Bend Mayor Jim Clinton won’t seek re-election

Bend Mayor Jim Clinton announced Wednesday afternoon he has decided not to run for a fourth four-year term on the city council.

With the filing deadline approaching August 30th, Clinton had drawn one challenger for his council seat, former councilor Bruce Abernethy. Also, Justin Gottlieb said he took out a petition Wednesday to seek the seat as well; seat candidate must gather 150 signatures to make the ballot.

As for the other three council seats up for election this year, so far Councilor Sally Russell has drawn no opponent, while colleague Doug Knight will face Bill Moseley. Councilor Victor Chudowsky also is not seeking another term, and two people have filed to run for his seat, Ron Boozell and Justin Livingston.

Clinton, 72, ws elected to the council in November 2004. He is an Oregon native who has lived in Bend with his wife Judy since 1995. he grew up in Lakeview, graduated from the University of Oregon and received a Ph.D. in physics from UC-San Diego.

The mayor in Bend is a position chosen by fellow councilors, and Clinton was picked as mayor for two two-year terms. In his statement, he criticizes that setup, saying that “paying councilors $200 per month for what should be an almost full-time job and not having an elected mayor are absurdly disconnected from the reality of being a modern city.”

Asked by NewsChannel 21 why he decided not to run again, Clinton said, “The basic reason is that I don’t want to.”

“I have maintained my dedication to the position for almost 12 years, but not sure I can do so for another four,” Clinton said. He noted that he has not missed a single regular council meeting over his nearly 12-year tenure and added, “Can’t hope to extend that string forever.”

Here’s Clinton’s statement, in full:

“I have decided not to seek reelection to the Bend City Council. I was elected three times to four-year terms and selected by the last two Councils to serve as Mayor. My focus has been on moving the City forward with the policies and projects that best serve all of us living here. Less interesting and productive have been trappings of office and the self-serving rhetoric that masquerades as honest debate.

“Despite the challenges to livability that growth and a heavy tourist load inevitably bring, Bend continues to be an unusually attractive place to live, work and run a business. The City is safe, very well-run, and financially strong despite a low property tax rate. My reasoned and careful approach has helped provide stability, support and oversight as our City Manager Eric King has steadily improved the City staff and its performance. I absolutely would not trade our Police and Fire Departments for any others around the country.

“We have made great progress in facilitating affordable housing projects, transportation and land-use planning, and building sewer, water and road infrastructure. Transparency and inclusivity are fully embedded in everything the City does.

“We lag in public transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, road maintenance, environmental protections and humane solutions for those among us who are struggling. I continue to worry that our children do not always have safe paths to get to school.

“As Bend continues to grow, providing the needed City services and infrastructure will become increasingly complex and expensive. With city-type challenges we are stuck with inadequate revenues and a small-town governance structure. Paying Councilors $200 per month for what should be an almost full-time job and not having an elected Mayor are absurdly disconnected from the reality of being a modern City.

“I hope that in civic affairs everyone will try harder to look past personal interest to the common good, and to aspire to making this the best possible City. I think we have a good start; advances come by working together. It has been an honor to serve the people of Bend in this endeavor.”