I think they should. I even drafted a Charter amendment and delivered it to the Auditors office today. I would need 26,000 plus valid signatures by January 17, 2006. I could re-file and set it for a July 2006 deadline in time for the November 2006 election. I picked the earlier time so that we could actually have candidates begin competing for the position in the May 2006 primary election. Now wouldn't that be fun?

I will have more to say later; including one proposal to have an insert in The Oregonian for folks to sign and send their own signature sort of like a little single signor mail-in petition sheet where there is no formal signature gatherer, paid or otherwise.

Feedback on wording, please! There is up to five days for the Auditor to stare at it and then five days for the current City Attorney to draft a ballot title. The auditor's staff was helpful, and even has it posted on their site already.

If the Auditor wants accountability then this would be the ticket, provided an accountability nut takes the bait and runs with it. It is Petition Number 2. Be sure to see how the elected City Attorney from San Diego is using his independent elected status.

Amend the Charter of the City of Portland to Add the following Provisions:

Commencing in the year 2006 the position of City Attorney will be an elective office, with elections thereafter held every four (4) years. The municipal primary election for the office of City Attorney shall be held on the same date in each election year as the Oregon State primary election, and the general municipal election for the office shall be be held on the same date as the Oregon State general election for that year.

The total compensation for the City Attorney shall be double the median private sector compensation as determined by the United States Department of Labor.

Vacancy of the City Attorney position may be filled by a decision of the City Council on a temporary basis, pending the first election opportunity to arise 90 days after the vacancy.

The City Attorney shall not be removable by the Mayor or the City Council.

The City Attorney shall advise all officers, boards, commissions and other agencies of the City on legal matters referred to him/her and shall render written legal opinions when the same are requested in writing by the Mayor or a member of the Council or the City Manager or any other officer, board or commission of the City. He/She shall draft such ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents as directed by the Council or requested by the Mayor or Auditor or any official board or commission of the City. He/She shall act as counsel in behalf of the City or any of its officers, boards, commissions, or other agencies in litigation involving any of them in their official capacity. He/She shall pass on the form and legality of all contracts of the City before the same are executed. He/She shall not settle or dismiss any litigation brought for the City nor settle any litigation brought against the City which may be under his/her control unless upon his/her written recommendation he/she is authorized to do so by the Council. He/She shall administer the Office of the City Attorney, and shall have the power to appoint, discipline and remove all officers and employees of his/her office. He/She shall have the same power to that provided by state law to a county District Attorney to protect the public interest from official misconduct by City officials and employees and other public and private parties ancillary to such enforcement actions involving City officials and employees. The Council may empower the City Attorney, at his/her request, to employ special legal counsel, and he/she shall have the power to appoint appraisers, engineers and other technical and expert services necessary for the handling of any pending or proposed litigation, proceeding or other legal matter. Upon the City Attorney's recommendation and the approval of the Council, when he/she has a conflict of interest in litigation involving another office of the City in his/her official capacity, such other officer may retain special legal counsel at City expense.