Portland Parks to east Portland: F__k you
Here comes a rant.
Since the proposed city-wide Portland Parks & Recreation levy Lee Perlman reported on last month was heavy on the catalog of long overdue east Portland park projects, expectations PP&R would go the extra mile for Mid-county residents was not unwarranted.
However, as usual, the City falls short where it comes to delivering long-needed and neglected infrastructure east of 82nd Avenue.
One wonders how much money PP&R spent with their “outreach” to come to the vaunted, high-priest like conclusion that the economic climate “makes it too difficult” Too difficult? Please. As if that is a revelation. If not now, when?
I’ll tell you what’s “too difficult” how about having only two, that’s right, TWO off-leash dog parks for all of Portland east of 82nd Avenue? How about having only postage stamp size parks in east Portland forever while swanky designer parks for rich folk are built downtown in record time?
Well, we’re not happy with you proposing a parks levy that is still, in its breadth, only a sop to east Portland for 20 years of infrastructure neglect since annexation. And there’s no political will to go to bat for us.
Parks Commissioner Nick Fish risk unpopularity placing a taxing measure on the ballot in the same voters pamphlet soliciting votes? Never happen. Heaven forbid. Don’t real leaders risk unpopularity? Say what? It’s an election year for Nick Fish. He wants to get elected. I understand the behavior; doesn’t make it right.
The PP&R e-mail follows.
“A Message from Parks Commissioner Nick Fish and Portland Parks & Recreation Director Zari Santner
“We are writing to report on our decision regarding moving forward with a bond measure for Portland Parks & Recreation. Unfortunately, we’ve determined that now is not the right time to refer a Parks Bond Measure to the voters on the November 2010 ballot.
“We have worked hard to test the feasibility of putting this bond measure on the ballot in November. Over the past three months, we spoke to 90 community groups, neighborhood associations, and businesses to share information about PP&R’s multi-million dollar major maintenance backlog. We were pleased to hear just how many people support Portland’s park system. However, the economic climate makes it too difficult to successfully move forward with a bond measure at this time.
“Outreach to Portlanders confirmed that they value Portland’s park system and understand that important safety updates are needed – especially for older buildings such as those at Mt Tabor Yard. They want to ensure that parks remain solid, affordable anchors for neighborhoods and they want natural areas preserved. They also understand that some areas of Portland are still waiting for their first park, trail or community center.
“This has never been about “if,” but “when” we ask voters for the necessary funding to care for the park system. With strong support from the community, we will look for the right time to ask for their vote.
“Thank you for your commitment to Portland’s park system.”
Commissioner Nick Fish & Director Zari Santner
