Portland campaigns hit the home stretch

Twenty-five years ago this week, finances, economic growth, infrastructure and community services were hot election topics.

Local candidates, led by Portland mayoral hopefuls Maxine Lewis and Bruce Hosier, shared their goals with voters at a candidates forum on Oct. 20, 1995.

Lewis emphasized her intention to support city employees.

“Leadership, I feel, is like you’re here to lead the people with what is right and wrong,” she said. “You’re there to listen and you’re there to try to solve problems.”

Hosier, a Republican and two-term city council member, said he would be proactive and innovative, stressing economic development.

“First of all, I believe with progressive ideas we can reduce the cost of government in the city of Portland … without cutting city services,” he said.

(Lewis went on to win the election while Hosier later served two terms as mayor after winning the 2003 race.)

The evening also featured Portland City Court Judge candidates Larry Freyburgher, the incumbent Democrat, and George Reitenour, a Republican. Their discussion involved a dispute about whether Freyburgher was a resident of the city.

Both candidates noted the importance of honesty in a judge.

“Honesty in yourself, honesty in your family, honesty in your profession, honesty in everything you do,” said Reitenour.

“Honesty,” said Freyburgher, and being “fair, impartial to all concerned.”

Other candidates involved in the event included Bob McCreery and Jerry Leonhard for Portland City Council District 3, Stephanie May and Fred Jetter for city council at-large and Barbara Blackford and Sandy Lingo clerk-treasurer.