Bill Bradbury

This week, the Rogue Desk looks at three very different people united by a common thread: a talent for working more than one angle when self-interest is at stake.

First, we have Secretary of State (and loyal Democrat) Bill Bradbury. Last week, Marion County judge Paul Lipscomb overturned Bradbury's decision to bar Ralph Nader from Oregon's presidential ballot. Lipscomb declared Bradbury's office applied a different, tougher set of standards to Nader's petition for ballot access than other candidates would face. The scathing ruling (which Bradbury is appealing) gave ammunition to those who suspect the Sec of making fellow Dems happy instead of doing his job. Bradbury insists his motives were pure. "The issue is not one of partisan labeling, but of the ability...to evenly and fairly apply the law," he told WW.

But at the same time Bradbury was pleading neutrality, he circulated an email soliciting funds for his re-election campaign--trumpeting his denial of Nader to the faithful. "I must be able to get my message out or [right-wingers] will use this opportunity and exploit it for everything it's worth," Bradbury wrote.

So which is it, Bill? A nonpartisan action or a chance to stoke the Democratic donation machine?

Next, there's incumbent Metro councilor Rod Monroe, whom WW endorsed in the primary over his challenger, enviroguru Robert Liberty. In his lust to be re-elected to the tri-county planning, parks and garbage agency, Monroe would gladly bed down with someone who would like to see it abolished: Dave Hunnicutt of the anti-Metro group Oregonians in Action. Hunnicutt says Monroe's campaign recently asked for his endorsement. The OIA boss declined, telling the Rogue Desk, "At least Liberty is up-front about his beliefs."

Finally, consider Yvonne Katz, former superintendent of Beaverton Public Schools. As The Oregonian reported Monday, Katz resigned the Houston school-district job she took in 2002 after media reports revealed she was moonlighting as a consultant to an energy company. This company, it seems, enjoyed a fat contract with the district. Coincidence? The same company signed a deal with Beaverton schools when Katz ran that show--and school-board members didn't know their super was on the company's payroll. Or that she bagged $500 every time she set up a meeting between the company and a district.

Even in Rogueland, that's a pretty sweet deal.

WWeek 2015