October 15, 2003
Another Candidate To Enter The 2004 Race For City Council
As announced this evening over on the Portland IMC, one Brian Smith expects to file Friday for a City Council run:
I'm going to drop off the paperwork on Friday. I've had a political awakening, ever since the war started and I tried to peacefully protest and got pepper sprayed and attacked by bad cops. We need to get some good people in City Hall that care about the PEOPLE not crap like advertising. I've been researching a idea to get wireless internet access for anybody in Portland metro (which would be one of the first projects of it's kind I'm pretty such). How much would it cost, maybe $250,000 at most. Have the project run by non-profits like freegeek or personaltelco.net.
I believe the children our the future and to deny them resources in place of business interests is a crime. I want more school band and science classes not riot police.
For a time, Smith attended (and for all I know still attends) meetings of the Portland Bill of Rights Defense Committee (standard disclaimer: I was once an organizer for the group), and has had some sort of affiliation with the Zoobomb bicycling group. Smith's own website is currently under reconstruction.
"I was planning on running for Jim Francesconi's seat," Smith said via email this evening, "but since he's running for Mayor, I guess I'm running un-opposed."
In reality (as a simple check of the list of officially-filed candidates would have informed him), Smith will join Woody Broadnax in a race for Commissioner No. 1. Also in the City Council race is Alicia Salaz, running for the Commissioner No. 4 position currently held by Randy Leonard and Jason Newell who clearly is running for one seat or the other but hasn't yet filed.
Comments (2)
Dave Lister on 16 Oct 2003
Although he has not yet filed, it's almost dead certain that attorney Nick Fish will be running for Francesconi's vacant seat. According to my research, Fish has been fund raising since he finished second place last time around. If he does in fact run he will be well funded, well connected and tough to beat.
Jason Newell on 19 Oct 2003
Unfortunately, Brian Smith has more research to do than learning he running unopposed.
While serving as an intern for Commissioner Erik Sten, his office was actively working on a plan to create a Wi-Fi service to most Portlanders. Other work being done, includes free and discounted internet access to some low-income families, and a free PC to others through the Bureau of Housing and Community Development.
Additionally, sources tell me that if Randy Leonard does run for mayor, former chief of staff for Vera Katz, Sam Adams is actively considering a run for the seat.