Readying for prime time

Clackamas is the Cinderella of metropolitan counties. Overlooked. Underappreciated. Rarely invited to the regional ball.

But not for much longer.

Led by rising political star Lynn Peterson, a fresh five-person, nonpartisan commission is poised to make Clackamas County a far more formidable player on the Portland-area stage. Earlier this year, primary voters wisely sent Martha Schrader to serve on the new commission. Now they must add Jim Bernard and Charlotte Lehan.

Bernard, the mayor of Milwaukie, has brought much needed political energy to a city that too long rested on its decaying riverfront laurels. In revitalizing Milwaukie, Bernard has forged a wide range of regional ties. His potential far outweighs that of his opponent, Ron Adams. The former state representative from West Linn left the Republican Party when "its tent got too small." The result, he says, is that few Republicans will even talk to him. Even fewer, it seems, will give him money for his campaign.

Lehan, the veteran mayor of Wilsonville, is a savvy urbanist who has led her city to unprecedented, and smart, growth. Her supporters include an entire parade of Portland-area mayors and many of those making "new urbanism" such a vital part of metropolitan development. Lehan is opposed by Dave Mowry of Clackamas, who shows eagerness but little more.

With Peterson at the helm, and Schrader, Lehan and Bernard as commissioners (they will appoint the fifth member), Clackamas County and its $600 million budget will finally get the government it deserves.