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Sue Stahl, a longtime Portland advocate for people with disabilities, declared Tuesday she's running against City Commissioner Steve Novick.
Stahl has served on the Portland Commission on Disability since 2010, and is vice president of its Accessibility in the Built Environment subcommittee. She has pressed the city of Portland for years to comply more quickly with the Americans with Disabilities Act—noting that many city properties, including dozens of city parks and the Portland Building, present obstacles to people with disabilities.
Stahl's first run for elected office follows her vocal frustrations with the city task force that allowed ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft to permanently run cars in the city. Stahl quit in May, saying the city failed to seriously discuss civil rights—including Uber and Lyft's service for people with disabilities.
That position pits her against Novick—who voted to legalize Uber and Lyft—and lends her the support of the cab industry. Stahl's announcement comes accompanied by glowing quotes from cab driver Wyde Dyer and taxi lobbyist Darin Campbell.
"Portland is growing at a very fast pace and leaving a lot of people behind," Stahl tells WW. "There's a lot of opportunity…to step up and do the right thing. And this is what I'm going to do."
Willamette Week