The merchants, property owners, and residents along Hawthorne are still duking it out over whether or not to install parking meters on the strip, per Commissioner Sam Adams’ idea. This past week, the issue reignited on the Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association’s listserv.

Showcase Music and Sound’s John Chassaing—the guy, pictured at right, responsible for the proliferation of “Say No to Parking Meters on Hawthorne” signs in dozens of shop windows—sent out an email last week, urging folks to head to a meter meeting on October 3 to stand up against meters.

The Commissioner and his entourage are going to try and convince you that this is a positive idea. You are going to be told that revenues are going to be returned to the district. (Does this mean you are to receive the money for lost revenues in your business?) I urge you, your employees, neighbors and patrons to attend this meeting, and voice your opinion. I truly believe this is bad for our business climate and our community.

He took issue with Adams’ pitch:

The City of Portland, through Commissioner Sam Adams is trying to sell us on the idea, those parking meters, and parking permits will improve our business economy. (I should mention that I met with Sam Adams, and I personally like him. However that being said, I believe he is drastically wrong on this issue) The meeting he had with a few Hawthorne merchants and the Sunnyside Neighbors Assn. in the last couple of months have been less than positive to parking meters. In fact, the vast majority was opposed.

And finally, Chassaing called out Hawthorne Boulevard Business Association head Paul Neidergang for not representing what Chassaing believes is a majority opinion against meters:

I contacted Paul Neidergang of HBBA who was at the Hawthorne Meeting, and asked him about the meeting. His words were he was keeping an “Open Mind” about the parking meters. I asked him if he had gone up Hawthorne and asked the very merchants, that he is supposed to be representing, what their position was. I was told that “he did not have the time, and he was not paid for his position”. So I took it upon myself contact the merchants on Hawthorne. I have met a lot of merchants from 9th to 50th on Hawthorne, and the overwhelming majority is opposed to the idea of parking meters and permits.

Those might not be fighting words, but it’s about as exciting as a neighborhood debate over parking meters can get, right?

Not quite—it got even more thrilling when Niedergang responded.

Niedergang diplomatically stood up for himself, and added some needed nuance to the parking meters debate.

John:

First of all I would like to commend you for your involvement in this process. What makes Hawthorne a wonderful place is that people are passionate about the neighborhood and are willing to give their time
and energy and get involved. I would like to encourage you to remain involved in Hawthorne community issues and focus on contributing constructive solutions rather than just being contrary and negative.

With regard to Parking Meters on Hawthorne, I must take issue with some of the characterizations in your email regarding the subject. You have already made up your mind without even considering any "facts" or relevant information. You have gone out and talked to neighbors not to solicit community opinion, but rather to convince people to take a specific side of the issue (to oppose Parking Meters on the Boulevard). I also object to you making representations as to what occurred at a meeting that you did not attend. Your characterization of the community opinion at this meeting is far from accurate. [I asked for a show of hands prior to any discussion and the majority was opposed; by the end of the meeting the majority of attendees were interested in obtaining more information on the issue]. There has been complete transparency during this process. Nothing has been hidden as you suggest with regard to the "meetings with adjoining neighborhoods". If you had attended the prior meeting you would have been aware of all this.

Secondly, I would like to make it clear that I do not have an "agenda" and that I am not a part of a conspiricy to put parking meters on Hawthorne. I became involved in this issue because staff members from Commissioner Adams office came to HBBA to float the Parking Meters on Main Streets concept. As I have said many times, I do not personally have a position on whether or not having Parking Meters on the Boulevard is a good or bad idea. My initial "gut" reaction was not favorable. However, as we discussed this with Commissioner Adams office my attitude changed to "keeping an open mind". It amazes me that you are able to characterize keeping an open mind in a negative manner. For the record I will state categorically that I am not "in favor" of having Parking Meters on Hawthorne (I also am not "opposed" to Parking Meters on Hawthorne).

Frankly, my opinion is not important here - what is important is what the community wants. I would hope that the community would rather make an decision after having the facts as oppossed to making a decision without much information.

I have a feeling that October 3 meeting is going to be a feisty one—especially after Chassaing replied this afternoon, saying things like:

When I talked to you by phone, which was my first contact with you, I asked if you had gone up the street and taken a poll of the very merchants you represent. You stated to me that you did not have the time and were not paid for the position. I told you that I would be willing to do it. You told me that I already had my mind made up, and I agreed. I asked you to join me and present another side, but again you did not have the time. I also was curious, as I did not know you, what business you had on Hawthorne. You stated you were a property owner and a Real Estate Developer. I stated to you I was also a property owner, landlord, and most of all a Merchant Retailer on Hawthorne. I am a little amazed quite frankly that we have a non-merchant representing our voice on Hawthorne for such a controversial measure.

You also mentioned in our phone conversation, that I was ignorant of the facts, and the people (who attended the meeting) didn't understand. I then asked you to enlighten me on what they did not understand and you were not convincing in your reply. I did not see one benefit for the merchant and any of my tenants. The fact that you are the representative for all of us on Hawthorne and not doing the legwork of polling the merchants is really frightening to me. This is pretty simple stuff, if the majority are opposed to parking meters and permits, then it should not happen. Right? This is still a majority rules, isn't it?

...

The minute the first parking meter is put in on Hawthorne and Parking Permits on the side streets, we have lost the battle, and the door is open for the rest of the area. This plan is already in the works now. We can not have people representing the merchants that do not speak for the majority. I urge you not only show up at the meeting on October 3rd at SE Uplift and 4:00 PM and voice your opposition to the parking meters and permits, but to reconsider rejoining the HBBA to make your voice heard in the future. We need a strong voice to represent the merchants, which is the real Heart of Hawthorne, not real Estate Developers.

Oh, snap.