DAY 11: Hit the streets!

In recent days I've realized that we're not seeing or hearing much from the two recall councilors. Even Doug, I realize, is playing it pretty low key. They stopped giving interviews, stopped bad mouthing Sally, and are even rarely seen around City Hall. Unfortunately, that tends to give me a false sense of calm.

Think about it. The last real news we heard about them was that they wanted the suit against Sally scheduled for a late November court date. Well, of course, why would they want it to happen anywhere near the last date for gathering recall signatures or voting in the November 4 election? That made me stop and think.

I've been busy lately and without them in my face, aggravating the H out of me, I've tended to shuffle them off to Buffalo, so to speak. Bad move. Bad move. It should have been an automatic red flag to me if I wasn't hearing about them--whining over the lawsuit, saying stupid things in meetings, telling the press how upset they are that Sally is trying to ruin their careers. It should have and I'm embarrassed that the little red flag didn't hit me a lot sooner.

And, then I read an article in the Oregonian today that talked about Obama winning the campaign neighborhood by neighborhood, and that thought has stuck with me all morning. I can't explain why we haven't heard much from Phil; maybe someone finally wised him up to what a bad impression he was making getting bogged down and whining about the recall. I really don't know.

But, I do know where to find the recently elusive Doug Morten. He's out going door to door to shake hands and smile at voters. He's attending, speaking at and schmoozing at meetings. He's making promises and commiserating with people. Voters. House by house, street by street, and neighborhood by neighborhood. He's got enough sense (although it didn't show itself in his quick and questionable response to notice of the recall) to know that he needs to stay low in public arenas, but to be visible on a one-to-one basis.

Doug Morten intends to win this election neighborhood by neighborhood. And, if you think he doesn't or he can't possibly, then it's time for a reality check. He won last time by meeting and greeting and he thinks he can do it again.

And, if we let him, who knows, maybe he could. He thinks the recall is a joke and he thinks he's a shoo-in for mayor. He won't say so if you ask him, but watch him in meetings, laid back against his chair, leg crossed across his lap, and smiling--even as he offers barely disguised snipes at the mayor every chance he gets. He's not about getting along (like Charles Grant likes to think, or at least likes to say) and he's not about getting the City's business done, not these days.

Lately he's all about laying low--making no public gaffes--appearing conciliatory, helpful, and concerned, and a little perplexed at how things are just not getting done under current leadership. He'll throw up his hands in disgust, add a little jab here and there, and in his condescending way, let you know that's he's trying but despite his best efforts, golly, St. Helens is doomed with his opponent in office. In fact, doggonit, we just might collapse without Doug's leadership.

Yeah, well. Not. I don't trust the man. And, while he may not get recalled (who knows what the voters will do), I'm going to make every effort that I personally can to make sure that at least he doesn't gain control of the City Council in the November 4 election. And, the way he views the City's charter, that's exactly what he and his cohorts will do if he is elected.

I've got my precinct list and I'm about a third of the way through it, talking to people and explaining who I am and why I am concerned for the City's future. I tell them, as a wise woman told me, I want the St. Helens City Council to lead the City, not own it. Leadership, not ownership. I ask for their vote for Randy Peterson.

If this election is to be won by talking to every person in this town, then that is exactly how we need to do it. Face face, street by street, and neighborhood by neighborhood.

I'm on my way out the door to hit another 50 houses or so, and I'll keep at it until midnight on November 3, if I have to. I don't think someone has the right to complain about the results of an election if they didn't do all they could legally do to influence the outcome. The time is always right to do what's right. (See the top of this page.)