In addition, The Oregonian on Tuesday obtained documents showing that an aide to Smith got his full driving record in August 2011, well before The Oregonian began asking about it.
The latest tally of suspensions comes from a record provided by Smith, who is also a state legislator. It dates to 1993 and lists six suspensions in 2002-04 and one in 2010. In addition, it shows two suspensions in the 1990s that were rescinded and one in 2004 that was vacated.
Most of the suspensions involve non-traffic issues, such as four for failing to appear in court. The list also includes seven speeding tickets and a 2004 conviction for driving while suspended.
Smith, who is on vacation, responded to a request for an interview Tuesday with a one-word text message: "Sheesh." He then issued a written statement through his campaign manager, Henry Kraemer, that addresses why he didn't come clean all at once.
"My driving records are public information. I acknowledged my poor record to the Oregonian last September when the paper first detailed the traffic violations," the statement says. "Given that and other reporting, I had assumed the press was fully aware of my record."
The latest tally of suspensions comes from a record provided by Smith, who is also a state legislator. It dates to 1993 and lists six suspensions in 2002-04 and one in 2010. In addition, it shows two suspensions in the 1990s that were rescinded and one in 2004 that was vacated.
Most of the suspensions involve non-traffic issues, such as four for failing to appear in court. The list also includes seven speeding tickets and a 2004 conviction for driving while suspended.
Smith, who is on vacation, responded to a request for an interview Tuesday with a one-word text message: "Sheesh." He then issued a written statement through his campaign manager, Henry Kraemer, that addresses why he didn't come clean all at once.
"My driving records are public information. I acknowledged my poor record to the Oregonian last September when the paper first detailed the traffic violations," the statement says. "Given that and other reporting, I had assumed the press was fully aware of my record."
Local political consultant Len Bergstein, asked about Smith's decisions, spoke only about campaigns in general. But he said it's best for candidates to address potentially damaging information quickly.
"It's not desirable to have the story dribble out over time," he said.
I'll be writing in Brady...start this ball rolling.
Posted by: tman | August 22, 2012 at 05:51 AM
SUSPENSION UPDATE! Smith is now acknowledging seven driver's licenses suspensions! Stay tuned.
Posted by: Bob Karm | August 22, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Four times failing to appear in court. I'm at least half again older than Smith and I've never been ordered to appear in court. Why is Smith being ordered to appear in court...ordered to appear such that when he doesn't appear his driving privileges are taken away from him?
I hate to say it but Charlie Hales is looking better and better. He may be a captured goon of the lobbyists but at least he isn't a multiple scofflaw whose temper is constantly out of control.
Posted by: JoelinPDX | August 22, 2012 at 10:25 AM