIED TO WHO???????