Sure would be nice if the Mayor gave as much attention to parks/community centers, roads, and public safety.

Maybe Recology would be willing to be a corporate sponsor call it "Sunday Stinkways"

They really must be broke if they have to fund-raise for a bicycle event!

"Passing the Hat." How ironic...

I don't have anything against the bike events themselves, but I question the manner in which they are planned and executed. This was in the "O" March 14th:

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2012/03/southwest_portlanders_look_for.html

The areas within the boundaries of the closed off streets include at least one Catholic church, one Lutheran church, one Christian church, one Christian Science church, and numerous other places of business.

When I asked the Catholic church's office if they were aware of this plan, they replied they had not heard anything about it. Neither had their neighboring churches. The event takes place on a Sunday in July.

I just received another note from the Catholic church stating that they contacted the city about this event. They were told that they (CoP) already have this in mind, and that they (CoP) were willing to work with the church on providing info on crossings, etc., to parishoners.

Still, this is only one location that will be impacted. I doubt the other churches are even aware of this event which had been slated in advance of their knowledge. For a city that claims to involve its "stakeholders," I would think they might have at least let them know in advance of the event's publication.

How much more than 5-20 weeks notice, depending on the particular Parkway event, do you think is necessary? How many parisioners at churches bounded by any of the past Sunday Parkways have been unable to reach their churches? Not a single one, I suspect, because all Sunday Parkways include crossings at which vehicle traffic can get into the area bounded by the Parkway route.

Why worry just about churches? What about stores, restaurants, homes, whatever? This notice thing is an utterly contrived non-issue.

The point is, Mark, they were not notified at all. They found out in an indirect manner. They called the city, not the other way around. If they had not called, they still would not know. Yet the day was determined and set well in advance without heir knowledge, and apparently, without their input as a "stakeholder." Along with others within the boundaries of this event.

PBOT is actually calling, emailing and postal mailing all the churches and other places of worship along and near the route to work with their ministers and church leaders. We post signs at the churches on best ways to drive that day to avoid delays. We also invite parishoners to participate after church if that is something they would like to do.

How's it working so far?

Tom wrote: Sunday Stinkways

Ha... I use to enjoy one of those every time I took out the slop bucket.

One of these years, they are going to put up the barriers for the Sunday Bikeways and just never take them down.

I wonder if this challenge has anything to do with the addition of a Westside bikeway this year.

We saw the announcement about the Sunsay Parkways invasion in the neighborhood newspaper earlier this week. We immediately began planning our escape routes. I'm glad if it helps the neighborhood businesses, I suppose. But for neighborhood residents it's nothing but a huge PITA.

"Sunday Parkways is organized by the Portland Bureau of Transportation thanks to presenting sponsor Kaiser Permanente, and partners at Portland Parks & Recreation and Universal Cycles.

'We're thrilled to continue our partnership with the city and contribute significantly to the success of Sunday Parkways. As the popularity of the event has grown, it's become part of the fabric of Portland life. We're so pleased that an activity that promotes health and community has taken root here, because it fits so well with Kaiser Permanente's mission,' said Sue Hennessy, vice president at Kaiser Permanente Northwest."
http://www.portlandonline.com/transportation/index.cfm?a=387491&c=39132

Surely KP Northwest can provide adequate funding from the savings realized by the insurance company from providing its members less than stellar health care. Perhaps Ms Hennessy might pass the hat among her more-than-adequately compensated executive colleagues?