JAMES BERNARD LEE

OCCUPATION: Retired

OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Applied physics, United States Navy; Instructor in architecture, California Polytechnic State University

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Saint Mary's College of California, Bachelor of Science in physics; University of Sydney, Australia, Master of Architectural Science

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: None

I have watched our City Council for 35 years. Most Councils have been intelligent and diligent, advancing our City's interest and status.

During last year's attempt to revise our Charter for a “strong mayor” our present Council exhibited intolerable flaws. Some members were answering email while citizens were trying to testify. All five voted on two days' notice to accept a report that none had studied and that contained many contradictions--a report that would alter a century of our proven tradition of governance.

Do you know that the Charter Review Commission's report allowed the Council to censor every media outlet operating in our City, including advertising? All five members of the Council accepted that, and three of them, including my opponent, voted to place it on the ballot.

If I am mayor things like that will not happen again.

As mayor I shall closely control Council's procedures, ensure in detail legalities of all matters before Council, and exercise strict control of the budget.

I am a numerate person. I knew from the start that $15 million would barely pay for foundations of the Aerial Tram, as I knew that $15 million would not pay for a Performing Arts Center 25 years ago.

I shall urge our City to assume control of Portland General Electric Company by purchasing its post-Enron shares.

I shall have our council adopt the 2002 report on global warming's effect on Bull Run watershed.

I shall revise the 65 antiquated powers in our Charter--including the one that allows censorship of media--to encompass 21st century reality.

And I will not answer email while presiding at Council.

(For more check blogmayor.com)

(This information furnished by James Bernard Lee)