posted on July 14, 2005 10:59:21 AM new
I already expect a full response from Ron. This is a classic example of a government official overstepping their boundaries of use of tax payer money. I don't even know if this guy is a Republican, Democrat, or Independent and honestly, I could care less.
I find it amusing that he only singles out coffee mugs from Starbucks. Perhaps he should ban any Portland Trailblazer memorabilia, postcards depicting Mt Hood, and better yet, take away Oregonian sales tax exemption in Washington. Creating rifts between cities that share a river over a coffee mug is a classic example of someone who doesn't understand choosing their battles wisely. He should have used this time to promote something that would impact the lives of those in Vancouver like improving roads, addressing crime, or whatever other issues are important to those that live in Vancouver.
Personally, I am compelled to deliver a baby stroller, high chair and sippie cup to the Mayor for acting like a baby. Ron, do you care to join me? lol.
Vancouver, Wash., mayor smashes coffee mugs in bid for respect
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Mayor Royce E. Pollard didn't find what he wanted at one Starbucks, so off he went to another, paid $20 and change for two Portland, Ore., souvenir mugs and smashed them to bits.
Pollard's stunt Tuesday was part of his campaign to get more respect for a city in the dual shadow of its much larger neighbor across the river from Portland and its even larger namesake 250 miles to the north in British Columbia.
After bashing the mugs against each other inside a garbage can by the front door and picking up the few pieces that escaped, Pollard got what he wanted: Starbucks announced the removal of Portland cups from all 15 of its Clark County locations and 13 licensed sites in grocery stores and other outlets.
"We understand the mayor's concern," said Martha Nielsen, Starbucks regional marketing manager in - where else? - Portland.
"Mainly these cups are collectors items," Nielsen said. "People collect them as they travel around the country, but we made the decision to pull the mug. The last thing we want to do is offend anyone."
Pollard started steaming six weeks ago when he got a call from a business operator, Arch Miller, who noticed some Portland mugs on display at the Starbucks in Garrison Square.
After hearing from another resident, Pollard asked municipal economic development manager Steve Burdick to call Starbucks headquarters in Seattle. Two e-mail inquiries elicited a five-sentence answer Monday that was "maybe the most evasive and disingenuous e-mail that I have ever received," Burdick wrote the mayor.
The next day, after alerting The Columbian newspaper, Pollard went to the Heritage Place store, but manager Melanie Goodman had quietly checked with the head office and shipped two dozen Portland mugs across the river.
"It was because of you," she told Pollard, and got a hug.
The mayor found his prey at the Starbucks in Uptown Village, where he announced who he was and what he was doing, telling barista Minna Long not to display any more of the offending mugs.
Praised by another barrista and getting a thumbs-up from customers, he left satisfied.
posted on July 14, 2005 11:16:39 AM new
LOL, he is an idiot.
Personally? I can't stand Starbucks coffee, esspresso, lattes whatever! And they're getting worse than 7-11's up here in Seattle! I found a new Starbucks 'cafe' 2 blocks from an existing one here!
posted on July 14, 2005 06:31:14 PM new
[i] --I don't even know if this guy is a Republican, Democrat, or Independent and honestly, I could care less.--
He IS an idiot....with all the problems in the US THIS is an ISSUE???? What a dork!
He should've broke the cups on his head.[/i]
OK. so he's a Democrat. Thanks for the answer.
__________
The Islamofascist fig-puckers are fighting to spread their culture and religion, and to destroy ours
posted on July 15, 2005 03:11:24 PM new
I knew he served in the military, but really beyond that, I didn't bother researching it since to me it really wasn't important. The guy is a moron.
I can sympathize with the identity of Vancouver, but at the same time, do you think as many people would even know of Vancouver, WA if Vancouver, BC didn't exist? It's a bittersweet love afair.
Coffee... Stumptown in my opinion is simply the best. Hands down.
Microbrew... I've recently rediscovered Widmer's Heifeweizen. I find it the perfect beer for a hot summer day and now that we are finally reopening our store, I can see myself running over to Rite Aid to pick up a sixer every now and then.
Also, if any of you in the Portland/Oregon/Vancouver/Washington area want an invite for the reopening of Shag, visit our site at www.shagmidcentury.com and use the contact us form to let us know.
