And I find the candidates for the 1st congressional district an equally depressing lot!

If there's a high profile elected official in Oregon worth bragging about, please bring me up to speed. I've listened to most of them and I'm not impressed.

I think Wheeler's the best we've got at the moment.

"All express support for spending urban renewal money on economic development."

That sound you hear is Gerding-Edlen lighting Homer Williams' cigar with a City of Portland promissory note.

That's twisted that anyone would look to "urban renewal" for anything, other than shoveling out taxpayer money for "not market-ready" real estate boondoggles. At least Brady has a different idea that sounds like it involves something other than using "urban renewal" to build a monument of herself. I don't get Hales's idea to "loosen environmental restrictions" right in the heart of Portland. Is he channeling Dick Cheney?

Wheeler is good, but there's only one. Still, the further we are from Sam and his lineage, the better. There is some reason for hope, I think.

"All express support for spending urban renewal money on economic development. And all three would like to see an independent panel oversee water and sewer rates."

All 3 want to keep the game going- talking the talk, but not having a single braincell understanding about the new reality- urban renewal is a SCAM that has destroyed our local tax base.

And to their eyes the independent panel to oversee water and sewer rates is just a way to take the heat off of them for rising rates- "don't blame us, blame the independent panel"

They probably don't dare say one disparaging word about the Metro-PDC-CoP gravy train that's been milking residents in the name of saving the planet and lining the pockets of a few select corporations for some years now. And remember, you're talking about a populace a large percentage of whom you could probably convince to buy dog turds in a brown paper bag to if you simply told them it was the green thing to do.

If you asked Brady, Smith and Hales how urban renewal affects budgets of police, fire, parks, schools, and the city's general budget, I bet they would hardly know any of UR's consequences. Hales should, since he's been involved before.

I hope citizens and the media ask the hard questions and not let them skate. What does "spending UR money for economic development" mean? Why does the media let them get off with such a pat answer of meaninglessness? Does it mean helping Linnton to Lents build a sidewalk, or Homer to Edlen to build condos?

Does it mean using UR money to pay for economic studies of where to build grocery stores, decide it should be near PSU, then give UR money to exclusive stores like Market of Choice or New Seasons to build the stores? That is what is happening in the South Waterfront URA. Welcome to the New Economics of Portland.

If PSU can afford to pay Condosleeza Rice to come flap her lips at attendees, then they don't need any additional funding. They obviously have too much as it is.

OHSU still has to pay off the damn tram before we extend them any additional funds. Even then, I have problems advancing funds to dubious borrowers.

...All 3 want to keep the game going-...

It looks like every elected official we have around here wants to keep the game going.

What reason would they not come out with a statement or be with the public and tell us that they will do everything they can to save our water?

This is so serious, with the PWB debt and continuous shoveling money and they not only favor corporations but act like one instead of a municipality.

Our community could lose our water rights by the time all is done.

OK then, if there is even ONE, one official who will stand up now, correct me if they have been engaged to do everything possible about this matter.
Instead we have:
1. Silence.
2. The Run Around. The matter was put into state primacy? Even there, some confusion about a rule change without a public hearing. Meanwhile, last summer, a very hopeful sign when NY Senator Schumer asked and got a good response from EPA that they would reconsider the LT2, having to cap a NY reservoir and that science would prevail.
What was the response to that here? More silence.
Eventually heard Senator Merkley (on radio) say he would fight along with NY Senator Schumer if the city would be willing. City Commissioner Fritz said it was now up to the Senators. However, there has been no action on her part,as she has been asked to come forth with an ordinance to ask Senator Merkley to ask EPA for a Waiver from the LT2 rule. There were some letters from the city, but in my opinion weak letters and unless there is that ask for the Waiver, it looks like the "Run Around Game."

This is just one example, but it It looks like we have this "Run Around Game" with light rail, the CRC, urban renewal, etc.

In my opinion, it is because winning an election and staying in elected positions is what is more important to them than doing what is best for the community. Do we really need these types making critical decisions for the rest of us and/or being silent and giving us the run around?

Many liberal Portland voters believe the way to fix everything is by endorsing a sort of benevalent autocracy who'll have the resources to understand the issues and what needs to be done, and the power to force people to do the right thing even if it means breaking the rules. In other words, they've abdicated themselves to the role of sheep in need of a good shepherd.

However, as history has demonstrated time and time again, the shepherd turns out to be only human and has been making deals with the wolf.

All serious comments about UR's prospects under either Hales or Brady, but my top question (that won't be asked or certainly not brought up by candidates)is: What do you intend to do about the massive unfunded liability of public safety pensions?