Heresy from Hales
Portland's new mayor is described as saying that "bike projects are important, but the city has ignored road maintenance for too long," and that he "wants Portland’s 60 miles of unpaved streets covered as soon as possible before there are any more bike projects." We doubt that he said exactly that, and we really doubt that he will do exactly that. Reporters will learn soon that Char-Lie speaks in weasel words that must be parsed word for word. But what's been reported there is a lot saner sentiment than anything that's come out of City Hall in the last four years under the Creepy administration.
| Posted at 6:08 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (14)
It has been eight years with Creepy heading up Transportation. The downhill slide started in 2004.
Posted by Bill | November 12, 2012 6:41 PM
Thanks for the clarification. It feels like 40 years. I thought Potter kept after him a little, but come to think of it, of course not.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 12, 2012 6:44 PM
It was my impression that Potter basically gave up trying to talk any sense into anyone down there.
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | November 12, 2012 7:37 PM
Potter just gave up when the threat of a horse's head appearing in his bed became close to reality....metaphorically speaking.
Posted by Portland Native | November 12, 2012 8:37 PM
Well, Hope and Change supposedly arrived 4 years ago...we saw how that worked out.
Still, I'm willing to hope that there will be a city change.
Not bet the mortgage money or hold my breath, mind you, but willing to hope.
And share my PBOT mid manager idiot list, generated over 9 years in NA and SWNI efforts, wasted efforts, to work with PBOT.
SW 35th and Pomona? SW Luradel and Barbur, which ODOT was willing to pay for and which PBOT refused o move on? SW 30h and Hume Court?
Ahh well, we will get an unsafe bike crossing of SW 49th / Capitol a Coronado. Way o go Mark Lear.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | November 12, 2012 9:00 PM
If we're done with bike lanes and mass transit, could we at least build some new sidewalks as well. There are huge swaths of Portland in need.
Posted by Justin Morton | November 12, 2012 9:09 PM
Can't you just walk in the bike lanes? :)
Posted by JO | November 12, 2012 10:15 PM
Mr. Grumpy: It was my impression that Potter basically gave up trying to talk any sense into anyone down there.
JK: I recall talking to Potter at a campaign event and he wanted to get people our of low cost, convenient, fast cars and into expensive, inconvenient and slow transit.
Of course, like most electiods, he probably never bothered to look at the actual data.
Thanks
JK
Posted by jim karlock | November 13, 2012 4:15 AM
Bike Portland, known as the Bike mafia, is up in arms over this.
http://bikeportland.org/2012/11/13/he-said-what-katu-is-misrepresenting-hales-transportation-plans-80008
Posted by phil | November 13, 2012 7:09 AM
With that Bike Portland article, all it needed to make it complete is John Cleese yelling "Now, look! If you say 'Jehovah' ONCE more..."
Posted by Texas Triffid Ranch | November 13, 2012 10:16 AM
He's saying a lot of the right things. I'm willing to give him my support if he ends up walking the walk. But not until I actually witness it.
Posted by Snards | November 13, 2012 10:18 AM
Does anyone know what those new symbols are that are now painted in t \he yellow "divider" sections, dividing car from bike lanes, on Multnomah St in the Lloyd District? It is a symbol, blue, green and white, looks like a flag for some unknown country. .
Posted by PDX Grace | November 13, 2012 11:21 AM
The Bicycle Taliban Alliance is powerful in this city. We'll have to see how it goes. Either there'll be a showdown or somebody will cave. My bet is Hales will cave in the end, but he is talking sense for the moment.
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | November 13, 2012 11:22 AM
Why would the BTA fight paving roads? Isn't it easier to ride bikes on paved surfaces?
Posted by jj | November 13, 2012 11:41 AM