Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
Mayor's first year comes to an end
Mayor Tom Potter promised to listen to the citizens of Portland closely, he has yet to break that promise, in fact, many criticize that he’s done nothing but listening (Willamette Week, page 7, Grading the Mayor, Nigel Jaquiss). I must say that I would prefer listening without action over action without listening always; noting that people’s lives across the city are being affected by these actions, and without knowing what the people need decisions could seriously hurt citizens. The Portland Tribune however, had a large article on what exactly the mayor has done in his first year.
Upon taking office the mayor fired three bureau directors and removed the different city bureaus from the different commissioners, placing the city bureaus in his control. He instituted the Bureau Innovation Project which has twenty projects. Each of these projects consists of twenty city employees meeting on a monthly basis to figure out what their plan is to accomplish their goal. Only one of these committees has issued a plan to date though. The mayor has also formed the Street Crime Unit, a team of cops set to keep the park blocks safer from street kids (Portland Tribune). Having been on the streets of Portland (not a street person, just there and aware) I can tell you all that this is certainly a waste of tax dollars, Street Kids know how to avoid the police like they were the plague.
The Tribune reports that many people are concerned that the mayor is trying to do too much too fast. I would argue against that comment without knowing at all what the mayor’s plans or actions have been. The idea of trying to change too much too fast is not possible. Our city needs too much work too be saying that someone is trying too hard too fix it.
The only concern I have about our mayor and his plan or “vision” would be his plan to revitalizing MLK Boulevard. Quote, “If we’re going to name a boulevard after someone who has done so much for this country, why shouldn’t that boulevard be the best-looking boulevard in the city?” I’ll tell you why, because it’s currently one of the worst looking, and it’s a long boulevard, so the costs to fix it up are in the billions!
The mayor says he wants the citizens to speak to him, that he wants us to “own” up to our problems. He wants to make Portland a community governed city. I say tell us what opinions you want input about, tell us what we can do to get involved, tell us how we can “own” our problems.
Upon taking office the mayor fired three bureau directors and removed the different city bureaus from the different commissioners, placing the city bureaus in his control. He instituted the Bureau Innovation Project which has twenty projects. Each of these projects consists of twenty city employees meeting on a monthly basis to figure out what their plan is to accomplish their goal. Only one of these committees has issued a plan to date though. The mayor has also formed the Street Crime Unit, a team of cops set to keep the park blocks safer from street kids (Portland Tribune). Having been on the streets of Portland (not a street person, just there and aware) I can tell you all that this is certainly a waste of tax dollars, Street Kids know how to avoid the police like they were the plague.
The Tribune reports that many people are concerned that the mayor is trying to do too much too fast. I would argue against that comment without knowing at all what the mayor’s plans or actions have been. The idea of trying to change too much too fast is not possible. Our city needs too much work too be saying that someone is trying too hard too fix it.
The only concern I have about our mayor and his plan or “vision” would be his plan to revitalizing MLK Boulevard. Quote, “If we’re going to name a boulevard after someone who has done so much for this country, why shouldn’t that boulevard be the best-looking boulevard in the city?” I’ll tell you why, because it’s currently one of the worst looking, and it’s a long boulevard, so the costs to fix it up are in the billions!
The mayor says he wants the citizens to speak to him, that he wants us to “own” up to our problems. He wants to make Portland a community governed city. I say tell us what opinions you want input about, tell us what we can do to get involved, tell us how we can “own” our problems.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The Tram for OHSU...
After reading the Portland Tribunes article on the subject (Planners declare tram must go on, A8), I question why the public as become so up in arms over it's making. Only 3.5 million in taxes is being devoted to the project by the city, all the rest is being paid for by OHSU. Homer Williams said, "People talk like the public is paying for the entire project, but that's just not the case." Either way, no matter how much the bill comes to for the tram; it is going to be built. The city signed an agreement to have the tram finished by September this year, making no intelligent stipulations in which the agreement would be void. If the tram isn't finished by September, OHSU can sue the city for lost revenues/damages.
What should concern most Portlanders is the 72 million being put out for improvements on the condos in the South Waterfront area where the tram will connect. This information was brought to my attention by Phil Stanford, in his article on the tram subject. Phil calls the tram a ski lift for doctors, being sure not to avoid the publics concern, while maintaining a pseudo-relationship with his readers, which I did not miss. I did get his point though when he so briefly mentioned this 72 million to be thrown over in the garbage. Why is it that this major waste of revenue has been overlooked?
What should concern most Portlanders is the 72 million being put out for improvements on the condos in the South Waterfront area where the tram will connect. This information was brought to my attention by Phil Stanford, in his article on the tram subject. Phil calls the tram a ski lift for doctors, being sure not to avoid the publics concern, while maintaining a pseudo-relationship with his readers, which I did not miss. I did get his point though when he so briefly mentioned this 72 million to be thrown over in the garbage. Why is it that this major waste of revenue has been overlooked?
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