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WINNERS 1. Proving that mergers can be fun (unless you're one of the 2,000 laid-off employees in Oregon), top executives at U.S. Bancorp nearly swept the annual compensation derby, winning three of the top four spots. The Business Journal reported last week that Chairman Gerry B. Cameron, whose company merged with First Bank System of Minneapolis 12 months ago, was the most highly compensated local exec last year, earning $45.5 million in total compensation. Fellow Bancorp honchos Robert Sznewajs ($23.7 million) and Gary T. Duim ($22.5 million) finished third and fourth. 2. Oregonians' penchant for direct democracy still rules. According to Dane Waters, a national initiative and referendum activist, Oregon has more initiatives and referendums on the ballot (11) than any other state. Colorado, which has nine, is a close second, followed by Arizona with seven. 3. Gov. John Kitzhaber may be having a tough time with his plans to save salmon, but last week city officials swam forward with their plans to help fish. The city is launching its own steelhead recovery program, reviewing its operations for fish friendliness and passing a resolution to allow local utility users the option of purchasing salmon-friendly electricity. |
LOSERS 1. Death with dignity foes suffered a double whammy last week. President Clinton said that while he personally opposes doctor-assisted suicide, he doesn't favor blocking Oregon's law. A carefully worded national poll, meanwhile, showed most Americans don't think Congress should meddle with the law. 2. The ultra-hip Portland music scene was embarrassed
last week when a front-page article in The Wall Street Journal
noted that Vanilla Ice recently sold out the Crystal Ballroom. What's
next-- 3. That groaning sound you heard Sunday came from pro-choice Democrats, who had hoped state Republicans would vote to withhold support from any candidate who didn't pass an anti-abortion litmus test. The proposal, however, failed at the state GOP convention, much to the relief of pro-choice Republicans. |
originally published August 5, 1998