Metro vs. Troutdale
This story got our attention yesterday: Metro, the Portland area's "unique" extra layer of government, is talking about economic sanctions against the City of Troutdale for allegedly dragging its feet in conforming its land use rules to various Metro mandates. We had forgotten about that aspect of Metro -- its role as enforcer. They're so busy doling out tax money to real estate developers and construction companies in the name of "green" this and that, it's hard to picture them doing anything else. Psychedelic Rex and "Waylon" Hughes handing out fines? It's a scary picture.
Troutdale is starting to look like Iran, and Rex is Hillary.
Then again, it's logical that the Metro birds should be given legal authority to force their Portland ways on the locals in a place like Troutdale. Without having their arms twisted, it's unlikely that folks in a burg like that would ever go along with the Central Planning™ Program.
| Posted at 10:51 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
The Red scare, where we fought to keep the good ole USA away from state-run communism, is over.
We lost. And it's far scarier, because people actually think it's a good thing to live in a totalitarian nanny state.
(NOTE: Having respect and proper stewardship for our environment is not the same thing as Green Brainwashing to achieve a political tyranny)
Posted by Ralph Woods | February 15, 2012 12:52 PM
At least Portland and Fairview are "phasing in" the bended knees. And the "Southwest Corridor" visioning thing is off to a great start!
http://news.oregonmetro.gov/1/post.cfm/southwest-corridor-vision-statement-focuses-on-support-connectivity?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OregonMetroNews+%28Metro+news%29
Posted by Max | February 15, 2012 4:19 PM
I remember when Troutdale was a nice place to live - for years, I was right on the river, south of Tad's Chicken and Dumplings.
Posted by Max | February 15, 2012 4:21 PM
I'd sure like to know exactly what authority Metro has in regulating a city and imposing conditions and requirements upon another sovereign governmental entity.
If I were in Troutdale I'd tell Metro to go pound wood...Troutdale could always put up a vote to de-annex from Metro (I believe Canby did that and was successful). I know Metro gets very squirmy when it is forced to relinquish absolute control...it can't touch Vancouver, it doesn't have authority over Yamhill or Columbia County... Yet, so many Metro staffers and managers live outside the Metro boundary so they can enjoy their McMansions without undue and overzealous zoning regulations. Hmmm....
Posted by Erik H. | February 15, 2012 7:50 PM
Troutdale lost its ability to control its own destiny in 1973, when Oregon went to statewide centralized planning. Want to do something about it? Support candidates for state office that want to give planning control back to local communities.
Posted by Columbia County Kid | February 15, 2012 8:29 PM
Q and A about Metro, Troutdale and enforcement:
http://news.oregonmetro.gov/1/post.cfm/questions-and-answers-about-metro-s-title-13-and-troutdale
Posted by Jim Middaugh | February 15, 2012 8:35 PM
Support candidates for state office that want to give planning control back to local communities.
But those would be candidates who want to give it back to the people instead of to career makers.
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | February 15, 2012 8:37 PM
Correct Mr. Grumpy. And those kind of candidates never seem to win in Portland.
Posted by Columbia County Kid | February 15, 2012 9:20 PM