Saltzman's at it again
I see that Portland City Commissioner Dan (Big Pipe) Saltzman has got another neighborhood up in arms. Now it's Portsmouth in North Portland, where folks are more than a little upset that Danny Boy has already decided to give away a valuable chunk of city property to one of his pet causes without adequate neighbor input. They join the Mount Tabor neighborhood, who recently discovered that he's got the same kind of deal lurking in the shadows for their parkland.
It must be something to be part of a moneyed political machine so strong that you can get away with supremely arrogant conduct like this. And to think we just re-upped this guy for another four years. His next term doesn't even start for another couple of months.
But hey, you outraged neighborhood activists -- there's still a chance to vote no on Saltzman. His longtime right hand man is on a ballot on your kitchen counter now. Do you think the acorn falls far from the tree?
| Posted at 12:51 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (9)
And this sort of nonsense will continue until such time as the voters of Portland decide to go with district representation in cityhall. So count on gettin' the shaft cuz they got the mine, as the song goes.
Nickle
Posted by The Plugged Nickle | October 25, 2006 7:26 AM
Nickle, the County has district representation right now. And the guy who won the primary, Cogan, moved into the district four years ago, and spent four times more than Lew Frederick, the candidate who's lived there for three decades. Cogan has been chief of staff working on this Hope Meadows proposal for the past two years. It was and is presented to the Portsmouth neighborhood as a done deal. So we have no evidence that district representation would make any difference.... unless, as Jack says, the voters of N and NE Portland send in those ballots marking Lew Frederick's name, instead of reacting to Cogan's media blitz.
Posted by Amanda Fritz | October 25, 2006 8:33 AM
Like Warner Pacific, this is another giveaway to a religious group.
Posted by jim | October 25, 2006 9:16 AM
Jim, if we can prove that Homer Williams is a "religious group" with all kinds of "gimmies" , would that get your dander up?
Posted by Lee | October 25, 2006 1:19 PM
Report back from Council: Totally a done deal, probably dating back two years or more. Sam Adams and Randy Leonard were awesome in blasting the appalling public process (lack thereof) and voting No. The debate at Council took two hours.
Posted by Amanda Fritz | October 25, 2006 1:20 PM
Lew Frederick for county commission.
Posted by Jack Bog | October 25, 2006 1:31 PM
Amanda Fritz for Mayor.
Posted by Mark in Roseway | October 25, 2006 2:14 PM
"Portland taxpayers will retain ownership of the property and the right to reclaim it if Portland's Hope Meadows doesn't work." I didn't see anything in the article indicating that this was a religious organization, which makes a difference because taxpayers should not be in the business of promoting religion in any way shape or form. All in all it sounds like a great idea and I hope it works out. It is hard to fathom why people would object to this type of development in their neighborhood...it's not a methadone clinic or a half-way house for violent psychotic criminals. It is unfortunate that they had to shove this great concept down the throat of the community with back door tactics. Even the best ideas backed by the greatest of intentions can be received with anger and frustration when people are treated like they don't matter.
Posted by Kevin | October 25, 2006 3:40 PM
Sam and Randy would have been strong supporters if it were THEIR pet project...
Recent examples include:
Big Pipe Community Benefit Opportunity
Skateboard parks (2)
2% for Art increase
Tryon Creek Farm subsidy
Ethanol/Biodiesel mandates
And the list goes on and on.
I wouldn't be surprised if they don't decide who's going to lodge the minority protest votes in advance of the actual tally. That way The Public knows that someboyd is SHOCKED AND DISMAYED, just like they are.
Posted by Misty Tee | October 25, 2006 7:38 PM