So it's been more than six months, I can't remember off the top of my head, but why do we even need the ordinance? Downtown hasn't fallen to pieces without the ordinance. How many complaints is the PBA and the Mayor's office getting? It would be interesting to see those complaints considering the ordinance has been dead for so long.

I suppose you have a point Israel. Downtown is riddled with drug dealers and a major portion of their 'clients' gotta be homeless. If the ordinance can get them off the streets and into housing (temp, day or otherwise) - it gives the police less to worry about and makes it easier to focus on the dealers.

Perhaps a reason the complaints MAY be down - nobody in their right mind goes downtown. With all the options for shopping, eating, drinking, entertainment in other areas of Portland (Alberta, Division, Mississippi, 23/21..etc) - why would any sane person subject themselves to the Old Town/Downtown frat boys, vagrants and crack dealers?

When I said I agreed with Israel, I didn't say why. In my experience, the amount of people seen sleeping on the sidewalk has decreased.

BTW, where/who is the best person/group to complain to about the Old Town drug issue? I walk through that area getting home and get stopped by Police. Yet continue to be offered crack, meth, weed and see it being blatantly handed about.

Complaints are down because nobody goes downtown - umm, downtown today and everyday is jamming. Lots of people go downtown to work and to play. I would say more so than the past. Haven't you heard the new slogan. "We're live downtown, why aren't you." Alberta and Mississippi can't have all the swankters.

Concerning drugs I think its a generalization to say most of the people buying drugs are homeless. Sure, there's addicts on the streets, but working in Old Town/China Town there's also a lot of people who aren't your protypical homeless addict coming down to get some weed or smack.

I say legalize it and regulate it, but that would be much easier and more cost effective than putting people in prison and harrassing people day in and day out. It's the American way and all.

And no ordinance targeting homeless people has ever gotten them into housing or gotten them a job. That would be nice though. "Hey, you can't sit on that sidewalk. Want a job? We've finally pulled our heads out of our asses and we want to give you housing too." It's not that far of a stretch. There just needs to be a major shift in funding and how we deal with the issue.

but why do we even need the ordinance?

Because city council is made up of five men, yet they've only got one pair of balls to split between them?

@Yeeeouch:

Hall of fame. Hey Merc, I think you guys should institute Yeeeouch's "can you pass the balls?" outlook on city council. Lots of potential.

Who has the balls this week?

Is there going to be a fight over who gets the balls?

Is Dan Saltzman gelded? If so, is it by choice?

How many inches above the ground do Potter's balls hang? That is, when he has them.

If they have to share balls, do the balls morph to take on the characteristics of those who hold them?

Do you think Sam Adams shaves the balls when he has them?

etc.

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