It looks like the results are clear. I won’t be your next Metro President. I want to thank my hundreds of supporters who gave their time, their money and their names to my campaign. As I told those gathered at p:ear tonight, I began my career as a community activist in order to make my community a better place for everyone. And we have succeeded in making Portland a more prosperous, a more equitable and a more sustainable community. I pledge to you that I will continue working to see that everyone thrives in a community that supports and cherishes each person. Thanks to all of you who gave so much of yourselves to this effort. I love each and everyone of you. Keep the faith.

- Rex

My vote is going to go to Rex Burkholder . Rex has been my Metro Councilor and I’ve been impressed with his ability to create an agenda, gather support and get that agenda through. And he knows that issues don’t just affect his North and Northeast Portland district.  Metro stretches across the entire region of Washington, Multnomah and Clackamas counties. That’s a diverse area with wildly different perspectives and interests.  When Rex was elected to Metro in 2000, frankly the agency was not well-respected.  But that’s changed and Rex has been at the forefront of that change, supporting current Metro President David Bragdon.  I believe Rex is the candidate that can ensure that Metro truly represents the entire region by crafting strong policy that has a broad-base of support.

Another key issue that has impressed me in listening to Rex is his knowledge of the details, whether about policy or running the agency.  Rex not only has a vision of sound land use policy, he has the nuts-and-bolts knowledge to implement the policy in a way that makes sense.  Rex will be able to hit the ground running to actually administer the agency, protect its workers, and make sure that its wide-ranging responsibilities are well-managed.

The only issue that is raised in question to Rex’s candidacy is the Columbia River Crossing. His position has been cast as being in favor of a “mega-bridge.”  I have to admit that I originally held this view.  But it is not correct.  When Rex asked me for an endorsement, I asked him some very specific questions about the plans for the bridge.  He said that the issue has been framed as being for or against the “megabridge.”  He said very clearly that he is not for the “megabridge.”  He does believe that a new bridge is needed (a view I share) but it needs to be designed in a way that’s affordable and fits within the greenhouse gas emissions reduction standards that are in place for Metro.  When I asked about the claim that emissions projections predict greater emissions with a new bridge, he answered that the model being used does not consider changes in land use, automobile and truck fleet technology, and transportation patterns.

I asked Rex if he had it to do over again, what would he do differently in the debate around the bridge.  He said that the project had been tagged as a $4.2 billion boondoggle when everyone involved knew that number was unrealistic from the start.  He said he should have insisted on a real budget.  Going forward, he said he remained committed to a project that fits in with the larger transportation plan for the region – one that recognizes the needs of people and business but also remains true to avoiding sprawl and greater greenhouse gas emissions.

Go ahead and read Rex’s position. And if you’re still not convinced, know that there numerous environmentalists among Rex’s endorsers, folks like state Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, Mia Birk, Charlie Burr, Multnomah County Board Chair Jeff Cogen, Glenn Lamb, Oregon Wild and many others.  I’m proud to count myself among them.  We will be holding Rex accountable as Metro President for all his positions as President.  But I don’t think that will be a hard job since Rex shares our values.

Rex Burkholder is ready to be Metro Council President and ready to lead the region’s development of livable communities, good jobs and clean environment.

I urge you to vote for Rex Burkholder for Metro President.

Rex spoke with residents and local elected officials at stops along his ‘Whistle Stop’ Tour.  Starting at Pioneer Square, Rex rode the Max Blue Line to the Hollywood, Gateway, and Gresham Central Transit Centers talking with residents about his campaign for Metro President. 
 
As a longtime advocate of real transportation solutions, Rex felt light rail was a fitting way to meet voters.  “MAX is  one of the backbones of the region, so it’s a perfect way to meet with residents , hear their concerns, and listen to their priorities for the region,” Rex said.

Kicking off the tour at Pioneer Square, Rex and campaign volunteers chatted with cyclists celebrating “Bike to Work Day.”  At the Hollywood stop, commuters approached Rex to mention how much they loved his TV commercial and that they had already voted for him by mail.  Along the way, Rex was joined by Metro Councilor Rod Park and Wood Village Mayor Dave Fuller who discussed the benefits the Max line has brought to east county. In Gresham, Rex talked with local residents about what the MAX line has meant to their families and community.
 
With less than a week until the election, the campaign is in full swing.  According to Rex, “We’re campaigning non-stop through next Tuesday to spread the word and win votes.”  He continued, “My message of building a strong economy on a foundation of environmental protection is taking hold, and reflects my record in the private sector and Metro.”

Jeff Swanson, Schnitzer Steel, was the host and the topic was how to be smarter and greener while continuing to grow the Portland region’s economy. Recent studies show a continued growth in trade to and through the region’s Ports due to growing demand for goods from Asia and the export of Oregon products. Schnitzer just sent 65,000 tons of steel scrap to China by ship, joining the millions of tons of wheat and minerals that go through the Port of Portland’s terminals annually, coming down the Gorge by barge and train. Across the Columbia, if you take a ride along Lake Road you will see giant piles of wind turbines imported by Vestas, soon to be trucked to eastern Oregon and Washington.

I have found out that we are challenged by this growth. The railroads are nearing capacity even with the Connect Oregon investments I helped steer to North Porltand. Most additional freight in the future will move by truck. The question of the morning was, “How can we keep trucks moving and reduce the impact on our neighborhoods and highways at the same time?” Both Jeff and Jerry Grossnickle, Tugboat Association, served on Metro’s Regional Freight Advisory Committee where this question was top and foremost. There is surprisingly strong support among shippers for transportation choices for commuters because they know that trucks have to compete for road space with motorists. If more people carpool, take the Max or ride a bike, there is less congestion and pollution.

The complex and inter-related nature of our import-export economy really came home to me when Dean Large, Waste Connections, talked about how they take the “auto fluff” left over from Schnitzer’s grinding operation to landfills in eastern Washington where it is used as a clean cover. Victoria Yu, a consultant helping Oregon companies connect with Asian firms, pointed out that we need better air connections to Asia and container capacity in our Ports to compete for the Asian market.

It is clear that our economy is truly regional –neither people nor companies care about county or city lines, or state lines, either. Our success depends on greater collaboration and thinking bigger.

My friend Rex has a 30 year record of protecting the environment.  He helped pass the largest bond measure in Oregon history to protect wildlife habitat and open space critical to our air and water quality.  Rex also worked to secure funding to protect over ten thousand acres of natural areas, and to fund investments for local parks and recreation areas.

As our next Metro President, Rex will:

- Invest in mass transportation choices, expanding light rail to every part of our region. This will make it easier for people to get around without use of a car and will also promote smart growth – building up instead of out.

- Help businesses become more energy-efficient. Not only will this save companies money for economic growth and job creation, it will also reduce our impact on the environment.

- Work to foster our green economy. As we put our region back to work, Rex is the only candidate that understands how to promote industries that will protect our environment, supporting green building and renewable energy.

Rex knows exactly what it takes to preserve and protect our neighborhoods and our environment.  I know Rex will expand the environmental movement, bringing people from across the region together to protect this place we love.

Join me today to support Rex Burkholder and our environment.  Please, however small or large, make a contribution today.

All the best,

- Jackie Dingfelder

The primary is getting close (May 18th), so it’s time for Rex to put down the kick-stand and get on over to Metro! Today, for your viewing pleasure, the series finale of “A Ride with Rex.”

In Episode 6, Rex stops by the site of the former Northeast Community School, an innovative school he and his wife Lydia helped get off the ground. “Kids are really important, and they’re going to be here long after we’re gone. And that’s what Metro talks about: planning for that 50 year future.”

Then, in the Final Episode, he winds up his ride on Mississippi Avenue, where Lydia and a group of fellow teachers helped organize the first Mississippi Street Fair. Over a cup of coffee, he talks with pride about helping connect people with programs and ideas to make things happen, and the value of dialogue and differing ideas about where we need to go. “One of the key things I’ve learned from being 53 years old is the fact that I don’t know everything, and some people can really teach you a lot if you just open your ears.”

So treat your ears and eyes to the series finale of “A Ride with Rex,” and then consider opening your pocketbook to help Rex these critical last couple of weeks before the primary May 18th.

Why should Vancouver care about this race? As Rex said last night, the effort to get our economy back on track and create jobs shouldn’t stop at the river. And our fight against climate change will take the work of all of us working together in a spirit of collaboration and partnership.

Despite the impact these issues have on our region as a whole, we were truly surprised when we arrived!  Nearly 50 people showed up in support of Rex, including local citizens, business owners, union workers and elected officials.  Attendees included State Senator Craig Pridemore, Vancouver City Council member Jack Burkman, and former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard.

Pollard warmed up the crowd, telling attendees, “We could ask for no better friend across the river than Rex Burkholder.”

Co-host Ginger Metcalf, executive director of Identity Clark County, affirmed Rex’s ability to bring folks together, saying that, “Rex was the first official in Oregon and the only one since” who has reached out to her in search of common concerns and ideas for solutions.

Rex addressed the packed house, highlighting the importance of Metro as the table where our region gathers to address our shared problems. Rex spoke of our successes—like investing in downtown Gresham to create more livable, walkable neighborhoods and expanding light rail to Clackamas to provide people more transportation choices.

Rex stressed the critical work of job creation, and that economic development in Beaverton and economic development in Vancouver support each another, and both contribute to the success and prosperity of the region as a whole. Rex ended with a call to action and that we’re stronger working together as a region.

The diverse crowd gave Rex an enthusiastic response. Rex raised more than $4,000 at the end of the night!  The Rex Team is thankful to our friends in Vancouver for their support and earnest encouragement to “Keep working together to get our region back on track!”