Who’s Hot and Who’s Not in Oregon Politics: Equity Foundation, Mike Rosen, Oregonians

Friday, May 29, 2015

Douglas Fasching, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Every Friday, GoLocalPDX breaks down who's rising and who's falling in the world of Oregon politics. Check out who made the lists this week

HOT:

Michael Rodgers

It was revealed this week that Mr. Rodgers, the top administrator of the State Data Center, was the person responsible for preserving the emails ex-Governor John Kitzhaber wanted destroyed and leaking them to Willamette Week. Defending his actions, he said the emails were public records and removing them from the state's server as requested would have been illegal. Good for him for following his conscience and not just blindly following orders. We need more people like Mr. Rodgers in state government not less.

For all his efforts, Rodgers currently cannot leave his house during business hours and is under investigation by the Oregon State Police. Meanwhile, the guy who was all for handing over the emails to Kitzhaber and his staff to be destroyed, launched a criminal investigation into the leak and had Rodgers escorted out of his building by DAS officials for the entire office to see is now making $185,000 as the head of the City's Bureau of Environmental Services. Life is funny, isn't it.

Oregonians

Why are we Hot right now? Is it because we get to have a carpet serve as Grand Marshal of the Starlight Parade? Heck no! We Oregonians are Hot right now because we have former U.S. Senate candidate and part-time stalker Monica Wehby fighting for us. This week Ol' Crazy Eyes herself launched Monica PAC, an "organization dedicated to promoting policies and candidates driven by the principles that define this great nation." Well, it is about time somebody decided to undertake this important job. If she puts as much effort into this endeavor as she does keeping tabs on ex-boyfriends, we are all in good hands.

Equity Foundation

Led by Executive Director Karol Collymore, the EF leads the charge to support the LGBTQ community. Basically it helps the people who help the people. Its efforts were recognized this week when the Equity Foundation was named to the 2015 Brilliant List. The Brilliant List is a joint effort between PQ Monthly & El Hispanic News that recognizes individuals and organizations that have a positive impact in the LGBTQ community. So many kudos to Ms. Collymore and the rest of the staff and volunteers who make this non-profit vital not to just the LGBTQ community, but to this City as a whole.

NOT:

Diane McKeel

Somebody needs a refresher course in ethics. Commissioner McKeel recently proposed an amendment to the County budget for the upcoming year to spend $200,000 in an campaign advertising the availability of the drug that prevents people from contracting HIV. Great idea! Get the word out! There was only one little thing she forgot to mention when she was making her proposal: Her son works for the very company that produces the drug. That is called a potential conflict of interest. Oopsie. Upon getting her hand slapped, Commissioner McKeel said, "How was I to know that funneling County money to the company that employs my son is against the rules? Where is that written? Oh, in the book on my shelf entitled 'Code of Ethics for Elected Officials'? My bad. I am definitely not on fleek now."

Mike Rosen

Victory in an election usually earns a spot in the Hot Column, especially an election where you received 97% of the votes. However, Mr. Rosen finds himself in the Not Column for his day job (or lack thereof). Currently employed with the City in the Bureau of Environmental Services, Mr. Rosen has been on 'indefinite leave' since before the election. What does that mean? Is he taking time off to devote all of his time to the school board? A noble gesture, but highly doubtful. There is a story here, unfortunately both Mr. Rosen and the Deputy City Attorney are tight lipped. Inquiring minds want to know. Quick, somebody call Nigel Jaquiss.

Governor Kate Brown

So apparently Governor Brown is on the fence. Not about this column. She loves this column and I imagine she reads it diligently every Friday morning with her coffee. Of course she does. No, what she is on the fence about is this whole LNG issue. Kitzhaber loved it, Kulongoski not so much. Now it is her turn to decide whether to allow the review process of LNG terminals to proceed. Even protests around the Capitol can't get her to divulge her position on this issue. What is she waiting for? Maybe she's just trying to figure out which decision she can make that she will not regret making 18 months from now.