Sam Adams vs. Tom Brian: Two Visions of the Future Face Off in Hillsboro

In one-party Multnomah County, much of what passes for political debate is really just parsing different shades of blue.

But Monday night, political junkies will get a chance to see some real contrast, as OPB and Community Newspapers bring together Portland Mayor Sam Adams and Washington County Chairman Tom Brian for a discussion of how the region should grow in the future. In many ways, the two politicians offer competing views.



Adams stands for density, transit and sustainability. In contrast, Brian, a moderate Republican who has been chairman of Washington County's Board of Commissioners since 1998, has overseen massive creation of jobs and wealth on what used to be farmland. Intel has expanded on his turf and newcomers such as SolarWorld and Genentech have moved to the area. Brian would like to see further growth of large corporate campuses in his county, while Adams will present an argument for how Portland can be the central engine for the region's growth.

The Monday evening forum, which is open to the public, will be held at 7 pm at the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main St. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The conversation between Adams and Brian will be taped for broadcast on OPB's "Think Out Loud."