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(Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

As the worst of times take shape in Donald Trump's America, Portland has some consolation: The worst of mayors will soon end his depressing siege of City Hall, clearing the way for Ted Wheeler.

Fifteen long months ago, Charlie Hales abruptly quit his re-election effort, conceding that vigorous campaigning is as foreign to him as governing.

When Hales vanished on his 44-foot sailboat even as police and Portland Parks officers launched September sweeps week on the Springwater Corridor, we had another signature shot of his priorities and commitment.

He won't lead. He can't focus. He has long been poorly staffed and paralyzed by conflict and counter-protests. Growing smaller with each passing month, Hales rarely rose to the challenge of the office, whether it was his Nixonian response to the Harney County shooting by his police chief, or his tone-deaf reaction to the chaotic downtown protests following Trump's election.

The latter even drew censure from the ACLU of Oregon: "We fully rebuke both your calls for the protests to end and your statement that protest cannot effect change in our democracy."

Hales effected so little change. "So many people who go into politics are one-trick ponies," says Paul Anthony, a member of the Portland Public Schools Board and a long-time activist in North Portland.

"Charlie was streetcars, obviously. I don't think Charlie knows Portland at all. His life's work is dedicated to creating the problems we have now: housing, gentrification, pushing out everyone who can't pay what the market can bear."

Hales went out of his way not to involve Wheeler in these final months. He forced the new Portland police contract through council in a room closed off from protesters and with no input from the city's Independent Police Review division.

"They never walked down the hall. They never asked to be included," sniffed Hales, celebrating his aloof isolation.

Trust me, Wheeler isn't surprised. "I hear from people all over the community that they're not part of how decisions are made at City Hall," he says. "Decisions are made on their behalf and they're forced to live with the consequences.

"My job is not to barricade myself in City Hall. My job is to be out in the community, doing my best to understand the perspective of people who are different than myself."

The challenges facing Wheeler, who takes office Jan. 1, would have been formidable with a Democrat in the White House. With Donald Trump at the helm, or desperately searching for it, they are extraordinary.

When we spoke shortly after the election, Wheeler noted, "It's amazing how a few weeks can change things.

"Two weeks ago, this (job) was all about housing, the homeless and filling potholes. Now, we're talking about the rights of women, the rights of immigrants in America, the rights of the LBGTQ community. If this election shows anything, it shows those movements have stalled.

"Trump didn't cause that problem. He exposed it. I don't think Donald Trump created sexism, racism, religious intolerance or xenophobia. All those things were already there, under the surface. Donald Trump pierced the boil."

"As mayor of Portland," Wheeler adds, "my role is to be unequivocal about our values. This is a time where I don't think you can waffle. People are expecting decisive leadership. They're expecting me to take risks. They're expecting me to take the heat."

They're expecting far more than they ever received from Charles Andrew Hales.

Wheeler will be tested immediately by his bureau assignments. He needs to take command of both Housing and Portland Police, but he won't have time to handle both.

Given the potential conflicts with the feds over sanctuary and immigration, he'll probably choose cops, even as critical housing issues swallow us whole.

On similar battles that are bigger than the city - clean air and the economy - Wheeler must partner with, and motivate, Gov. Kate Brown, Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Metro President Tom Hughes.

He needs to assure the private sector it can tender big ideas without taking the beating doled out to developer Homer Williams at Terminal 1.

And count Williams among those who believe Wheeler could do worse than to model his approach after that of Vera Katz, Portland's mayor from 1992 through 2004.

"You'll have conflict unless everyone knows you're not afraid of it," Williams says.

"You need chutzpah," adds Sarah Iannarone, who finished third to Wheeler in May's mayoral primary. "You'll need to hold your ground on some unpopular things. You know who had no problem with that? Vera. There's something to be said for not wanting to be liked."

-- Steve Duin

stephen.b.duin@gmail.com