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Charlie Hales

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Charlie Hales
52nd Mayor of Portland, Oregon
In office
January 1, 2013 – January 1, 2017
Preceded bySam Adams
Succeeded byTed Wheeler
Portland City Commissioner
In office
January 1993 – May 2002
Preceded byDick Bogle
Succeeded byRandy Leonard
Personal details
Born
Charles Andrew Hales

(1956-01-22) January 22, 1956 (age 68)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNancy Hales
Children5
Alma materUniversity of Virginia

Charles Andrew Hales (born January 22, 1956) is a former American politician who served as the 52nd mayor of Portland, Oregon, from 2013 to 2017. He previously served on the Portland City Council from 1993 to 2002.[1]

Early life and education

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Charles Andrew Hales was born in Washington, D.C., in January 1956.[2] His father, Alfred Ross Hales, Jr., was a structural engineer for the United States Navy and his mother, Carol Hales, was a homemaker. He had two older siblings but, at nine years younger than his brother, grew up "virtually as an only child."[2]

Hales attended public schools in Alexandria, Virginia, and graduated from Thomas Edison High School in Fairfax County, where he participated in band and drama club. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1979 with a bachelor's degree in political theory.[2] He took graduate studies in public administration at Lewis & Clark College in Portland.[3]

Political career

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Prior to being elected, Hales worked as a lobbyist, working for the Oregon Mobile Home Park Association and for the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland,[2] where he was the vice president.[4]

City Council

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Hales was elected to Portland City Council in 1992. He was sworn in as a City Commissioner in January 1993.[4]

During his tenure on the city council, Hales conceived of and won voter approval for the first parks bond measure in over 50 years, funding construction of two new community centers and over 100 park improvement projects across the city.[5] Hales completed the first phase of the Portland Streetcar system, the first urban streetcar in the US in almost 50 years.[6] He also completed the planning of the Pearl District and South Waterfront redevelopment areas, which were designed as dense, transit-oriented "new urban" neighborhoods.[7][8] Hales' advocacy for transportation — summed up in his stated goal to make Portland "the best European city in America" for non-auto transportation[9] — earned him the nickname, "Choo-Choo Charlie".[10]

One of Hales' more controversial initiatives as a city commissioner was diversifying Portland Fire Bureau workforce. He hired the first chief from outside the Bureau ranks,[11] and created an apprenticeship program that added over 80 women and people of color to what had previously been a 99-percent white, male organization.[12] He also became the only Portland politician to vote against Joint Terrorism Task Force involvement.[13]

Hales' attendance declined in 2001 during his campaign for the executive director position of the Port of Portland.[13] At the end of May 2002,[10] part way through his third term, Hales left to take a position with HDR, Inc., an engineering firm, where he managed planning and design of new streetcar lines in cities across the country.[5] Following his departure from City Council, Hales told Willamette Week that he considered the 1994 parks bond measure and the streetcar to be his greatest achievements while in office.[5]

Mayoral tenure

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Hales campaigning for mayor in February 2012

In 2011, Hales announced that he would be a candidate for mayor in 2012. On November 6, 2012, he defeated challenger Jefferson Smith,[14] receiving 61% of the vote.[15] He assumed office on January 1, 2013.[16]

During the first two years of his tenure as mayor, Hales confronted the city's largest-ever budget shortfall — $21 million[17] — and emerged with a balanced budget,[18] as well as conservative budgeting practices that allowed in enough revenue for supplemental budgets.[19][20] Hales also reformed police practices, prioritizing community policing through walking beats[21][22] and his choice in police chief,[23] the community-minded Larry O'Dea.[24][25] Along with Commissioner Steve Novick, Hales in 2014 proposed $46 million in new fees to pay for street maintenance and safety improvements, such as filling pot holes and building sidewalks.[26]

On March 6, 2015, Hales announced he would seek reelection for the 2016 mayoral election.[27][28] In September, State Treasurer and former county commissioner Ted Wheeler announced his intention to run a well-funded campaign against Hales.[29] A month later Hales abandoned his reelection bid, stating, "So when confronted with a choice between giving my full effort to the job of being mayor and spending that energy on a long and consuming re-election campaign, it's an easy choice. Therefore, I have decided not to file for re-election."[30][31][32] Wheeler won election in May 2016 with token opposition.[33]

On November 3, 2015, Hales and the city government passed a resolution opposing the local expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.[34]

Hales faced controversy over his decisions regarding Portland's homeless issue. Hales initially declared a housing emergency in 2015[35] before experimenting with a "Safe Sleep Policy" which promoted non-enforcement of anti-camping laws on sidewalks and rights of way, which was promptly met with lawsuits from local businesses and neighborhood groups.[36] He was protested by residents adjacent to the Springwater Corridor Trail.[37]

Criticism

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Hales was criticized as failing in oversight of the Portland Police and effort to gain accountability. In an editorial summarizing his single term, The Oregonian called Hales "imperious and clueless" and wrote Hales squandered opportunities to support public oversight, picked an unwinnable fight with a Federal judge, failed to streamline the city's "byzantine" police-accountability system, and failed to discipline police chief Larry O'Dea, who while drinking and playing with a gun, shot an acquaintance.[38]

Hales received public criticism during his 2012 campaign for voting eight times in Oregon while a Washington resident. From 2004 to 2009, he claimed tax residency at his wife's Stevenson, Washington home. Oregon taxes income in Hales' bracket at 10.8 percent, while Washington has no income tax.[2]

Personal life

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Hales married his second wife Nancy in 2004.[2] An avid backpacker and sailor, he spent a month sailing around the San Juan Islands after his term as a city commissioner, and then went to work for HDR, Inc.[5] After his mayoral term, he spent 18 months sailing and then returned to HDR.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Schmidt, Brad (May 23, 2011). "Portland's competitive 2012 mayoral race under way with Charlie Hales' announcement". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pein, Corey (April 11, 2012). "The Road to Hales: Charlie Hales is running for mayor based on his record. It's full of detours, roundabouts and switchbacks". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "The Pioneers of City Hall". lclark.edu. Lewis & Clark College. January 27, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Mayer, James; and Barnes C. Ellis (January 5, 1993). "Katz takes swearing-in to Roosevelt High". The Oregonian, p. 1.
  5. ^ a b c d Budnick, Nick; Schrag, John; Zusman, Mark (August 7, 2002). "You're a Good Man, Charlie Hales". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Stewart, Bill (June 23, 1998). "Downtown streetcar plan ready to roll". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  7. ^ "North Macadam, Urban Renewal Area (URA) Fast Facts". Portland Development Commission. 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  8. ^ Leeson, Fred (March 13, 1994). "Old river area holds promise of rebirth". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  9. ^ Duin, Steve (April 17, 2001). "It's beginning to feel a lot like Roma". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Christ, Janet (May 30, 2002). "Hugs and flowers as Hales hits the road". The Oregonian. p. D2. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  11. ^ Mayer, James (November 25, 1993). "City goes outside to select fire chief". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  12. ^ Har, Janie (July 31, 2011). "Hales' record on diversity is not an empty boast". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  13. ^ a b Schmidt, Brad (May 23, 2011). "Charlie Hales says he's running for Portland mayor in 2012". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  14. ^ Slovic, Beth (November 6, 2012). "Portland Mayor-elect Charlie Hales will work 'every day' to make city proud". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  15. ^ "November 2012 General Election - Official Results". Office of the City Auditor, Portland. December 2012. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  16. ^ "Hales sworn in as new Portland mayor". KATU. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
  17. ^ Mesh, Aaron (January 30, 2013). "Return of Chucky: Portland needs to make big spending cuts. New mayor Charlie Hales is swinging the ax". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  18. ^ Kost, Ryan (June 20, 2013). "Portland City Council gives final OK to budget that includes several cuts". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  19. ^ Theen, Andrew (September 17, 2013). "In the wake of a difficult budget process, Portland now finds itself with 'excess' cash". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 25, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  20. ^ Theen, Andrew (November 12, 2014). "Portland approves $11.1 million in spending on maintenance, debt repayment projects". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  21. ^ Edge, Sami (September 3, 2014). "Street Talk: Community policing has come to Hawthorne Boulevard — and it seems to be working". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 19, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  22. ^ City of Portland (December 4, 2014). "Outreach Workers, Police Praise Relationship-Building Approach to Policing" (Press release). Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  23. ^ City of Portland (October 7, 2014). "Chief Reese Announces Retirement: Mayor Names Assistant Chief Larry O'Dea as Successor" (Press release). Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  24. ^ Bernstein, Maxine (February 28, 2014). "Portland Police Bureau needs to change its mission, assistant chief says". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 14, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2015.
  25. ^ Maus, Jonathan (November 7, 2008). "Head of Traffic Division promoted to Assistant Police Chief". BikePortland. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  26. ^ "Our Streets Transportation Funding Conversation". Portland Bureau of Transportation. 2014. Archived from the original on December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  27. ^ Redden, Jim (March 6, 2015). "Hales to run for re-election in 2016". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  28. ^ Theen, Andrew (March 6, 2015). "Portland Mayor Charlie Hales will seek second term in 2016". OregonLive/The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  29. ^ Duffy, Lizzy (September 9, 2015). "Ted Wheeler To Run For Portland Mayor In 2016". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
  30. ^ Slovic, Beth (October 28, 2015). "Mayor Charlie Hales Abandons Bid for Re-election". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  31. ^ Tomlinson, Kerry (October 26, 2015). "Portland Mayor Charlie Hales won't seek re-election". KATU News. Archived from the original on October 29, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  32. ^ Woodward, Chris (October 26, 2015). "Mayor Charlie Hales announces he won't seek re-election". KOIN 6 News. Archived from the original on November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  33. ^ Schmidt, Brad (May 17, 2016). "Ted Wheeler wins race to be Portland's next mayor". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  34. ^ Hirji, Zahra (November 13, 2015). "Resolution Opposing All New Fossil Fuel Infrastructure Passes in Portland". InsideClimate News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  35. ^ Mesh, Aaron (September 25, 2015). "Mayor Charlie Hales Declares Portland Housing Emergency". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  36. ^ Bernton, Hal (May 9, 2016). "Portland allows homeless to camp overnight on streets; Seattle officials watch". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  37. ^ Park, Eileen (August 6, 2015). "Angry Lents neighbors protest at mayor's house". KOIN. Archived from the original on October 5, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  38. ^ "For Hales and Portland City Council, vanity trumps police reform". The Oregonian. December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2016.
  39. ^ Monahan, Rachel (August 30, 2018). "After More Than a Year at Sea, Former Portland Mayor Charlie Hales Returns to Consulting on 'Livable Cities'". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 27, 2018. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
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Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Portland, Oregon
2013–2017 		Succeeded by
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