About Bruce

My roots

Bruce by rhodedendron shrub I was born in Good Samaritan Hospital in 1953 and have lived here my entire life. My mother was raised in Montavilla, graduating from Vestal Elementary and Washington High School. My roots go deep into the soil of Multnomah County – and I treasure both the lessons about hard work and caring for the common man I learned from my longshoreman grandfather. I thank him every June when his Parkrose raspberry plants produce their bountiful sweet red harvest. Grandpa Borden's raspberries are so prolific I have spread their excess starts to many gardens around my Mt. Tabor neighborhood these last 22 years.

I learned young life is a precious gift. My dad died without saying good-by when I was age seven. I learned people want straight-talk, unvarnished communication about decisions made and actions taken. People want to contribute. People have great ideas. People like you to listen.

My mother raised three kids on a school teacher's salary and saved every penny to put us through college. Our puddle-filled dead-end street was on the wrong side of the tracks, but I never knew it. I simply knew honest, hard work, and doing the right thing are virtuous. I learned to open my mind to new ideas, to test ideas by reason, and to make rational conclusions based on evidence that is supported through writing on my way to a journalism degree from the University of Oregon.

I broadened my education by traveling, first around the United States, later twice going around the world. These adventures taught me people are kind and brilliant everywhere. There are many wonderful ways to look at the world, to organize one's life, to solve problems. I began to understand individuals at the pinnacle of their disciplines realize the limitations of their own knowledge. No one knows the best ideas in all fields. The most useful talent is to know how to learn, how to discern wheat from chaff.

My experience

Since 1975 I have worked to make our community better: public defender trial assistant, service advocate for the mentally ill, middle school teacher, and commercial real estate appraisal business owner. For the last four years I have worked for Multnomah County Assessor as a commercial appraiser. Along the way I have raised two children in Portland schools, served as a youth coach and referee, and held leadership positions in church, community, and professional organizations.

My character

Neighbors, friends, and colleagues will tell you I have positive energy and work with passion. As a commercial real estate appraiser I routinely distill large amounts of information to its essence. I have the talent and experience to apply good judgment into effective action for the common good.

I have never run for political office. I exercise independent judgment, beholden to no lobbies or special interests. I have decided to run now because Multnomah County citizens deserve to be heard and spoken to clearly. I can make a positive difference by virtue of my integrity, personal traits, communication skills, and an inside view of recent county management shortcomings.

I knocked on about 1,000 doors with a petition to get my name on the ballot. Multnomah County voters said:
    They want their ideas respected.
    They want leaders who will listen.
    They want leaders who will work together.
    They want complete, straightforward communication about issues
    and policy decisions.

I will respect, listen, collaborate, and communicate with everyone while seeking to provide services and environmentally friendly solutions at the least financial cost, which will benefit all citizens, especially our children and future generations.