Skip to main contentHere's something unusual: On Oct. 21, the Portland Mercury endorsed Jim Francesconi for mayor, a decision so at odds with the paper's previous coverage that Francesconi appeared on the cover holding a pitchfork over the headline "Hell Freezes Over."
Here's something else unusual: On Oct. 27, the City Council will consider a resolution that would give $50,000 in tax credits to businesses that hire at-risk youth. It will be introduced by Francesconi but was conceived by Mercury managing editor Phil Busse. "It was my idea," says Busse, who ran against Francesconi and frontrunner Tom Potter in the May primary.
Busse says the timing of his paper's about-face and Francesconi's enthusiasm for his idea is a "coincidence." And, Busse says, there was no need for the Mercury to disclose to readers that Busse was working with Francesconi on the resolution. "At best, they're tangentially related," he told WW. "This is four people voting [on our endorsement], not just me. There's no hiding the ball on this." (Busse did not vote in the paper's primary endorsement, which went to him.)
Michael Harrison, a Francesconi aide, says his boss's interest in at-risk youth--which predates his council service--led him to look for solutions to the spate of gang violence earlier this year, Harrison says.
Busse's contribution to the council resolution is part of a larger effort that includes finding temporary city jobs and grants for such kids, says Harrison, who insists there was no quid pro quo involved with the Mercury's surprise endorsement. "We brought this resolution as soon as it was ready," Harrison says.
On Monday, The Oregonian reiterated its own endorsement of Francesconi, based in part on Busse's nod to the underdog. It made no mention of the resolution Francesconi is championing on Busse's behalf.
WWeek 2015