August 9, 2004

For the second time in four years, Portland (OR) Mayor Vera Katz is fighting cancer. Katz, 70, was the first woman Speaker in the Oregon House of Representatives before becoming mayor, first elected in 1992 and is scheduled to leave office in January.

She has been diagnosed with adenosarcoma of the reproductive system, a rare and potentially aggressive cancer. The Portland Oregonian has covered her situation on a comprehensive basis, and various stories have documented the massive outpouring of community support she has received. Four years ago, she fought off early'stage breast cancer.

The mayor's office has received hundreds of supportive calls, letters, and e-mails since news of the mayor's condition broke in mid-June. Friends said Katz's extraordinary personal history gives her a deep reservoir of resolve. She was born in Germany in 1933. When she was 7, her Jewish family fled the Nazis to Paris and then over the Pyrenees by foot to Spain.

In 1964, she and Mel Katz moved from New York to Portland, where she cut her political teeth as a neighborhood activist.

"Urban Parks Come to Life"

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Chair of the Conference of Mayors Arts, Parks, Entertainment and Sports Committee was quoted in an article in the August 6th edition of USA Today, on "Urban Parks Come to Life." The article deals with the challenges cities face in developing and maintaining urban parks. Diaz is quoted as saying "More and more, mayors today have to do more with lessÉMayors are reaching out, not only to individual citizens, but to non-profit organizations and corporations."

Kansas City (MO) Mayor Barnes Leads Arena Victory

On August 3, Kansas City (MO) voters approved a measure on the ballot to build a new $200 million arena. Mayor Kay Barnes lead the effort to get the arena approved.

"Today's vote was a huge positive turning point for our city" the mayor stated upon getting voter approval to increase hotel and rental-car fees to build the new arena.

The mayor made the arena one of her administration's top priorities.

The arena is a key component of a larger downtown redevelopment project The mayor touted the arena as essential to boosting tourism and convention trade and to bringing back major college and professional sports events to the city.

The arena is expected to open in 2007.

Cincinnati Mayor Luken Won't Run Again

Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken set up a free-for-all in next year's mayor's race with a surprise announcement Monday that he will not seek another term.

"I couldn't get myself ratcheted up for a tough campaign," Luken said at a brief press conference on the steps of city hall. "I don't think I can serve the city best in what I think will be a very negative campaign." He said he has not decided what he will do after he leaves office and did not recommend a successor.

Luken, son of former mayor Thomas Luken and nephew of former mayor James Luken, was elected to city council in 1981. He was mayor from 1984 to 1990.

In 1990, Luken won the congressional seat his father once held. But, disenchanted with Washington politics, Luken left Congress after one term and became a news anchor at WLWT-TV (Channel 5).

He was elected in 2001 in the first election since 1925 that gave the mayor any real power.

Democratic St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly Endorses President Bush

St. Paul (MN) Mayor Randy Kelly sent shock waves through the battleground State of Minnesota on August 1 when, as a Democrat, he endorsed Republican President George W. Bush for reelection.

Kelly, who spent 30 years in the Minnesota Legislature opposing republicans on a number of fronts said in endorsing President Bush, "The common good will be better served on the path we-re on than with an abrupt change of direction, especially one paved in part with political hatred.

Kelly stressed his concern of the political hatred and added his decision was influenced recently when he saw a bumper sticker that said "I Hate Bush."

Former mayor of St. Paul and now Republican Senator Norm Coleman said in a statement that Kelly "again proved what I have known: He is a fine man whose first priority is not partisanship but the well-being of St. Paul and the entire nation. Mayor Kelly realizes that jobs are being created and that tax cuts have stimulated job growth."

Democratic Senator Zell Miller of Georgia stated "I am really pleased Mayor Randy Kelly has joined me in the effort to reelect George W. Bush ... the President is making sure that working people keep more of their hard earned money and send their kids to schools that give every child a good start in life. These are the values that my fellow Democrats and all Americans can support."

Minnesota is definitely a battleground state. Even though President Bush did not campaign often in the state in 2000, he narrowly lost to Vice President Gore, 48 percent to 46 percent. President Bush has visited Minnesota ten times since he became President with three campaign stops this year.

Kelly, who was elected in 2001, is up for reelection next year.