Rarely agree with Matt, but here's my letter to Randy Leonard...

Commissioner Leonard:
Please don't let Peterson's get evicted from their SW 10th and Morrison location. As a resident of inner SE Portland, the only time I cross the river into downtown is to spend a few nights at the downtown Hilton twice a year (once for xmas shopping, and once for a summer vacation). The beer on the room service menu is $6 PER BOTTLE, and that is pretty ridiculous. Thankfully there's Peterson's, which sells beer for about $11 per six-pack--a $25 savings. So that's my reason. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Martin [redacted]

Why am I worried that we could end up with a downtown that is nothing but a mall filled with cookie cutter stores and offices above it?

Because if you wanted a cookie cutter environment, you would have already moved to Hillsboro?

You're supposed to compare the Pearl District to Disneyland. Get with it.

Which is why I now live in the Roosevelt, on SW Park. Because it's not in the Pearl, which is a manufactured bedroom community in the middle of the city that appeals to frat boys, and because I can pay a mortgage for what we were renting for, seven blocks north. Meanwhile, here are six emails to the mayor's office on the subject of Peterson's:

1.

June 17, 2008

Dear Mayor Tom Potter:

While in downtown Portland and making my normal detour to the Peterson's store on Morrison this morning I was more than shocked to learn that there is any consideration of vacating anybody from that location. Not only have they continued to make do with that bit of property they have been allowed to use over the last many years but yet they have managed to turn it into something quite remarkable as well. There is not a day downtown that I don't stop at that store at least once or twice.

As to give some background upon myself; I have been going to all the Peterson's stores downtown since I was 25yrs. old and I am now currently 33yrs. old. I have also been volunteering my time upon availability and tend to hang out a lot at the Yamhill and Morrison Store and I have made good friends with many of the Employees, Managers, and the Owner himself; Doug Peterson.

Over the last many years while I have been offering my time and effort I have never once seen any problems arise from the store itself. The Peterson's stores are on the Mass Transit lines and if there are any major problems socially that does cause conflicts or are offensive problems they arise outside and then enter into the store. The store is not to blame, rather it is the people coming into the store that you need to confront. (If you want I can make a sign to go with all the others I've made for the store to hang outside saying, "No grumpy people allowed in the store." But I don't think that would work too well. It may only make people grumpier. J)

I guess what I am trying to say is that you are accusing the wrong people. Nine innocent people will end up losing their jobs and at the worst time ever in the economy all because we have people that start picking fights outside the store and cause problems, yet never step foot inside the store. But because the closest location to anything convenient just happens to be the Peterson's Store all fingers get pointed that way.

Please reconsider your decision as not only are the wrong being accused but not once did they get a fair chance to make any corrections on anything that wasn't even their fault to begin with. It was claimed that many notifications have been sent out warning them of these matters. Regrettably, if any notifications had been sent they failed to make it to the store, the owner, or any of the employees there. I will stand as a witness.

I do intend on furthering this with the public.

Thank you.

Jennifer L. Sunde

2.

Dear Mayor Potter,

I just wanted to let you know that I live and work downtown and I would hate to see Peterson's market be absent from my daily routine. My children and I frequent these stores as part of our daily life here in Portland, Oregon. Please help us save Peterson's Market on Morrison. Thank you,

Melissa Mayes

3.

Dear Mayor Potter:

I am writing regarding the pending eviction of Peterson's Convenience
Store in downtown Portland. I urge the city to reconsider this
decision. Peterson's has served this area for 23 years. Doug
Peterson built this business up when no one wanted to be in this
area. Unfortunately, this action appears to be motivated by the
opening of the Brooks Brothers store across the street. The problems
that the city cites for the eviction are obviously "problems" that
occur in all parts of the city. Again, please let the Peterson's
store remain at it's current location.

Matthew Rizzo

4
I feel it is VERY wrong to close the Peterson's on Morrison store. It is an established business that has served the community well. I have lived in Portland area my entire life and there has always been panhandling and vagrants in downtown Portland. They are on every street corner and I pass them everyday all over downtown. There is absolutely no reason that this community problem has been laid at the feet of Mr.. Peterson. I also worked at that store in the late 80's and early 90's, I know first hand that when teen mobs and other lowlifes are picking on commuters it is a safe haven for citizens.

This is unfair and unwarranted, you can't blame one business for the problems that the city has been unable to fix. The city has turned a blind eye to the homeless situation and they can't even patrol the Max line properly. I ride the Max everyday to and from work and it's scary. Thank god I live on the West side of town, I wouldn't even consider riding the Max line East.

The city is trying to make a scapegoat out of Mr.. Peterson's store. Maybe you should try to solve these ongoing problems instead of blaming a small business owner who pays the higher Multnomah county taxes you impose on him.

STOP IGNORING THE REAL PROBLEM!!!

Christine A. Hunt

5

Your Honor,

I have seen a letter from the City notifying Peterson's at SW 10th Avenue and Morrison Street that it must vacate the premises by August 15. The letter cites problems with Peterson's clientele as the reason. I live in the neighborhood and rely on Peterson's for my early morning coffee, newspaper and whatever else I need. I don't think the problem here is with Peterson's because I have never seen any bad behavior there. What I do see is the city's working people being served with some basic needs as they make their way to work in the morning. I think any behavioral problems are caused by the large expanse of dry area along with opportunities for busking the crowds who wait there for the MAX.

Please don't close Peterson's; I rely on it.

Freda J. Miller

6.

Mayor Potter,

I’m asking that you please prevent the eviction of Peterson’s at 10th and Morrison.

It seems to be assumed that their presence is the cause of “less than desirable” people hanging out in the area. I think you’ll find that the root cause is the Max station there and that rather Peterson’s or an office or Tiffany’s is in that location, the panhandling and other activities performed by the people hanging at the Max station will still occur as evidenced by the problems that seem to occur at many Max stations located throughout Portland.

It has been proven over the past 23 years that Peterson’s have served a vital role in the current location and if they had not been, they would not have the customer base to still be in business.

Again, please take time to review this situation and let’s see if a solution to the real problem can be obtained.

Thank you for your time.

Brian Hansen

I live downtown, and Petersons is essential to the livelihood of residents like me who keep late hours. Safeway now closes at 1 a.m., and the two coffee shops that used to be open 24 hours (Starbucks on 23rd and the Old Pharmacy Cafe on 21st) now close around 1 or 2 a.m. What will this eviction leave us besides McDonald's (walk-up window on Burnside), the Roxy (just not on Mondays), Plaid Pantry (ugh), and Voodoo Doughnut (hmm)?

After all the sleazy back-room-deals, all the government funded gentrification, there's something both depressing and hilarious about watching a bunch of yuppies get worked up over a convenient store.

"Because it's not in the Pearl, which is a manufactured bedroom community in the middle of the city that appeals to frat boys".

Sometimes it appeals to smart brunettes with a penchant for karaoke.

Kyle, who here is a yuppie? Let's trade bank accounts for a day. There are still plenty of poor people -- and, um, studio apartments -- in downtown Portland. This is why we need Petersons.

Oh, come on now, Meyer; do you really expect me to sit here and backup my broad, angry rantings? This is the internet!

Still... what do studios do for 'round those parts? I assume you can't get anything for less then $650--and if you can pay that, you've got a hell of a lot more money then me.

Kyle, once again you show your ignorance. That downtown area is full of low-income housing -- full of it. These aren't yuppies upset about anything, they're regular poor and working people.

Yes, I know there's lots of "low-income housing", but what's it actually going for?

The last story I read on the subject talked about low-income rooms in the new Burnside building going for $650. I know when I talk to people over here in the deeper east side, they all say they can't afford anything downtown.

They could afford it if they shared one.

Clearly anyone that knows how government here in Portland is done will recognize that what is really involved with this sad case is that some corrupt official sought to get a bribe and being super-honest people, the Peterson's said "bite my ass" and the spiteful official has now conjured up an eviction as spiteful revenge, and some corrupt-politician is giving them cover to do so. We need to cut to the chase and find out the sorry official involved in this incident and then find out who is the politician (or could be plural...politicians) giving this turd cover and then expose them to the light of day and try their asses in the only court that matters...