Rex for Metro

Dear Friends,

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

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One of the most important races on the ballot this year is the one for Metro Council President. Metro is the regional government that plays a key role in determining land use issues, managing growth and maintaining open spaces. We often see Metro candidates who are pushing an anti-land use, growth-at-all-costs agenda. For once, we have three top-notch candidates for Metro President and can choose the best one, rather than a lesser of evils.

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.

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With a week to go until the election, Rex spent Tuesday morning doing what he does best – talking to Metro voters about the issues.

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.

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7:30 am on a Friday, a group of great people came together at the Rex4Metro Headquarters to talk about freight, trucks and trade over coffee and donated Voodoo Doughnuts.

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?”

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My name is Jackie Dingfelder. I’m a State Senator and former board member of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. I want to tell you why I’m supporting Rex Burkholder for Metro President.

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.

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