>Well, it looks like we're back in the frying pan again. Apparently Pete
>DeFazio will not be running for Hatfield's position but Gordon Smith and
>another rich hamburger will.

Two other rich hamburgers, actually.

One is Londsdale, who almost beat Hatfield last time 'round despite
zero (literally zero) support from the Democratic party. Most Demos
endorsed Hatfield to boot, including Goldschmidt and AuCoin. Harry
nearly knocked off Hatfield 48%-52% despite this, running on the
timber issue almost exclusively. Would've won, too, if it weren't
for dirty last-minute tricks by Hatfield's campaign. He blew his
wad on that election, though, and must depend on contributions
to run this time.

The other is Tom Bruggere, founder of Mentor Graphics. What can
I say about Tom other than the fact that he had a spotting scope
in his office to spy on the marsh at their office complex, a
marsh which was saved largely due to PAS efforts with the developer?

Mentor moved to Wilsonville and as I understand it financed construction
of a small marsh as the old one had been so popular with employees.

He's a good urban moderate who I think would be OK on conservation
issues, not as pro-labor as DeFazio. Then again, DeFazio stood with
the timber industry on many issues when first elected...

Having said that, I must admit I'm flabbergasted. Spoke to our
conservation director and he hadn't heard the news - it was out
of the blue. literally. Bam! The Big O had an article but was
so unexpected that the spin doctors had not begun to spin at
press time...

- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>
Nature photos, on-line guides, more at http://www.xxxpdx.com/~dhogaza