Blogtown, PDX

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Politics Mayor Tom Potter: Supports Safe, Sound and Green Streets, But Urges May Vote

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Wed, Feb 6 at 3:33 PM

I told you there’d be twists and turns in this fight over the street fee. This morning, Commissioner Adams appeased the mayor by saying he’d ask the council to put the fee to a public vote—in November.

Now, the mayor responds. He supports the proposal, but says “there is still time to place Safe, Sound and Green Streets as a single ordinance on the May ballot.”

I think Potter just kicked off Round 2 (or is this 3? 4?). Will he keep pushing for May, and perhaps pick up the support of Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who has a Children’s Investment Fund renewal on the November ballot? Would that further annoy Commissioner Randy Leonard, who’s not happy with the ballot idea? Could all of this combine to prompt Adams to realize he’s got four votes to enact the damn thing, and just do that?

Dear Portlanders,
I support Safe, Sound and Green Streets. The proposal will permit the City to address critical transportation infrastructure needs, reduce our unacceptable maintenance backlog and ensure greater safety for all who share our roads. I’ve told Sam I respect the hard work and extensive public involvement he and the Office of Transportation have put into this important issue.

Safe, Sound and Green Streets first came to City Council on January 9 as a single ordinance, which I supported. After opposition to it surfaced, a decision was made to divide the ordinance into three ordinances, in effect making it difficult, if not impossible, for any citizen opposed to the proposal to effectively exercise their right to refer it to a citywide vote.

At that time, I told Sam I could never support any change that would hurt community participation. Since then, the need for Safe, Sound and Green Streets has been lost in a debate about personalities and election-year politics. Worse, that debate fuels the momentum needed to drive a referendum that could eliminate this much needed fee completely.

On Tuesday, I asked Sam to place Safe, Sound and Green Streets on the May ballot, which may be done at the City Council’s initiative. I believe doing so will end the arguments about politics and refocus the debate on streets. Given the extensive community outreach and education that Sam has said is already completed - including 20 public meetings - there would be no need to wait until a November election. Delaying until November might also inadvertently jeopardize other local initiatives already planned for that ballot.

I know that some folks will say that any referendum must be the work of “Big Oil” or some other vested interest. Frankly, I’ve never met anyone from Big Oil, or ever talked to any lobbyist about this issue. Other than Sam, who negotiated a compromise over his proposal with representatives from the Oregon Petroleum Association, I don’t know anyone on Council who has.

There is still time to place Safe, Sound and Green Streets as a single ordinance on the May ballot. I hope you will join me in urging the Council to do so.

Permalink

Comments

PDX politics at its best. Potter supports Dozono. Nothing worse for Adams than to have him AND his tax on that primary ballot. Big excedrin headache for Sam.

Posted by anon | February 6, 2008 4:10 PM

Tom Potter "Frankly, I’ve never met anyone from Big Oil, or ever talked to any lobbyist about this issue."

I'm sorry? Are we talking about the same issue?

According to Willamette Week, Katu.Com, and Bike Portland.org the bio on this guy is:

"Paul Romain, a lawyer and lobbyist representing the Oregon Petroleum Association"

So the Mayor is saying that he doesn't know who this guy is.

Really?

Posted by Oliver | February 6, 2008 4:18 PM

I'm assuming this gas tax doesn't have to pass the double majority rule, then? Is that only for property taxes?

Posted by no one in particular | February 6, 2008 4:25 PM

This is becoming hard to track.

Didn't Gary Blackmer suggest a couple of days ago that he didn't have enough time to include this on the primary ballot?

From his Monday email:

"City Code Section 2.04.090 E requires that a referendum petition be filed at least four months before an election date in order to be placed on the ballot for that election. This Code Section also provides for this four month submission requirement to be waived if the Auditor can complete the signature verification process and meet the counties' election filing deadlines.

. . . .

However, neither my office nor the County have the ability to process the petitions for a May vote on any ordinances passed on or after February 4, 2008. If signatures were submitted to my office on the 30th day after passage of these three ordinances as allowed, my office and the County would have only 13 days to complete verification on over 60,000 signatures. The deadline to certify a measure to the ballot is March 20. "

Posted by Mark | February 6, 2008 4:39 PM

Oh, duh.

No signatures if council refers it -- I need a drink.

Posted by Mark | February 6, 2008 4:41 PM

re: "I'm assuming this gas tax doesn't have to pass the double majority rule, then? Is that only for property taxes?"

It's not a gas tax. It's a fee on your water bill.

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz | February 6, 2008 4:43 PM

Can anybody tell me WTF "safe sound and green means?

Safe meaning stopping the illegal mexicans from killing us on them?

Sound meaning I hear the sound of another screw job coming my way via new taxes?

Green meaning more of the same bicycle, granola, tram, assinine foolishness that the "Goldschmidt Transportation Machine" can dream up to f**k us even harder?

Posted by Friends of Meatpuppet | February 6, 2008 7:55 PM

Wow, was any part of the above not offensive, narrow-minded, or flat-out wrong?

Posted by anon | February 6, 2008 9:22 PM

Potters wife is also a volunteer for sho's campaign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22610729@N02/2184331564/in/photostream/

this stinks...

Posted by dat | February 6, 2008 9:43 PM

Potters wife is also a volunteer for sho's campaign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22610729@N02/2184331564/in/photostream/

this stinks...

Posted by dat | February 6, 2008 9:43 PM

Potters wife is also a volunteer for sho's campaign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22610729@N02/2184331564/in/photostream/

this stinks...

Posted by dat | February 6, 2008 9:44 PM

Potters wife is also a volunteer for sho's campaign.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22610729@N02/2184331564/in/photostream/

this stinks...

Posted by dat | February 6, 2008 9:44 PM

I'm not a neurosurgeon, I can't afford (however nice it would be) to live in riverplace or buy a house on the hill in outer northwest. Therefor I'm not the recipient of the huge subsidy of the Tram, the South Riverplace Complex or the Streetcar.

Yet somehow, my desire to not be crushed by a Garbage Truck on my way to work (because I've decided that I'd rather spend my money on American goods and local services than send it to the house of SAUD) is relentlessly portrayed as support for that stupid tram.

What gives?

Posted by oliver | February 7, 2008 10:13 AM

Oliver - Sam's transportation policy includes both the tram and the water bill poll tax - and it focuses on making sure the Schnitzers and the Homer Williamses and their constituents don't pay a single dime more than we do.

It's a flat poll tax, just like Thatcher put into effect in the late 80s...

Posted by Aaron V. | February 10, 2008 12:35 AM

Vote No on the tax.

This city has proved they cannot be trusted with tax revenue.

When we change the entire council I will consider new taxes.

They'll always take the easy way out if the citizens let them.

VOTE NO!

Posted by AL M | February 10, 2008 3:39 PM

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