News and Culture

Howard’s Beginning

11:59 AM November 5th, 2007 by Hank Stern
News / Politics |  Email This Post |

Howard Weiner, one of the volunteers extraordinaire who helped Tom Potter get elected mayor in 2004, tells WWire that he’s thinking of running for City Council next year.

Weiner, the 56-year-old owner of Cal Skate Skateboards in Old Town, says he’s considering joining the increasingly crowded field for Commissioner Sam Adams’ council seat. Now that Adams is running for mayor, his open council seat has drawn a great deal of interest.

Weiner is making the rounds of exploratory talks about a run and hopes to reach a decision by the end of the month. Among those on Weiner’s list of peoplehe’s spoken with—or is planning to speak with—are Commissioner Randy Leonard; Bob Durston, Commissioner Erik Sten’s former chief of staff; and Karin Potter, the mayor’s wife.

Weiner is among many former Potter volunteers who felt shut out after the mayor took office, but he would be able to make a case as a candidate who’s a longtime small business owner (31 1-2 years) with deep roots in the community of neighborhood activists.

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1. The Sten Fallout: Howard Weiner City Coun
2. Howard’s End: Old Town Businessman Leaves the Race. OldTown/C
3. One Council Candidate Opting Out of Public Finance City Coun
4. Mayoral Race Off to Brutal Beginning Sam Adams
5. Potter’s Wife Sho’s Support Among the

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6 Responses to “Howard’s Beginning”

1. Kent Dahlgren says:

   November 5, 2007 at 2:26 pm

   You know, back in 1985 or so, Howard pulled me aside during a city meeting relating to skateboarding and introduced me to a style that I now associate with Howard. Warm, friendly, gregarious, etc. In many ways, Howard has served as my stand-in political father, in some ways, and for years has coached and mentored me as he himself has evolved politically and as an active member of our city.

   Just speak with the many people whose causes Howard has championed in the past what? Three decades. That’s endorsement enough.

   Howard has served as an exemplary citizen, participating as a citizen at some level in nearly all critical junctures of our city’s evolution. Additionally, he’s fostered and encouraged the growth of a generation of political activists. I’d speak to anyone about how warmly I endorse Howard.

   Reply
2. Tom Carrollo says:

   November 6, 2007 at 9:12 am

   I would wholehearted endorse Howard Weiner for City Council. I have witnesseed first hand his ability to bring diverse groups together, get them talking and emerge with agreements on complex issues. It’s his unique style that does it. He has volunteered for years to improve PDX’s livability and as a small business owner he knows the important balance a healthy economy is to our great city. Howard brings out the best in people – he should do it on a larger scale!

   Reply
3. Larry Norton says:

   November 6, 2007 at 10:47 am

   From my perspective, Howard has all the attributes one wants in a city council member. He has the independence necessary to be an effective representative for Portland. Thus, he not beholden to a single constituency.

   Howard knows the city and its positives and negatives. He has demonstrated that he is willing to expend the time and effort to bring people together to discuss issues and solutions.

   I have seen him in action over the past three years plus and based upon that I would recommend his candidacy.

   Frankly, compared to those who are competing for Sam Adams’ position no one else is as well qualified.

   I hope he goes for it.

   Reply
4. Steve Trujillo says:

   November 6, 2007 at 12:18 pm

   I agree with the other comments above. Howard is a person that gets things done in the context of collaboration and partnership. His vision and style both fit what I believe our city greatly needs.

   Not only is he qualified, but he’s years of service to the community has prepared and seasoned him for this important position.

   Reply
5. Ken Vreed says:

   November 6, 2007 at 12:27 pm

   Over the last 17 years I’ve been a first hand witness to the power of Howard’s convictions and passions. As a former employee of Cal Skate throughout high school and college I’ve seen his can-do attitude in action on many occassions.
   When I first met Howard in the late 80’s he had just helped instigate a ban on the sale of fortified wines in the old town area in an effort to clean old town up. It made a difference in the community because cheap high content alcohol was no longer readily available.
   In the 90’s I personally witnessed Howard risk his own business in order to provide the area’s skateboarders with an indoor skatepark. Think about if you had operated a business successfully in a high foot traffic location for 20+ years and then suddenly moved it to a industrial warehouse with little to no foot traffic…that was what Howard did because he passionately wanted an indoor facility for the area’s skaters. He sacrificed retail traffic and sales so skaters would have a dry place to skate and fill a much needed void for the community.
   Also in the 90’s I watched as Howard implemented an absolutely insane volunteer program through Cal Skate. It was called the Cal Skate Hook Ups program and was born out of the need to teach volunteerism to youth and the need for skateboarding enthusiasts who had little or no money. The Cal Skate Hook Ups program literally paid skaters to volunteer at local shelters and soup kitchens. Here’s how it worked; the skater would work a shift at the shelter, the shelter supervisor would sign off that the shift was completed and the skater could then take his form to the shop and use it as cash! From a business standpoint it probably didn’t make alot of sense but from a greater good standpoint it made all the sense in the world!

   Howard is a son of activism and a professor of common sense. I believe his unflinching optimism, progressive outlook, and ability to implement ideas would be welcome qualities in the guidance of our great city.
   Put simply Howard cares about Portland and it’s been witnessed in his actions over the last 31 years. In my book actions still speak louder than words.
   I hope he goes for it too!

   Reply
6. Jon says:

   November 10, 2007 at 7:04 pm

   I’m sooooo glad I moved out of Portland and Multnomah County.
   The politics is insuferable, as are the candidates.
   Good luck to all you that have to wade thru the crap flowing in the streets of the burg called Portland

   Reply