Is the ground breaking taking place in front of the fence with the unicorn murals?

Your information regarding Dannyboy's literary invention is mistaken: the career commissioner hasn't exerted himself for decades. That's one reason he was the go-to for the PPB portfolio. His staff -- Grummblebum, perhaps -- may have searched for one in "Limericks for All Occasions," thumbing through those that conclude "me, too."

See, this is where Sam Adams and his buddies are trapped. There will never be enough deals. There is only the fleeting rush of the next one, then it's back to chasing the high.

The PGE Park deal was a bad batch of acid at developers' Woodstock. They had the big meeting to announce there would be a franchise. That was the rush. Everyone wore scarves and basked in the glow of success. It was one hell of a party.

But then the weird hallucinations started. Bummers like the Rose Quarter, and Lents were all just a buzz-killing hassle without the intense - if fleeting - euphoria.

So it's back to the streets for more. More ceremonies, more deals, more projects. More, more, more, more.

But now some of the old dealers with their flashy new condos have been chased out of the game. Who will step forward? A street couplet? That's it? That's all you've got? Wow, scary.

That's Panic in Condo Park. There's no buzz from that. That high will wear off before these politicians get back to the office. Where's the next big hit of PDC? Where's the next big line to snort about urban renewal districts?

"Man, we built a tram 150 feet in the air. We have condo towers that stretch to the clouds. And all you got for me is a street couplet? I need more, man, much more. I need a star portal to another part of the universe, bro. Something that'll get me stoned forever.
Wait, no don't leave, dude. If that's all you got, I'll take an ounce of street couplet. Dude, can I pay you later?"

There is no choice. When you're addicted to the deal, you are trapped. From soccer to SoWhat, the high never lasts. And without the high all that's left to do is govern.

And these people didn't get into government to govern.

Can someone get through with the current news to Portland's mayor and Council? I don't think they've heard yet about the financial crisis that started back in 2008. Go by bicycle-----in December.

"There is no choice. When you're addicted to the deal, you are trapped. From soccer to SoWhat, the high never lasts. And without the high all that's left to do is govern.

And these people didn't get into government to govern."

Bill McDonald,

Once again you nailed it. Another perfect "10" blog comment. You're right, these people are just like crack addicts. It couldn't have been said better.

Bill, your drug addict analogy is spot on. Thanks.

I own property that fronts NE Couch street and I will be impacted by the couplet. I've gone to the meetings, voiced my concerns and described how this expensive monstrosity will impact my business. Did anyone give a crap? No. As I've posted before, ask most of us who own property over here and you'll get an earful; we're overwhelmingly against this "couplet", but we also know this it isn't the interests of businesses and actual stakeholders that are considered...Sam has other plans -- he knows best.

Oh, and I'm loving that new Streetcar L.I.D. Streetcar construction starts next year!!! Yippie!

Sorry, Jack, I'm afraid I'm stuck at a Bicycle Master Plan meeting tomorrow. You'll have to catch my dance number another time :-)

They should pour some cermonial money down a hole after the Silver Shovels.