apparently you have to donate at least $2 to the petitions website to have your opinion recorded.

ipetition does ask for a donation, and it looks like you need to give one before it'll actually record your signature (and there's no option for "no thanks" or "$0"), but they record you even if you close the window at that point.

You do not need to donate to have your signature added to the petition.
Just close the window and you see you have been added anyway.

I have had a petition up as well in opposition to renaming the street. It has been there since Wednesday. It can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Keep_Interstate_Ave_Alive/

We have almost 60 signatures in 3 days, the petition in favor has only 104 and if you look closely there are numerous duplicates, one person even signing 7 times. Please voice your opposition, as this IS going to be sent to the mayor and the city commissioners!

Um, so what's the objection to the name change exactly?

I support the name change, kinda. I think part of the problem with the name change is the historic "Interstate" name. Interstate used to be the road that connected the Pacific Northwest, and I think, culturally speaking, that is no small matter. However, it is important that we Oregonians and Portlandians remember historical figures; therefore, I would like to suggest a compromise: The Cesar Chavez Interstate.

Although I think it is a good idea to memorialize a person with this history, I think we need to consider a few other things. Just so there is no question, I am opposed to renaming Interstate.

First, Interstate is what is bringing us all (a very diverse group of people) together and it has been a huge part of who we are still becoming in this neighborhood (Kenton, Arbor Lodge, Overlook, and others-“Interstate Corridor”). With the Max line we had to deal with a lot – but at least we have Interstate to keep it all together. With the new proposed zoning changes, we’re still dealing with a lot. With the I-5 exit and street formerly known as Portland Blvd name already changed (remember we also had MLK not too long ago) in this neighborhood is it right that we must take on yet another cause? Would you rename Woodstock or Hollywood- streets that define those neighborhoods? No, you would not.

Second, if we are going to change such a historical street it should be for someone that was born or raised or lived here and somehow was extensively integrated in the community, or made significant impact for diverse – multicultural groups of people or people across all cultures, or had some influence on the neighborhood. The person that this street would be named after should have already had some grass roots efforts behind it – starting not by naming a street after him or her. I’ll bet that most everyone knew who Martin Luther King Jr was and Rosa Parks was long before we renamed those streets. What about William Naito? Portland native – made significant improvements for downtown – a deserving name change. Not to minimize what Cesar E Chavez has done for his community but what presence and impact has Cesar E. Chavez had on Portland or this particular neighborhood – so much so that the only option to memorialize him is with a name change of such a significant street?

We cannot lose our history with Interstate Avenue. Other options need to be considered to memorialize Cesar E. Chavez. Grass roots efforts need to be made by the people behind this effort to create more recognition of who this person was… before attempting a street name change. When they go to name a street some time from now, people won’t go “Who??”

And EVERYONE STAY AWAY FROM MESSING WITH INTERSTATE AVENUE.

Send your letters to Tom Potter.