PORTLAND, Or.-Mayoral candidate Sho Dozono made the following statement today at a press conference today at Bush Garden restaurant.

"Bush Garden is a landmark restaurant that has been in Portland for forty five years. It was a pioneer in the redevelopment of downtown, and as the first tenant of this building in 1978. In the past 30 years, it has paid $5 million in rent, taxes & fees. Now, for $16,000, the city wants to shut down a business that employs 30 people," Dozono said.

"The current construction across the street, the closing of the entire street in front of Bush Garden and the removal of two sides of parking are hurting the restaurant. Three feet from the entrance is a stairwell that is used as a public restroom and around the corner is a MAX stop that has crime issues that the business has asked the city to address," Dozono said.

"We have been without a lease since January because the city has been unable to provide us, or any other businesses assurances that they will work with us to help us stay open for business, and keep people employed. That is my bottom line - providing people with good jobs," Dozono said.

"I have helped fill the gap the last couple months to help the restaurant's operations manager, Masa Kimura make payroll during the construction across the street," Dozono said.

Dozono stated further, "I am disappointed that the city has turned this into a political football when we have been actively working with the city on negotiations." 

This is about a much bigger issue; the city treats small businesses this way on a regular basis. The only reason it's an issue for the media is because I am running for mayor, but I'm glad they've called attention to it because we should be talking about it. How many of us have purposely avoided going to a business downtown in the last 6 months because you have no idea how to get through the construction? How many of us have been late for meetings going around the endless detours? The others go unnoticed and they go out of business without any attention," Dozono said.

"Under my leadership, I'll work with businesses to make sure that the grand plans for our future don't drive out family jobs today. TriMet ran a very successful program when they redeveloped Interstate Avenue. I'd like to see that kind of teamwork replicated throughout the city," Dozono said.

"It is interesting to note," campaign manager, Amie Abbott states, "that Commissioner Adams hired a research firm in Mississippi to dig up information that could be used to eliminate his only competition. Even more interesting is that this all comes about during the Sauvie Island Bridge Project, a pet project proposed by Commissioner Adams and is not supported by most Portlanders. He intended to divert the public's attention away from an unfavorable project."