City Commissioner Randy Leonard is trying to move the focus off of duct tape, and onto “parade access,” but we at the Mercury know better than that. This is an issue of the sticky silver stuff!

Leonard’s committee finally has a proposal that’s ready for public comment. The proposal would “prohibit taping, painting, chalking, or otherwise marking public property to reserve space to watch the Grand Floral Parade.”

From the proposed ordinance:

The City of Portland ordains:

SECTION 1. The Council finds that:

1. The practice of marking public property and/or blocking the public right of way for the purpose of reserving space for a parade event has become a widespread practice leading up to parade events in Portland.

2. The practice of taping public property for the purpose of reserving parade seating results in high volumes of garbage and additional demands on clean-up crews.

3. The practice of using tape, paint, or objects to reserve space on public property in advance of a parade is unfair to other members of the public who have an equal right to utilize public space.

4. The practice of reserving public space for the purpose of viewing of a parade has the potential to create unnecessary conflict among citizens and impacting the ability of citizens to freely enjoy events using the public right-of-way.

It continues. Check it out here, and you’ve got until February 22 to comment to Sara Petrocine, Leonard’s staffer who’s been working with the committee about this for months.