Portland holding bake sale for Occupy repairs
A reader sends along an e-mail pitch she got from the head of the Portland Parks Foundation. It said in part:
I am writing to share with you the creation of the Restore our Historic Squares Fund, created to restore and reinvigorate two of our most historically and culturally significant parks: Lownsdale and Chapman Squares. Citizens from all walks of life are invited to show their concern for this historic gems by making a gift in their support.Our historic squares are a vital public commons: improving the quality of life for Portland's citizenry for over 140 years. Parks are one of the greatest expressions of how Portland cares for its people. Very few parks are enjoyed by such a diversity of Portlanders.
The City of Portland is undergoing an assessment of the impacts of recent camping on the squares, and vital restoration work. The initial cost estimate is between $50,000 and $100,000. However, after years of steady budget cuts, there are no solutions for finding funding to make this restoration effort possible.
Fortunately, our citizens have a great history of helping parks and people in times of need. This is a critical time both to pitch in and to express your dedication to these historic commons at the center of a remarkable—yet fragile—parks system.
It's no secret that Portland has no money for park maintenance -- it's been borrowing for that purpose for a while now. You would think that a well run city park system would have $100,000 in a contingency fund for extraordinary events. Apparently not Portland, despite its recent blue ribbon. Gee, some of the $15 million or so that they blew on the Homer William Poodle Poop Park in the SoWhat District would come in handy right about now. But no. Go by streetcar!
| Posted at 8:10 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (16)
Actions have consequences.
Money spent yesterday can't be respent today, and tomorrow, and the next day, ...
Can't it?
Why can't it?
Why, sure it can!
Float a bond to cover the Occupadoes mess! Our kids can pay it off!
Posted by Harry | November 15, 2011 8:40 PM
The Portland Parks Foundation says:
This is a critical time both to pitch in and to express your dedication to these historic commons at the center of a remarkable—yet fragile—parks system.
Me:If you were really "dedicated" to this, then you would have made sure that the Occupy Portland crowd couldn't turn these parks into a sh*tty mess in need of a costly clean-up.
Bob Tiernan
NE Portland
Posted by Bob Tiernan | November 15, 2011 9:08 PM
And along that line, who knew that Mayor Sam had a clone in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-15749520
Posted by Texas Triffid Ranch | November 15, 2011 9:11 PM
The citizens of Portland voted into office these cretins who've allowed the Occupy damage.
A couple years back you might recall some mountain bikers were caught in Forest Park taking out trees and building a path for their biking fun, really pretty extensive damage: the city officials didn't lay are charge or a cost on 'em.
Or the activist lawyer who got around 80, 000 dollars for some bum's cardboard camp and soaked rags in Forest Park. Bum claimed his valuables had been taken without notice. heroic activist went to bat for him.
Don't get me started on the off-leash doggers.
Consequently, when they come round for my money, well...eff 'em.
Posted by LAL | November 15, 2011 9:26 PM
41% of People Say American Dream Is Lost; 63% Say Economy Getting Worse + video
By Aaron Task | Daily Ticker – 17 hours ago
http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/41-people-american-dream-lost-63-economy-getting-144604132.html
Among the "highlights" of the poll:
-- 41% of Americans say the 'American Dream' has been lost.
-- 37% of adults have NO retirement savings and 38% plan to live off Social Security.
-- 63% of Americans believe the economy is getting worse, including 72% of those over the age of 55.
Posted by Mojo | November 15, 2011 11:51 PM
Gee, what a shock. Stuff they want, they can always dig up money for. Stuff we want (schools, no potholes, a decent Sellwood bridge), they just don't have any money for.
Govt doesn't represent the 99% either.
Posted by Steve | November 16, 2011 5:42 AM
If Sam the Scam and the City Hall Idiot Parade enforced the no camping ordinance on Day One, we wouldn't need to raise funds.
Can the city sue itself for failing to enforce its own laws?
Posted by Garage Wine | November 16, 2011 6:23 AM
Didn't I read that these clowns established an LLC with the sizable amount of donations they received? Can't one of the lawyers on the tax payer payroll sue them to try to recoup the money for repairs?
Posted by Pom Mom of LO | November 16, 2011 8:35 AM
Parks, libraries, fire engines (and boats),street maintenance and sometimes even schools are optional. All the taxes we pay are being spent on what? If we want these services they now cost extra.
Posted by Don | November 16, 2011 9:02 AM
Haven't the Occupy people effectively occupied city hall for decades?
So they have had their way locally.
And what has their Katz/Adams regime brought Portland?
Don't ask any Occupy folks. They haven't a clue.
If they can't accomplish locally what they want, (whatever that is), when they have their people controlling all things local what would their objectives look like on a grander scale?
Portland is a mess. Does Occupy know this?
Posted by Ben | November 16, 2011 9:11 AM
Gee, what a shock. Stuff they want, they can always dig up money for...
Or throw money down a hole for...
will keep reminding folks that Nick Fish provided that third vote for Sam/Rand to throw that
$80 million down for that unneeded Powell Butte project and remember Leonard used an emergency ordinance to start it all in the first place.
So, Nick Fish is now short of money for parks, are they thinking that a parks bond will pass to bail out their bad financial judgement and mismanagement?
When will they start putting turnstiles on the parks or worse yet sell them?
Remember Johnswood Park in St. Johns?
Didn't think so. Many people would not know of that park, long gone since the 90's sold for housing! Guess that was OK with the smart growthers? Coalition for a Livable Future? Where were the environmentalists?
As usual most people didn't know, should have been front page headlines in the O, but alas as is now, we dont' get pertinent headlines, do we?
Posted by clinamen | November 16, 2011 11:39 AM
When will they start putting turnstiles on the parks
Apparently you don't visit one of the many festivals that are allowed to buy up the parks and close off public access for days or even weeks at a time.
Here's one: the Rose Festival's Festival Center. Just try to enjoy a nice picnic at Waterfront Park - make sure you pay your $10 or whatever daily admission, plus the cost of the outrageously priced food inside...
And who pays for the damage to the grass EACH AND EVERY YEAR? Why, you and I, the good 'ol taxpayers.
Posted by Erik H. | November 16, 2011 12:27 PM
It would seem to be the persons responsible should pay for the damages.
Since the Occupy folks have a duly registered corporation they can be held liable.
And since the mayor gave them permission by suspending enforcement for a period of time HE can cover the rest.
Posted by tankfixer | November 16, 2011 12:47 PM
Yes those responsible should pay. I would argue that this includes the Occupiers and the City government who encouraged this nonsense. Pay up boys! Put our parks back. As taxpayers this is the least we can expect.
Posted by dean | November 16, 2011 12:51 PM
Meanwhile, in addition to prevailing in Nashville, concern for first amendment rights has gained resonance in a Boston courtroom:
"A Suffolk Superior Court judge issued a temporary restraining order this afternoon barring the city of Boston from evicting Occupy Boston protesters from their encampment in the downtown area.
The order applies unless there is a fire, medical emergency, or 'outbreak of violence,' Judge Frances A. McIntyre ruled."
http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/11/occupy-boston-face-off-against-menino-administration-courtroom-today/PHTNf1ZmtDtzKVYti6DRlL/index.html
Dewey Square, btw, is the location of Boston's Federal Reserve Bank Building, an imposing but not iconic Stubbin Associates structure -- "the washboard building" -- which is also a location for art exhibitions and concerts of classical music:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Bank_Building_(Boston)
"There are surveillance cameras on the Federal Reserve Bank building."
An eyewitness recently reported, in personal communication, that he is envious of the Occupiers engaged in trainer-led exercises in the morning as he walks to his office from South Station, also located in Dewey Square.
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | November 16, 2011 3:21 PM
Can we still have the $1.4 billion light rail line to Milwaukie? I know about colors of money, different federal mandates for specific pots of money, etc...
Maybe the AFSCME union bosses will make a connection between diverting PBOT "Rainbow Funds" (money that is whatever color they say it is) to boondoggles and their soon-to-be lost jobs?
Posted by Mister Tee | November 16, 2011 5:58 PM