Starbucks was not the only stop on Mayor Pollard's quest to rid of anything Portland from the Downtown area. He also found other stores that had Portland artifacts and proceeded to purchase them and put them on notice as to what they should and shouldn't be selling.
No Portland cups here: Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard makes a call to a city staffer to report that the Heritage Place Starbucks has stripped its shelves of the mugs. (Photo by JANET L. MATHEWS/The Columbian)
For goodness sake Royce, Vancouver, Washington is a sister city to Portland, Oregon. The only thing that separates us from them is a river and a bridge. Many of us work in Portland and many Portlanders work in Vancouver. Our economies are tightly intertwined, yet you continue to bash them at any opportunity you have.
I am frankly disgusted with Mayor Pollards actions. How about we target people from New York next and get rid of anything having to do with New York. Maybe the gift shops at the Portland Airport (PDX) should remove anything having to do with Washington State. How would you feel Royce?
Comment posted by Stan Rogers07/13/2005 10:12:18 AM
Homepage: http://stanrogers.blogspot.com
Vancouver being Portland is certainly a lot less confusing for us Canadians, eh?
Comment posted by Bruce Elgort07/13/2005 12:44:17 PM
Homepage: http://www.bruceelgort.com
Does anybody else find it strange that a photographer from the local newspaper happeed to be at the Starbucks when Mayor Pollard was calling a city staffer?
Comment posted by A disgruntled Vancouver, Washington resident07/13/2005 06:31:38 PM
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_071305_news_vancouver_mayor.a0836b09.html
Royce,
You just lost what little respect I had for you and your childish behavior. Grow uP!!!!!!!
Comment posted by Gayle07/13/2005 07:39:28 PM
For God's sakes...are we all in grade school here? It reminds me of two siblings (aka sister cities) fighting over who is better. Sure, Vancouver has somewhat of an identity crisis, but I can think of so many other "grown up" ways to deal with the situation. For example, Royce could have easily handle the situation by finding vendors that offer Vancouver (USA that is - just in case you didn't know which Vancouver we are talking about 
) merchandising - may it be mugs, shirts, etc. to be displayed at local businesses.
Is he totally blind to the fact that a lot of Portlanders support Vancouverites? Some Portlander's work in Clark County, and others are moving to Clark County to find affordable housing and good schools. Just as Vancouverites support Portland's economy by working and dining in Portland among various other activities.
And where does Royce get his PR coverage? No other than Porland new stations...hmmm....
Sure..the guy is trying to make a point...but at who's and what expense? It's unfortunate that we have such a narrow minded community leader. If anything, he was successful in getting Vancouver noticed, but only as a joke of a city and a mayor to match. 
Comment posted by Joe Litton07/14/2005 03:25:20 AM
Homepage: http://joelitton.net/
Well, I was at least glad to read that Pollard smashed the mugs into a garbage can and not down on the sidewalk. I lived in Vancouver USA for most of 30 years and do like the town. But (like many) I worked many of those years in Portland Oregon, and spent a fair amount of recreation time and money in Portland. Sure, we also spent time and money in Vancouver, and did the bulk of our shopping in Vancouver - in spite of the sales tax - but the fact is that Portland IS a bigger city and Portland DOES have many more jobs and Portland DOES have more recreation vs Vancouver. Coffee mugs don't give a city an identity. Part of the mayor's job is to assist the city in developing those things that do give the city (Vancouver, Washington, USA) an identity. Pollard has failed.
Comment posted by Rock07/14/2005 06:49:54 AM
Homepage: http://www.lotusgeek.com
This is similar to a situation between Columbus, GA and Phenix City, AL (yes, Phenix is spelled right in this case). Two cities separated by a river, in different states. Many people living in one place, working in the other. One major difference is that Phenix City, AL is in the Central timezone, and Columbus, GA is in the Eastern time zone (the border of GA/AL is the timezone divider). However, in this case the city of Phenix City went the other direction - they actually changed their timezone to match that of their sister (and larger) city, Columbus GA so that their citizens will find it easier to interact with Columbus, GA.
You're right, Bruce - in this day and age of a "global economy" where borders are becoming less and less significant that this mayor would get with the program. You want to push stuff for Vancouver? Then create demand for Vancouver-branded items by adding some stuff to your city to make it desirable as a travel destination.
Comment posted by Mark07/15/2005 04:20:26 PM
Well...HOORAY FOR THE MAYOR. He is exactly right and this has been one of my pet peeves since I moved here 3 1/2 year ago.
Just watch any of the TV newscasts or listen to the radio news. There is an "Iron Curtain" up the middle of the Columbia. If it happens in Washington, it isn't news (unless it's national).
There will be a story about the 3 National Guard soldiers returning to Medford (No shit...this was last week), but nothing about any troops in Washington, even though it's a helluva lot closer, and you can't even GET the Portland, TV/Radio stations in Medford.
I'm also sick of everything being Washington "state". Look Portland media...Washington, DC is called "D.C." in most of the rest of the country, and the context defines the location in almost every story, so drop the Washington State crap too. I heard a reporter on KEX the other day go out of his way to use the term...instead of saying "in Richland, in Washington State"...what's wrong with "in Richland, WA, bla, bla".
Ever try to join a state organization, such as the local United States Golf Association? You'll find that in Clark County, most of the golf courses belong to the OREGON Golf Association! Why would I want to join another state?
I'm an adopted Washingtonian and proud of it!
MMMMMmmmmm. That felt good. 
Comment posted by Bruce Elgort07/15/2005 05:08:08 PM
Homepage: http://www.bruceelgort.com
@Mark,
The Portland stations I listen to frequently cover Washington news. They had a field day ridiculing Royce after his stunt. Royce has created Vancouver's "identity problem" and, mug smashing publicity stunts like this continue to damage what little identity Royce has established for the city.
I have no problem living in Vancouver. I never feel that I need to justify to Portlanders or anyone else for that matter that "we are not Portland" or "we don't have to be called Washington State".
I live in Vancouver and love it for what it is. 
Comment posted by Mark07/15/2005 05:14:47 PM
I live in Washougal for what it is too. Of course, that's not the point. The point is, I have NO access to Washington political news...I'm given all the details about the dog catcher race in Sherwood, but not the first word on the Washington Senate race over here.
I guess that's the difference between us former Illinoisans and you and your fellow New Jerseyites.
Comment posted by Track Back07/16/2005 06:34:26 PM
http://pdxcityclub.typepad.com/citizensblog/2005/07/vancouver_mayor.html
Comment posted by Mark Mayer07/21/2005 07:09:29 PM
Way to go, Royce! You proved your point. I support this 100%. Don't let these outsiders get to you. Vancouver loves you!
Salmon
Comment posted by Bruce Elgort07/21/2005 07:48:46 PM
Homepage: http://www.bruceelgort.com
@Mark,
I have recieved tons of emails from readers. I think you are part of the minority. Thanks for your opinion.
Comment posted by Track Back07/21/2005 08:04:44 PM
The mayors new hotel is sending people to Portland................wtf
http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/07212005news2737.cfm
Comment posted by Russ07/31/2005 11:53:17 AM
Oh jeez! Whatever! I've lived in Portland for 20 years, I've worked in Vancouver, I've worked with Vancouver'ites'(?) many times. I've never seen an effort by Oregonians to diminish Vancouver - if anything it's been the opposite! these's been lots of improvenents - the Clark county amphitheater (I wish Portland had one!), the continuing rennovation of old downtown, and the develpong waterfront, just to name a few. However, I've often had the opposite experience - Vancouver residents degrading my city of residence, slamming Portland as if having the majority of the population of the state of Oregon right across the river is MY idea... (I'm sure the same people come down to shop tax free every weekend, go to restaurants and other entertainment, etc)
I agree - Royce should be PROMOTING the Vancouver, USA identity instead of slamming what's across the river!
Comment posted by 10/04/2005 02:30:53 PM
Mr. Elgort,
As the leader of "America's Vancouver", I disagree with your assessment that I do not promote Vancouver USA. I have worked for many years to make Vancouver, USA a dynamic and growing community.
I believe that I have the hearts of the people of Vancouver, USA and as evidenced by the support that I garnered during the recent election, you have a minority view.
I however, welcome debate and invite you to contact me if you wish to discuss any problems in your Vancouver, USA community.
Please see my Flickr page for pictures of supporters in your area:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11883834@N00
Comment posted by Bruce Elgort10/05/2005 10:47:06 AM
Homepage: http://www.bruceelgort.com
@Royce,
That's my house! Nice prank Paul.
Comment posted by Mike in Los Angeles11/01/2006 08:49:56 AM
Dear Citizens,
I have an idea...how about the mayor of Vancouver, WA start by cleaning up the city, instead of breaking mugs outside the local Starbucks! The fact of the matter is, Vancouver will ALWAYS sit in the shadow of Portaland...just as San Diego does with LA or Newark with New York City. There are SOOOO many more important civic duties that this poor pathetic mayor needs to attend to, instead of trying to destroy the local coffee shops!
I was recently in Vancouver, WA a few months back...ON MY WAY FROM SEATTLE!!!! The only thing we did in Vancouver was stop to take a piss. I hate to say it...we were on our way to PORTLAND, OREGON, NOT VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON. Sorry Vancouver, you are not Portland, you are not Seattle, and by all means you are NOT the Vancouver that anyone ever visits (unless they are passing through to PORTLAND).
If ANYTHING, selling a few pieces of Portland "crap" only goes into the economy of Vancouver and Washington state. Unless a huge demand is out there for "Vancouver, Washington" stuff...which I doubt, take whatever money you can from us tourists. Feel proud that anyone outside of Washington or Oregon even knows that there is another Vancouver, other than the Vancouver we ALL know and visit...Vancouver, Canada!
Keep Vancouver (Washington) a peacefull/ beautiful place. No need for a crazy person running the show!!!
Mike in Los Angeles
Comment posted by Mark11/14/2006 01:45:05 AM
Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/marksolarprophet
Well It looks like mayor Pollard got the attention he wanted. If ever there was a situation for the line; "Act yokel, wanna-be global" then this is it.
I suppose big mother Portlandia is watching and shes a gonna be angry with that bronze tri-fork strirring her latte now! I was born and raised in east Portland - moved and built my home in Troutdale, The Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, really just an extension of northeast Portland. Honestly, us Oregonians have nothing against Vancouver. Well it is rather diminutive compared to it's big mother Portlandia, but there are some nice people living in Vancouver that I know of. I wonder if they drink there coffee from Starbucks mugs with "Vancouver" emblazoned on them?
My coffee is French pressed daily at the Troutdale Starbucks but my mug has the Greek Pi symbol and a line: "A sign of intelligent life".
I am an astronomy teacher and celestial artist- The universe is my oyster! - Mark, Solar Prophet 
Comment posted by Mark11/14/2006 01:46:07 AM
Homepage: http://www.myspace.com/marksolarprophet
Well It looks like mayor Pollard got the attention he wanted. If ever there was a situation for the line; "Act yokel, wanna-be global" then this is it.
<br />
<br />I suppose big mother Portlandia is watching and shes a gonna be angry with that bronze tri-fork strirring her latte now! I was born and raised in east Portland - moved and built my home in Troutdale, The Gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, really just an extension of northeast Portland. Honestly, us Oregonians have nothing against Vancouver. Well it is rather diminutive compared to it's big mother Portlandia, but there are some nice people living in Vancouver that I know of. I wonder if they drink there coffee from Starbucks mugs with "Vancouver" emblazoned on them?
<br />
<br />My coffee is French pressed daily at the Troutdale Starbucks but my mug has the Greek Pi symbol and a line: "A sign of intelligent life".
<br />I am an astronomy teacher and celestial artist- The universe is my oyster! - Mark, Solar Prophet
